Mihaela Noroc's Blog, page 12

A few years ago Ratna left her tranquil village in Bangladesh...

A few years ago Ratna left her tranquil village in Bangladesh and moved to the frenetic Dhaka, the capital of the county and one of the most crowded places on earth.

It was very hard in the beginning to adapt to such a different environment, but today Ratna is a brave and confident policewoman.

Although Bangladesh was the scene of many terrorist attacks in the last years, things are getting better and that’s also because courageous people like Ratna spend their days on the streets ready to risk their lives if it’s necessary.

Thank you Bangladesh for such an amazing stay and so many great stories. These days I’m traveling in Myanmar and my next destination will be Japan.

The sun was just arising when I noticed a beautiful ceremony on...

The sun was just arising when I noticed a beautiful ceremony on the western bank of the Hooghly river in Kolkata, India, last month.

The steps of the ghat were full of women dressed in colorful saris who were entering the water.

Payal was next to her mother, surrounded by a bigger group of relatives of all ages. She was the youngest and so enthusiastic to take part and observe the ceremony. In front of my eyes the tradition was being handed down from one generation to another.

I met Tethe a few days ago on the alleys of the New Market in...

I met Tethe a few days ago on the alleys of the New Market in Dhaka, the capital of Bangladesh.

When thinking about a Muslim country many imagine women wearing modest, dark colored outfits, but I think I have never seen so many colourful dresses like here.

We live on a diverse planet and each of its parts is different. To make the world a better place we first have to know it better.

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I met her in Kolkata, India, last week. Every morning, before...

I met her in Kolkata, India, last week.

Every morning, before sunrise, Gauri comes to the flower market to buy splendid garlands. Then she crosses the huge Howrah Bridge over the Hooghly River on the long way to a Hindu temple, where people buy them for worship.

It’s an exhausting work but Gauri seemed happy that she can afford to send her three daughters to school and offer them a brighter future.

Living proof of the diversity of the Americas, this young...

Living proof of the diversity of the Americas, this young Mexican has African, Indigenous, and European roots. Nadia was studying in Oaxaca, Mexico, when I met her last year. These days I’m in Dhaka, Bangladesh.

Farnoush lives in two different worlds. In one she is an...

Farnoush lives in two different worlds. In one she is an economist, by profession. In the other, she is an artist, because this is her passion. I met her in Tehran, Iran, last year. These days I’m in Kolkata, India.

After a few months, I’m finally back on the road with The...

After a few months, I’m finally back on the road with The Atlas of Beauty. I spent The Woman’s Day exploring the streets of Kolkata, India, known also as the “City of Joy".

And this is so true! Despite all the struggles and challenges, most of the women here welcomed me with a big smile on their face.

By chance I was able to photograph this lovely group of ladies from a low angle. And I think this perfectly showcases their power, their strength.

Life has many shadows, like this photo, but let’s not forget the light, the joy. It’s always there. Let’s feel it and let’s also offer it to those who are less fortunate.

Have a Joyful Women’s Day!

I can’t wait to return to Asia in about one month. My first trip...

I can’t wait to return to Asia in about one month. My first trip there, with The Atlas of Beauty, was more than four years ago. I still remember very well this Tibetan woman who was both exhausted and happy, after a long pilgrimage to Labrang Monastery, one of the most important sites for Tibetan Buddhism.

There have been nearly forty years of continuous war in...

There have been nearly forty years of continuous war in Afghanistan; a whole generation here has never lived in a time of peace.

Fortunately, this corridor called Wakhan, surrounded by majestic mountains, remained untouched by conflicts because of its isolation. But war was always very, very close. When I visited it, more than 2 years ago, there were heavy fights between the Taliban and the Afghan Army just fifty kilometres away. What impressed me most in this part of the world were the piercingly clear eyes, expressing the struggle inside each person.

I was so fascinated to meet these brave bomberas(firewomen in...

I was so fascinated to meet these brave bomberas(firewomen in Spanish) last year in Mexico City.

Just think, they save lives, while risking their own, and this is truly impressive.