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Category Archives: Afghanistan
The Afghan miners of Lapis Lazuli…
…as seen through the artistic lens of Steve McCurry.
The world’s largest Lapis Lazuli mine.
It turns out that the world’s largest lapis lazuli mine is the Sari-i-Sang mine in northern Afghanistan. The ancient royal Sumerian tombs of Ur, located near the Euphrates River in lower Iraq, contained more than 6000 beautifully executed lapis lazuli … Continue reading
Afghanistan’s treasures, jewelry and dolphins.
I am constantly amazed -and perplexed- at discovering the “hidden” treasures of Afghanistan…The dolphin clasp above brought to mind the pair of ancient boars I saw in Greece. I just learnt that there is a dolphin statue at the airport … Continue reading
Posted in Afghanistan, General
Tagged Afghanistan, dolphin, hidden treasures, jewelry
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Art in Afghanistan.
Steve Mumford, a New York artist, writes about the National Gallery of Afghanistan and provides a window into a different world. Interesting read. Thanks to Major Paul Smyth of UK Forces Afghanistan.
Rudyard Kipling – Ford o’ Kabul River…
Trying to learn – from a Western perspective- a little bit about Afghanistan, I came across Rudyard Kipling’s poem about the Kabul River. Below is the poem, but here is an explanation of what happened behind the scenes… Ford O’ … Continue reading
Posted in Afghanistan, Poetry
Tagged Afghanistan, Ford o' Kabul River, Kabul, Rudyard Kipling
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Afghan oil paintings…
The world’s first oil paintings were in caves near two destroyed giant statues of Buddha at Bamiyan. For a fascinating story, read the National Geographic’s “Oldest Oil Paintings Found in Caves”.
Posted in Afghanistan, Archaeology, Art, Culture
Tagged Afghanistan, Bamyan Buddhas, oil paintings
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Radio Azadi and Afghanistan.
I shall be visiting Afghanistan for the first time in my life in the next few days. What best describes my mood? Excitement and trepidatious anticipation. Sometimes, the news that is reported is not that encouraging. But sometimes, one reads … Continue reading
Posted in Afghanistan, Culture, Media
Tagged Afghanistan, Radio Azadi, Radio Free Europe
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The ravages of polio.
In preparation for an upcoming trip to Afghanistan, I was given a polio vaccine booster. I realized then that I was completely unaware that polio is endemic there. According to the World Health Organization: ” In 2011, only four countries (Afghanistan, … Continue reading
A soldier’s uniform.
Meet Joey Paulk, who survived horrific injuries incurred in Afghanistan: “The burns on a soldier’s face are huge: It’s your military uniform and you can’t take it off,” he said. “The surgery changed so much on my face that it … Continue reading
Posted in Afghanistan, Empathy, Philanthropy, Soldiers, War
Tagged Adghanistan, injuries, Joey Paulk, philanthropy, Ronald A. Katz, War
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Rabia Balkhi, the first and only Afghan queen and Persian poetess.
She lived in the 10th century. She fell in love with her brother’s slave. She was imprisoned by her brother and committed suicide after writing her last poem, Love, on her prison wall with her own blood. I am caught in Love’s … Continue reading
Posted in Afghanistan, Culture, Poetry
Tagged Afghan poetry, Afghanistan, first queen, Rabia Balkhi
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An American lawyer in Kabul.
Gulnaz is the 21-year old Afghan lady who was raped, jailed because of the rape, and recently released. The story in itself is very disconcerting, to say the least. It turns out Gulnaz was represented by an American lawyer who … Continue reading
Posted in Afghanistan, Lawyers, Rule of Law, United States
Tagged American lawyer in Kabul, Gulnaz, Kimberley Motley
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The War in Afghanistan – a Canadian perspective.
For a Canadian perspective of the 10-year war in Afghanistan, check out the wealth of stories and the hauntingly beautiful Richard Johnson illustrations in The Long Road at the National Post. I am happy that we have been able to … Continue reading
Posted in Afghanistan, Art, Blogging, Canada, Media, War
Tagged Afghanistan, Canada, Richard Johnson, The Long Road
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The juxtaposition of the then and now…war and pleasure…
In pictures, the shocking contrast between war and fun: Afghanistan in the ’80s and More Fun and Games…
Posted in Afghanistan, Art, Culture, History, War
Tagged Afghanistan, Angkor Wat, Anti-aircraft guns, Asmar, Australia, Bangladesh, Bekka Valley, Binet, Burma, Buzkashi, Cambodia, Christian Science Monitor, Cuba, Doris Lessing, guns, Havana, Honduras, Immanuel Kant, India, Istanbul, Italy, Jalalabad, Kabul, Kunar River, landmines, Lebanon, Logar, Maningrida, Mersin, Moscow, mujahadeen, Mumbai, Myanmar, Nangahar, New York Times, Niger, Nuristan, Peru, Perugia, rifles, Robert Capa Gold Medal, Russia, Russian, Shanghai, Soviet, Steve McCurry, Tibet, Time Magazine, turkey, Varanasi, Wodaabe, Yangon, Yemen
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Puppy love and war.
Puppy love: Stray dogs befriended by soldiers on duty in Afghanistan are flown thousands of miles to be reunited.
Posted in Afghanistan, Animal kingdom, Soldiers, United States, War
Tagged dogs and soldiers
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A rock festival in Kabul.
‘Stealth’ Rock Festival In Kabul: the first rock music festival in Afghanistan after 36 years!
Posted in Afghanistan, Culture, Youth
Tagged Afghanistan, Kabul, rock concert, stealth rock music
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