Nepal Earthquake

I have very fond memories of Nepal. I went there in November to December 1987, and although the people are among the poorest in the world I found them to be some of the most cheerful and hospitable people I have ever met. One of my fondest memories is of a night when we stayed at a remote farmhouse while trekking. I had been ill with dysentery for a couple of months and had lost a lot of weight and looked pretty awful. We arranged for a bed for the night and a meal of dhal baht (the local staple of lentils, rice, and potato and cauliflower curry, sometimes topped with a fried egg if you were lucky). The older man of the household was very concerned about me – he literally tucked me in bed and soothed my forehead while making clucking sounds. It was one of many wonderful and hospitable moments from people who had not much more than nothing.

Elephant In The Mist — Working elephant heading off to work in the early morning mist in Chitwan National Park, Nepal.

On the 25th April Nepal was hit by a devastating earthquake which has killed over 6000 people and has an expected death toll of 10,000. Worse than tat it is estimated that twice that number will have been injured and tens of thousands of people have been made homeless. As photographers we take a great deal of pleasure from the world around us and those that live in it. Perhaps it is time to give a little something to those in need – maybe you already have and if so thank you. Many aid agencies, retail chains, iTunes and banks are taking collections for the people of Nepal. I’ll list some of the Australian ones but you can use those in your own country if you’d rather.

Sam, Ewan, and Mark the local guide on our illicit elephant safari in Chitwan National Park, Nepal. Olympus OM4 with Sigma 75-210 lens. Illfochrome 200.

UNHCR

Oxfam

World Vision Australia

Red Cross

Hanuman Dhoka is a complex of structures with the Royal Palace of the Malla kings and also of the Shah dynasty in the Durbar Square of central Kathmandu, Nepal. Olympus OM4 with Sigma 75-210 lens, Kodak Ektachrome 100.

Waiting — A cycle rickshaw operator waiting for a fare. Kathmandu, Nepal. Olumpus OM4 with Sigma 75-210 Kodak Ektachrome 100.

Stuppa — One of the many stupas in Kathmandu. Olympus OM40 with Zuiko 35-105 lens Kodak Ektachrome 100.

On the steps — Watching the world go by from from the temple steps in Durbar Square, Kathmandu. Olympus OM4 with 75-210 lens Kodak Ektachrome 100.

Hopscotch — Nepali children playing on hopscotch on the temple steps in Durbar Square, Kathmandu. Olympus OM4 with Sigma 75-210 lens Kodak Ektachrome 100.

Smoko — A Nepali man sitting on the temple steps in Durbar Square, Kathmandu. Olympus OM4 Sigma 75-210 Kodak Ektachrome 100.

The Flute Seller — Flute seller, Freak Street, Kathmandu. Olympus OM4 with Sigma 75-210 lens Kodak Ektachrome 100.

The Swayambhunath Stuppa, Kathmandu. Olympus OM4 with Sigma 75-210 lens Kodak Ektachrome 100.

Just as an aside – all these photos were taken in 1987 on E6 slide film, mostly Kodak Ektachrome 100 and some on Ilford Ilfochrome 200. The slides have been stored in archival binders ever since. When I got them out to scan them for this post all had started to fade, and some the dyes had perished badly leaving just a magenta cast – hence that is why some are black and white. So if you have any valuable slides scan them now before they disappear for ever.

paulamyes

This is the site for Australian visual journalist and writer Paul Amyes.

Nepal Earthquake

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