Olympus OM-2N | Kodak Plus-x

Posted on February 5, 2012 | Permalink | Comments (0)

Olympus OM-2N | Kodak Plus-x
Another day, another bus breakdown.

Posted on February 4, 2012 | Permalink | Comments (0)

Olympus OM-2N | Fuji Neopan 1600
Da Chang survived a UXO blast to the stomach while farming, and crawled back to his village for help while losing over a liter of blood. The UXO Survivors' Centre in Phonsavan helped him continue his education while he volunteered at the centre, and in March 2011 hired him full-time.

The UXO Survivors' Centre provides a great deal of information about the effects of the US bombing in Xieng Khouang province, and displays many examples of defused bombs. It's also the most tourist-central place to get a traditional Lao massage, by a woman who entered the business after her husband was blinded by bomb shrapnel. 25% of her massage fee is donated to the centre.

UXO Survivors' Centre: www.laos.worlded.org/donations.htm

Posted on February 4, 2012 | Permalink | Comments (0)

Olympus OM-2N | Kodak Tri-x
Mulberries is an organic silk farm in Phonsavan. Free tours are available on Monday - Saturday, but I was in town on a Sunday. It's still open and possible to visit, although no one's really working that day.

Posted on February 4, 2012 | Permalink | Comments (0)

Olympus OM-2N | Fuji Neopan 1600
Daughter of family owning a fabulous Indian restaurant in Phonsavan.

Posted on February 4, 2012 | Permalink | Comments (0)

Olympus OM-2N | Kodak Plus-x
Xoryang grew up in Ban Tha Jok, the Hmong "bomb village." With a university education in Vientiane, he speaks excellent English and now works with an NGO training villagers all around the Xieng Khouang province in bomb recognition and safety.

He also guides on weekends and is highly recommended! See some photos and his contact info here: www.facebook.com/pages/Xoryang-Jars-Tours/177137485717744...

Posted on February 4, 2012 | Permalink | Comments (0)

Olympus OM-2N | Kodak Plus-x

Posted on February 4, 2012 | Permalink | Comments (0)

Olympus OM-2N | Fuji Neopan 1600

Posted on February 4, 2012 | Permalink | Comments (0)

Olympus OM-2N | Kodak Tri-x
Nearly 40 years later, the danger from unexploded bombs still remains very real for villagers.

Xieng Khouang province is the most heavily-bombed province in Laos, the most heavily-bombed country in the world (per capita). Villagers around the province still face daily danger from unexploded ordnance (UXO) in the fields. Ban Tha Jok, a Hmong village, is one of the most well-known for taking scrap metal found nearby and re-purposing it for fences, supports for animal coops, or small gardens.

Much of the materials that brought them fame is now sold to Vietnamese traders, and villagers are actively discouraged from trying to obtain more due to high potential for injury or death.

UXO Survivors' Centre
Mines Advisory Group

Posted on February 2, 2012 | Permalink | Comments (0)

Olympus OM-2N | Kodak Plus-x
Apparently this was this one family's favorite game. So, they have this monkey and this goat. They pull on the goat's rope to make it seem to be attacking the monkey and the monkey flips his shit.

Xieng Khouang province is the most heavily-bombed province in Laos, the most heavily-bombed country in the world (per capita). Villagers around the province still face daily danger from unexploded ordnance (UXO) in the fields. Ban Tha Jok, a Hmong village, is one of the most well-known for taking scrap metal found nearby and re-purposing it for fences, supports for animal coops, or small gardens.

Much of the materials that brought them fame is now sold to Vietnamese traders, and villagers are actively discouraged from trying to obtain more due to high potential for injury or death.

UXO Survivors' Centre
Mines Advisory Group

Posted on February 2, 2012 | Permalink | Comments (0)