Reading newspaper, Qila Abdullah

Reading newspaper, Qila Abdullah
Originally uploaded by Ameer Hamza

I had always wanted this kind of shot for my archive. i don't' know why, but I think such photographs are an essential part of your collection, if you happen to be a Pakistani freelancer. Or living in any similar Eastern nation.

I like the chai ke chainak in green and the piali (cup) and the newspaper spread in front of these two tribal Pathans. And the entire front wall of this shop painted red with Coca Cola. That's the spirit of real travel.

Sugar prices hit sky in Pakistan

Sugarcane trolly, Sind
Originally uploaded by Ameer Hamza

This sugarcane filled trolley reminds me of good old days when sugar cost you Rs.30 and people happily had lots and lots of sugar during their tea times. No more.

Zardari government has seen sugar prices climb from Rs.32 in 2007 to a whooping Rs.125 today (11th Nov 2010). And CCP has done nothing to ensure any price bracketing. They have failed to capture the hoarders because apparently most of the ministers of this govt. are sugar barons. And yesterday I heard some govt. person blare that the govt. has sold sugar at Rs.57 / Kg. What a joke!

Bargaining for goat, Dhorr

Bargaining for goat, Dhorr
Originally uploaded by Ameer Hamza

Bargaining is the key to purchasing in any Asian market worth its salt. So goat market at Dhorr - or any other place for that matter in Pakistan - is no different. This age old custom of bargaining combines with Islamic injunction to sacrifice your best animal sees this old man bargaining for a good price to sell his only goat at this wonderful market, which is set every Tuesday year round at Dhorr, a town near Nawab Shah, and famed for its goat. These animals are also illegally smuggled to Afghanistan, India and Iran, all neighbors of Pakistan. And they are exported to UAE and Saudi Arab, thus driving the prices high during Muslim festival of Eid-ul-Azha.

Bhaitak, Dhorr, Nawab Shah

Bhaitak, Dhorr, Nawab Shah
Originally uploaded by Ameer Hamza

Bhaitak is a traditional shelter built by the Sindhis and Baloch people of Sindh province, Pakistan, for their guests. Many Sindhis and Baloch even accept people as guests they don't know. Their culture demands them to feed and house anyone wandering around in need of food or shelter. Hence, we found this shelter of Haji Hashim, a Baloch, living at Dhorr and an expert in Scrap business as well as in goats.

This is the scene right after we had a sumptous nashta (breakfast in Urdu) of pure Honey, roti, desi makhan (butter), lassi and chai (tea).

Golden Beach, Karachi

Beaches of Karachi
Originally uploaded by Ameer Hamza

When someone talks about beaches of Karachi there is a chance that you will hear the words Sea View or Hawksbay (where there are no hawks left to boot). And there is a chance, one in 50, that you will hear the name 'paradise point'. But there is certainly no chance that you will ever hear the name golden beach. Because no one bothers to either go there or name it.

This beach is the last place in Sindh province where a civilian can go. After that only army men are allowed in. So much for democracy. But this beach is a beauty but beware of Sunday goers.

DIRECTIONS:

Go to Mauripur road. Turn right for Hawksbay. Drive straight till you see a certain gate where it says, COASTAL GUARDS / NAVY. Stop dead. Turn left and viola.

Hand pump, Cholistan

Hand pump, Cholistan
Originally uploaded by Ameer Hamza

Using the old, iron hand pump on your trip break is not only a very useful activity but also a very healthy one. For most of the water is ground water and very refreshing, especially for those who've been travelling and require some water. Modern day water bottles - water packed in plastic - has eroded the necessity of this very important source of water. But its beauty - and class - remains unchanged. For one, we were impressed with this fresh water on a pit stop in 2008. This road eventually led us to Derawar Fort, Cholistan's most magnificent fortification walls.

Making jalebis, Lahore

Making jalebis, Lahore
Originally uploaded by Ameer Hamza

There is something about eating from the stalls situated just outside the Tombs / Shrines of Saints in Pakistan. There is a certain aroma suffused with mysticism and religion a combination, which has been acceptable to majority of Muslims since its inception. Today, however, this form of Islam is under direct threat from Saud-Wahabi-Salafi funded terrorists - not Jihadis, mind you - in the form of suicide bombings and killings. First it was Rehman Baba in Peshawar, the Bari Imam near Islamabad, then Data Darbar, the most revered Saint in Pak-Hind region. Now, they have blown up the gates of Abdullah Shah Ghazi (RA) in Karachi and Baba Fareed Gunj Shakar (RA) in Pak Pattan, a place I so love.

The place photographed above is just outside the Tomb of Shah Hussain and Madho Lal in Lahore.

Photograph shot during a road trip from Karachi to Jhelum in 2008.