Dr. Bano Road is part of Liaqat Bazaar, Quetta. It has lots of small gallis and bazaars and sellers from all over Central Asian region. We have Pashtuns from across the border, and we have Tajiks and Uzbeks. And Hazaras as well. And we have lots of cheap dry fruits coming in from Afghanistan.
Here at Liaqat Bazaar, I bought kala kishmesh for Rs.100 / 0.5 Kg; Green kiahmesh for Rs.160 / 1.0 Kg. I plan to buy Pakistani badaam INSHALLAH. I also intend to buy Khobani and other things as well when I am done with Chaman (3rd June, 2010), Sibi & Mehergarh (4th and 5th June, 2010) and Ziarat (6th June, 2010).
Till then, I will try and consume this wonderful kishmesh from Afghanistan. INSHALLAH.
This expedition is funded by www.pakgateway.com. [This website will go online by the end of this month].
Thursday, June 3, 2010
Baluchistan Diary - Day 2 / Wali Tangi Dam
Where else on Earth do you find a bunch of happy people dancing away on top of a colonial era dam. Yes, that's what happened to us: We witnessed a proper dance sequence from the Pashtuns belonging to Urak valley, who had come here to trek and to have fun. Fun they had - and we had it too.
We reached the place after a lot of hassle on the route, which is not paved and is a dangerous one if you are a bad driver or stuck on a really bad day. Rains could easily make you go to hell. The stone is loose and slips easily. The drive is not smooth but is fantastic. What's more, you need a permission from core command, Quetta, to visit this place. And photography is not permitted. We got the pass and took the shots.
We reached the place after a lot of hassle on the route, which is not paved and is a dangerous one if you are a bad driver or stuck on a really bad day. Rains could easily make you go to hell. The stone is loose and slips easily. The drive is not smooth but is fantastic. What's more, you need a permission from core command, Quetta, to visit this place. And photography is not permitted. We got the pass and took the shots.
Wednesday, June 2, 2010
Baluchistan Diary - Day 2 / Coal worker
He is one of the countless Pashtun coal workers employed on daily wages by thekedars mining coal and then sending it across Pakistan. I shot this today on my way to dam. At first they were very apprehensive, which is very usual in our part of the world, but then they settled and went about their work. This particular coal worker was very striking in his pose and very elegant. He proves the point that elegance can be in a poor man and in a rich man. It is the natural class some men and women carry. I like how he is looking at my camera. Very determined and not at all apprehensive. Or, is he?
Baluchistan Diary - Day 2 / Urak
After visiting Hanna gheel early morning with Danial, we headed towards Urak valley, which is further 30 minutes from the lake. The road is in excellent condition and as this is Pashtun belt with lots of schools and fine education, there is no sign of trouble here. Atleast, we did not notice any.
As we were passing this beautiful, apple growing region, we stopped for a quick shoot of this fallen building in the background. Sky got fair enough as clouds, which had been there since morning, vanished for some part. Thus, I got this shot with a school boy going happily to school. Going happily to school is something most of us never did. So it is a double reward - to be in Baluchistan and to be witnessing a happy school kid - for Day 2.
Ok, wait for more dispatches from the field.
As we were passing this beautiful, apple growing region, we stopped for a quick shoot of this fallen building in the background. Sky got fair enough as clouds, which had been there since morning, vanished for some part. Thus, I got this shot with a school boy going happily to school. Going happily to school is something most of us never did. So it is a double reward - to be in Baluchistan and to be witnessing a happy school kid - for Day 2.
Ok, wait for more dispatches from the field.
Baluchistan Diary - Day 2
This is Hanna Lake and it is very dry today. I and Danial visited it as part of our 13 days mission spanning many parts of Baluchistan. We are here to capture the immense beauty and charms of the province. This flower is a powerful statement for the province which is beautiful, empty and stark. Today is Day 2 of our travels. More dispatches will be uploaded later.
Tuesday, June 1, 2010
Baluchistan Diary - Day 1
This is our PIA flight 352 landing at Quetta airport at around 1 pm today. I had earlier updated my blog from home just before leaving for airport. This plane was spot on time though it left a bit late perhaps because of Arabia Air leaving at the same time. And due to no disturbance in air we reached city on time.
The food was great in this flight: Biryani, bun and butter, chai, miranda and salad but no fruit. Danial got Economy Plus but exchanged so that he could be seated with me. I off course got the window seat and therefore, this frame. You can see main road leading towards Quetta proper - Cant and city center. Weather was just perfect when we landed. No further photography today.
The food was great in this flight: Biryani, bun and butter, chai, miranda and salad but no fruit. Danial got Economy Plus but exchanged so that he could be seated with me. I off course got the window seat and therefore, this frame. You can see main road leading towards Quetta proper - Cant and city center. Weather was just perfect when we landed. No further photography today.
Baluchistan Diary - Part 1
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Just leaving for Quetta via PIA flight today at 11:20 AM INSHALLAH along with Danial of flickr.com. We plan to make a journey spanning some 14 days and intend to cover as much Baluchistan as possible. This is a funded project and therefore, we will submit all our photographs and even diary notes to our fund raiser. Obviously, Baluchuistan is facing some problems just like other parts of Pakistan but we are determined to do our work. I have been informed about the certain areas which must be covered on priority basis but detailed briefing is expected today anytime in Quetta. My brother, Ovais and my mother are dropping me at airport just now.
Will update diary from inside Baluchistan, if time permits.
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