Banded Krait

One of the things I came across during my trip to Myanmar last summer (see Shinlonga) was this banded krait slithering slowly across the road. I gladly gave it a lot of room. [NOTE: In September of 2001, an American herpetologist working in Kachin State died after being bitten by one of these snakes].    

Kachin Portrait

Not much to say about this image.  Its early afternoon on the Ledo Road and this Kachin woman is carrying a huge basket of firewood. She is also shyly tickled that I am taking her picture. [NOTE: I really like this shot].   

Building a House

Kachin villagers in northern Myanmar build their houses out of variety of different plant parts (see Morning Mist and Shinlonga), and they build them by themselves. They harvest the bamboo, fell the timber, collect the rattan and thatch, and lift, tie, nail, and weave the pieces together - essentially by themselves - to make a home. I am humbled by the skill, patience, and resolve of these people.  

Leech Prevention

Kachin villagers in northern Myanmar use black tobacco and plastic string to keep the leeches away when working in the forest during the rainy season. No idea how effective this is.  [NOTE: I had decidedly mixed results with the imported leech socks that I bought in Tanai.]  

Morning Mist

 

An early morning walk in the village of Shinlonga (see Shinlonga) produced this image.  Lot of plant products visible here.  The fencing and the walls and the floor are made out of bamboo; the roof is palm thatch.