Door

An old hand carved wooden door and hand painted tiles spotted in the "Walled City of Lahore" also known as old city. The old city has structures dating back hundreds of years and thus I am not able to give a time period when these magnificient pieces of art were crafted but its safe to say these might be a couple centuries old.

Ps. From the comments on this and my other blog from Pakistani bloggers it is obvious that my access to blogspot hosted sites is not blocked because of sensorship issues by the Government of Pakistan, but some glitch with my ISP, Thankfully I am able to post but not view sites or comment on blogger, hopefully the situation will be resolved soon.

The Government has however blocked access to several video hosting sites as a means of protest against the hosting of Anti Islamic film "Fitna" by Greet Wilder.

Steam Engine

Here is one for the railway enthusiasts, Photographed at the Changa Manga, the largest man made forest plantation in Pakistan, This John Fowler steam engine built in 1927 and still in operation is the pride and joy of the forest department, which uses the railway to haul wood around the forest.

Ps. Sorry Guys I have not been able to visit other sites or comment on them for the last 2 days, reason being I can't seem to access any blogger hosted blogs. It could be a glitch with my ISP which they are denying, but most likely it is an internet censorship issue by the internet regulatory authority.

Quote

This quote by the Nation's Founder Qaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah is seen in a lot of places. At a time when Pakistan is facing difficulties in its midst quotes like these hope to encourage people to stand united against forces that are bent on destabalizing the country.

Paan Shop

This is a standard Paan Shop in Pakistan, you will find them in almost every locality, it's usually a small stall selling Cold Drinks, Juices, Ciggarettes and the infamous "PAAN". As you can see in the picture, hygene is not a priority.

Moon Over Lahore

The moon about a week back, Inspiration: numerous CDP blogs posting moon pictures.

Governor House Entrance

A few people have talked about Kipling's "Kim", so here is a site from the book, Government House where the "Sahib with the white beard" lived. As you enter the huge gates of the Governor's House this cannon is the first thing you see on the drive to the main building. No this is not the famous "Zam Zamah" it is a replica of another canon.

More Picture fom the Government house.
Sword Room
Old Guns and Trophy Head
Main Hall
Bay Window
Darbar Hall
Darbar Hall Paintings
Meeting Room
Small Dining Room
Passage to the office area

Cuckoo's Den

Cuckoo's Den located in inncer city right next to the wall of the historic Lahore Fort and Badshahi Mosque from the Mughal era is one of the best restaurants in town, the building is historic and tells a story its own and the walls are adorned with Paintings depicting the life on "Hera Mandi" the nearby red light area. If you are in town this is a must go.

Yummy

The neon sign for one of the most popular Ice Cream Parlours in Lahore, Called Yummy's 36 it has 36 flavors of Ice Cream served in its outlets all over the country.

Governor House Punjab

This is the side enterance to the "Darbal Hall" inside Governor House Punjab, The darbar hall is used for official fungtions and oath taking ceremonies. Built by the British during the raj and known as government house, it is now used as the residence of the Punjab Governor as well as the office.

Celebration

Locally Known as the "dhol wala's" meaning drummers, these people usuall groups of 2 or 3 stand at a couple of prominent locations around town dressed in yellow they will acompany the highest bidder to a wedding ceremony where usually men will dance to their traditional beat, other then the money they are given guests usually throw cash on them while they perform as alms, so they make some extra money.

Energy Crisis

A residential street in total darkness. Pakistan generates most of its electricity from Hydro projects, An increase in consumption because of summer and a shortage of water due to lack of rain has brough the electric generation capacity of Pakistan to a minimum, thus we are going through 6 Hours of scheduled "Load Shedding" every day, meaning no electricity 6 hours of the Day.

Neon Lahore

I was experementing with my camera, and took this while in a car on motion setting. The Gate to a posh housing society in Lahore, Defence Housing Authority Lahore is one of the hundreds of Multi-Million dollar businesses being handled by the Pakistan Army.

Auto Rickshaw

Known as the auto rickshaw, this little vehicle seats up to 3 people and is widely used as a cheaper alternate to the taxi. The small cylinder that you see by the driver is unsafe but powers the rickshaw with Compressed Natural Gas, much cheaper then conventional gasoline.

The little Boy

This is another shot from the Sunday Bazaar, behind the fruit seller I spotted a little boy standing tall over his stall, selling pottery. There were a lot young children selling stuff at the sunday market and quite a few earning as little as 17 Cents carrying bags of groceries heavier then themselves for 2-3 hours.

Most of these people photographed don't own cameras and some have probably never been photographed, they were all quite happy and excited to be photographed, some even though I was a journalist and they might have their pictures in the newspaper. I intend to act on a wondeful idea a friend on Global Themes gave me some time back, will be going back next sunday with prints of all the people photographed, so they can have the pictures they were so happy to pose for.

Baradari

Known as the "Baradari" this is part of the Hiran Minar complex built by the Mughal Emperor Jehangir in honor of his pet "deer". This vast complex boasts a tower, large gardens, the Baradari and a pound around it. In this picture you can see the causeway connecting the mainland to the Baradari which is in the middle of the pond.

Sunday Bazaar

A Pakistani man in his traditional "Shalwar Kameez" (lose fitting trousers and long shirt) and a "Pagri" (Traditional Turban) selling fruit in an open air Sunday Bazaar the local version of the american farmer's market.

Dandelions

As spring approaches, the vacant grounds are covered by Dandelions, I'm still plaing and experementing with my camera, after several shots this is the best I could come up with.

Mughal Era Celing Fresco

Lahore boasts a lot of art and architecture from the Mughal and British Empires, It was the Capital of Mughal empire during the Reign of Emperors Akbar and Jehangir. This Photograph is of a fresco on the celing of a Monument built by Emperor Jehangir for his favourite pet "deer" in his hunting grounds on the outskirts of the city.

Mustard Field

Lahore is the Capital City of the provence of Punjab, Punjab being the agricultural heartland of the country, This photograph of the mustard field was taken on my farm on the outskirts of Lahore.

Outside The Shrine

A busy street outside a local Shrine known as "Bibi Pak Daman".