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photographie-irie > Little Hmong Parasol Smile, Coc Ly, Vietnam      This is the normal reaction I tend to get when offering to take a picture. Showing the result on the back of the camera can make you a big center of attention.
photographie-irie > Gas Station, Hmong Style, Coc Ly, Vietnam      Horses and one's own feet are still used to get around in most cases, but if you have a motorbike, you need gas. These ladies provide. Typical gas stations are available on the open road in and around cities in Vietnam, but a good deal of petrol is sold across developing economies from bottles such as these, especially in hinterlands like this where there's no prospect for a real gas station. Regular or ethyl?
photographie-irie > Flower Hmong Girl Guarding Umbrellas, Coc Ly, Vietnam       Off to the side of the market was this girl appearing not too sure of me. With that bamboo staff in hand, I gave her gave her wide berth. Actually, after taking her picture she gave me a big smile upon seeing her image in the camera. Digital photography is a great ice breaker for the immediacy of the reward, especially with kids. But some isolated peoples without much alien contact are not quite comfortable with the concept, thinking you may be stealing a part of them in taking their picture. Others, although not many, wish to be paid. Common courtesy and personal respect is called for in getting some tacit permission to take pictures if they are so inclined, defering if they are not. My personal policy is not to set the precedent of paying to take a picture, but rather to attempt engagment in some other manner. In this way the actual process of photography can bring you closer to peoples and cultures that otherwise might well remain fascinating but much more distant.
photographie-irie > Flower Hmong Socializing, Coc Ly, Vietnam      More ladies doing what ladies do everywhere, in the midst of Coc Ly Tuesday market. The handsome Vietnamese chappy behind with sunglasses on his head, looking to the left, was my guide to adventure in places I could never find on my own. Dinh, or Dingdong as he jokingly called himself, spoke excellent Australian English. When we first set out for Muong Houm he tried to give me the shake, to test me and hopefuly demonstrate how crazy was my idea of attempting these difficult destinations that were most likely beyond my ridership. Once he accepted his fate after determining I could keep up, cruising the bikes with him on the open road was often as much fun as the destinations we were heading to and from. I can't say enough about seeing the world on a motorbike, following a great guide like Dinh on his own bike, who can then interpret, explain and facilitate you both going exactly where you want to go, on your schedule. Quite different than either getting stuck with a tour group or getting hopelessly lost on your own where maps, directions and roads that match do not exist.
photographie-irie > Flower Hmong Woman Selling Purses, Hats, Coc Ly, Vietnam      On another day trip motorbike ride from Sapa, the Tuesday market in Coc Ly is not so islolated as Muong Houm, but attracts a vibrant gathering of ethnic minorities selling their wares. This wonderful Flower Hmong lady smiled me into buying purse after purse as gifts I did not need. Carrying her store around her neck and on her head, getting away was not an option. She almost sold me a hat, but there's only so much room on a bike. Now I wish I bought three.
photographie-irie > Cute Flower Hmong Girls, Muong Houm, Vietnam      Even in a distant town market well off the beaten path, traditional dress meets cartoon tee-shirt. Happy kids and happy people enjoying their big day at the market.
Little Hmong Parasol Smile, Coc Ly, Vietnam     

This is the normal reaction I tend to get when offering to take a picture. Showing the result on the back of the camera can make you a big center of attention.
photographie-irie > Little Hmong Parasol Smile, Coc Ly, Vietnam      This is the normal reaction I tend to get when offering to take a picture. Showing the result on the back of the camera can make you a big center of attention.
Little Hmong Parasol Smile, Coc Ly, Vietnam     

This is the normal reaction I tend to get when offering to take a picture. Showing the result on the back of the camera can make you a big center of attention.
See photo in original gallery.
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