Happy family: Mother and son

Mother (the one with the white tent around herself) and son enjoy the flow of the river.

Photo from Bamiyan, Afghanistan, September 2006.

What to find under a burqa?

The world is full of surprises and sometimes you might find the unexpected under a burqa.

Photo from Manila in June 2007.

Drive Thru Mosque

The picture from September 2006 is showing the five remaining minarets of the Musalla ('Prayer Ground' in Arabic) Complex of Gohar Shad in Herat, Afghanistan. Formerly this complex comprised of a Friday Mosque, madrassa and mausoleum and a set of thirty minarets (built between 1417 and 1438). It is rather sad to note that a four lane road is now passing through (thru) the once beautiful with elaborated mosaic tilework decorated minarets.

See also Lord Byron's photos from 1933/34, who described the Gohar Shad Musalla as "the most beautiful example in colour in architecture ever devised by man to the glory of his God and himself."

Mascara Man in Herat

This photo of a Sufi man with mascara on his eyes was taken in September 2006 at the shrine of the 11^th century Sufi master Abdullah Ansari at Gazar Gah, 5 km from Herat, Afghanistan.

Does anybody know why Sufi men sometimes put on mascara? I was told to protect them from the evil eye but would like to learn if more explanations exist.

Hope he is on the right way

To my knowledge this fellow from Herat, Afghanistan is a tariqah, somebody following the 'path'. This 'sufi' is most possibly a follower of Naqshbandi, which is considered a ‘sober’ order believing in silent dhikr (remembrance of God) and suhbat (an intimate relationship between student and master).

However, the tattooed sword on his left hand is worrisome to me.

Only one saw me. Why not the others?

Photo from Herat, Afghanistan in September 2006.

Out of the blue: Burqa shopping in Herat

Choice is everything in life, isn't it?

Photo from Herat, Afghanistan (September 2006).

Afghanistan Tourism Organization

Nothing to add to this advertisement on a Russian tank....

Photo from September 2006 on route to Bamiyan.

Remnants of a crime against culture

In March 2001, six months before the September 11^th bombing of the World Trade Center in New York City, the Taliban destroyed two ancient statues of the Buddha in Bamiyan, Afghanistan. The giant Buddhas carved into a mountainside in the heart of the Hindu Kush mountains, were among Asia's great archaeological treasures.

The larger of the two statues (built in the 5^th century CE)- which stood at 53 meters - was believed to have been the world's tallest standing Buddha. The other statue measured 38 meters from the 3^rd century CE used to be in the big hole behind the tank as shown in the picture above.

These giant Buddhas have been destroyed by the use of mortars, dynamite, tanks, anti-aircraft weapons and rockets. Some of the shells can still be found next to the hole of the smaller Buddha (see picture below).

Pictures from September 2006.

Sign at Kabul Airport: Unload your weapons here

I am still not quite sure about the meaning of this sign. Does it mean that ammunition shall be unloaded at this place and that it is allowed to board the aircraft with a gun or does it mean that all weapons shall be placed into the box before boarding the plane?

The picture was taken in September 2006 at Kabul airport.

No communication problem in Herat, Afghanistan

Afghanistan is still listening to the world....

Photo from Herat, September 2006.

Camel Soldier

The good old times of Switzerland's bicycle infantry ended in 2001 but the camel soldier survived all these centuries. We usually see high tech soldiers on CNN and other 'instant message channels' but the real truth of the army is quite ordinary as shown on this picture from yesterday taken on Herat's airport in Afghanistan.

Costs of War

In Afghanistan the costs of war are still 'visible'. Once you travel around you will always see tanks, artillery and whatever killing device. Often tanks still block main roads as shown in this picture taken close to Bamiyan. Other costs include the loss of almost two generations in Afghanistan not measured in victims but in inadequate education. I don’t plan to go into all costs, I rather mention others which are less visible but still highly destructive. Today while leaving Herat I met a team from Handicap International which was on their way back home after having destroyed 303,700 landmines and unexploded ordinance (UXO) in 18 months with a team of 26 persons in the region of Herat. I asked the team about their estimates on how many landmines and UXO are still left around Herat and the team leader answered that this was just the beginning and that much more is still left and continues to be a major impediment of development. He also mentioned that their project is now over and that there is a fatigue in giving donations for their work. I hope the latter is not true but if it is true then Afghanistan’s costs of war will continue to rise in the upcoming years. Landmines cost as little as $3 to deploy, but up to $1000 to remove by conventional methods....

Cycling outside of Kabul

After having proposed a Tour d' Afghanistan we have to consider the difficulties if bikes are getting damaged. Expect all kinds of help!

Photo taken along the road from Kabul to Bamiyan on 22 September 2006.

Don't feed the animal

'Don't feed the animal' were Alex famous first words after he woke up from my camera’s flashlight.

The picture was taken two days ago in the guesthouse ‘Roof of Bamiyan’ after an exhausting but spectacular trip from Kabul to Bamiyan. Bamiyan is famous for its caves and its two giant Buddhas. As we all know the two Buddhas were destroyed by the Taliban in 2001.

However, it is said that a third Buddha, the sleeping Buddha, is not yet excavated. As the picture shows we seem to follow the right trail. Only the relation or is it an incarnation to the 'animal' is not quite clear.

Cycling in Kabul

The Tour de France is getting kind of boring. Would propose a Tour d'Afghanistan.

Photo from Kabul, Afghanistan.

Batman in Afghanistan

I am sure the others are getting their T-Shirts soon.

Photofrom Kabul, June 2006.

Burqa on King's Palace in Kabul?

Christo wrapped the Reichstag in Berlin. Why not put a burka over the King's palace in Kabul?

Photo from June 2006.

Withstands Rocket Attacks: Deutscher Hof Kabul

If you happen to be in Kabul, Afghanistan during the Football World Cup you might want to join the fellows in the Deutscher Hof Kabul (see picture 'waiting for the first goal').

The other real attraction of the Deutscher Hof is its safety. The bar in the basement even withstands rocket attacks.

Finally, the utmost attraction is that you get Germany’s most famous Schwarzbier (black beer) Köstritzer on tap. One of the most famous drinkers of Köstritzer Schwarzbier was Johann Wolfgang von Goethe. Am sure he would be in Kabul if still alive.

Photo from June 2006.

Shopping half blind in Kabul

You either need help or have to stay extremely focused while shopping wearing a burqa.

I bought a burqa for roughly $17. Trying it on changes your view of the world - literally. You also buy less...

Photo from June 2006.