The Rickshaw Wallahs of Kolkata

Following my two weeks Kolkata's Cult of Durga Photo~Expedition & Workshop™, I have now completed two photo essays centering on the rickshaw pullers of that quintessential Indian megapolis. About half of the photographs were made using a Leica M9, while the rest with a Canon 5d Mark II. The audio was recorded with a Marantz 620PMD.

The first photo essay is an audio slideshow of about 30 black & white photographs of rickshaw pullers, supplemented by a soundtrack made up of Kolkata's traffic sounds, short narrative clips by the pullers themselves and live instrumental music played by Satyananda Das, a traditional Baul musician.

It can be seen either as a Vimeo movie (above) or as a regular SoundSlides multimedia, which is recommended because the quality of the photographs are much better, and are much larger.

The second photo essay is a gallery of still photographs... essentially the same as those in the multimedia products above, but the gallery is better suited for those who prefer to view them without any multimedia influence.

Documenting the rickshaw pullers was a secondary objective of the workshop, but was an important one. The government of Bengal had announced plans to completely ban the rickshaws, saying that the grueling work violates the pullers human rights, the argument was rejected by the rickshaw pullers with huge protests. Almost all of the pullers I spoke to were from the state of Bihar, one of India’s poorest states. Mohammed was one of those...an older man, a Muslim from Bihar with a dark bunion on his forehead from genuflecting five times a day. Past his prime, he said that he made about 400 rupees a day...the equivalent of $9 or so.

Having experienced first hand Kolkata's incredible 24-hour traffic jams, I believe those who claim that rickshaws are the only mode of transport who can circulate its narrow streets and alleys. The rickshaws carry business people, live poultry, school children, the sick to the hospitals, fruit to the markets, and even prostitutes. Without them, Kolkata could risk coming to a standstill, especially during the monsoon rains when roads can be impassable...and let's face it, Kolkata without the rickshaw pullers wouldn't be the same.

Many Kolkata intellectuals have said that while we can refuse on moral grounds to be carried by another human being, we have no right to take away their livelihood. There's also the hope that rickshaw pullers can be provided with an alternative employment.

New! Panasonic LUMIX DMC-GX1

Panasonic has just announced the Lumix DMC-GX1, which features a 16MP sensor, a maximum ISO sensitivity setting of 12,800, a touchscreen interface and a newly-engineered AF system. The GX1 is also the first camera compatible with Panasonic's brand new high-resolution LVF2 viewfinder, which is sold separately. These features puts the GX1 among the best performers in the Micro Four Thirds market.

According to dpreview.com, "Panasonic has provided the long-awaited spiritual successor to the highly regarded Lumix DMC-GF1."

The GX1 is available in a black or silver body with MSRP starting at $699.99.

Now I wait for a Leica Micro Four-Thirds model. I know...it's improbable for technical reasons perhaps, but one can hope. In the meantime, I think that Panasonic has a winner with this model.

Javier Arcenillas: Kolkata Sleepers

Photo © Javier Arcenillas-All Rights Reserved

Javier Arcenillas is a Spanish freelance photographer and a psychologist at the Complutense University of Madrid. He describes himself as a humanist, and develops humanitarian essays.

I chose an unusual subject out of Javier's photo essays; one that I personally witnessed whilst in Kolkata a few weeks ago...and that is of Kolkata residents sleeping in the outdoors largely because of poverty, or because they are migrant workers with families living elsewhere. My hotel room window looked over a side street, and waking up at dawn everyday gave me the opportunity of seeing dozens of people sprawled over thin blankets, cardboard boxes and the like. These were rickshaw pullers, vendors of fruits, hawkers and itinerant workers. During the initial days of my hotel stay, I reflected upon the lives of these people, and how difficult their lives must be.

Javier's Sleepers is a photo essay that really strikes a chord with me.

Javier has won a number of international prizes, including The Arts Press Award, Kodak Young Photographer, European Social Fund Grant, Euro Press of Fujifilm, INJUVE, Foto Press Third Prize, Luis Valtueña of Médicos del Mundo, Journalism Doñana´s prize, Luis Ksado, Make History, UNICEF, World Photography of the Year, Fotoevidence, Finalist of the Leica Prize 2009 and Antropography 2010.

