Untilted Photo | TrekEarth

Photographer’s Note

I posted this photo with respect to the lady.
As you may know, life in Myanmar is NOT always easy for its citizens; especially for this lady, a handicapped person. I have no idea but think she is suffered from some kind of Hansen's disease (leprosy), then moving is big problem for her.
The photo was taken on the "slow" boat trip from Mandalay to Bagan (it takes 14hrs), this is really a highlight of my trip to Burma. It's double deck boat which normally is fully loaded with several hundreds of people and tons of goods. On the way, it stopped more ten times for local people to hop on and off, and to trade off along the Ayeyarwady river.

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hmusty (171) 2009-01-12 8:01 [Comment]

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limule (3997) 2009-01-12 12:10

Hello, what a strong picture.... I agree with you that it is leprosy... It seem s her hand are being touched too. Whta is very strong is to see her motivation to go on the boat, being disabled and also watched (an even pictured) by people. I like this strongness , that can be seen on the picture.

SteveH (4025) 2009-01-12 17:27

Hi, Sad depiction of life in Burma, but all the more powerful because of that. How did you manage to get on one of these boats? When I was there in '96 it wasn't possible. I tried to avoid the places where government might be watching but still could not get on. Only the tourist boats were possible - which didn't interest me. I'm envious of you having made this journey. cheers, Steve

besir1 (2470) 2009-01-16 4:59 [Comment]

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everlasting (10942) 2009-01-17 10:54

I made this journey also on the slow boat, but from Bhamo. Someone died overnight and we pulled along the river bank to lower the body onto a smaller sail boat which took him up again upstream. An amazing 30 hours. A powerful post all the more so in B&W