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 🙂
Travels and Trifles 
Jul, let me know if you got my reply, thanks! Appreciate your beautiful comment 🙂
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!…)
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!
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 😉
I travel vicariously through your stunning photography. Loved the 3 monks amazing shot! ML
Well thanks Miss Mary Lynn! Glad to take you along with me to far away places 🙂 Thanks for your lovely compliment.
T
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!!
Thanks April. You have to go, it’s fantastic. Thanks for your comment 🙂
Such beautiful faces … Love the photos & captions as always. You are FAB!!
Thank you Alma! Such great subjects, hard to miss 🙂
Beautiful, Tina!
Sharon Buehler 843-442-9602 (cell)
Thanks Sharon!
Each conveys a sense of peace… a wonderful way to start my day!
They are beautiful… love the color!
Thanks Jeannie! C U tonite!
Great shots!
Thanks Janie-great memories!
Great photos. Linda
Thanks Linda. Definitely coming out in Jan. will be in touch.
T
Wonderful quotes and images, Tina.
Thanks Jane!