आज आंखों में काट लो शबेहिज्र
जिंदगानी पड़ी है सो लेना
So if it is about the journey, then anticipation is definitely the best part.
The trip has been a long time in the making and anyone who knows me knows that I am going. What can I say, I am excited. Its the first for me and the first of many I hope. The world is changing and I want to see it before it is our children's world.
It all started at the EG conference. Chris Rainier was the speaker and he was showing these wonderful pictures of people from the world over. Hmmm. And then there was Rachel McKinley from BBC and the Human Planet team with pictures of the tree people in Africa. But mostly it was Liz Scanlon - "Really Madhav, you should go on such a trip"- she instigated. So one thing led to another and I found myself committed to a trip to Mongolia with Timothy Allen, the lead photographer for the Human Planet team - two weeks in July-August. And here we are.
What to take?
That was the preoccupying question. I decided that food would be nixed and clothing would be minimized in favor of the equipment. Mongolian airlines apparently has a scrupulous weight limitation and why take an extra shirt when you can pack a reflector instead? Gurleymon was kind enough to loan me the second camera and much deliberation later, I settled on the stuff below. No Film.
The 300mm did not make it as did not the 40D. The 2x multiplier would have to do if I get lucky and see the Argali or Ibex mountain sheep. Also decided against the Leica and Tri-X, even though I might go to the Ger camps in Ulan Bataar on my way back.
I also decided to invest in the Blackrapid DR-2 double strap so I can carry two cameras on my shoulders without worry. I am sure I will look like such a dork that my daughter will never go anywhere with me again.
From SFO to Beijing, non-stop and then after a long wait on to Ulan Bator. UB is one of the the highest capital in Eurasia and cold in the winter, though at this time I believe quite pleasant. And it is famous for the its sloping runway. Apparently as you land it runs away from you. Here's to a window seat.
OK I'm off. Next - Greetings from UB.