Baghdad's Mutanabbi Street

From MIR: "Long the location of choice for booksellers, filled with numerous bookshops and outdoor stalls."

 

Mustansiriya Madrassah

A temporary break from Baghdad street life. From the MIR brochure: "Mustansiriya Madrassah is a scholarly center opened in the year 1227 by the Abbasid Caliph Al Mustansir, teaching a wide range of subjects beyond Islamic studies, including medecine, mathematics, literature, and philosophy. It is one of the only buildings still standing that provides evidence for Baghdad's role as a center for Islamic art and the development of widely used geometric ornaments. "

 

Baghdad Street Life (3)

 Much of the business that is transacted in bazaars or souks in other Middle Eastern cities is conducted on the streets in Baghdad.

Baghdad Street Life (2)

 

Bagdad Street Life (1)

Baghdad street life is lively and messy. Here for a few days I'll post some of the scenes I foumd most vivid.

First Sights of Baghdad

From our first morning bus tour around Baghdad. Baghdad is the second largest city in the Arab world, after Cairo, with population comparable to Hong Kong and New York. For this first set of images, I've tried to pick ones that are modern or have some contemporary resonance.

The high-rise is pockmarked with bullet holes from the recent fighting.

Last Evening in Kurdistan - Party at a Local Home

The evening before we left Erbil and Kurdistan, our group was hosted for a dinner party by a prominent local family who were friends of our Local Guide. Many thanks to all!

Local Guide Haana in traditional festive dress.

A talented local photographer, with one of her photos on the wall behind.

Musical entertainment with a traditional Middle Eastern instrument.

                                            Locals and travelers in a festive dance at evening's end.