Wednesday, March 31, 2010

Hope...

Good Afternoon

End of the Day

End of the Day pakistan

crow at evening

crow at evening

W E D N E S D A Y

W E D N E S D A Y kuwait

F R I D A Y

F R I D A Y

Good Morning


Kuwait Chamber Commerce Trade Industry

City

City

Good evening

Tuesday, March 30, 2010

Autumn in Thailand

taken in Koh Phi Phi, Thailand
June 2008

Turkish Bodybuilders

Turkish Bodybuilders

Masallah Turkish He-Man's

My sister and a Turkish young man

My sister and a Turkish young man

I didn't notice that the young man was looking into my camera when I took the picture of my sister. But it turned out to be a pretty interesting picture, didn't it? :)

Turkish men

Turkish man with a sword.

Moomba Parade 2010.
Swanston Street / Federation Square.
Melbourne.
Victoria.

Turkish man

Turkish banner bearer.

Moomba Parade 2010.
Swanston Street / Federation Square.
Melbourne.
Victoria.

Monday, March 29, 2010

en-squared in Istanbul


en-squared in Istanbul
Originally uploaded by CharlesFred
en-squared in Istanbul

Down in the hardware district of Istanbul

Down in the hardware district of Istanbul

Down in the hardware district of Istanbul

Down in the hardware district of Istanbul

Two more turkish friends


Two more friends
Originally uploaded by CharlesFred
turkish friends

Turkish man


Turkish man
Originally uploaded by nomenklatura
Turkish man

freshmaker


freshmaker
Originally uploaded by KseniyaPhotography
freshmaker

Where serve up Turkish tea

Where serve up Turkish tea

Internet cafe

young turkish man


young turkish man
Originally uploaded by Ana Rajcevic
young turkish man

persembe pazari

Turkish men


Turkish men
Originally uploaded by Fusty Box
Turkish men

Turkish men taking morning tea, Anatolia, Turkey.

TURKISH TRADITIONS


TURKISH TRADITIONS
Originally uploaded by kalim123
TURKISH TRADITIONS

these colourful lamps are integral parts of turkish culture, this is from famous grand bazaar

Two worlds one city


Two worlds one city
Originally uploaded by B℮n
Two worlds one city

Dubai has a diverse and multicultural society. The city's cultural imprint as a small, ethnically homogenous pearling community was changed with the arrival of other ethnic groups and nationals — first by the Iranians in the early 1900s, and later by Indians and Pakistanis in the 1960s. Despite the diversity of the population, only minor and infrequent episodes of ethnic tensions, primarily between expatriates, have been reported in the city. The diversity of cuisine in Dubai is a reflection of the cosmopolitan nature of the society. Arab food is very popular and is available everywhere in the city, from the small shawarma diners in Deira and Al Karama to the upscale restaurants in Dubai's many hotels. Fast food, South Asian, Chinese cuisines are also very popular and are widely available. The sale and consumption of pork, though not illegal, is regulated and is sold only to non-Muslims, in designated areas. Hollywood and Bollywood movies are popular in Dubai. The city hosts the annual Dubai International Film Festival, which attracts celebrities from Arab and International cinema. Dubai has an active music scene, with musicians from all of the world having performed in the city. Culture is frequently subject to censorship in Dubai. Homosexuality, drugs, and the theory of evolution are generally considered taboo. The emirate's main revenues are from tourism, trade, real estate and financial services. Revenues from petroleum and natural gas contribute less than 6% of Dubai's billion economy.

Arab Rice Food Bazaar, The Spring, Kuching

Arab Rice Food Bazaar, The Spring, Kuching

Sunday, March 28, 2010

Street Coffee in Tripoli

Street Coffee in Tripoli

Coffee has been a very important drink and as a mean of socializing in this region. Instant coffee and turkish coffee can be found everywhere in Tripoli and very popular. I managed to capture this one.

Location : Tripoli , Lebanon

Breadseller at Tripoli

Breadseller at Tripoli

The friendly breadseller in the Old City of Tripoli called me up for a chat eventhough he can't speak english and I can't speak arabic. But there is always a way of communicating and getting the message across - the sign language.

