Beautiful Borneo almost didn’t let me leave after I planted my first tree in Sepilog, back in 2012.
Thaipusam
Stories of Bangkok I ♥
August 24, 2018
Na pot proti svobodi
September 13, 2018MY STORY
THAIPUSAM HINDU FESTIVAL
But, ’I did it, I returned to the crime scene’ echoed in my mind when I landed after a two-hour flight from Borneo to Penang.
I knew I would be returning even after I left it behind on my first visit.
Colonial Georgetown made me feel great once again. This time around it was for a different reason.
I took part in Thaipusam photo workshop with Mr Gavin Gough and Mr Matt Brandon. Youngsters by heart. Everyone had some cute distinction making them unique.
As a whole they were broad-minded, goodhearted people with a sense of an adventure and lust for life. At the end we were like a family where everybody plays his or her part.
Workshop objective:
Our mission was to get to know the participants in the festival – family, individual or a small group. We needed to spend every possible moment with them and get to know them inside out. To tell their story through photography.
My initial ‘story’ wasn’t answering her phone at the time – nothing out of the ordinary for such an event, but adjustment had to be made.
Mr Fernando Gross and Mr Matt Brandon prepared me well regarding focusing on all together. Mr Fernando Gross and I got to tell the story of five people, friends who were to pull the 5-ton-statue for a long stretch – measured in kilometers.
It was amazing just getting to know all of them but at first I was a bit uncomfortable among all the guys.
But they were so open and eager to explain the story of their belief. Cheerful like they weren’t sleeping on the floor among mosquitos and on a strict diet.
One of the family members, participant of the hindu festival was kind enough to show us his back. Unbelievably there was no bruise from past year’s hooks.
I soon relaxed and was full of growing interest towards the culture I had never experienced before. Fear soon transformed into exchanging stories and know-how.
The power of photography was undoubtfull.
The first night was tough and with no luck I managed to make only a few shots. I quickly experienced the darkness in full – without an external flash.
Crowds don’t make me extra comfortable and with me not being too tall, I usually get the shorter end. The confidence was still to be built.
The story of a sacrifice as giving thanks was still quite unclear to me at the time, but with every conversation I was more into the story.
There were sketches of images appearing in front of my eyes and from time to time it seemed to me like I was in a cartoon.
Camera followed my mind, trying to keep up and capture the impossible. Photographing felt like dancing among all those people, sounds, colors, light, shadows and positive vibrations. I was thirsty of their genuine story.
Pride of their intentions looked exciting and though their faces seemed tired, their eyes were still full of energy.
Day in, day out, in the morning exhausted, with a bit of anxiety, curiosity, mind filled with questions, plenty of challenges, lots of laughter, compassion, disappointment too.
With every hour closer to evening there were more and more challenges resolved, questions answered. Tiredness became pleasant, full of emotions and new knowledge and experience. One of the most exciting weeks.
We stayed until early morning and the guys were on their last atoms of energy. It was at the entrance to the temple where we left our shoes, which weren’t there anymore. Fernando’s were found in the vicinity, while I headed home barefooted.
It turned out that neighboring dogs are very fond of shoes which on many occasions end up scattered around the temple.
With no shoes on my feet, but with head full of new information, I returned to the hotel. After downloading the harvest of the day, cleaning lenses and gathering breath and thoughts, alarm clock went off to announce new morning session. Special session as it turned out.
We took off to the venue of a new day with Mr Gavin Gough and Mr Fernando Gross. Everywhere around there were wild rhythms of indian musical instruments.
Incense so intense I had problems concentrating. Piercings, prayers everywhere. I had to stop for a moment to take a look around and decide what interests me the most.
Sun was at its worst – it felt like in an oven and we had to be very careful not to dehydrate. Gallons of water didn’t help, I suddenly felt very dizzy and in the next moment there was Mr Gavin Gough, catching me under my arm. A rest in the shadow combined with some sugar and water and I was ready for the next episode.
Our guys were extraordinary, exhaustion took its toll but only on the outside. On the inside they were still committed to their belief.
Concern for their well being is usually on their closest friends and families part and I felt honored when they allowed me to help. I provided them with water to prevent dehydration, but it’s not so easy to drink with pierced lips and especially tongue.
The first couple of times water poured everywhere except where it was supposed to, but it was a good laughter for everybody if nothing else. They let me help with the ropes as well (ropes were attached to their backs to pull the giant statue).
Being so much into the story it got me carried away a little bit, when I tried to get the photo from underneath the ropes and therefore got in their way. I’m happy with the image I recorded, but I wouldn’t do it again.
When I first understood what they are getting themselves into, I felt like crying and was struggling not to show my eyes full of tears.
I was beginning to understand their story bit by bit and plunged into the challenge of photography. I felt proud of them, they were my boys.
Amount of determination they were displaying was unthinkable to me. All their emotions were concentrated in their eyes. Happiness, fortune, sadness, disappointment, pride, warmth and love. I was touched.
Like angels, their friends and family were everywhere and their faces expressed joy and pride. Powerful event.
Amount of determination they were displaying was unthinkable to me. All their emotions were concentrated in their eyes. Happiness, fortune, sadness, disappointment, pride, warmth and love. I was touched.
Today my favorite quote is by Marcel Proust:
‘The real voyage of discovery consists not in seeing new landscapes, but in having new eyes.’
I was everywhere, evenings counting my bruises, and relaxed during all the action, among complete strangers.
Light was a problem to me, strong highlights didn’t help, but I didn’t give in.
There were moments when I had to go back to my comfort zone and use 100mm f2.8, macro for some close-ups, and it proved faithful once again.
Everything was great until I felt the heat – energy level dropped to zero and it wasn’t for the first time that day. Luckily Mr Fernando Gross was looking after me, but I was feeling feverish, dizzy, burned out and I knew I had to get to my bed soon. It took me a while to get to the hotel, streets were reserved for the festival.
After dinner and a moment for myself in my room, I remembered Mr Gavin Gough and Mr Matt Brandon. One of the first things they warned us about was dehydration, sunscreen and food – the basics!
I understood that with all the excitement, work and other distractions you can easily forget about the basics – and I did. Fascinated by the festival, I forgot about everything. Adrenalin was pumping through my veins and camera and I were at our limits. Perfect day but a bit on the edge.
Hours were passing by, memory cards were getting full, and I was great, encouraging the guys, helping them and bravely gathering new photographic experiences. It was relaxing to see that exhausted like they were, guys still laughed at my jokes. Being aware of the playground helps you upgrade that trust and maintain mutual respect.