McGill University taught me to build bridges to different people from different cultures living in different worlds. My McGill experiences showed me that with open eyes, an open heart, and an open mind, I would learn from others, care for others, and share with others.
My partner, Ju Shen Lee, and I both attended the United World College of South-East Asia in Singapore, which shares similar values as McGill University. Driven by her passion for ‘Real.Life.Photos’, I leverage these invaluable lessons and experiences when we undertake our annual, one-month long photo expeditions: Bhutan (2013 & 2014), Cambodia (2015), Laos (2016, 2017 & 2018), and Myanmar (2019). I have come to appreciate that I did not graduate from McGill but, instead, I graduated with McGill. Here’s why …
Merak (Bhutan)
We were marooned in Merak, a Brokpa village nestled in the Himalayan range in remote eastern Bhutan, because of heavy snowfall. Our guide decided that it would be dangerous to continue on to our destination.
With an overwhelming generosity of spirit, the village headman opened his home and his village to us for three remarkable days. As dinner was being prepared, villagers started thronging the headman’s home to meet us. To dissolve the multiple language barriers, Ju Shen whipped out her mobile phone and showed them our family photos.
This was not only an instant hit, but created a bond like no other because, no matter where you are, families are important. When Ju Shen showed them our baby photos, the mothers cooed adoringly whilst the children laughed hysterically!
The camera does more than capture images of the subjects; it also projects the photographer’s good faith, good intent, and goodwill to the subjects. Everywhere we went, she would show the villagers, on her camera’s screen, all the photos she had taken in their village. This brought much joy and quickly cemented the bonds built during our first dinner there.
Phoumieng (Laos)
Our friend, Bounchan Her, invited us to attend a traditional Hmong festival in Phoumieng, his ancestral village in the Laotian Highlands. We set off at dawn in a packed van. After two bone-jarring hours driving over unpaved and pot-holed roads, we transferred to an open tractor.
The tractor driver was pleasantly surprised when we offered a lift to everyone who was trudging up the hills with their heavy loads. Very soon the tractor had become a community bus, with passengers hanging off the side.
We arrived in Phoumieng just after the villagers had slaughtered the sacrificial pig for the feast. Bounchan Her’s father, who is the village headman, proudly showed us around. As with remote villages the world over, they have to do everything themselves, from digging their wells to building their homes, and their total self-reliance is incredible!
A shaman conducted the traditional animist rituals in the headman’s home. We were asked to be part of the inner circle, which passed around religious artifacts and food items. With an audience closely watching us, we wholeheartedly participated in the solemn rituals. The respect we showed as we carefully conducted our roles quickly dissolved the cultural barriers.
Nyaung Won (Myanmar)
We were slowly rowing along the waterways as Ju Shen took photos of Nyaung Won, one of the many Intha villages built on stilts over Inle Lake in eastern Myanmar. Families watched in amusement as our boat zigzagged along the waterways, trying to find the perfect spot, the perfect angle, and the perfect light for Ju Shen’s photos. It was clearly exhausting and one Intha family kindly invited us to their home for tea!
As the tea flowed and biscuits were devoured, their curiosity turned to comfort and they invited us to participate in their young son’s Buddhist novitiation ceremony. This coming-of-age ceremony for young Buddhist boys prepares them to enter the monastery as novice monks.
For three long days, we joined the three families as their young sons performed multiple rituals. These included dressing like princes, depicting the princely life that Buddha had relinquished, having their heads shaved, and reciting Buddhist prayers from memory.
Although it was calm inside the temple, it was hectic outside as boats arrived laden with food, visitors from other villages, and monks from other monasteries. We became a part of the fabric of Nyaung Won’s community; fed, watered, and cared for like everyone else!
Luang Prabang (Laos)
Ju Shen was photographing a regional Buddhist festival at Wat Xiengthong that was attended by hundreds of monks. We noticed a group of a dozen young monks, who were struggling to take a group photo with a small mobile phone held at arm’s length. This was clearly proving to be an impossible challenge and so Ju Shen stepped in with her camera.
When the hotel staff learnt whom we had befriended, they were astounded. The young group leader was none other than Satou Thongkhao, the esteemed abbot of Wat Nong Sikhounmuang, who is widely regarded as a leading authority on Laotian Buddhism. One would never have known otherwise that this gentle, unassuming, and unpretentious young man was so highly regarded in Luang Prabang’s lay and religious circles!
As the trust grew, Satou Thongkhao introduced us to his cohort of young abbots in Luang Prabang, who are being groomed to revitalize the reach of Laotian Buddhism. We visited their temples regularly, often helping the young novice monks with their homework and photographing their activities. We were soon considered members of their lay community, and were invited to attend their religious and social events. We became such a feature that the youngest novice monks would break ranks during the silent alms taking to greet us!
… So what? The lessons and experiences I gained at McGill provided me with a solid foundation that continues to add fresh colour and vitality to my adventures in life.
From our serendipitous encounters with the humble, hardworking Brokpa yak herders in Merak, the Hmong hill farmers in Phoumieng, the Intha fishermen and farmers in Nyaung Won, and the Lao monks in Luang Prabang, I learnt three important lessons. First: Whilst not everyone can be a hero to the world, everyone can be a hero to their family and community. Second: Whilst not everyone can be the best, everyone can be their best. Third: Whilst not everyone can donate money, everyone can donate their time to inspire and encourage others.
NB: For ‘insider’ information on visiting these wonderful people, photographing these beautiful locations, excellent accommodation, and knowledgeable travel guides, please contact:
(1) Travel Information: Jeevan Sellappah jeevan@sellappah.comW: www.sellappah.com
(2) Photography Information: Ju Shen Leejushenlee@yahoo.comW: www.jushenlee.com
Instagram: jushenlee