I don’t know about you…but after a trip I often find myself jumping right into the craziness of life and those feelings from traveling just seemed to vanish – poof – gone. On to the next event! We really need that time to decompress…to think through what was just experienced…whatever it is that helps us process that time we’ve spent away from our normal routine. I find diving into another culture excites me beyond belief. Every moment there’s a visual…a constant twang to the taste buds, as well as learning even more about myself as well. At the end of this trip, I made the time to process and I have so much to share…
You see…immediately following my return from Myanmar, there was another trip to the airport for a surprise trip to the farm to visit my mom over the holidays. This was a big one…the first Christmas without my dad. I knew it would be hard for all of us, but I couldn’t imagine not being there with her. So the few days were spent mostly trying to get back on my time zone, just hanging with family, but also dealing with this crazy little bug that I picked up while traveling. More on that later when I know more. <doctor’s appointment this week! Yeah!>
Anyway, after returning to my city from my mom’s visit…two days…and then back on the plane to head to Arizona for a few months. The best decision I made was to cancel New Year’s Eve celebrations and just hang. Not only for health reasons, time zones changes, but also to have that time to think through my experience in Myanmar. It’s been perfect. Well almost perfect…it will be when I rid this bug from my system!
So why did Myanmar have such an impact on me this trip? Well there’s so much, and I’ll be sharing over a few postings…but for now let’s go back to that photo that I posted a couple of weeks ago. This one…the Enjoy Life! one.
But you see it was more than “enjoy life!” It was also the Grand Royal signs throughout the country…a company whose mission is not only to sell their whisky, but to assist in community development…and then of course the people of Myanmar and their simple life…all just as you see in this photo…
a little woven bamboo house with a first floor bodega…
the wraparound skirts for both men and women…
the chewing of the betel nut juice…having a similar effect as a cup of coffee…
the dirt between their toes…watching the comings and goings in their village…
all you see here, yet so much more…
dogs barking, roosters crowing and pigs grunting…
laundry hanging from a tree limb…
a grouping of kicked off shoes in front of the doorway of their house…
a flowering bougainvilla shrub adding a touch of red to their dirt yard…
napping in the afternoon shade…or a smoke in the evening sun…
burning wood in the late afternoon for warmth and cooking…
children playing…women working…the clatter of pots and pans…
melodies floating in the air from their fishing boats…
a visit to their local temple to pay homage and seek enlightenment…
traveling home from a hard day in the fields…
a bath in the river…
The people were quiet…such elegance and grace…there was no pushiness…no one was in a hurry…everyone just softly going about their business…without the want created by popular culture and media…totally content with their life.
So much of this is what I missed on my first trip to Myanmar…and the reason I am so glad I returned.
More to come…
YESSSS… ENJOY LIFE!!! 🙂
Yes…and more!
The elegance & grace shine through in your lovely images, and oh, the light! Thank you for sharing and I hope you are feeling better.
Thank you so much!! Always love your visits Susan! xo
First of all, Ms. Robin, let’s get you well!!!! It’s not the way we want you to start off this new year. May the doctor(s) have wisdom and insight this week! Please know we’re sending you our deepest wishes and prayers.
Secondly, your instinct was right to go back, clearly. We will be the glad recipients of your journey, knowing it will speak in vision and verb to us as like a “second blessing.” Thank you for taking the time to process it…and thank you for surprising your mother in the midst of it all.
Love Love Love.
Yes, Yes! I’m improving…but hopefully the doctor’s appointment will be the answer! Just a few more days! Thank you…
As always…so appreciative of your support and all the inspiration you provide!
Enjoy life is the most basic of our existing, however some people around us are not letting us (sometimes)
People always push or want to go faster.
You experienced a life that is totally different, a culture that does not even come close to ours.
Thank you for sharing your soulful experience and I am so glad that you found what you missed on your first trip.
GET WELL SOON!!!!!
Love and hugs.
Thank you! You are so right…a culture that doesn’t even come close to ours. Now let’s hope that it isn’t ruined by us westerners!
Lovely post. I can’t wait to talk to you and hear about your trip when I see you! Sending prayers for your speedy recovery. Love and hugs!
