HX Report
Irishman in the Middle East
Weekly Photo Challenge – Order
Posted on June 7, 2017
Sort of!
Shot from a Yemeni jewellery market stall at Global Village Souq Dubai, from a few years back.
We think we are old but we’re only babes
Posted on April 14, 2016
The Middle East (ME) gets lots of nasty press around the world, for many obvious and sad reasons. But MB can assure you, given his many years there, that it’s full of characters who would be right at home in any Irish pub on any given night – Muslim of not! – telling tales and spinning yarns over a beer or three. Read More
Yemen
Posted on July 13, 2014
Had lots of hits on the ‘Relic/Yemen’ post of yesterday. New follower AKM commented to MB that he is Yemeni but is many years since he has visited his home country. Asked MB if he could post some more pics from Yemen. Read More
Weekly Photo Challenge: Relic
Posted on July 11, 2014
This weeks challenge is looking for relics.
Saw this ‘about to be poured concrete slab’ support structure whilst traveling in Yemen 3 or 4 years back. This construction method disappeared tens of years ago in more more technically advanced countries where adjustable steel props/poles are now used exclusively for the purpose.
Photo 28/30: Procrastination
Posted on May 15, 2014
The Idea
Have decided to post a photo per day for 30 days, each based on a word or theme. Feel free to offer a word or theme challenge to MB in the comment box below.
Photo 28/30
Thanks to MK for the nasty ‘procrastination’ challenge. MB had to think about it for a few moments but then thought of the story of the Indian lady he witnessed one night trying to buy some jewelry at the Global Village souk in Dubai.
MB called out to visit his Yemeni jewelry maker friends at the market and was sitting amongst them sipping some tea they had acquired for their Irish friend MB. Just then an Indian lady happened by and began to haggle for a particular piece she fancied.
And what a haggler she was. She had every trick in the book, and many that were not. Seemed like she invented the word ‘procrastination’ as she played out her act over 30 or more minutes. The Yemeni trader was beaten down to a price that would give him a return of peanuts. But still she kept up the act. Pretending to leave, then returning. Asking her husband ridiculous questions about the price to which he replied to her liking every time. A real Mutt & Jeff act. Finally, when it seemed she must buy the piece, she announced that she could not afford such a highly priced item and departed. If MB was the trader, MB might have been highly tempted to strangle the woman with one of the nearby necklaces. But the trader smiled calmly and wished her well, familiar as he was with such buyers.
MB does not know the final outcome. Maybe she returned later to continue the battle. Maybe next day. Or maybe not at all.
MB focused on the hands of the lady with his camera lens, as she handled some jewelry and continued to machine gun MBs trader friend with her vociferous demands.
Flying the flag!
Posted on December 13, 2013
Morning all
MB back in Dubai on visa run and little time on his hands for great compositions.
MB recently informed you all that Dubai was recently awarded the World Expo in 2020, and there was much back slapping and high fives on account. Huge pride from the residents all over Dubai and Abu Dhabi, and the national flag now hangs from anything that an Emirati can get some rope around. So is partially the pic theme of today’s effort. To give you all some flavour.
Read More
