In the year 1351 Photo

Photographer’s Note

This picture from Herat city in western Afghanistan was taken in 1351, and miraculously a bicycle has appeared in the market square. Actually, 1351 in the Afghan calendar translates into 1972. I had just arrived in Afghanistan for the first time and was overwhelmed by the feeling of stepping back in time - not centuries but several decades. And yet Afghanistan wasn't really behind times: in the restaurant of the hotel they used to play the Beatles, Simon & Garfunkel and others to entertain their guests.
This is scanned from an Agfacolor slide. I resisted the temptation to remove the bicycle in PP.

saxo042, noborders, molla has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

nirvana73 (8598) 2008-01-04 3:15

Hello Gert
great moment
great shot
beautiful colours and compo
thanks for explanations
regards
Ozhan

saxo042 (15428) 2008-01-04 7:11

Hej Gert,
A very fine scan and very good colours. I notice that all men in your old photos wear turbans. Nowadays, on TV, all men seem to wear this typical felt hat-type. When did the fashion change?
Hälsningar
Gunnar

noborders (14199) 2008-01-07 2:47

Hi Gert, I envy you to have been in that country that continues to attract me so much at a peaceful time, I just discovered the recent photos that you posted on this country and here, the confusion of the market is very amusing... 1351, yes ! You were right to keep the bicycle, well it's not a motorbike or a car ! and the donkeys are the star here anyway...
Best regards and really, sincerely : "TFS" !!!
Cath.

molla (6883) 2008-01-08 0:35

Hej Gert!
This is really something out of thousand and one night. a market filled of stories, thiefs hidden princesses, wise men evil traders and poor peasants. Like it a lot.
Anders

cfreire (11647) 2008-01-15 4:42

Hi Gert,
Very interesting shot about this place and this picture was well scanned. Good POV and colors. Your note is very interesting. Well done, Regards, Consuelo

Muhmood (62) 2008-03-11 12:05

a wonderful insight into a totally different world!

kschanna (2632) 2008-03-25 3:49

Hello Gert

This shot sure does send one back in time. The shot is beautiful in what it presents, a usual day in the bazaar. A pile of watermelon, tomatoes and probably potatoes.

Delighful shot

Cheers
Kamran

PS: I would love to go to Afghanistan one day, read too many travelogues.

cepekdong (3668) 2008-04-03 0:08

an amazing picture of an amazing country ! i would love to see it, but now its dangerous !

daniel

fanni (8733) 2008-06-28 8:53

Hello Gert,
thank you for the photo! without such photos we wouldn't be able to learn about the world and, what's also important, see the daily life of distant and unknown lands.
Good composition and mood. No need to remove the bike: it's ok in the photo, I guess!
regards,
Elena