Mie Ahmt Photography

I got tea...they got lollipops!!!

I got the chai I was hoping for...

... and the kids - they got the lollipops from hell!

Today I am going to Salang to watch some humanitarian houses being build. Last week when I went up there it was cold - so I can only imagine that it will be colder today after more snow has fallen.

I am hoping for lots of hot chai... luckily that is one thing the Afghans have down - When it comes to chai - the Afghans are the most hospitable people in the world!

Something to learn from

I remember a class at RMSP with Alison Leach. She was showing us 'behind the scenes photos' and she pointed out how the photographers and their assistants were wearing black!
I made a note in my notebook - but forgot to make a mental note - here is the result.

Yesterday when I went to photograph at the Kings old Palace I was wearing a very red and very white jacket .... with a very green scarf!

You can clearly see me AND the Palace in the background.

Maybe that will teach me!

The Bakery

I have always been curious about the Afghan Bakeries.
Having lived in Kabul for 4 years I have had my share of Naan over the years, but I have always wondered how exactly they make it - and why - when you drive by at night - there are always people sleeping in there in the winter...

As they say;Curiosity killed the cat, so the other day I went inside one of the local Kabuli bakeries - to check out how it works. Here is a little series about The Afghan Bakery.

My Afghan Photo

And here it is... The photo the Afghan Street Photographer took of me the other day... Fascinating!

The Afghan Photographer

The Other day I was driving through Charikar - I was hungry so I stopped for Kebab. As I was waiting for the kebabs I spotted a row of Afghan Street photographers down the street.
I knew it was a bad idea, but couldn't help myself; I had to go and check it out! Before I knew it I was the one in front of the camera! "Sit still!!" was the order (because of the long exposure) and within minutes the street was full of people staring at me! I know enough dari to understand the curious questions about the color of my hair, my nationality and how much my camera might be worth.

I would have loved to stay there - take my time and take their pictures all day long - but it simply got too crowded - too quickly - so we had to get out of there!

I got my picture and then I was out of there - it is awesome! I will post it later
   

When the sun sets...

Watching the sun set over this dusty city has its very own beauty!

Playing Tennis in Kabul

Yesterday i went to The Intercontinental Hotel for coffee... Yes, I am very addicted to coffee! I took some time to walk around and photograph the recreational areas... The empty pool, the basket ball hoop, the tennis court.

During the Russian occupancy of Afghanistan The InterContinental was used as officers quarters. It was also used extensively by Western journalists during the US invasion of Afghanistan in 2001 as it was the only hotel still operating in the Kabul at the time.

While originally developed by the InterContinental Hotels chain, The InterContinental Hotel in Kabul has no direct or indirect association with the InterContinental Hotels Group.

There are many good stories (rumors?) about what has and has not happened at the Intercontinental. One thing is for sure though, it has a superb location with beautiful views and it is as fancy as it gets... the Afghan way!

Below are some of the photos from the tennis court. It is complete with a high chair for the judge and sniper screen and razor wire. It is only $10 per hour! Did I ever tell you that the average Afghan makes below $5 a day?

Fear

I hate flying! Not just a little bit as in; "uuuuh - this makes me uncomfortable and there is no room for my legs and the food sucks and the guy next to me won't stop talking!". NO! I HATE it! - With a passion! I know all the logic things about flying. I know it is safer than driving (but I never driver, so how does that leave those statistics for me?). It is all about the control people!
If I am on a boat - at least I have a chance to swim if something happens... In an airplane??? I can't fly! So there!!!

So what do I do? I try to sleep (which rarely works) or I take pictures! You can be sure that if I am ever in a plane crash it will be documented to the moment I hit the ground. It is almost like being behind the camera takes the fear away.

In a Helicopter over Bamyan in Afghanistan!

Flight from Dubai to Kabul with KAM Air

Outskirts of Kabul seen from above

I have to say that I myself is pretty impressed with the first picture... Not from a photographic point of view... By no means a master piece... But look! I was literally hanging out the side of that helicopter! Pretty good for someone who absolutely HATES flying!

Apple & Roshan... Really?

Really?
Does Roshan seriously have a deal with Apple?

... a long time ago I had the first Iphone in Afghanistan that actually worked... I saw this billboard the other day when I was driving by Kabul River - and am wondering if Apple really made an agreement with Roshan??? I am having a very hard time believing this - especially considering how long it took for the Iphone to come to Europe!