|
|
In early 2020 my family and I travelled to Oman, to experience middle eastern culture and explore a new place. Part of the reason we chose Oman was because of how extremely safe the country is, how beautiful and warm it is, and also because there's a lot of cool places to explore, including abandoned villages.
Nearly 400 years old, these mud/straw houses are extremely strong and resilient when up-kept. With the push towards modernization in Oman, the country has seen incredible change under the leadership of a decent Sultan int he last 60 years, who brought the country out of the more strict Islamic laws of the past.
With most people moving into modern concrete homes, entire villages have been left abandoned. It's really fascinating to walk through the old ruins. Some homes are still occupied, but many are empty and crumbling. The people there are so welcoming and friendly, when they noticed me walking in their neighbourhood with my camera, they would often stop to chat and offer some coffee.
These photos were taken near Sur and Nizwa. Some believe Nizwa to be the origin of the wisemen who visited Jesus.
1.
Near Sur, a restored castle is on the left, old house ruins on the right, and a modern home in the background.
2.
Many, many ruins look like this, scattered around the country.
3.
4.
Old castle ruins.
5.
Palm tree beams and branches make up the roof structure, covered in a mud/straw mixture.
6.
The points on the doors were used to keep animals like cattle from leaning on the door, breaking it.
7.
8.
Shelves were built into the thick walls. The buildings were designed in a way to let airflow cool the homes and keep the heat out.
9.
Most homes are empty, but I was lucky enough to find one with some things left behind.
10.
On the edge of one of the villages was an old mosque.
Two weeks after we arrived back in Canada, the lockdowns took effect. Anyone who had travelled to another country had to quarantine for two weeks. We were exempt from the quarantine because we arrived exactly two weeks before the rules took effect.
I held on to the pictures and memories for a while before sharing them. With people's lives on hold and nobody going nowhere, it didn't feel right to share that we just had such an adventure.
I can't wait to travel again and to explore.
"The time of getting fame for your name on its own is over. Artwork that is only about wanting to be famous will never make you famous. Fame is a by-product of doing something else. You don't go to a restaurant and order a meal because you want to have a shit."
-Banksy
The work of FuriousD: https://www.flickr...photos/opdendries/ | |
Really cool, never seen anything quite like this on here. Good quality photos too!
| |
I can't remember ever seeing anything from the Middle East posted to UER, way cool
http://www.flickr....rescueme1060/sets/
| |
Those are some beautiful shots!
*insert witty quote here* | |
great shots!
Canon 5D Mark III, Canon 50mm 1.2, Canon 28mm 1.8, Canon 16-35 f2.8L
http://www.flickr.com/photos/stevenbley/ | |
10 is money!!!
Kabbalah is an undramatic tradition that requires great patience and stability. One of the reasons for this tempo is that everyone has to mature his potential gradually and thoroughly at his natural pace. In this way his life's work unfolds at the right moment in his own and the cosmos's time.
Z.B.S. Halevi -- Kabbalah | |
Very interesting....Neat to learn the reason for the door "points"
Thoroughly enjoyable set, thanks 
"if you are not selfish enough to make yourself happy, you have nothing of value to offer the world." |
Add a poll to this thread
This thread is one of your Favourites. Click to make normal.Click to make this thread a Favourite.
| This thread is in a public category, and can't be made private. |
Powered by AvBoard AvBoard version 1.5 alpha
Page Generated In: 62 ms
|
|
Ethics
