Paul Hayward in Burma and the Carmargue

Event
Meeting Report

Our World Globetrotter Paul Hayward gave us a very entertaining and humorous talk on his visit to Burma (now Myamar) followed by another trip to photograph the 'Horses of the Camarge'. Aside from his excellent images, he kept us well informed about the people and the customs in his very relaxed and at times very funny way of talking. Added to this there developed a lively interaction with the audience.

I had had the privilege of seeing both presentations before as Paul and I give slide shows to a group of people with dementia problems called 'Lively Minds' run by a very dedicated lady called Sally Beckers at the Dial Post Village Hall.

Paul started by telling us that there were no PitzzaHuts or MacDonalds and that everything was done with cash, Dollars being the prefered currency, as they do not have Credit card facilities.

Paul's first images started with young boys being introduced and instructed in the Budist faith. They were all dressed up in very ornate and colourful costumes with their faces painted with a paste, which also acts as protection from the sun. They were there with their families, also dressed up and with parasoles on long sticks. We saw the large pagodas decorated with tons of gold all around everyone.

We were then shown more pagodas at a place called Shwedagon where there are literally thousands of ancient pagodas which were erected in days gone past in memory of the more wealthy. Most were built with very elaborate brickwork and many are now being restored as they are in various states of repair.

Paul pointed out that the women in Burma seem to do most of the work although we did see some men fishing and others doing building work, together with women! Later we saw an old lady who had seen better days rolling a cigar and then setting it on fire with a large flame. The cigar then seemed to have an old baked bean tin wired to the end of it to collect the ash, very amusing. In the markets again most of the vendors were women.

We saw pictures of a big lake called Inle where a floating island had gradually been built of reeds bound together on which farming is carried out and has farm buildings on long stilts.

Later when we had been shown many aspects of life in Burma today with images gathered on a tourist trip, not a photographic holiday, Paul carried on showing us his wonderful images of the white horses of the Carmargue. This was a photographic trip and the horses are no longer roaming freely but are in organised herds run by businesses especially for the tourists.

The first images were taken as dawn broke and the light was not at its best but they had atmosphere. I counted seven horsemen (and a girl of 12 years old) whose job it was to control the horses (about 20) and direct them at the gallop closely past the customers through water to allow Paul and his friends to take very fine shots. We saw many images with spray and the horses' manes flying, producing some very good images. Then there were other shots of the horses resting on dry land after their run and I liked shots of the horsemen with their poles (for controlling the herd).

So, all in all we had a very informative, but at the same time amusing, evening which was thoroughly enjoyed by all. Thank you very much Paul.

Submitted by Derek Grieve on