Thursday 19 July 2007

How hard to flee when you are old...





On Wed 11 July, which would have been Geoff's mum's birthday, we went to the home of a famous artist Maung Maung Tinn ( you must check him out on http://www.burmesepaintings.org/ and on ww.planetcare.org/stories_ref_medic) .
He showed us his very very beautiful, striking paintings of life for the Burmese people in exile and actually autographed and gave us one of his books, which is stunning and we are really looking forward to sharing with you. He is a very humble and generous man who gives most of what he earns to his people
Steph, a comment on the blog shows that you thought Maung Maung Tin's work was tremendous so here is a picture of one of his paintings. He is not selling them just now as he is painting for an exhibition that will show, we hope, in Europe. However he very kindly invited me to photograph his current paintings so I can show the world about the people of Burma in their desperate situation.
Maung Maung Tin said this lady shows how hard it is to have to travel far to leave your homeland when you are old and you are too weak to travel. You rest often and you can't run from danger. Many never make it...
If you want to read more about the political situation for the Burmese people, look at

3 comments:

lyn said...

Hope you read this before you leave. Just want to say thanks for keeping us entertained/challanged with all your exploits. I for one have had my eyes opened to the situation out there, and am greatful for that. I have to ask myself which is the real world?

Hope you have a good journey back.

Speak to you soon
Lyn

Unknown said...

Words fail to come- with your last blog of the old lady. Went to Maung Maung Tin's website- the saying, one picture says more than a thousand words ring true.

Safe journey back and see you on Thursday. I am way on Monday and Tuesday this week so hopefully connect on the phone on Wednesday evening sometime.
love

Rowena

Forthview said...

Thanks for your comments. It's good to know folk are still reading. There's more to say but it's hard to beat the power of that picture of the lady so we haven't said anymore.
However we are now in Doha airport for another 11.5 hrs. Hmmm didn't notice that horrendous wait between flights. It's 42 degrees outside and we have no visa so we are stuck in the airport. Still there is a smoking room, a quiet room with the most uncomfortable seats ever and a prayer room for men so that's me bumped then! Can't wait to leave here and get home!