Koh Tonsay

A hidden island, or one not frequented by many - the perfect escape.

A 4.5 hour ride from Phnom Penh to Kep and then a short boat ride brought us to beautiful Rabbit Island or Koh Tonsay. It was perfect, in words that I can not describe.

Rustic, easy living, no fancy hotels, streets... or street lights! Yes, no power indeed.

My favorite moment and possibly the highlight of my trip was swimming at sunset, the sight of this amazing expanse, absolutely breathtaking sky, feeling content and very very happy. An indication of life and the amazing opportunities it will present... to sieze every moment and to never look back!

A crazy week!

Today was the last shooting day for the 28 workshop participants at the week long Angkor Photo Workshop, Siem Reap, Cambodia. Tomorrow is the slideshow presentation that will mark the end of the week.

The week proved to be a big learning for all of us - 

I was in the group that was being mentored by Philip Blenkinsop, an awesome awesome tutor, very inspiring and hugely motivating. 

I look forward to what comes after this amazing experience!

In class with Philip

(l-r) Vivek, Christo, Ore, Jyotika, Abhijit, Philip

On the eve of my last trip for the year

ok, well, second last!

While bringing in 2009 on a train trip to McLeodgunj I made a few promises to myself...

among other things I vowed to do a trip a month, for every month of the year... I vowed to not get 'stuck' (photographically ofcourse) and I made promises to push my work further.

It started in McLeodgunj with the Dalai Lama's blessing, went into Rajasthan, down to Goa and to the construction sites of Mumbai, back to Mumbai and Goa then to reunion with some wonderful friends In New York, straight up north to Manali, further into Kashmir and then to the borders of Amritsar...

Now I'm off to photograph in Thailand and Cambodia and will hopefully round off the year with a trip into the jungles and bring in 2010 in yet another inspiring location.

I'm happy, but I want even more - I'm at my happiest when I'm out and about, making connections, meeting real people and in part discovering something new each hour, every day. Sometimes I feel I can't relate to the real world around me - yet I know that it exists.

I've loved every second of it - now hoping for a first class finish to the year! woooohoooo! 

With His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama at his home 

in McLeodgunj, January 2009 

Indian Society with women in Independent roles

Being a photographer, and the kinds that needs to travel a lot, be 'independent' and make your own decisions doesn't seem to go down well with a lot of people - especially if you belong to the female species AND are in your mid twenties.

I've been learning and struggling with that since I first picked up the camera a few years back.

I've learnt how to dodge, dive and escape questions relating to what I do...

hearing the 'how cool!' from the young and the 'oh!' from the neighbourhood aunties is something i've gotten quite used to. 

NO YOU WILL NOT GET IT, and no, I do NOT want to explain it to you, and photography is NOT my hobby.

When I travel alone, locals try to figure out who I am - It's like a guessing game. In Hindi, 'Is she Indian?'...'Maybe NRI' (Non resident Indian) right in front of my face, looking for a reaction to see if I understand. Fair enough.

I am very much Indian and proud to be one but the problem is that in India, women do not travel alone. It's almost like an 'un-auspicious' deal, something that is just not done. It questions your Indian-ness and your 'purity' (an indian will know what that means!).

Being questioned, talked about and assessed isn't always a pleasant feeling. I don't have to explain myself - I LOVE what I do.

For me, these things affect me less now then before and all I care about is my work and where I want to go with it (really).

Thanks to those who support what I do and who believe in me - I love you.

My new 'proper' website is finally here!

www.mansimidha.com

It's been a long time coming!

Love to hear what you think.

When your wishes come true

Yesterday while I was with the film crew at the Maqbool Sahib mosque a goat was being led into the grounds. The goat was going to be sacrificed because someone's wishes came true and this was their way of thanking allah. The meat was going to be distributed amongst worshippers. 

In between shooting for the film crew and waiting for them to return from a mens only zone I saw people running towards a man with a basket - it was the cut pieces of raw meat being brought out for distribution. People appeared out of no where to claim their share using women and children to gain sympathy votes.

Being in Kashmir during Ramadan...

... is a different thing altogether - beautiful & serene.

Everyone works like clockwork around the fasting and prayer rituals. Drivers and Boatmen will not leave for any place before 5.30am (their last meal for the day is at 4.30am before praying at the mosque until 5.25am), internet cafes, shops and such establishments close for half hour 5 times a day. Everything stops working, restaurants are empty or under renovation and when it's time to break the fast after sun down the roads are clear, the servers at restaurants are hunching behind counters waiting for the time so that they can have their first sip or bite of anything. Usually fasts are broken with the customary glass of seasoned milk.

It's a great time to be here and to be immersed in another way of living.

'No Internet. Sorry'

Living without being in touch with the real world can be quite daunting at first - however it has it's perks. Being on the road and having no internet takes a bit of getting used to, when even a little bit seems like luxury.

I am now checking in after 3 days. Hello.

Either it's the power or the internet itself - having one cafe in the entire neighborhood obviously doesn't help. No internet however ensures more sleep - quite different from pulling thru the 4am's thanks to facebook and other such 'important' distractions that 'must' be catered to. 

Life is good, sometimes without internet.

A beautiful morning

5.30am is when a small corner of the Dal Lake sees hectic activity.

It's the vegetable market! 

 

A little bit of an adrenaline rush (?)

Saturday in Srinagar was a day that the town was declared shut due to tension over the Prime Minister's speech. While Dar Yasin of the Associated Press gave David and me a walk about town we heard voices and Dar said get your cameras ready! It did turn out to be a bit of a hue and cry over nothing. Police reinforcements were brought in, tear gar was handed out, the police were ready for some heavy stone pelting action. What it really was, was a few kids playing the police - the mob dissolved before it actually became one. 

A first view - the Dal Lake

too scared to cough

The buzz in the air quite literally is the H1N1 Swine flu. Yesterday, I took the flight from New Delhi to Srinagar, Kashmir and there were many a masks in sight, people covering their mouths and in general the raise of an eyebrow at the sound of a tiny sniffle.

Let's just say that being on the backend of the flu (not swine), with a bottle of throat relievers and a pack of tissues in hand, I wasn't their favourite person.

Arrival in Srinagar ensured a different level of craziness. Everyone was in masks, people arriving were being videotaped with health forms and doctors galore.

I was trying hard to not cough, having clearly marked on the form and signed a declaration that I did NOT have fever, cold, throat problems etc in the last 10 days.

Lets just say that walking out of the airport was sweet relief and i'm really excited about this journey.

I am last minute mansi

To those who know me, 

you KNOW what I'm talking about!

On the eve of departure, I am usually always a mess... working with deadlines, getting my gear together, making plans (and yes, this is usually always on the night before I leave when I don't sleep). The sweetest relief is getting into the car, plane or train and saying 'woohoo' I made it.

Every time I travel, I think i'll do it differently, I'll be better planned... but meh, whats the fun working under no pressure? I thrive on it.

I'm leaving in a few hours and things are no different.

Lets go with the flow yes?