Location : Tripoli Old City - Tripoli , Lebanon

Adnan from Tripoli


Adnan from Tripoli
Originally uploaded by friend_faraway -
Adnan from Tripoli

Met Adnan in the Old City while I was waiting for my friend and he speaks very good American English. We had a casual chat and managed to snap his photo. Most people ( Mostly men) here appreciated when we took their photos.

Location : Old City, Triploli- Lebanon

Rickshaw - Another mode of Transportation, Kathmandu

Rickshaw - Another mode of Transportation, Kathmandu

Waiting for the customers is part of the routine of the rickshaw owner for the daily business. The funny thing is that, most of these people can speak passable English which makes the travelling in Nepal an easy one.

Location : Kathmandu , Nepal.

Friendly Faces of Rawalpindi

Friendly Faces of Rawalpindi

Rawalpindi is not as friendly as other cities like Karachi and Peshawar to Pakistan standard, but still a friendly city to international standard. Having said that, I still met some friendly people when I walked around Saddar Bazar.

This cobbler was friendly enough to ask me to take his photo.

Photos were taken on 10th of Moharram where most shops were closed and not many people were in the city.

Location : Saddar Bazar, Rawalpindi - Pakistan

Hammam - After the Bath

Hammam - After the Bath

After the bath, the people will be wrapped wih towels on the head, body and below waist. In order to cool the body back to the room temperature and the wraps session is very important. In the mean time chay ( tea ) or zugurrat ( floral tea) are served as part of the package. If you want some thing extra than this like soda, cola or hubble bubble that will be on an additional charges. Most of the time kids guided by the parents are seldom seen in hammam.

Location : Hammam in Damascus - Syria

Karkamış/Jarabulus (Turkey/Syria) – Border Train

Karkamış/Jarabulus (Turkey/Syria) – Border Train

(EN) Turkish Train on the border to Syria: The railway track marks the border, Turkey’s to its right and Syria to its left.
(D) Türkischer Zug auf der Grenze zu Syrien: Die Bahnlinie markiert die Grenze, die Türkei liegt auf der rechten (nördlichen) Seite und Syrien links.

(EN) In the treaties of Ankara (1921) and Lausanne (1923), the Turkish-Syrian border between Karkamış and Nusaybin was defined exactly on the railway track of the line Antep – Nusaybin. Turkey got the right to use the railway as well as the station buildings on the Syrian side of the tracks. It’s rather because of prestige reasons that Turkish railway still operates services on that line: Every 2 or 3 days there’s a train from Antep to the border town Nusaybin. It takes nearly 12 hours for the 381 km ride, the price is around 5 € / 8 Fr. / 8 US$. Fortunately foreigners are allowed to use that train, even without Syrian visa, because officially no Syrian territory is entered (there’s anyway no possibility to do so because of the massive military presence). Sitting in the train, one sees Syria through the right train window and Turkey through the left one, and the differences are great.
The train itself is quite strange: It consists of a postal waggon, only one passenger wagon and several freight carriages, which are re-arranged at most stations.

(D) In den Verträgen von Ankara (1921) und Lausanne (1923) wurde die türkisch-syrische Grenze zwischen Karkamıs (Euphrat-Brücke) und Nusaybin exakt auf der Eisenbahnlinie von Gaziantep nach Nusaybin definiert. Das Recht zum Betrieb der Strecke erhielt allerdings die Türkei, ebenso fielen alle auf der syrischen Seite gelegenen Bahnhöfe an die Türkei.
Wohl mehr aus Prestigegründen wird diese Strecke heute noch von der türkischen Eisenbahn betrieben: Alle 2-3 Tage fährt ein Zug von Gaziantep in die Grenzstadt Nusaybin. Die 381 km lange Fahrt dauert fast 12 Stunden und kostet knapp 5 € / 8 Fr. Glücklicherweise darf man auch als Ausländer in den Zug, sogar ohne syrisches Visum, da man offiziell kein syrisches Gebiet betritt und dazu auch keine Möglichkeit bekommt aufgrund der massiven Militärpräsenz. Aus dem Zug kann man dann buchstäblich durchs rechte Fenster Syrien und durchs linke die Türkei sehen, und die Unterschiede sind enorm.
Der Zug ist dann auch ein ziemliches Kuriosum: Er besteht aus einem Postwagen, einem einzigen Personenwagen und zahlreichen Güterwagen, von denen unterwegs immer wieder einzelne an- und abgehängt werden.

