Sunday, January 24, 2010

Bolivians at Work







I've put together a random collection of photos of people at work here on Lake Titicaca.
In the bottom picture, most fishermen use traditional sailboats to put out seines to catch fish, mainly trucha, trout, which was introduced in the 1930's, perjerry, kingfish, and a tiny fish, ispi, which is fried and battered and eaten as finger food.
In the second picture from the bottom, a lady is knitting, I think. I wish I could have gotten a better picture of the handiwork, but as I have said before, it is challenging enough to shoot close-ups of women.
In the second picture from the top is another picture of the renowned boat builder, I introduced in yesterday's blog. Here he poses in front of a small boat he has just completed built entirely of reeds which his grandson plans to use out in the lake for fun.
The top picture is a lady weaving a traditional shawl or light blanket. I don't know where she gets the yarn and I am totally ignorant about the process, except that there is a lady on the other side doing something as well.
Tomorrow I travel to La Paz where I will stay for three days before leaving for the orphanage in Cochabamba. The big city, I know already, will be an experience of coping with chaos. I'll send you some shots.

9 comments:

  1. Wonderful, colorful photos and that boat is amazing!! What an adventure you're having! I'm so excited for you and look forward to your next post! Have a great and adventurous week ahead!!

    Sylvia

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  2. Oh those colours on the loom. Fantastic. Super reportage, be safe on your trip to The Peace.

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  3. You've opened a real window for me into unknown territory. It's better than a magazine or random online photos, because it's your personal view. Keep 'em coming. I know the Internet connection can't be easy right now.

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  4. I wonder how long it takes the women to make the blankets. Great photos with bright colors.

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  5. It's fascinating to see people make such fine crafts without the aid of modern technology! Look at those colors! And that boat, which I'm sure is seaworthy, but seems like something out of ancient Egypt!

    Having fun yet, Lee?

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  6. Thank you for posting these fascinating pictures. In the second picture from the bottom, it looks like the lady is doing crochet, not knitting. The way I know is because she's only using one needle and she's holding it overhand, the way I do when I crochet. You can't hold knitting needles that way.

    Of course I'm only saying that to be difficult, and to show off my technical expertise. I'll cut it short before I become totally insufferable and bore everyone to death. Seriously, I appreciate the effort you went through to get these pictures, considering that your subjects are still somewhat camera-shy.

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  7. Excellents captures of the people. It is in their faces that we can know the land. MB

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  8. Lee, your images are more impressionable and wonderful each time I come visit! How telling they are. And btw..where was my head before.. thank you for informing me in your comment before;) I wonder how you will be effected once at the orphanage? I never experienced one before but did stay with two foster homes..one being in the rural parts of korea where they took in many children prior to being adopted. I cannot wait to see images from there!

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