Tomatoes
Fresh and juicy – in all their shades of yellow-to-red – tomatoes have become central to cooking world over.
Tomatoes.
Salad, salsa, pasta sauce, creamy curry, pizza, ratatouille, juice, gazpacho… the list goes on.
Tomatoes have become central to cooking world over. In season, I keep them planted in my garden, and I always have plenty – large ones for cooking and sandwiches and small ones for salads – tucked in my fridge. Originally native to western-South America and Central America, and cultivated domestically in Mexico before 500 BC, it’s hard to believe tomatoes were only introduced to Europe and Asia by the Spanish in the early 1500s.
One of the things I love about travelling with photo-tours is that you regularly devote time to places other groups minimise or ignore completely. This gives me more of a real glimpse into “ordinary” everyday life. After all, when was the last time you stopped to spend time in a tomato distribution centre?
I was in Nyaung Shwe on the north shore of Inle Lake in Myanmar, with photographer Karl Grobl, local guide Mr MM, and nine other photography enthusiasts, when I had the opportunity to watch local Burmese at work.
Tomato Boats
Tomatoes are grown on the floating farms of Inle Lake, and come into the distribution centre by boat.
Tomato Baskets
The colours are fresh and bright in the morning sunlight.
Men Delivering Tomatoes
Every step of the food chain is labour intensive.
Tomatoes
The produce is bright against the dark canal waters.
Tomato Boat
The long, graceful boats laden with full baskets sit low in the water.
Boxed Tomatoes
The Warehouse
Inside, it is dark and cool.
Sorting Tomatoes
Women sort through tomatoes of all colours from the pile on the bamboo platform.
Sorting Tomatoes
Tomatoes fly into the baskets.
Portrait
Workers chat and laugh as they perform their work.
In the Corner
Light slants through the woven walls as tomatoes fly towards a lone basket.
Tomatoes in Baskets
Red Glow
Light through the walls bounces off the ripe fruit.
Heavy Lifting
Movement
Light and Lines
The Bookkeeper
All the baskets of tomatoes moving in and out of the storehouse are recorded in a notebook.
Tomatoes
Warm and rich smelling, the baskets of tomatoes sit in the sun.
I loved the smell and the colour and the shape of tomatoes.
Clearly, a lot of work has gone into getting these ones to market ~
I have no doubt but that it was worth it.
Bon appétit!
Another colourful and, dare I say it, tasteful photo essay! Nice work Ursula.
Thanks, Kevin! Lovely to have your visit. 😀
Can I know the location of that?
Hi Rain,
It’s in the outskirts of Nyaung Shwe. Enjoy!