“Being clear about what we’re doing and why is the first step in doing it better. If you’re not happy about the honest answer to this question, make substantial changes until you are.” Seth Godin. Jan 15, 2013
Not a day goes by when I don’t have the extreme privilege of hearing stories of young Tibetans fleeing the Chinese government’s occupation of their land. The stories are shocking, filled with bravery, a fight for freedom and many times, end in tragedy. Just today, a friend of mine told me his story of crossing the Himalayan Mountains (as they all do in order to get to India). He told me of being captured by the Chinese government the first 3 times he tried to escape, put in prison and then returned him to his home. The fourth and final time, he travelled for multiple weeks over the mountains, with some dying along the way. Food runs out, the temperatures are freezing, there are unmarked paths with dangerous cliffs. One young man fell to his death during their journey.
I want to help. This has inspired me to start a documentary project of these young adults, coming from Tibet, as refugees, holding on to their culture, learning for the first time about their country’s history (as it is mostly banned in Tibet to learn of their own history), all the while trying to embrace their new surroundings in India, separated from their families and from the way of life they’re accustomed to. A beautiful mixture of tradition and modern appeals. Starting a new life…. with “Refugee Status”.
This is the first image of the series.
(Sengye, shown above, is a young Tibetan man from the Amdo region of Tibet. He wears a traditional fur hat and necklace, identifying him as Amdo. He was raised in a nomadic family (as most are in that region), breeding yaks, sheeps and goats. He fled Tibet on the same night of his father’s return from being imprisoned by the Chinese government for 14 years. They didn’t see each other.)
Please feel free to share your thoughts, input and comments.
Love love love the colors and the emotions Paula! And I love you! =)
Thanks so much Maddy! Hope you’re doing well!
love these shots. Great work Paula.
I enjoy keeping track of you and Nick and love all the images you post. Travel Safe! Hugs, K
I LOVE these (and hope you guys are thriving even in the midst of winter in northern India.)
You have beautiful feet & an artist’s eye <3
I am caught by the look in his eyes and the semi smile of the boy in the third photo. It seems he is either seeing or thinking of something pleasant. I get to imagine what that is.
Beautiful work! I love seeing your photos/posts on Facebook. I’ll admit I’m rather jealous of your amazing talent. 😉
these are outstanding shots – are you getting a gig w/ Natl. Geographic soon??? I hope you get famous but will still shoot for us! B-)
Ha! That’s the hope Scott! Thanks for the kind words!
Paula, I love these Pictures!
you are a master of your craft!
Oh Rachel, thank you so much! I just adore you!
Paula thank you for sharing these beautiful photos!! You have captured such emotion and done it in such a moving way! My favorite is the one in the middle where the boy is not looking at the camera…..love his eyes, his expression – the joy I see bubbling underneath …. I want that one! 😉
OH Thank you so much Tiffany! I am thrilled you enjoy the imagery. The drawings are completely random and anonymous but I hope you can win the middle one too! It’d be great for the print to have such a loving home 😉
Miss you here in Bend, but LOVE traveling vicariously through you 🙂
Marla
Great to hear from you Marla! Thank you for the kind words! Hope you and your family are doing well!
Mailing Address:
Tibetan Mandala Cafe
McLeod Ganj
India
Haha! Also frequently known as Nick’s office 😉
Love these pictures! I’ve been really loving your shots since you arrived there!
Number three would look really good in the apartment that is now mine and will hopefully be coinhabited by a lovely young woman for the first years of the rest of our journey together.
Love your work, Paula!
Oh and: She lives in the US, so it would actually be a US address.
Your photography allows us to see stuff we only dream of! Thank you Miss Paula!
I look at this little boys and all I can think is I want to take them in my arms and hug and squeeze them. They have such sweet innocent beautiful faces. I can’t imagine them starting a life as a monk at such a young age. You have captured their spirit in your photos. LOVE!
When I look at each of these pictures, I feel I have actually heard a story and can see more than just a picture.
When I look at each of these pictures, it is as if I am hearing a story. These pictures capture for me a deeper look into a life.
Paula = skillz. Love these!
I’ve looked at this many times in the last couple of weeks and I finally gave up on giving feedback because they’re all so beautiful and each has so much to say. I think I like the one of the 4 boys simply because of the color and the sweet serenity on the face of the focal point. That is a great deal of stillness in such a young face!
This would go perfectly in my bedroom with all the pictures of the children from South America. ;-)The colors and expressions are phenomenal! xoxo
Did I make the deadline?!?!
🙂
Love following your and Nick’s journey.
XO
Pick me, pick me!!!
These are wonderful! What a great series!