I have had several requests for more photos, so over the next few days I'll publish more, by theme. This set were taken on the journey from Kathmandu to Kodari (the last Nepalese border town with Tibet). I have called the set 'Impressions' because I spoke to none of the people in them. All I have is a series of captured images which give an 'impression' of the lives captured in them.
Almost all of these photos were snapped from the window of a minibus so they don't have good composition. However what they lack photographically I think they gain in being un-posed and impromptu 'glimpses' of life. Of course I had the benefit of sound when they were taken which I should share with you. The urban shots were taken amidst a cacophony of road noise; typically vehicle hooters from the weak 'parrrp' of the myriad motorcycles and tuk-tuks weaving and jostling to the smart multi-tone air-horns and bone-shakingly deep horns of the biggest articulated lorries, many of which were beautifully decorated. But they didn't sound angry. These were not 'road-rage' nor akin to typical British 'hooting' which say: 'fool', idiot, 'get out of my way', or worse. Nepalese hooting seemed to be a language of the road, neither angry, nor gratuitous, but advisory. 'I'm here', 'take care I'm passing' and maybe 'whoops - sorry'. There were few traffic lights, instead policemen (and police women) stood at strategic junctions in smart uniforms and facemasks directing traffic, mostly successfully. To me they appeared to be conducting a symphony of hooters rather actually directing traffic. Overly romantic - possibly but that was my impression.
Overall this collage of photographs, combined inevitably with my recollections of sounds now shared with you, create an impression of an exciting urban community in a hurry making do and getting by despite a poor economy, low personal incomes, and an atmosphere of fumes and dust, and a roadside community still making the transition from rural to urban. As you know from a previous blog (The Road to Kathmandu) while the former has a wonderful fascination I was particularly moved by the latter who seem to me to be torn between the advantages of communication, supply, transport and retail opportunities which development of the road network brings (and a closer virtual/effective proximity to urban living) and a yearning for an older, more traditional, way of life. Almost everyone seemed to have something to sell, but rarely did I see anyone buying. Of course this may be in my imagination, but from the peoples' expressions and their demeanour I don't think so. Have a look at the photographs and make up your own mind.