© irene waters 2015
The peanut seller was happy smiling for a photo particularly as we stocked up on peanuts afterwards.
© irene waters 2015
The pollution meant that some portraits were hidden behind masks that were an attempt to filter the air that was being breathed. We commented on the pollution and were told that it wasn’t pollution, just the time of year. When the winds come it blows it all away.
© irene waters 2015
The amazing item to note on this photo is that the face of the man looks calm and serene. This is no effort to him and his mate hidden at the rear. They have loosely lashed a handlebar extender to enable steering and it is an easy run up the street. You might have to double click to full size to be able to see this clearly.
© irene waters 2015
Street peddlars take no notice of us walking by.
In response to Yvette’s guest challenge for Paula’s Thursday’s Special.
About Irene Waters 19 Writer Memoirist
I began my working career as a reluctant potato peeler whilst waiting to commence my training as a student nurse. On completion I worked mainly in intensive care/coronary care; finishing my hospital career as clinical nurse educator in intensive care. A life changing period as a resort owner/manager on the island of Tanna in Vanuatu was followed by recovery time as a farmer at Bucca Wauka. Having discovered I was no farmer and vowing never again to own an animal bigger than myself I took on the Barrington General Store. Here we also ran a five star restaurant. Working the shop of a day 7am - 6pm followed by the restaurant until late was surprisingly more stressful than Tanna. On the sale we decided to retire and renovate our house with the help of a builder friend. Now believing we knew everything about building we set to constructing our own house. Just finished a coal mine decided to set up in our backyard. Definitely time to retire we moved to Queensland. I had been writing a manuscript for some time. In the desire to complete this I enrolled in a post grad certificate in creative Industries which I completed 2013. I followed this by doing a Master of Arts by research graduating in 2017. Now I live to write and write to live.
Reflections and Nightmares- Irene A Waters (writer and memoirist) 
Pingback: Thursday’s Special: Street Portraits (response to Guest Challenge) | Lost in Translation
Pingback: Guest challenge: Street Photography/Portraits | Lost in Translation
Were they good? The peanuts? These have a documentary quality, Irene. I love the first close-up portrait a lot and the photo of two men pushing a load, but I’ve displayed the covered face on the bike cause it is the most thought-provoking I think. Thank you.
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Thanks Paula. The peanuts were quite different to what we eat here. Smaller and tougher but they had been roasted in something which was quite yummy. In different ways they all provoke some thought but having to wear masks to try and breathe clean air is challenging.
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The peddlers pushing the cart of grass (? – maybe for roof thatch?) – the guy in front is barefoot! The culture here seems barely to be in the 21st century. All that war 60 years ago, and the Vietnamese remain the same.
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You could be right. Life I think hasn’t changed much for the average person. Must have tough feet.
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Wonderful shots. My favorite one was of the masked cyclist (although I am sorry that it was pollution that made the scene possible.
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Thank you. Yes the pollution was foul but it made for some good photos.
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Irene, these are excellent selections for the challenge, especially the first shot.
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Thank you. She has a lot of character in that face.
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Love these (and the captions).
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Thanks. They have great faces whether visible or not.
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Completely agree.
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Your peanut lady is the BEST! 🙂 🙂
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Thanks. I love the character in her face.
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Me too! That is one lived in face 🙂
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These pictures give a wonderful insight into ordinary Vietnam. I have strong memories of other pictures, from the 70s, that were far from nice.
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Yes I think many of us hold those visions and it is nice to see something different.
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Great post
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Thanks Raewyn.
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I’m really drawn to the shot of the man pushing hay on a bicycle. He’s so relaxed, in face and body. It’s such a great shot.
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I agree. If I was pushing that thing the strain would be showing on my face and I’d be puffing away. And I definitely would find it difficult barefooted or in the gum boots the fellow behind is wearing. My feet would be swimming in perspiration.
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The bicycle cart doesn’t look too easy, but as you say he looks serene. Good thing there is another (hidden but for the feet) helping him. 🙂
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LOL perhaps it is the other who has the signs of strain on his face. 🙂
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