My Round the World Trip
- Thread starter pupuce
- Start date
#03 Mali - Djenne.. Old and beat up but still doing its job
After getting off at the bus "station, you have to catch the pick-ups which doesnt run on schedule and leaves when its full. The ride last for 25 minutes before we get on the barge and another 15 minutes to arrive in Djenne.
I arrived on the last pick up in the night.. it was so beautiful as the sky was full of twinkling stars. I couldnt stopped staring into the sky and didnt even realised the barge has arrived at the bank. An young african teenager seems to find me very strange, staring dreamily into the sky.. he asked me " where you from?" I told him where I am from. He had no idea where it is and he asked me another question " you have no stars in your country?"
I smiled and wish I could have make him understand why such a sight is so rare in my brightly artificially lit country. He cant fathom a country that is full of street lights everywhere
#04 Mali - Djenne
Last edited:
I dont work for sos, neither do I own isis with dog.. guess it's not me Still it is nice to hear tht people are going away for long travel leave.. My heart has been edging me to go away for another long trip next year
Last edited:
hey Mrsamo,
sometimes a photo brings back certain memory for me. could be a person, a short conversation with a stranger, some are small and insignificant... but they marked my journey in a special way.. i just wanted to share what these incidents meant to me..
as for the critique, I have to admit that they have been kind so far and nothing too harsh that makes me feel like I should hide away my photos. (although I read a few in other threads which made me cringe)
arphaxad12
New Member
Took me several evenings to read thru all 21 pages of your post but I enjoyed every bit of it !!! Keep it coming !!!
There are many other travel threads but yours is truly special for some reasons. Think its a unique combination of your writing skill, conceptualisation and the photos which tells the story so effectively. I laughed out loud when I read the question the african boy asked "there are no stars in your county?" Haha. That is so true, we hardly know what nature is.
There are many other travel threads but yours is truly special for some reasons. Think its a unique combination of your writing skill, conceptualisation and the photos which tells the story so effectively. I laughed out loud when I read the question the african boy asked "there are no stars in your county?" Haha. That is so true, we hardly know what nature is.
Six-GHz
Senior Member
I've reached Page 9 of your thread, and this extract made a fascinating read. Not only reflect the American way of life, but also rightfully so here back home. You have lived your life, while many out there are just existing.
Now even if I finished reading this thread, I'd still have your blog to pore through! So many things to read, so little time! But that's better than to have too much time with nothing interesting to show!
PS: Nikon Singapore should take a cue on your adventure for their advertisments!
Last edited:
asterixsg
Senior Member
You've reminded me of a conversation I had with someone in the Outback in Aug 2007 when I went to photograph the lunar eclipse. I think I wrote about it in my Outback Australia thread then.
It my first real memory of watching the Milky Way, such a beautiful band across the sky. I had mistaken it to be clouds and was worried that I had made a wrong decision of going to the Outback to catch the eclipse :bsmilie:
I told him "I wish we had clear skies and no light pollution in Singapore, so we could see the Milky Way". To which, he had replied "I wish we had more rains"...
I dont work for sos, neither do I own isis with dog.. guess it's not me Still it is nice to hear tht people are going away for long travel leave.. My heart has been edging me to go away for another long trip next year
Go for it. You've already done it once. It should be an easier decision to do it again. No ?
That's exactly what I do, for the memories. I just need to stop being camera shy and actually be in them
Six-GHz
Senior Member
Forgo half a sunny Saturday to play catching up to your thread till current. Ok, it's that riveting!
To summarise it so far, you were 38 when you decided to give up your 5-figure sales job of 10 years, sold your cabriolet, got rid of creature comforts to pursue your if-not-now-then-when travelling dream. Embarking on a 15 months solo round-the-world trip that took you from Antartica to Zimbabwe that covered 28% of planet earth (which I reckon should be more?) with just a D80 and a 18-200 lens, roughing it out in places, bearing hazards and discomforts. Along the way, experiencing different cultures and sights, taking in spectacular shots (Dead Sea Jordan Rift Valley, Granada etc) and making new friends. Once back, got settled down, gotten a D90, and raring to go again.
This is probably a prime example of living life in moments, which has been deservingly amazing, inspiring and liberating all at one go. Of all the photographs you posted, this (with added speech bubble) probably crystalises what I (or many of the readers out there) would be thinking (pse remove if you find it offending) - that the world is at your feet; if only you break the chains and take a step out.
My take so far is focus on your travelling and less on equipment and gears. Because sometimes getting too hard on capturing a "perfect" shot could be self-limiting, since you confessed to be more of a traveller-photog rather than the other way round. In my personal view, you joined the ranks of some great contributors here like Giantcanopy and Andrewine (there are others too, but to move and strike a resonating cord within is a personal thing altogether). I agree with some forumners out there to put your exeriences in print. That way, you would't have to work anymore!
