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Photo Samples, Afghanistan
For decades, Afghanistan has been a virtually
closed country - at least for others than Jihad warriors, all to eager to defend their
"peaceful" beleifs towards the bad infidels. However, to the
occasional and adventurous visitor who
happens to survive this magnificent country, Afghanistan is just as photogenic as India,
and it's hard not to go berserk with the camera. The markets are as
colourful as anywhere in Central Asia, and the people as proud ans strong as
anywhere in Iran or Pakistan. Just a pity that Afghanistan isn't going to be
peaceful for some time to come. As always, all photos (and much
more) are © Claus Qvist Jessen, however, they may be ordered with me if you need any. |
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| The center of
Herat is the magnificent Govar Shad Mosque, built in the early 15th century and still a
fantastic piece of artwork. Govar Shad was married to Shah Rukh, the eldest son of Timur
of Samar-kand, and the similarity in design with the Central Asian buildings is no
coincidence. Herat, north-western Afghanistan. © Claus Qvist Jessen |
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Same mosque, different angle; Govar Shad, Herat, Afghanistan.
© Claus Qvist Jessen |
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Taking a deserved rest in one of the facade portals; Govar Shad Mosque, Herat,
Afghanistan. © Claus Qvist Jessen |
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| A beautiful
detail from the Govar Shad Mosque; Herat, north-western Afghanistan. © Claus Qvist
Jessen |
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| All over the
Muslim world, face, hands and feet are washed prior to the prayer. Here in central Herat,
north-western Afghanistan.
© Claus Qvist Jessen |
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| Reading the
religious scriptures is a must for everybody in Afghanistan, including this small girl
from a Quran school in Herat. © Claus Qvist Jessen |
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| The old
town of Herat is almost exclusively made of clay-houses.
Very peaceful and very photogenic when the blue-clad burqa-women scurry
around to do their things. © Claus Qvist Jessen |
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Muslim elder counting his prayers in the old town of Herat. © Claus Qvist Jessen |
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Womens
lib never really got far in Afghanistan, and it's no coincidence that the Taliban managed
to gain power in this strictly Muslim country. This female merchant in Herat wears the
typical "burqa" dress. © Claus Qvist Jessen |
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| Four women
and a few kids on a horse cart in Herat, north-western Afghanistan. It's not that easy to
see what's up and down :-) © Claus Qvist Jessen |
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| Muslim women
are traditionally hard to photograph, but the task gets much easier if you ask to take a
shot of their kids; Herat, Afghanistan. © Claus Qvist Jessen |
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| Very few
Afghan women ever drop their veil, the exception being the older and less sexy generation;
Herat, Afghanistan. © Claus Qvist Jessen |
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| Afghan
hospitality is closely centered around tea - chai, and, for the stranger, it's sometimes
hard work to pay for your own tea; Herat, north-western Afghanistan. © Claus Qvist
Jessen |
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| Afghanistan
is full of second-hand vehicles, such as this one from a Danish company (JyskSengetoej!) dealing
with bed-linen! © Claus Qvist Jessen |
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This one is not going to die from flat tires! © Claus Qvist Jessen |
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| Local worker
drinking chai; Herat. © Claus Qvist Jessen |
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| Local worker
drinking chai; Herat. © Claus Qvist Jessen |
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| Carrying the
fodder for the sheep. Gozara Village, 30 kms south of Herat. © Claus Qvist Jessen |
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| Gozara
farmer building a muddy fence - and proudly sitting on top of it. © Claus Qvist Jessen |
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| Countryside
landscape, Jam region, central Afghanistan. © Claus Qvist Jessen |
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| Smoking the
shisha in a small village tea-house. Central Afghanistan. © Claus Qvist Jessen |
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Feeling
sorry?! Small girl at Jam Village, central Afghanistan.
© Claus Qvist Jessen |
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Shy little girl from Jam Village.
© Claus Qvist Jessen |
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| Built in the
12th century AD, the 60+ meter Minar-e-Jam is the second tallest free-standing minaret in
the world. No mosque was ever built close to this remote minaret. © Claus Qvist
Jessen |
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| There is
always a chance of doing some fishing, even in the very centre of Afghanistan. I didn't
get anything but managed to make friends with this magnificent warrior, proudly posing
with his own weapon (left) and mine (right). © Claus Qvist Jessen |
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