I've apparently gone mental - here's another blog:
As the title suggests, you're not likely to enjoy it, it's mainly there to keep me motivated to take pictures. But then again, this one's mostly for my personal use as well...
14 May 2009
21 April 2009
Portfolio's online
It seems that I've finally managed to get my portfolio online (I am desperately looking for things to do instead of writing my MSc. paper). Clicky!
04 April 2009
08 March 2009
Planning isn't my forte...
...so buying a plane ticket for upcoming summer (with mandatory summer holiday) now seems, well, random, to say the least. But I've been told that October AirBaltic flights from Tajikistan are dirt cheap if booked now. Let's see...
17 February 2009
Almost like Poland
I'm halfway through a short break from Tricity´s lack of snow including Tatra mountains and the Alps (namely Bechtersgaden park).
15 September 2008
Orwell would be proud
Being a traveller, hitch-hiker, couchsurfer and perhaps most importantly - a European - I'm obviously prone to meet people with mostly pro-western attitudes. But even that taken into account, the level of opposition against the government in Iran is incredible.
The Islamic Republic is a truly bizarre creation. Because the religion is compulsory, people are turning away from it. Arash, a student from Tehran says that out of 24 people in his group, 22 are complete atheists. Ahad is happy to declare (in local Chief of the Police's office) "I hate Islam".
Khomeini is supposed to be referred to as "Imam" - title originally belonging only to the first 12 (or 8 or 10 - depending on Shia Islam's variation) descendants of Prophet Mohammed, but every single person I spoke to was angry, ashamed or simply frustrated with Khamenei/Ahmedinejad duo. As Iranians are rather passionate about politics, the forms these feelings manfested in were sometimes very... well, theatrical: the driver waving his fist through his Paykan's window everytime we passed one of Supreme Leader's huge outdoor portraits (and these are plenty), man tossing bank notes onto the ground and jumping on them passionately - almost all of them have Khomeini's face.
In addition, lack of freedom of speech, "controversial" international politics and good chance for being punished for actions normal for western countries such as having a drink - or a kiss - in public make Iran a hard place to live in. Many are trying to leave - but they declare to return as soon as the system falls.
The last bit of Iran I met already in Armenia in a form of a truck driver going to Yerevan who had stocked up on beer as soon as he crossed the border. After - on his request - I eloquently summarized Iran by "Khomeini - problem, Ahmedinejad - problem, Iran - no problem" he just extended his hand.
People don't want a violent government overthrow after 1979 revolution anymore, but in a nation where Islam is not that deeply rooted such system has to fall apart. It has already started. Just a few more years. Watch.
10 September 2008
Today's Takht-e Jamshid...
...or Persepolis - City of Persians - is obviously Tehran. Around 15-milion-people busy centre of Iranian economy, transport, education... well, almost everything, it's one of the most depressing places I've ever been to.
You can see women wearing scarves other than black, something uncommon in different parts of Iran, but the city itself is designed to subdue people's minds. To make them not want to laugh.
The colours of the cars in the streets are decided by the government - the names are Dull Grey, Boring Dirty White and Depressing Navy Blue That's Suspiciously Close To Brown. You don't see much greenery in public. The metro with clean, almost sterile, walkways layed out with dark grey stone slabs, narrow and low, is the perfect place to get claustrophobia.
And then there's the behaviour control. Although I did once see a couple holding hands (in an empty, short passage) if you go out in the evening to Baam e Tehran - a hill north of the city, a romantic viewpoint overlooking Tehran you'll see a police car with a searchlight scanning the bushes - guess what for. Ensie, a tiny, dark-haired girl with huge black eyes says passionately "You can't imagine what it's like, to live in constant fear. Everyday". Well, I can't.
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