Periodically, we have an opportunity to host the local afghanis on base for a bazaar! It is an open air flea market of 40 or so local folks men and young boys selling every from cigarettes to "bootlegged" CDs and DVDs. The funniest thing being sold was a TUPAC t-shirt, TUPAC in Afghanistan, now that is funny, obviously the Chinese are in control of the free market, lol. Now the most interesting thing being sold was a figurine of "the last supper" now that is obviously challenging to imagine in any cerebral thought. That is "Bazaar"!
Modern figurines, particularly those made of plastic are often referred to as figures, go figure that one out, it is easy, Obviously capitalism wins! I am sure that the "last supper" is not a collectors' item of the home of the locals.
I am positive that nothing being sold was made locally! imagine that a third world country selling "chinese made stuff, being passed off as local stuff". I have seen any manufacturing facilities or folks making hand crafts..
Now, I was tempted to purchase an afghani rug, not sure that it was really an afghani rug! what is an afghan rug? likely a chinese or iranian rug?? not sure..I am confused!! On the contrary, during a trip to Kenya, some of the items being sold were from Kenya however, many of the items were obviously not made in Kenya. Capitalism and third party manufacturing have even taken over the local jobs in developing and third world countries, this is unfortunate for the world in general! I guess that craftmanship is not valued anywhere! Now that is also BAZAAR!
7 comments:
interesting post (as are all of your posts). sounds like you are doing well.
btw - the afghani rug may have been made locally (or in another part of Afghanistan) if it was lambs wool. guess you'd have a 50/50 chance.
keep well
Ramona
Robert,
We saw in the Army Times that McChrystal is shutting down some of the AAFEES sponsored food outlets, like BK and KFC!
Ha, I am sure that doesn't bother you too much, but it's a slice of American you could enjoy once in a while!
George
Wow, Tupac in Afghanistan. I was just arguing with some young people under 25 that he is dead and they don't believe it. So glad they won't be reading your post or we'd be arguing again, lol. Hey send me the figurine of the Last Supper, I'll take it, plastic or not, think it's rather Bizarre that would be panhandled in that country....Boy the stories I could tell about that...hahahahaha. Go on buy the rug and put it on display with all of your other artifacts...
thanks my friends and family much love..
thanks
What ever you do, be sure to bring back some unique souvenir to add to your extensive collection. Stay safe X
Robert, I'll guess that the coolest stuff you get there (or anywhere?) will be free: you'll just find/come across it, or it will be given to you. Keep your eyes and mind open to the question: what really is a souvenir? I suspect the most valuable "souvenirs" will be intangible: memories, perspective, and life-lessons. Be sure you're taking lots of pics!
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