Cambodia and Vietnam

My Photo scholarship 2010 entry

Cambodia | Thursday, October 7, 2010 | 5 photos

I travelled through Cambodia and Vietnam in the month of January, and found that the part of my travels that spoke to me most were the people. Learning of the history of Pol Pot and the Khmer Rouge, and of the Vietnam War; recent histories that are still a very real memory to so many of the people, I found myself constantly wondering about and feeling for the people that I met and saw. Were the old people toiling in the fields forced to work for the Khmer Rouge? Did they see their families and their children die at the hands of the regime? Did the old woman walking down the street walk down a street that was bombed to destruction by the Americans? Does the child living on the street have a family, or was his family killed by the Khmer Rouge? Or by one of the millions of land mines that still take so many peoples lives? My trip to Cambodia and Vietnam touched my heart and my soul. The people; working hard, happy and full of life stayed in my memories as I thought of their hardship and their resistance. I hope that my photos relay some of these feelings; I hope I have captured some of the spirit of the people.
My name is Kate and I am 29 years old. I have travelled extensively and know that travelling will always be a huge part of my life. Photography is a passion that I have gradually taken to more and more. My favourite part of photography is when I am travelling in a different country, where I am seeing new and exciting things and meeting people from all races and cultures. My photos then become my memories, and the people and places become my works of art. I would love to pursue a career in photography, and combine my love of travel with my love of photos. I am an avid reader of National Geographic and marvel at the amazing photos that bring the stories to life.