I haven’t blogged for so long, it is not because nothing has happened, in fact the opposite is true, a lot has happened and I was just not in the right state of mind to sit and write. But here we are, yesterday President Talabani was announced as
I realize I have more than one follower (yes!! Mum you’re not alone!) and that gives me enough encouragement to post some of the pictures I have taken in the past months or so and give a brief update about the city that never stops developing.
First of all J.A, a Lebanese friend who was a close follower of my blog from Dubai is now living in Erbil with her partner, I am glad the blog gave a ‘little’ insight to life in Kurdistan for her during when planning to move to Erbil. After her arrival we took a small journey through real Kurdish life and documented parts of our day.
Our day began in Shansheen restaurant around noon. Not the best food in Erbil (specially if you suffer from high cholesterol levels) but certainly a real taste of Kurdish culture, in particular with the seating area on the floor.
The pictures below are of Mala Hamid and his little treasure shop of old Kurdish antiques in Erbil’s Qaysari bazaar, of course for J.A and I it was like discovering a chest of diamonds, except these ones were more special. It is like a small museum of its own. Mala Hamid answered some of our questions and gave us a brief history of his little shop. If you happen to be in Erbil, pay him a visit and don’t hesitate to have a Pyalay Chay (tea) with him and take the effort to look through the small bits and pieces he has in his little corner store.
A 60-year-old anklet made by Jews that lived in Kurdistan, in Mala Hamid's antique shop
The view from the top of the citadel, I remember going in the same place this time last year (actually have blog pics of it, if you like go into the archive) and it looked nothing like this. They are building the other side as well, this will look spectacular in the near future once completely finished. It already does!
And J.A manages to find little tiny Kurdish Klash,
Who said nature is not the best medicine? Hair straightening, skin clearing and even mind relaxation herbs and natural medicine in the Qaysari bazaar.
Sometimes I realize I feel like a stranger driving around
I saw this when driving past, they are a new set of shops near Ainkawa that I haven't had the chance to discover yet, but will give you an update of how it is once I make an effort to visit it
The new Noble Hotel just outside Ainkawa
Construction is ongoing on the Gulan Tower
I am aware that in the Bakhtiary area a large piece of land is dedicated now to a women’s swimming pool, sports facilities and beauty center. Not too far away the first and finest movie theatres is being created and the list just continues… what amazes me is the speed at which all this is taking place (and I will admit sometimes a concern emerges from this as well).
There are cities around the world that are always noisy; there are cities that never sleep, and cities that are always glittering with lights; there are cities for lovers and cities for shoppers. Around the world there are cities offering the finest cuisines and others the best limousines. My city offers affection and love, my city is the city that never stops growing and is somehow always smiling.
I mean there are three different groups and they all look different – right? The one on the right is the rubbish... is it supposed to be rubbish?
*Thanks to M.M. for this picture. And yes I did clean all those greens and washed them too – and I must add to that ate them as well.
** This one was taken by J.A. didn't need any begging - Zor Supas!
All other pictures in this blog entry was taken by me.
7 comments:
It was unplanned, spontaneous and a memorable day that I spent with Sazan Mandalawi;needless to say that it was one of the most enriching and pleasurable days I have spent in Erbil.
May God protect this beautiful city and its courageous people.
My dearest Sazan, you are doing a great job in promoting your country's uniqueness by beautiful reflections of your daily life!
Proud of you...proud of your patriotism!
By the way, I am visitng Mala Hamid's antique shop very soon with my husband :)
Julie.
in fact long time! but it was very nice to read about the city, which i am also not from, but i love the most in the world. and about the people whom i know :))). one of the thing i want to do in march is to buy things like your bag - at the moment i had to made it by myself, by putting kurdish flag on my bag (all my bags, in fact). 4 months left... so long
Great blog entry. So much to read about so much.
The food looks delicious and will be looking up more information how where I can find this in London. Any suggestions/recommendations welcome.
Hey!
Wonderful blog it's interesting to see kurds in kurdish universities, it's seems like it's not that much different from my university in London. I'm very glad to see passionate and intelligent kurds becuase well we are the future of Kurdistan, very amusing to see. I'm currently on a mechanical engineering degree :D but also very interested in politics and follow kurdish politics very closely, and for once I can see that the kurdish politicians are making smart decisions. Keep up the good work!
Check out my blog
http://youngkurds.blogspot.com/2010/12/welcome-to-my-blog.html
Thanks
Julie and Kulka!!!
Thanks for being such loyal followers to the blog.
The brightest futures are based on forgotten pasts
المستقبل المشرق هو الذى يُبنى على ماضى منسي
Little drops of water, little grains of sand, make the mighty ocean and the pleasant land
نقاط المياه الصغيره, حبيبات الرمل الصغيره تصنع المحيط الكبير والأرض الرحبه
Post a Comment