Bienvenue à Paris!

Salaam. Paris calling. Bonjour tout le monde. Je vous écris cette lettre de Paris.

It's been complicated, and even though I should be familiar with the damp, I'm not quite over the weather shock after having moved from the Arabian deserts to Yorkshire. Whilst I've made a certain peace, I have needed to make minor escapes after feeling trapped by the terminally wet and grey skies - even if crossing the Pennines to view things differently (not that much to be honest), though most recently I had some time in the heart of London, which, of course, is a city which I have always found to be an exciting and dynamic place. 

Over the Eid break, I took the long train journey from the north of England picking up the Eurostar Service from London Kings Cross/St Pancras International to Paris, Garre du Nord. I have been staying close to the Rue de Quatre Septembre in the 2nd Arrondissement (2^e) in the area known as Opera. The summer air, tight cobbled streets and open air cafe atmosphere has been a welcome relief and yes, I've done the touristy things as well - taken an open top bus ride to see the sights - Notre Dame, the Latin Quartre, the Seine etc. I've paid a visit to the Louvre, seen da Vinci's Mona Lisa and taken the walk along the Jardin de Tuileries, the Place de la Concorde, the fashionable Champs-Élysées and the Arc de Triomphe. Of course, no trip to Paris is complete without a trip up the Eiffel Tower.  

Aujourd'hui, c'est ma dernière nuit à Paris. Here's taster photograph. More to follow InshAllah.

Bright Eyes

So why would I dedicate a post to two Netherland Dwarf Rabbits? I'm not sure, tell the truth, but the pictures here warm the heart. If I think about my reasons further, then perhaps, it's a case of having been there once before. I also owe this one to my daughter who carries the badge for the next generation in the family who have taken up animal care whilst young.

 

Meet Camembert and Harrod.

Taken using my Samsung Galaxy S.

Deep Freeze

A few pictures from the patch when the temperatures dropped to -15ºC. Taken using my Olympus SP800UZ.

New Year Dawning

The sun rather feebly struggled to shine,
Causing fractions of sky to light up.
Flowers pushed heavy heads out of the soil,
Drunk with sweet water from nature's own cup.

The grass sparkled and glimmered - a carpet of emeralds,
Drops of water reclined on silk petals of rose.
Trickling down to the ground as a gentle, cool breeze,
Spread the heady perfume throughout orchard groves.

Birds shook sodden wings and  soft feathered heads,
Rejoicing in the golden, warm sunshine.
Their sweet tunes travelled throughout the air,
As they wove their love nests with dried twigs and twine.

The sun transformed to a ball of orange flame,
Was merciless soon in its sphere of fierce heat.
Shining in all its supreme glory down,
On the freshly-washed world now ready to greet.

V. Mahfood

Picture taken from CSMonitor showing a scene from China.

Road to Jalalabad I

We are all on a journey of some description and since arriving in Afghanistan, it has been a series of conversations; sitting in on meetings, chairing meetings, having social discussions, writing reports and working on the project that I am here to support. It continues to be an incredible experience and one that has allowed me to learn as much as has allowed me to share.

This is Afghanistan. Security is on everyone's agenda and means that it is wise to be low key. When the reasons for being here were discussed with the British Ambassador, William Patey, the message was about stark warnings regarding travel and the millions being poured into education in the country. Said with a confidence that I respect, but one that generates other sets of questions about how and why - which incidentally, I did put to him. I got some slightly  vague answer that I'm still not sure of.

The education statistics paint a picture that shows ongoing needs and even here in Kabul, children begging, selling bits of bread on the street and picking through rubbish heaps shows how very far from the ideal that we are.

I took the road to Jalalabad the day before yesterday and stayed overnight at a very fine guest house. The reason for the journey was not about comforting day trips, but a chance to explore what will be the setting up of a school. The road to Jalalabad is precarious because of the driving and the insurgency and the trip was not announced early, as per local sensibility regarding security. Scenery along the mountain passes is breathtaking. The map at the head of this posting and this slide-show are from the New York Times. I share below a snapshot or two of the journey.

More on the school project in another posting.

Tor_Khan تور خان

Alone

From childhood's hour I have not been
As others were; I have not seen
As others saw; I could not bring
My passions from a common spring.
From the same source I have not taken
My sorrow; I could not awaken
My heart to joy at the same tone;
And all I loved, I loved alone.
Then - in my childhood, in the dawn
Of a most stormy life - was drawn
From every depth of good and ill
The mystery which binds me still:
From the torrent, or the fountain,
From the red cliff of the mountain,
From the sun that round me rolled
In its autumn tint of gold,
From the lightning in the sky
As it passed me flying by,
From the thunder and the storm,
And the cloud that took the form
(When the rest of Heaven was blue)
Of a demon in my view. 

Edgar Allen Poe.

Credits here.

Coffee Shop Farewell

About a week ago, I sat alone in an Abu Dhabi coffee shop and looked through the tinted/frosted window. I took a photograph. Those who know me, and those who can guess, will know why. In my own mind, I just wanted to capture the moment.

 

Today, I sit amidst boxes - in a more or less dismantled room and on the move once more. It's been an incredible journey. I have learned a lot and known some wonderful people. The experience has been great and I am richer, more informed and InshAllah, more thoughtful as a result. It is not without regrets, some sadness and the usual worries about the unknown, but I am thankful. Allah has a plan and with Allah rests our fate.

سپوږمۍ ته سلام

!سلام سپوږمیه

Salaam Dear Moon 

 زما اوستا ترمنځ شوغرونه

سپینې سپوږمۍ ته سلام به کړمه

عبدل کبیرکاکړ

Photograph of the Moon taken by Tor Khan.
Yorkshire, Summer 2010 using a Sony Exmor. 

The landay is dedicated to someone.

English Country Garden

I share a photo collage of stills taken from my very own English Garden. Photographs taken by using my Sony Exmor.