old lady in the ancient village of Livas, Iran, preparing tea

As an indication of the genuine hospitality extended to strangers, this lady insisted on making tea and provided a carpet and cushions for my comfort. Although obviously ill able to afford it, she also offered sultanas to accompany our beverage.

                                       This film is highlighting burnt out police vehicles

historic rock carving on a cliff face at Shapur River, Iran

This series of exceptional 1,700-year-old carvings depicted a battle between the Persians and Romans.

I will intersperse the videos of Iran with pictures taken just prior to the current upheaval in the country

It is difficult to translate what the crowd are chanting, but it is interesting to note the number of women adding their voices to the protest.

more pictures from the Kalash Valleys, Pakistan

The wonderful costumes of the ladies were colourful even from the back.

Heavily embroidered, the vibrant dresses were everyday attire and reflected all the colours of the rainbow.

A village house and contented cows on a golden carpet of autumn leaves.

time for more light relief

Jerusalem is full of narrow vaulted alleys

People are obliged to walk between stations because the rail network has ceased operating.

These boxes contain 40 million dollars in United States currency, which was sent from Iran by the revolutionary guard to support the militia leader who was recently elected to the Iraqi parliament. It is his photograph that is displayed on top. 

Continuing my series on the crisis in Iran, here stones are being thrown in a confrontation with police.

Introducing a lighter note, I am posting more pictures from book 2.

You think we have traffic problems; this is parking Cairo style!

                           

Two pictures  of the remarkable landscape in Egypt's White Desert.

The Step Pyramid of Zoser I at Saqqara, Egypt, the world's oldest stone building of size.

In these two short videos the crowd are again calling 'shame' and 'leave Iran' but this time aimed at the revolutionary leader Khamani.

Below I have paraphrased troubling dialogue between the Iranian and American Presidents:

Iran’s Rouhani warns Trump ‘don’t play with the lion’s tail’

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani on Sunday cautioned U.S. President Donald Trump about pursuing hostile policies against Tehran as it faces increased pressure and looming sanctions after the decision by the U.S. to withdraw from the Iran nuclear deal.

'War with Iran would be the mother of all wars' he said in a televised speech in Iran's capital, Tehran.

'Do not play with the lion's tail or else you will regret it' Rouhani said. 

Earlier this month, Rouhani hinted that Iran may  block regional oil exports if its own sales are halted. 

The Strait of Hormuz,  between the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman, provides the only sea passage from the Persian Gulf to the open ocean. It is used by Gulf countries who rely on safe passage through the narrow choke point to export their oil and gas, which amounts to around 30% of the world’s oil supply.

'Do not forget that we have maintained the security of this waterway throughout history. We have historically secured the route of oil transit. Do not forget it' he added.

The conflagration in this video is the result of the deliberate torching of a fuel tanker.

Again calling for the  prince, this was filmed in Dezful, which I visited as recently as last November. A town noted for its pleasurable water-related activities, at that time there was no indication of impending unrest.

The crisis in Iran should concern the entire world but is not making our press.

Again the crowd is calling for the prince, and in the centre of the picture, amid cries of shame, shame, the white-turbaned mullah is being admonished to leave Iran.

continuing my posts on the troubles besetting Iran

Calling for the king to be reinstated, the people are expressing confidence that he will be able to amend the economy and all the woes plaguing the country.

the market in Aswan, Egypt

a precarious load

everything from delicate glass perfume bottles to delicious ripe tomatoes

                                       This video shows rioting and gunfire in the streets.

300-year-old house at Balanguru in the Rambur Valley, Pakistan

This was the oldest house in Balanguru village, it had a hearth on the verandah in addition to that of the interior.

In this video the crowd are calling for the government to cease giving aid to Gaza, Syria and Lebanon and concentrate on their own people. They are also demanding the execution of those responsible for siphoning money from the banks. 

Since my recent trip to Iran, civil unrest has erupted and the entire country is in lockdown. The people are rebelling against the regime and attempting to displace the mullahs; mosques are being burnt along with police vehicles and fuel tankers. Government buildings, banks and shops are closed, there are huge riots in the streets, and crowds are preventing the passage of supply trucks. None of this is making news in the West. In the few short months since my visit, the situation has deteriorated into a state of virtual anarchy, with people in some areas forced to drink salt water because much of their resources has been piped to Iraq and Kuwait. The populace are also demonstrating against the government for removing money from the banks; the value of the local currency  has dropped dramatically. I am posting videos showing some of the lawlessness and violence. The first, in front of a famous mosque, is of a huge crowd demanding the abdication of the mullahs and the return of the shah's son, Prince Raza Pahlavi.  

the great Temple of Ramses II at Abu Simbel, Egypt

The figure of  the custodian gives an indication of the size of the images on the exterior.

Ramses entering the city in triumph in the interior of the tomb.

three delightful lasses of the Kaffir people in the Kalash Valley

These charming children were attired in their normal everyday garb that I found most extraordinary. Their expressions tell different reactions to the camera.
I read last week that there is panic throughout Pakistan because of a suicide bombing in the southwest and riots in the northwest. These are the latest incidents in a long list of terrorist activity going back to 2006.

the beautiful Temple of Isis at Aswan Egypt

location, location, location

Pharoah and Isis within the temple

scenes in the dusty streets of Edfu, Egypt

enjoying a hookah

playing dominoes - note the head of the horse!

lemons for sale

sheep, donkeys, dogs and chickens also inhabited the streets 

a selection of Egyptian carvings and papyrus paintings from book 2

relief on Karnak Temple 

a beautiful trio

Horus seated on a throne

reliefs of Horus and Hathor at the Temple of Hathor in Dendera

a selection of pictures from book 2 taken in Luxor, Egypt

food preparation

donkey cart delivering slabs of ice

purchasing additional requirements to go with the chicken

butcher posing with tea and his beast

a load of carpets

full sacks

a heavy cart

sorting garlic

two enjoying their hookahs

autumn hues approaching the village of Balanguru in the Kalash Valleys, Pakistan

In spite of their basic living conditions exhibiting the bare necessities, the people of the Kalash Valleys were content with their way of life, and the spectacular surroundings of trees imbued with the colours of autumn and a backdrop  of snow-capped mountains was astounding.

Corinthian tomb and the treasury at the amazing legendary red rock-hewn city of Petra, Jordan

an age-old method of ploughing

The primitive methods employed are just as effective as modern day machinery, and the rich soil of the mountains produces excellent crops.

enticing displays in the Grand Bazaar, Istanbul, Turkey