Saturday, March 27, 2010

Mobile Cobbler at Gujarkhan, Pakistan

Mobile Cobbler at Gujarkhan, Pakistan

Next to the restaurant that I always had my meal whenever I visited Gujarkhan is this mobile cobbler. The interesting part of this capture is that while having your shoes repaired or polished, you can order your cup of tea ( Chay) and socializing with the cobbler. I guess it's the same concept as going to the bars in the western countries and chat with the bartender. Note how cold Pakistan is at this time of the year ( February) by the way they wrapped themselves up with warm clothes

Location : Gujarkhan, Pakistan

Aleppo Old City : Tongue and Knuckle

Aleppo Old City : Tongue and Knuckle

In the butchery part of Aleppo bazaar in the Old City, there is a section of people selling the 'unwanted' part of sheep or cow's segment . Things like sheep's head, knuckle and tongue( Pic above) , genital parts and stomach can be found and considered is delicacy. Mostly cooked as a soupy dishes. I found it very interesting and managed to capture one to share with Flickr friends.

Location : Aleppo Old City, Aleppo - Syria

Statue of a Warrior, Damascus

Statue of a Warrior, Damascus

Infront of Souq Hamidiyye, there is a statue of a great warrior during the Umayyad period, Salahaddin.

Location : Damascus, Syria

Tea Seller near Sayyida Zainab Mosque, Damascus

Tea Seller near Sayyida Zainab Mosque, Damascus

The mobile tea seller complete with traditional clothes and accessories can be found outside Sayyida Zainab Mosque to cater for tea drinkers around that area. SInce tea is a very important drink around this region, this is one of the way to sell tea.

Location : Sayyida Zainab Mosque - Damascus, Syria

The Guest House Keeper, Pakistan

The Guest House Keeper, Pakistan

Shayyaz, is the guest house keeper in the Guest house which I am staying at the moment. Very helpful and hard working. He is originally from Kashmir.

Location : Guest House , Islamabad - Pakistan

Kashif from Gujarkhan, Pakistan

Kashif from Gujarkhan, Pakistan

I have known Kashif for almost 3 years now and have a chance to visit him today in Gujarkhan Bazar, about 1 hour drive south of Islamabad towards Lahore on GT Road. He is running his own mobile phone outlet in the Bazar now. As good as before, and still charming and hospitable, it was good meeting with him again.

Location : Gujarkhan, Punjab - Pakistan

Wedding Decoration - Gujarkhan, Pakistan


Wedding Decoration - Gujarkhan, Pakistan

If you drive along the GT Road towards Lahore and passing by this town of Gujarkhan, you can see the colourful wedding decoration outlets along the road. Most of the decoration is to decorate the wedding car. October to December every year are wedding season months. It's the occassion that I can see everywhere in Pakistan at the moment.


Location : Gujarkhan, Punjab - Pakistan

The Shy Vendor, G9 Islamabad

The Shy Vendor, G9 Islamabad

He noticed me taking his photo and nodded at me giving that "yes" signal but when I took his photo, he felt shy to face the camera and smiled looking down at nothing. Sweet.

Location : Open Air Bazar at G9 - Islamabad, Pakistan

A Glimpse of Life in Karachi

A Glimpse of Life in Karachi

Evening in Saddar.

The busiest area in Karachi. Full of street hawkers, bustling with sounds,smell and shopping activities. Bazar opens as late as 11 pm.

Location : Saddar Bazar, Karachi - Pakistan

Women Accessories In Abbotabad Bazaar

Women Accessories In Abbotabad Bazaar

I followed Umer and Shadmin in Abbotabad Bazaar and they have to go to ladies area to buy something for their fabrics. While they were busy with their works...I managed to get some photos of the women accessories in that bazaar.

- this one...the colourful bangles.

Location : Abbotabad Bazaar, Abbotabad - Pakistan

In The Teahouse - Abbotabad

In The Teahouse - Abbotabad

The friendliness of people in the Bazaar in Abbotabad led me to lots of tea invitations.

