Weekly Photo Challenge: Foreign

“There are no foreign lands. It is the traveler only who is foreign.”

Robert Louis Stevenson

SIDE BY SIDE, VIETNAM

This week’s photo challenge “Foreign” was one an easy one for me. Of all my travels, Southeast Asia felt by far the most different and unfamiliar. I could include many images from that journey that illustrate the point. From the field workers above in their iconic triangle hats, to the family below going about their business.

FAMILY TRANSPORTATION, CAMBODIA

From the Hmong grandmother with her beautiful grandchild

HAPPY GRANDMOTHER AND GRANDCHILD, VIETNAM

To the curious sign below (does the English phrase “Food and Beverage” help us to understand the menu in any way?????).

LUNCH, ANYONE? BANGKOK, THAILAND

But to me, the most interesting, curious and essentially foreign element of this beautiful land was the omnipresence of the monks. Immediately recognizable in their bright orange robes, we saw them everywhere.

Working…

MONK AT WORK

Shopping…

MONK SHOPPING

Strolling

THREE MONKS

Touring…

MONKS AT ANGKOR WAT

Taking a break…

MONK WITH THE NEWS

Or catching a ride.

MONK ON A MOTORBIKE

There is nothing quite as effective in expanding your understanding of the world and the people in it, as seeing first-hand how they go about their own lives. As Mark Twain said:

“Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness.”

And somehow, foreign is no longer the same as strange 🙂

Side by Side – Nikkor 18-200mm @200mm, F/5.6, 1/160, ISO 200
Family Transportation – Nikkor 18-200mm @170mm, f/5.6, 1/320, ISO 320
Happy Grandmother – Nikkor 18-200mm @200mm*, f/5.6, 1/400, ISO 800
Lunch Anyone? – Nikkor 18-200mm @90mm, f/5.3, 1/13, ISO 200
Monk at Work – Nikkor 18-200mm @105mm, f/5.3, 1/30, ISO 3200
Monk Shopping – Nikkor 70-200mm @200mm, f/2.8, 1/500, ISO 360
Three Monks – Nikkor 70-200mm @135mm*, f/3.2, 1/640, ISO 200
Monks at Angkor Wat – Nikkor 18-200mm @170mm, f/5.6, 1/25, ISO 400
Monk with the News- Nikkor 18-200mm @ 112mm, f/5.3, 1/30, ISO 3200
Monk on a Motorbike-Nikkor 18-200mm @135mm, f/5.6, 1/320, ISO 200

Note: All photos taken with Nikon D/300s

20 thoughts on “Weekly Photo Challenge: Foreign”

Tina on November 6, 2012 at 12:10 pm said:

Jul, let me know if you got my reply, thanks! Appreciate your beautiful comment 🙂

Reply ↓
Les Petits Pas de Juls on November 6, 2012 at 11:26 am said:

awesome series! I remember my own travel to Angkor Wat, one of my dearest dreams come true, and the colorful costumes worn by the monk attracted my eyes more than once, but I never caught them the way you did. You did them great justice in every photo, they’re just beautiful people from whom you can feel beauty.
Photography technics question: should I once and for all note down the settings on all my pictures? not that I use it a lot myself, but I’ve been asked and when pictures are more than a few months old, I don’t have those settings in the camera nor on the picture (or can they be found anywhere else once on the computer?) thanks for your advice.

Keep shooting, your pics are just gorgeous! Love the!
Cheers!
Jul’

(discovering your blog through the Weekly Photo Challenge and might well get addicted pretty quickly!…)

Reply ↓
Linda Wyatt on November 1, 2012 at 7:40 am said:

You are saving Whitlow and me lots of money – traveling with you is an awesome way to see the world – thank you for being so generous with your time and talent!

Reply ↓
- Tina Schell on November 1, 2012 at 8:44 am said:
  
  Thanks Linda – glad you’re enjoying! Now if I could figure out how to include the aromas and taste of the Asian food we enjoyed over there you’d be all set 😉
  
  Reply ↓
Mary Lynn on October 31, 2012 at 10:30 pm said:

I travel vicariously through your stunning photography. Loved the 3 monks amazing shot! ML

Reply ↓
- Tina Schell on October 31, 2012 at 10:33 pm said:
  
  Well thanks Miss Mary Lynn! Glad to take you along with me to far away places 🙂 Thanks for your lovely compliment.
  T
  
  Reply ↓
april kanew on October 31, 2012 at 8:23 am said:

I LOVE all of these as this is a place we have been trying to get to for years…just simply hasn’t worked out yet…..the three monks are especially close to my heart……brilliant!!

Reply ↓
- Tina Schell on October 31, 2012 at 8:46 am said:
  
  Thanks April. You have to go, it’s fantastic. Thanks for your comment 🙂
  
  Reply ↓
Alma Brown on October 31, 2012 at 7:47 am said:

Such beautiful faces … Love the photos & captions as always. You are FAB!!

Reply ↓
- Tina Schell on October 31, 2012 at 8:45 am said:
  
  Thank you Alma! Such great subjects, hard to miss 🙂
  
  Reply ↓
Sharon Buehler on October 31, 2012 at 7:39 am said:

Beautiful, Tina!

Sharon Buehler 843-442-9602 (cell)

Reply ↓
- Tina Schell on October 31, 2012 at 8:46 am said:
  
  Thanks Sharon!
  
  Reply ↓
Jeannie on October 31, 2012 at 7:34 am said:

Each conveys a sense of peace… a wonderful way to start my day!

They are beautiful… love the color!

Reply ↓
- Tina Schell on October 31, 2012 at 8:47 am said:
  
  Thanks Jeannie! C U tonite!
  
  Reply ↓
Jane Lurie on October 31, 2012 at 7:31 am said:

Great shots!

Reply ↓
- Tina Schell on October 31, 2012 at 8:47 am said:
  
  Thanks Janie-great memories!
  
  Reply ↓
Elliott Lum on October 31, 2012 at 7:22 am said:

Great photos. Linda

Reply ↓
- Tina Schell on October 31, 2012 at 8:48 am said:
  
  Thanks Linda. Definitely coming out in Jan. will be in touch.
  T
  
  Reply ↓
Jane Iwan on October 31, 2012 at 6:37 am said:

Wonderful quotes and images, Tina.

Reply ↓
- Tina Schell on October 31, 2012 at 8:49 am said:
  
  Thanks Jane!
  
  Reply ↓