Malioboro Restaurant (Pressurized Cooked Chicken) at Bali Island, Indonesia

Malioboro Restaurant (S8.73838 E115.17065) is located along Jalan Raya Kediri of Kuta - Bali Island. Which was our first stop and only about 1KM away from the Airport. It was also the place we met Mr Agung and he recommended this restaurant to us.

The area was nice with simple setup with the good service.

The Malioboro Restaurant

We placed our order immediately with the recommendation from Mr Agung...

*  Pressurized Chicken (Non-spicy and spicy) (Signature Dish)

*  Peanuts Omelette (Non-spicy and spicy) (Signature Dish)

*  Special fish (Signature Dish)

*  Steam fish

*  The local Sambal Anchovies with petai
For 7 persons and 1 child.

The Pressurized Chicken - Signature dish (non-spicy)

 

The Pressurized Chicken - Signature dish (spicy)

The Peanuts Omelette (spicy)

Special Signature Fish

It was boneless!

Steam fish

The local Sambal Anchovies with petai

All the dishes served was Delicious! We were very satisfied and enjoy the meal especially the Unique Chicken and Fish. Appreciated by the recommendation from Mr Agung.
The Damage was about 450,000.00 Rupiah (MYR160.00) for 7 adults and 1 child. Reasonable!

It was because we will take about 1 hour 30 minutes from Kuta to Ubud, therefore it's advise to take our dinner here before we start the journey...

I will visit it again on my next trip to Bali if time allow...

Related post :-
*  My Bali trip on June 2011
*  My Bali trip on June 2010

Location map of Malioboro Restaurant at Bali Island, Indonesia.

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Occupy Wall Street

Photo © Tewfic El-Sawy-All Rights Reserved

More of my OWS photographs can be seen on The Leica File.

Yesterday morning was sunny in New York City, but it was cold in the canyons of Wall Street and its neighboring streets.  And yet, Zuccotti Park was full to the brim with the currently residing protestors, sympathizers from all walks of life, gawkers and tourists...and naturally the members of the NYPD, whose main function it seemed (at least when I was there) was to tell the onlookers not to block the sidewalk.

The atmosphere in the Park was jovial and collegiate. Reasonably clean, with the protestors expressing very friendly vibes to the sympathizers and tourists alike. It was not unexpected that a few weirdos were in attendance, but they weren't getting much attention. Photographers were a dime a dozen...pros as well as non-pros. Television crews were ambling about, trying to get footage that hadn't been done before. Two ladies were busy knitting woolen things for the OWS protestors, while a long and orderly line snaked to the tables where fresh and appetizing food was being served.

At one end of the Park, a lively group of protestors were drumming eclipsing the valiant efforts of a saxophonist, whilst a man was typing some manifesto on -inexplicably- a manual typewriter. A few American flags were hoisted here and there...and vendors seemed to be doing a brisk sale of commemorative lapel pins.

I was gifted a small Hohner harmonica by a protestor who urged me to attend some demonstration later on. Whilst walking around the part, I was accosted by a photographer who asked me if I was The Travel Photographer! It was Charles Meacham, a photographer I featured a number of times on this blog. What a small world! Since he had been featured for his excellent work on the Sikhs, I had assumed he lived in India...but he's from NYC as well.

Like many other sentient individuals, I sympathize with most of the OWS positions...however I fear that all this remarkable civic energy would be better expended in Washington DC. This is where the responsibility for our difficulties lie.

PS. The mellowness that I witnessed may not have lasted long. The NY Times has this.

My Bali Trip on June 2011

We visited Bali Island for 4 days 3 nights vacation again on the June 2011. Our first visit was almost year ago, and you can read it here : Bali 2010.
My friend's family followed us on this recent trip to Bali, our itinerary was more relax this time and our vacation only took 4 days 3 nights. Anyway, our objective was to taste the local food as much as we can and walk around as far as we can go! It was a Blissful holiday for us!

Day 1 :-
*  Touched down at Ngurah Rai International Airport - Denpasar at 6.30pm local time, picked up by the drivers from Mr Agung Wijaya.
*  Dinner at Malioboro Restaurant, Kuta.
*  Heading to Ubud and check in to Sri Bungalows Ubud.
*  Free and easy.

