When I visited the Tokyo for the big IStockalypse event a few weeks ago it rained - A LOT for the first few days... It kinda sucked (mostly because I didn't bring a jacket) - but of course now I wish I had taken more pictures of the typhoon rain in Tokyo...
Returned from Tokyo with my heart full of memories and my camera full of pictures... What an exciting time I had...
Now it is time for processing both impressions and pictures! Here a first few processed of many to come.
There was a time in a different life were I spent an unreasonable amount of time in Kabul Airport. To be fair - these pictures are taken before the renovation. Unfortunately I don't have any 'after' pictures of this place. Hopefully later this year - I will be able to provide you with pictures from the brand new terminal.
It was in the airport I learned a lot of my Afghan tricks - I learned what an extra dollar or a lip balm for the body-check lady could do. I also learned to quickly hide from the policeman who suggested that I come to his house to "first eat - then sleep!!!" - and I learned that patience with a pinch of bitchiness was the best way to get through without losing my sanity (which in most cases you already lost before leaving...)
Oh! And I a quickly learned to ALWAYS bring my own toilet paper and hand sanitizer - that's the kinda mistake you only make once!
But I am nowhere near the ocean...
I finally have internet at my new house in Boise, Idaho! Yay! It has been a long time with no connection to what in my mind is 'the real world' so I am exited to be back online again!
I just received the best Christmas Gift ever! A little late and in about a thousand pieces - but who cares? Remember the story about the Afghan Photographer? Well, that exact camera is now mine - sent all the way from Afghanistan to Boise... Arrived in pieces - but we will have it back together soon!
Maybe I will settle down as the Danish Street Photographer in Boise with my Afghan Camera... Now that would be fun!
I left Afghanistan a few days ago. Suitcase full of shots - so I am pretty happy. I always feel I could have done more - this time is no exception - But I am happy and content - and feel that my experience living in Kabul the last 4 years has helped me in many ways there. Who knows... Maybe it has also hindered me - as you probably won't find me walking around the streets finding that perfect shot... I know better! I know how dangerous it can be there and I know not to get carried away.
I know I am missing out on great photo opportunities but I hope I can get the best of both worlds and still make good photos.
I spent a few days in Dubai.. Met up with some old friends & mainly tried to clean up after Kabul. A lot can be said about Dubai - but it is the perfect place to pamper yourself after some time in Afghanistan!
The flight to Dubai from Kabul easily get into my top 5 of miserable flights (and I have had MY share of horrible airplane related experiences). Because of Xmas and over bookings and a lot of other events I should have foreseen - I ended up flying on Safi Airlines out of there.
I don't know how many extra rows of seats they put on that airplane, but it must have been quite a few as there was NO way what-so-ever my legs would fit in my little space.
It probably didn't help that I was in the very very back of the plane (the last seat before the bathroom) which ment no possibility for me to lean my seat back - while the guy in front of me had his seat permanently pressed into my knees.
As usual I sat there with my camera in my sweaty palms ready to crash and die... Here is what it looked like flying into Dubai on one of the only days of the year were it actually rained in Dubai.
Now I am back in Denmark for a few days... Enjoying Mom and Dad's X-mas food - and walks around this little town that I grew up in... It is amazing how everything looks the same... and at the same time - things are so different. There is only one shop left in town... The Grocery store! When I was a kid...
Anyways - This is a picture that ewokes many emotions in me. The amount of time I have spent here... waiting for trains, friends, boys and sometimes just for time to pass...
I love the expression on this mans face.... WTF???
Eid al-Adha occurs the day after the pilgrims conduct the Hajj
On this day Muslims all over the world - who have the means to, sacrifice an animal (usually a goat or a sheep), as a reminder of Ibrahim's obedience to God. The meat is then shared out with family, friends (Muslims or non-Muslims), as well as the poor members of the community. .
I watched the sacrificing of a cow today as you can see in this gallery.
If you are vegetarian for political reasons - or just don't like blood in general, you probably shouldn't watch this!
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!