I was passing by this Teahouse in the bazaar and noticed how interesting the teapots were. Asking permission, I took few snaps and walked away. Suddenly someone from the teahouse called me back in. The owner of the teahouse would like to have tea with me and have a little chat. So I agreed.

I love Pakistani tea which is called "dud patti" - tea with milk. Funny thing is that, I do not know the price per cup or pot since I always get it for free from the invitations!

Location : Bazaar in Abbotabad, Pakistan

Sunday at Saddar Bazaar, Karachi

Sunday at Saddar Bazaar, Karachi

I got few hours before leaving Karachi and Pakistan.

The morning before I left, I walked around the city for the last time with my camera, of course. I noticed that Sunday in Karachi was a bit quiet. The city' woke up' only about 12 noon. Most the corridors of the shops that closed on Sunday, were fully utilised by street vendor like the one above.

Location : Saddar Bazaar, Karachi - Pakistan

Street Food in Pakistan : Jalebis

Street Food in Pakistan : Jalebis

I had the previleged to see how Jalebis were done and was honoured enough to get the permission to take the photo. Well..everyone was so excited when I took the photo that some of their friends asking me to photos.

I was lucky enough to eat street food without having any stomach upset.

Location : G9 Markaz, Islamabad - Pakistan

The Sunglasses in Winter

The Sunglasses in Winter

In the cold winter evening ( not snowing though!), this guy patiently waiting for his customer selling the Designer's Glasses from China. The kiosk is mobile and removable. Prices range from PKR 80 -200 ( USD 1 - 2.50) a piece.

Location : G9 Markaz, Islamabad - Pakistan

Portrait from the Teahouse - Abbotabad

Portrait from the Teahouse - Abbotabad

This is definitely my favourite portrait of all the photos that I took when I was in Pakistan.

This nice guy was sitting next to me in the Teahouse. I was lucky enough to get a few snaps of him, but this one is the one that I like most.

I just love the way he drank the tea, pouring it on the plate and sipped it.
Very classy!

Location : In the Teahouse in Bazaar, Abbotabad - Pakistan

Rickshaw - A Mode of Public transport in the City, Karachi

Rickshaw - A Mode of Public transport in the City, Karachi

Back to Karachi before ending my Pakistan trip this time.

I saw this Rickshaw or local just pronounce it as 'riksha' and I have never seen any rickshaw in Pakistan as clean and as new as this one. Rickshaw is the fastest way to move around the city and very efficient as well.

The good thing was that he let me capture his photo.

Location : Saddar Bazaar, - Pakistan

The Smiles from the Street - Karachi

The Smiles from the Street - Karachi

Most of the time these girls would be hassling me for money...

But this time around, she approached me and asked to take their photos when she saw me walking with my camera .
I was more than happy to do that.
I was expecting them to ask me to give them money after I had taken their photos...but they did not.
Infact, they were so happy when I showed them their photos and give me the best smiles in return.

Location : Sadaar Bazar, Karachi - Pakistan

Remembering Pakistan : Sunglasses Street Vendor

Remembering Pakistan : Sunglasses Street Vendor

Imitation Designers' glasses made in China can be obtained easily in the street of Karachi from the mobile sunglasses vendor. Prices are as cheap as PKR 100 (USD1.20) a pair.

This photo was taken from my previous trip to Pakistan in January 2010 along Saddar Bazaar in Karachi. Obviously they love their photos to be taken.

Location : Saddar Bazaar, Karachi - Pakistan

Padova MarketPlace - The Sausage Shop

Padova MarketPlace - The Sausage Shop

I have never seen so many types of sausages in my life until I came to Padova. The marketplace is really awesome. Besides it's interesting arrangement of the sausages, I also like the colour scheme of the sausages.

Location : Padova - Italy

Padova MarketPlace - The Chicken Shop

Padova MarketPlace - The Chicken Shop

The one thing that i like about Italy is that the way food are sold. They sold in a really fresh form and chickens are sold as whole rather than just portion.

When I was in Padova, I managed to wonder around the market place and discovered this beautiful, interesting fresh chicken outlet

Location : Padova, Italy