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Name: Mirjam Letsch
Home country: The Netherlands

For Mirjam, travelling is a constant source of inspiration. Ethnic portraits is one of her favourite specialisations and she firmly holds the belief that knowing the people she wishes to portray, on a more or less intimate basis, is an invaluable prerequisite for the personal photography she wishes to present. Mirjam is the co-author of three travel guides in the Dutch language (Rajasthan, Nepal and Andalusia) for which she also did the photography. Together with her husband Hans de Clercq, she is currently working on a book about travelling in Vietnam. More of her work can be seen on her website: www.mirjamletsch.com


PHOTO LOCATION: Monks Alms-Round, Luang Prabang, Laos

Monks

 
ABOUT THE LOCATION
The ancient royal city of Luang Prabang has been a Unesco World Heritage Site since 1995. Climbing Mount Phousi in the city centre, leads to stunning views of the city and its many temples. Luang Prabang, some 425 km north of the capital Vientiane, is located in north-eastern Laos, on the banks of the Mekong river. The town is known as a Mecca for Theravada Buddhism and has approximately 80 monasteries. There are about 1200 monks in Luang Prabang, 10% of the total population. At 6 am every morning, the monks go on an alms-round, and many devotees wait for them and hand over rice or even 'maggi noodles'. These voluntary contributions serve as breakfast for the monks, eaten twice during the morning, as after midday they are only supposed to drink water.
TIPS FOR THE PHOTOGRAPHER

What to photograph: Wait near one of the many monasteries for the monks whose bright robes colour the streets orange before the sun reaches the sky. You won't be the only one with a camera, but it's worth it.
When to photograph: To photograph the alms-round you will have to get up really early. Be in the street by 6 a.m. Be there even earlier if you want to see the devout citizens of Luang Prabang waiting patiently with their alms.
Photography tips: There will be many tourists with cameras. Be creative with the positions from which you photograph. As long as you don't disturb them, the monks are very relaxed about being photographed.
 

Monk's Rice Bowl

  FACTS & INFO

Line of Monks

 
Where it is: Luang Prabang is located in north-eastern Laos, 425 km north of the capital Vientiane at Highway nr. 13.
How to get there: There are three daily flights between Vientiane and Luang Prabang, but many travellers prefer to take the boat from Huay Xai on the Thai border. There are also regular busses connecting Luang Prabang to various cities.
Accommodation: There many hotels and guesthouses in Luang Prabang, ranging from a few dollars to a few hundred dollars per night. Many are within walking distance of the alms-round.
What to take/
Other info:		 Many of the young monks (novices) enjoy practicing their English with foreign tourists. Meeting them near the monasteries can be a rewarding experience for both parties.

 
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