Thanks my sweet. I’m sure it’s something that the right meds will take care of! Can’t wait to see you and play with Bella! 🙂
These photos are wonderful; I’ve been following your blog for a while now and although your photos have always been good, I’ve seen a real jump to the next level this past year. It’s inspiring!
THANK YOU so much! What a wonderful comment to start my year! So appreciative!
Ah, those Asia bugs, they’re hardy little suckers. In due time he will fade away. Another lesson in patience.
I love the light you are shooting in, so warm and luxurious. My favorite shot is of the little boy standing in the doorway with his mom with her protective glance. And I have to mention the pig, talk about, as happy as a pig in s$&#.
I know you probably feel some of what you experienced in your travels has slipped away by being propelled back into your hectic life, but rest assure, you mostly definitely are a more well rounded and refined person because of it. Traveling the way you do redefines you on a cellular level. It’s now in your DNA, and in ain’t goin’ anywhere.
Yes…patience…I’m trying! Thanks for your comments…so appreciated! And now…Nicaragua!
Robin, I’ll join in the chorus of friends who wish you a speedy return to good health. I’ve been under the weather with the flu myself (despite having received a flu vaccine). After a nice long walk today, I finally feel my head starting to clear, and your blog post was just the encouragement I needed. Your photos depict a kind of grace that I long for in my daily life – and changes I am committed to making. Every picture draws me in and makes me think and feel. A beautiful post . . .
Thanks so much Donna! So sorry to hear about you dealing with the flu too. I’ve heard from so many that this flu shot just didn’t cut it. I had mine too. Now let’s both get this stuff behind us cause we have places to see and things to photograph! Yeah!
Your photography is just wonderful Robin, I can feel how much this trip has inspired you and slowed you right down, it’s all there in the pictures. I wish I was there now!!! The message seems to be SIMPLIFY life…. Good luck with that old bug…..x
Thanks so much Catherine! Yes, such inspiration!
What resonates with me are those words “without the want” and “content” with their life. Your photos show us that so beautifully!
Hope you are feeling better soon.
Thanks Deborah! Love having you visit! Yes, we often forget about those simple words! Hope you are getting settled in your new home and thanks for the well wishes!
Beautiful photos. You captured the place and people so well!
Thanks Maery!!! The people make it easy!
Stunning! (I’m exhausted just thinking about all that flying!-Hope you’re feeling better)
Thanks Elena! Yes, it’s been nice to just hang here in the desert for a while…but you know me…already working the next adventure! Stay tuned!
Oh My Gosh, Robin. This wonderful post just slipped past me, must have been in the midst of the surgeries. So glad, I looked back and found it.
I’m so sorry you were ill and I know by know, thankfully, you are feeling better.
Such great captures of the true essence of the people and culture and my goodness, piggies are just my loves. I’m waiting for the perfection of the micro-pig. I just know, I’d be the idiot to make the huge mistake of the cute 3lb. pig that grows to be the 370lb. pig in 2 years that I just read about. Might as well be a polygimist and have another husband on the couch. Oh yeah, it’s the other way around. The men get tortured with several nagging wives. We women know better than to have more than one husband at a time. I know, not funny. Still sticking to my pig-husband-couch joke. I’m the only one who laughs at myself, anyway!
LOVE all the photos and so very glad you surprised mom. I’m sure it meant the world to her! You are a wonderful daughter. Staying home on New Year’s is a tradition I always loved. There’s a lot to be said about it.
Sorry I missed this wonderful post but so glad you are better.
Love you soooo much. Here’s to a healthy, happy, exciting, heart-fulfilling 2015!
xoxo
Thanks my dear!! All the BEST to you TOO!!! And yes, that would be my luck too with a micro-pig! LOL!
Wemshare the same feeling about our second visit to Myanmar. The grace and beauty of the people made such an impression on us.I just hope that there way of life will not change too much in the future.The strong family bonds and respect for the older generations …so much we can learn from living in a more humble way.
Oh how true….we can learn SO MUCH. Thank you!!! ♥
The light, the colors … I can alsmost smell your photos! Great series.
♥ Always appreciated!