Sikkim, India 2009

[JellyBelly]

AReality, I love this series.

The monks in Sikkim looks really friendly. Were they obliging when asked if their photos can be taken?

It was a mixed bag for me during my recent visit to Tibet. Monks in rural parts of Tibet seems to be more friendly to visitors..

[zoossh]

Originally Posted by JellyBelly AReality, I love this series. The monks in Sikkim looks really friendly. Were they obliging when asked if their photos can be taken? It was a mixed bag for me during my recent visit to Tibet. Monks in rural parts of Tibet seems to be more friendly to visitors..

you got to understand the history of tibet and the trauma the monks went through.

[limwhow]

Originally Posted by zoossh you got to understand the history of tibet and the trauma the monks went through.

Agree with you.
What JellyBelly observed was also exactly what I experienced.
In the monasteries around Lhasa, sadly, the influx of tourists and the burgeoning of this city has created a group of monks who are a little indifferent to visitors. We won't find the monks of Jokhang, Ramoche, Ganden, Drepung and certainly not Sera monasteries being too warm towards ourselves as visitors.
In fact, even the debating monks at Sera monastery are just there simply to act out their debate. Well, that is just my observation. As Zoossh mentioned, the history of the 1950's and the cultural revolution has left deep scars...

Further westwards, I find the monks at Tashilumpur and Sakya monasteries much more smiley. The best? Those at Rombuk monastery right at the base camp of Everest. Friendly and helpful.
Sorry AReality, OT a bit here...

[zoossh]

Originally Posted by limwhow Agree with you. What JellyBelly observed was also exactly what I experienced. In the monasteries around Lhasa, sadly, the influx of tourists and the burgeoning of this city has created a group of monks who are a little indifferent to visitors. We won't find the monks of Jokhang, Ramoche, Ganden, Drepung and certainly not Sera monasteries being too warm towards ourselves as visitors. In fact, even the debating monks at Sera monastery are just there simply to act out their debate. Well, that is just my observation. As Zoossh mentioned, the history of the 1950's and the cultural revolution has left deep scars... Further westwards, I find the monks at Tashilumpur and Sakya monasteries much more smiley. The best? Those at Rombuk monastery right at the base camp of Everest. Friendly and helpful. Sorry AReality, OT a bit here...

not really OT. history and culture writes a place that one travels to. besides these knowledge and experience does affect how one approaches ppl at a place, esp if one takes portraits and need some interaction with the subjects. it is something glad for us there are still some tibetan places which you have less to worry about... i dunno when can i ever find time and energy to travel to arunachal...

oh, areality, did you cover darjeeling enroute via calcutta?

[limwhow]

Originally Posted by zoossh not really OT. history and culture writes a place that one travels to. besides these knowledge and experience does affect how one approaches ppl at a place, esp if one takes portraits and need some interaction with the subjects. it is something glad for us there are still some tibetan places which you have less to worry about... i dunno when can i ever find time and energy to travel to arunachal...

Precisely, zoossh. I am new and am still learning the art of interaction with people, especially locals whom I come across while travelling.

[DinoSG]

nice series....more more more..pls..

[AReality]

#16 - A dog rests on a bench near Khachoedpalri Holy Lake, West Sikkim.

.

[AReality]

#17 - Labourers hug each other as they sleep along a street in Kolkata.

.

[limwhow]

Originally Posted by AReality #17 - Labourers hug each other as they sleep along a street in Kolkata. .

Two men hugging each other in the street?
Erm..

[night86mare]

any more landscapes? :P

[zoossh]

Originally Posted by limwhow Two men hugging each other in the street? Erm..

it may be cold. unlike uk, homeless people in india is not becos they choose to.

[AReality]

Originally Posted by DinoSG nice series....more more more..pls..

More will come as I edit them when i have time..

Originally Posted by JellyBelly AReality, I love this series. The monks in Sikkim looks really friendly. Were they obliging when asked if their photos can be taken? It was a mixed bag for me during my recent visit to Tibet. Monks in rural parts of Tibet seems to be more friendly to visitors..

Monks in India are definitely more friendly. But monks in Tibet/China will open up if you show them a pic of Dalai Lama on your iphone.. better, print 1 for them.. Just dun get caught..

Originally Posted by night86mare any more landscapes? :P

Uploading now just for u.. ;-)



.

[AReality]

#18 - Labourers carry goods using their heads and ropes on M.G. Marg Road in Gangtok, captial of Sikkim. This road is the main tourist area in Gangtok, and is closed to traffic.

.

[AReality]

#19 - Fog descends on Ravangla in South Sikkim district in the Indian State of Sikkim.

.

[limwhow]

Originally Posted by zoossh it may be cold. unlike uk, homeless people in india is not becos they choose to.

Ah... I'm enlightened.

Originally Posted by AReality Monks in India are definitely more friendly. But monks in Tibet/China will open up if you show them a pic of Dalai Lama on your iphone.. better, print 1 for them.. Just dun get caught.. .

After the unrest in March 2008, the whole Tibet is infiltrated. I personally will not be surprised if some Gong An 公安 are masquerading as monks in the monasteries. If I show them picture of the Dalai Lama, I may find myself marching to the nearest Gong An office.
But seriously, I'd really like to know, did you show a lot of the monks the Dalai Lama's pictures on your iphone?

[AReality]

Originally Posted by limwhow Two men hugging each other in the street? Erm..

Originally Posted by limwhow Ah... I'm enlightened. Ah, there is not Singapore, no one will complain.. After the unrest in March 2008, the whole Tibet is infiltrated. I personally will not be surprised if some Gong An 公安 are masquerading as monks in the monasteries. If I show them picture of the Dalai Lama, I may find myself marching to the nearest Gong An office. But seriously, I'd really like to know, did you show a lot of the monks the Dalai Lama's pictures on your iphone?

You dun have to show them in India. His fotos are on every hall in every Monastery..

iPhone is better, the CCTVs by the 公安 in the monastries cannot really see what's on the screen..

[zoossh]

Originally Posted by AReality You dun have to show them in India. His fotos are on every hall in every Monastery.. iPhone is better, the CCTVs by the 公安 in the monastries cannot really see what's on the screen..

but if they check your phone, you are gone rite? i won't risk that...

[limwhow]

Originally Posted by AReality You dun have to show them in India. His fotos are on every hall in every Monastery.. iPhone is better, the CCTVs by the 公安 in the monastries cannot really see what's on the screen..

Yes, certainly. In Sikkim I am sure the monasteries would have his photos displayed prominently.
What about in Tibet? What was your experience in showing the Dalai Lama's photos to the Tibetan monks?
I didn't do that the last time because I have been forewarned.
As I am on holiday, I thought I'd better not invite trouble for myself.

[limwhow]

Originally Posted by zoossh but if they check your phone, you are gone rite? i won't risk that...

So far, the 公安 are more interested in doing walking around, doing their own 'cho bo l*n' things rather than checking our handphones. They are really quite a bunch of fellows with iron rice bowls.
Unless, as I say, we court trouble ourselves by walking around with His Holiness the Dalai Lama's photos dangling from our back... hahaha....

[JellyBelly]

Originally Posted by zoossh it may be cold. unlike uk, homeless people in india is not becos they choose to.

If it is cold then surely they can wrap themselves with that rug ..