As we’ve talked about before, Dave and I spent some time in Thailand this past summer filming for a short film we are making about Breakthrough Thailand. One day while we were spending time with Cori, Jub, and the girls in a rural village, they took us to meet their neighbors who were harvesting rice. Their neighbors were incredibly kind and let Dave and I run around in their rice field with our cameras.
I was a bit nervous as I slipped off my sandals on the side of the paddy and braced myself to step down into the water. I hesitated as my toes touched the water and I heard someone mention crab claws and snakes, but I told myself this was an experience I could not miss, and hopped down into the water. I was up to my knees in mud and water, holding my camera above my head and I heard a few chuckles from the people around me as I steadied myself.
Rice is a fascinating crop. To be honest, even after it was explained to me multiple times, I am still not entirely sure how the rice goes from a stalk to the little white rice on our plates. I will just have to be satisfied with the mystery. We spent some time sloshing around in the paddies and I might have accidentally “sat” in the water while squatting for a shot. I got a few laughs for that one. We had such a fabulous afternoon with this family and am so grateful for their willingness to let Americans with cameras running around, interrupting their work day.
You can read about our visit to their home in this blog post
Wow, incredible. Your photos are amazing!! I have been to Asia several times but never visited any rice paddies. Thanks for showing this wonderful side of culture and place.
Thanks Anwar! It was an incredible experience.
I spent part of my childhood in the Philippines and never set foot in rice paddies 🙂 I love the images you captured here. Images like this really put into perspective how much labor goes into rice production. I’m with you…it boggles my mind how that plant becomes the rice we eat. What a great experience you had with the locals.
Thanks Mary. I have a whole new perspective and respect for my food and the people that farmed it after that day!
These are beautiful photos, the one where you got down low near the water. I’ve been trying to get my husband to go to Laos with me where you can pay to have the experience of working in a rice paddy. Hubby isn’t too keen on it, though.
Awe, thank you Michele. It was a wonderful experience! If you have the chance while in Laos, I don’t think your husband would regret it!
Oh my goodness, what beautiful photos! Loved this post. And congrats for stepping into that water. . .I am all for ‘capturing the moment’ and am Ms. Shutterbug extraordinaire but I think I would have hesitated once I heard snakes and crabs. . ..nice post!
I definitely hesitated, but I took a deep breath and tried hard not to think about encountering any creatures. Thanks for visiting Jackie!