Today I rented a mountain bike and visited remote tribe villages. I was able to shoot wonderful pictures of local people. But today was a really challenging day for me. For the second time of my trip I felt very confused and shocked. Only a few hundreds meters after passing a remote tribe village with lots of children playing on the street and running around I remarked the presence of a Jeep with the Logo of UXO. UXO means Unexploaded Ordonance. Laos is the world's most heavily bombed country. During the American Vietnam War 5 million tons of ordonance have been bombed on Laos. Around 30% or 78 millions of bombs have not exploded. UXO is the organisation, which is searching for the unexploded items. Since the end of the war lot of people have been hurt or died because they stepped on unexploded bombs or landmines. The field was near the unpaved road, and between two villages. It was not barred and there was no notice that explained that there is a danger. While I observed the workers several times I heard the signal of their machines. What if one worker does a mistake, how big will be the explosion? What if one of the tribe people would just run over the field? What if I wasn't aware of what they were doing and would just walk to them? After the child of Sana'a who was wearing a Kalashnikov, this is the second time I have difficulties to accept the situation. After shooting the picture, the workers remarked my presence and protested that I have to leave the place.
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