Sunday, September 06, 2009

Re-make

My fantastic husband helped me figure out the blog layout the other day, as you may have noticed. More minor changes may still come as I go along, but this will be the basic design - I wanted 3 columns - and will now use my delicious account to share links - hopefully more often and more regularly. Link postings may still come in thematic forms, but not as often, I plan.

Am slowly posting the links I've collected during my recent vacation and the delicious account can be expected to be more up to date in 2-3 days...

Wednesday, September 02, 2009

Sharjah Islamic museum

Definitely worth a visit!





Saturday, August 29, 2009

Sharjah corniche







Konflikt on Afghanistan

Today's Konflikt on Swedish radio centred on developments in Afghanistan, with interviews and analysis.

More on the Swedish presence here also.

Friday, August 28, 2009

Ski Dubai!

You've seen it before!



Sunday, August 23, 2009

Sultanahmet rooftops

Views from our hotel window.







Turkish lamps

Another Istanbul favourite!

Saturday, August 22, 2009

A meeting of times

One of the traders in the Grand Bazaaar proudly showed us his IKEA chest of drawers!

Friday, August 21, 2009

Afghan elections update

Some photos from the Afghan elections yesterday, results seem contested at first, mixed participation results, but still relatively orderly (I certainly had worse fears at least).

Update: I don't think I linked before to Johanne Hildebrandt's blog from Afghanistan during her trip for Aftonbladet.

Favourite "fika"

Always in the Grand Bazaar!

Ramadan Kareem

Wishing blessed Ramadan to fasting friends and readers.

Major Swedish media have updates here and here and here.

Thursday, August 20, 2009

Church by Taksim Square

Elections in Afghanistan

Elections are going on today - read here and here and here.

More links to come. I certainly hope for an election performed well enough, under circumstances where those who wish can vote freely.

Update: more discussion in Sweden about our presence in Afghanistan here. This debate runs high these days, with massive media attention probably culminating with the election today - I do now profess to even try to mirror all sides and arguments.

On realities for Swedish troops: here and here and here and here

An Afghan on the Swedish presence (there has been more of similar both for and against, this specific article is by an Afghan, but lots of known and unknown Swedes have professed their opinions recently also).

Tuesday, August 18, 2009

Marmara

Leaving Baku, we arrived in Istanbul, to look out over a busy Sea of Marmara.







Journalism and foreign policy

Swedish radio foreign correspondents run a bunch of seminars later today - listen here for those of you who cannot attend!

Stockholm Water Prize

Stockholm Water Week is going on right now, and the annual prize has been devoted to sanitation efforts this year. Comments also here.

Monday, August 17, 2009

Tuesday, August 11, 2009

Shirvanshah hammam

Below the palace is a ruined hammam.







Monday, August 10, 2009