Sunday, August 24, 2008

Kabul on Monday

Some of today's pictures I'm putting up just because the color or the people's expressions came out just right, even if the rest of the shot wasn't quite perfect. Others are just some the many street scenes common every day in Kabul.


Traditional and Modern
He's a thoroughly modern dude from the neck up.


A Wedding Car
There are weddings almost every day in Kabul and they are BIG affairs.


Rubble, Tent and Houses
You frequently see houses that are nothing short of mansions alongside rubble and tents.


The "Running Chef"
He's built a stove, complete with stovepipe into the wheelbarrow.
A satisfied customer munches on his lunch while sqatting on the curb.



Shops on a Shady Street.



Sisters on the way to school.



The Drover
This was a quick "wrist" shot. I didn't have a chance to aim through the viewfinder.
The shadow and color came out, too bad my aim was off a little.



A Balloon Guy
This is at 6:15 in the morning.



Cat in the Hat
Western themes, especially American, are very popular here.



A Corner Store
A constant blend of modern and traditional.



Culture Blend
The gent in the middle with Western features is Nuristani.
The Nuristani claim descent from the Greeks of Alexander the Great,
but their ancestry may also be an older Celtic influence.
He is surrounded by Hazara, descended from the Mongols who
conquered Afghanistan in 1219.


Father and Son
Some things are the same no matter where you go.

10 comments:

Charles Gramlich said...

That wheelbarrow guy is pretty savvy.

The Muse said...

I absolutly love the last photo! Great job J.L!

Travis Erwin said...

Great shots. I never would have expected Hello Kitty and Cat in the Hat backpacks.

Lyzzydee said...

It shows that life goes on, regardless.great shots

debra said...

Thanks again for great photos. I find the contrasts fascinating in a culture that seems full of them.

Reb said...

It is fascinating how each picture shows so many contrasts. The girls going to school with the Kitty backpacks is wonderful! The drover photo is very cool.

I really enjoy your posts, thank you.

Josephine Damian said...

Fascinating place, great pix. I read that travel memoir THE PLACES IN BETWEEN but so much more intimate seeing/reading your take on the place.

J. L. Krueger said...

Charles,

You see many innovate entrepreneurs on the streets of Kabul.

Muse,

Thanks, it sort of struck me when I was going through the many pictures I took that day.

Travis,

Like I said, Western themes are very popular right now.

lyzzydee,

Thanks for stopping by. Life sure does go on...and what is happing now in Afghanistan is nothing compared to the 80's or during the Civil War between '93 and '96.

Debra,

Thanks...the contrasts are indeed striking here. I think in another generation this will be a very different country due to cultural changes taking place.

Reb,

Thanks again for stopping by. Daily we see modern superimposed on an old culture. It really is fascinating to be living here.

Josephine,

Thanks for stopping by. I am trying hard to present a view of Afghanistan that is being overlooked by mainstream media. The normal bits of Afghanistan that continue even during war.

Bernita said...

The mountain broods in the early morning.
I cannot thank you enough for these photos.

Ello - Ellen Oh said...

Ok the biggest culture blend were the little girls with their head covered and Hello Kitty backpacks! Terrific!