In short, you're one lady with balls. Keep sharing please. I'm gonna check out your blogs too. Again, yeah, it's that riveting.
To summarise it so far, you were 38 when you decided to give up your 5-figure sales job of 10 years, sold your cabriolet, got rid of creature comforts to pursue your if-not-now-then-when travelling dream. Embarking on a 15 months solo round-the-world trip that took you from Antartica to Zimbabwe that covered 28% of planet earth (which I reckon should be more?) with just a D80 and a 18-200 lens, roughing it out in places, bearing hazards and discomforts. Along the way, experiencing different cultures and sights, taking in spectacular shots (Dead Sea Jordan Rift Valley, Granada etc) and making new friends. Once back, got settled down, gotten a D90, and raring to go again.
This is probably a prime example of living life in moments, which has been deservingly amazing, inspiring and liberating all at one go. Of all the photographs you posted, this (with added speech bubble) probably crystalises what I (or many of the readers out there) would be thinking (pse remove if you find it offending) - that the world is at your feet; if only you break the chains and take a step out.
My take so far is focus on your travelling and less on equipment and gears. Because sometimes getting too hard on capturing a "perfect" shot could be self-limiting, since you confessed to be more of a traveller-photog rather than the other way round. In my personal view, you joined the ranks of some great contributors here like Giantcanopy and Andrewine (there are others too, but to move and strike a resonating cord within is a personal thing altogether). I agree with some forumners out there to put your exeriences in print. That way, you would't have to work anymore!
In short, you're one lady with balls. Keep sharing please. I'm gonna check out your blogs too. Again, yeah, it's that riveting.
TS, you have my utmost respect for braving so many countries. Let me know when you need some guide through south west china...
:thumbsup:
:thumbsup:
ahbian
Senior Member
#16 Morocco, MArrakech
Caught in the act
Gohnz, you asked me how I take photos of the local people (short of paying them money and asking them to pose for me - which personally I dont like to do as I feels it encourage them to hoard the tourist and travellers in the future for posing of photos. Somehow I feel that It's "less real" in some ways)
So, here is one fore you - what happens when I get caught for snapping pics of them
This is a wonderful capture, resonates with many of us here who have tried to take candid photos of the locals but met with similar resistance. Its great you have managed to grab a shot and turn the moment of "being caught" into a charming photo.
Last edited:
quizesilver
New Member
Hi pupuce,
Well done!! can feel the experience from your post!
nice !
Well done!! can feel the experience from your post!
nice !
Forgo half a sunny Saturday to play catching up to your thread till current. Ok, it's that riveting!
This is probably a prime example of living life in moments, which has been deservingly amazing, inspiring and liberating all at one go. Of all the photographs you posted, this (with added speech bubble) probably crystalises what I (or many of the readers out there) would be thinking (pse remove if you find it offending) - that the world is at your feet; if only you break the chains and take a step out.
In short, you're one lady with balls. Keep sharing please. I'm gonna check out your blogs too. Again, yeah, it's that riveting.
Hey there,
you got to be kidding to think I will find this offensive and delete it... so way cute and I burst out laughing when I scrolled down and saw this photo. It is really so funny and I love it! It probably sums up one of the emotion going through me during that period of time.Thank you once again and glad that giving up half the sunny saturday was worth it..*devilish grin*
Last edited:
Ahbian, what I like about this photo is the different facial expression and action coming from these 4 old men.. it was a lucky shot in a way. Kinda wish the water bottle wasnt blocking his face that much but overall I think it spells out the situaton then! Thanks for dropping a comment and I appreciate it
Enjoyed every single pics and thanks for sharing your stories with us!
More story!
TS, you have my utmost respect for braving so many countries. Let me know when you need some guide through south west china...
Thank you all..
As for the stars.. Like what asterixsg has mentioned.. I guess there is no perfection and everyone take for granted what they have in their "little world" and wishes for something else. I am sure the African boy if he could have imagine how the developed cities are like, he would gladly give up the stars and have what we are having in our country.. safety, street lamps, proper sewage, roads
Daredevil123, I will tackle China one of these days and be sure I will take up your offer of help!
Last edited:
#4 Mali - Djenne, Cleaning the toilets
From what I understand from our little guide, he is cleaning out the sewage system of the houses. He digs out the hole from outside the homes, cleared out the "****" and patched it up again. I was told that this happens once a week! There are proper toilets in the "hotels" catering to the foreigners but this is real life.
By this part of my trip, I have pretty much got used to "long drops" or at times digging up my toilet but truth to be told, I dread every moment when I have to go toilet. I know I will never take flushed toilets and my shower for granted ever again in my life
Last edited:
lawrence34
New Member
Not around the world in 80 days meh?
Similar threads