Day 2 :-
*  Simple breakfast at Sri Bungalows, Ubud.
*  Walk along the Monkey Forest Street, Ubud.
*  Early lunch at Babi Guling Ibu Oka, Ubud.
*  Tegalalang Rice Terrace. (Please refer to my 2010 trip)
*  Kintamani & Lake View Restaurant (Please refer to my 2010 trip)
*  BAS Coffee Farm
*  Pura Thirta Empul - Tampaksiring
*  Back to Ubud and continue on the Barong and Keris Dance.
*  Dinner at Bebek Bengil - Dirty Duck Diner. (Please refer to my 2010 trip)
*  Free and easy.

Day 3 :-
*  Breakfast and check out Sri Bungalows, Ubud.
*  Have a walk along the street and shopping.
*  Early lunch at Naughty Nuri's Warung, Ubud.
*  Heading to Kuta, check in Bali Sorgawi Hotel.
*  Tanah Lot Temple.
*  Seafood dinner at Made Cafe & Bagus Cafe, Jimbaran Bay.
*  Free and easy at Kuta.

Day 4 :-
*  Breakfast at Bali Sorgawi Hotel.
*  Shopping along Jalan Legian, Kuta.
*  Ngurah Rai International Airport - Denpasar (12.00pm) and Bye Bye Bali!

All of us were enjoyed and satisfied with this trip! And of course, it won't be Perfect without the humble and responsible drivers who brought us around!
We confident with Mr Agung Wijaya services and decided to engaged him again. My daughter keep on remind me that possible to ask Mr Agus as our driver again? YES, Mr Agung fulfilled my daughter wish! :)

Mr Agung Wijaya

I still recommend him as the 'Good Driver' to all my friends who visit Bali!

My Driver in Bali

Mr Agung Wijaya (photo above)
Email : agung_wijaya25@yahoo.com 
URL : http://mydriverinbali.blogspot.com/
Phone : + 62 - 81 353 085 225 ( sms / call ) 

Drop him a email or call him if you going to visit Bali Island!

And below are the 2 drivers who took us around...

Mr Agus (left) / Ketut (right)

Mr Agus (+6281353222565 agoesbagus@yahoo.com) was the driver cum tour guide who brought us around at Bali for the second time, he's still our favorite driver! Especially my daughter like him Very Much!
I did ask my friend about the service of his driver (Mr Ketut who arranged by Mr Agung), and my friend replied : "Two Thumb Up!!"
I rate them as the 'Humble', 'Helpful' and 'Friendly' drivers at Bali.

Well, if we visit Bali again in next year 2012, I will still call Mr Agung Wijaya! :)

Related post :-
*  My Bali Trip on June 2010

Location map of Bali Island, Indonesia

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Rosetti Bar and Diner at Johor Bahru.

Rosetti Bar and Diner (N1.46056 E103.73731) (formally known as Rhino Terrace Bar and Grille) is located next to Straits View Hotel along Jalan Skudai of Johor Bahru. It's still manage by the friendly Boss - Mr Fann.

Rosetti Bar and Diner

The Bar is well decorated with a English Theme and provide A cozy and relaxing environment. I like the outdoor area very much! But it's a bit warm especially at the dry evening...
It will be Perfect if it's seaview...:)

The ourdoor area of Rosetti Bar

If you company few friends with discussion, you can choose the sofa stting area which at the corner of the Bar...it's comfort and has a little privacy...

The indoor area...

I like to enjoy my beer at the bar counter area together with the soft music, my favorite corner!

The Bar counter of Rosetti Bar

The other side of the Bar...

Draft Carlsberg

Every time I visit the bar, I will definitely take a look of the 'mini bar counter' which decorated at the other corner of the bar. It has a special compartment for wine...and I just can't stop looking at it! Like it very much!

My favorite mini bar counter

There are some lightings in the bar are attractive and unique which I don't see it elsewhere...

Some lightings at Rosetti Bar

Beside the local beers, Rosetti Bar is the First & Only Bar at the moment in Johor Bahru which serve Draft Germen Franziskaner! Yes, on the tap! Have you try it?

Franziskaner on the Tap

If you are the Fans of Rhino Bar previously, please continue your enjoyment at Rosetti Bar, and if you are not, do drop by if you happen at the area, Feel The Different!

Rosetti Bar & Diner

Straits View Hotel 1D,

Jalan Skudai,

80200 Johor Bahru.

Tel : +607-2219228

Location Map of Rosetti Bar & Diner at Johor Bahru

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