Sitting on the slatted wooden flooring covered with a beautiful woven mat … we looked out from the tall stilted house we had come to visit towards the nearby river. We had stepped into another world – a community who’s lifeblood is entangled with that of the Mekong and it’s tributaries, in all it’s wonder and treachery.
For 3 months of the year during monsoon season the river rises many feet and our hosts home becomes an island on stilts. The dug out canoe becomes the vehicle of choice for travel during this season and food comes to your doorstep – fish that is! When the waters recede the fields are perfect for growing rice.
Nestling amongst the surrounding hills in the north and the South China sea in the East, South and West is the city of Hong Kong. It is quite an amazing sight arriving into the airport …. I have never seen so many skyscrapers in all my life …. home to some 7 million people.
Interestingly there were strict health checks as we entered into Hong Kong due to the swine flu virus, temperatures taken and anyone with a high temperature was automatically quarantined for a week. I did laugh when I was given a conference pack with a face mask! Sadly the leader of the event, who had flown in from Japan, was found to have a suspect temperature and was whisked away, he missed the whole event …. Very bizarre!
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“I am so sorry, but there is no room at this hotel” …. It is 4.00 am, we are weary travellers, arriving for our first ever visit to Israel, a little shocked at these immortal words, from a bygone age. Our forlorn faces suddenly revived and turned to smiles when our host then mentioned, “we do have some servant quarters available, around the back of the hotel.” Hey, if it’s good enough for Joseph and Mary ……… Read More
A memory I have sums up its vibrancy and uniqueness. Whilst sitting outside a newly opened Pizza Hut restaurant (not my choice - I love Indian food!) in Hyderabad, India I watched a mass of cars, trucks, buses, cycle-rickshaws and auto rickshaws filled with the most colourful people pass by - suddenly, down the middle of the road looking very regal, walked a camel and it's owner!
From our 1960’s white Ambassador taxi we entered into a cacophony of noise as cars, large decorated trucks, vespa motorcycles and yellow auto-rickshaws jostled for position, incessantly honking their horns in ritual communication. Hurtling at sometimes breakneck speeds, we weaved in and out of traffic and stranded pedestrians who were trying, somewhat nonchalantly, to cross the ever bustling streets of this city.
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Here is a clip from a very special musical moment. A special wedding band musically escorts the bride to the waiting bridegroom …… and the ceremony begins.
21stFeb-5th March Cambodia.
From the States we travelled due west to Thailand …(would you believe a 17.30hr flight) and on to Cambodia. We were helping with a gathering of musicians in Phnom Penh, with representatives from Cambodia, Thailand and Vietnam.
We had an amazing few days learning about the disturbing history of the Khymer Rouge led by Pol Pot, who imprisoned and executed many artists and musicians leading to a loss of much cultural expression. In his short 4 year reign, his brutal regime claimed millions of lives. Those who were thought to be intellectual, even people who wore glasses were killed. During this terrible season it was interesting to find out that music still inspired people. Some would hide away from the authorities in the forests, making instruments out of their natural surroundings and singing songs to keep their spirits up.
We spent a day searching around markets and stores, collecting various traditional Khmer instruments. With the aid of these newly bought acquisitions, the musicians who had gathered spent 4 days composing many new cultural songs of praise and worship. Check out the workshop pictures here. ♥
Below is a clip of a roneat in action. This classical instrument is very prominent in Khmer music.
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c392n4QQJag[/youtube]
On the last day of this gathering a team from Vietnam joined us, a country where independent churches are outlawed, and only a controlled state church is allowed. There were many stories of underground churches, writing songs undercover, studios that have to move after each recording and a song writer that has to change his name each time his songs get known, in case of imprisonment. A far cry from the freedom we enjoy in England.
See more photos here. ♥
We also visited a shadow theatre. This form of expression dates back thousands of years, and is a form of storytelling using ornate leather shadow puppets. It is still one of the most revered and loved art forms in Cambodia and is finding a popular comeback after being nearly destroyed during the Khmer Rouge period of control.
See pictures of Khmer musical instruments here ♥ and the puppet theatre costumes here. ♥
