Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2010/01/12
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]Hi Hugh, Are those I-beams in your pictures? It is interesting that the construction method is not that different from what I saw in one of side valley off the KKH. The main difference is that the I-beams were replaced with poplar posts. Their reliance on rocks as basic building material is also the reason that earthquakes causes so much casualty. Rocks are certainly *not* in scarce supply and can be had for free compared to other building supplies. This is just a snapshot near Gilgit so no claims to artistic merit but it is taken with my trusty M4P/35mm. :) <http://www.aotera.org/tmp/Scan-100108-0069.jpg> Also the importance of poplar should not be underestimated in this region. Poplar is used for animal fodder (leaves), firewood (branches) and building material (trunk). Poplar grows fast and can handle the cold winters and very hot summers. It is easy to grow - I saw some branches stuck into some wet soil. Many of the poplars I saw had the lower branches stripped clean of leaves or just missing as people (or I should say the women) cut them for fodder and firewood. The dark green leaves of the poplar is often the first welcoming sight coming from rocky desolation into a fertile valley. Regards, Spencer On Jan 12, 2010, at 7:11, Hugh Thompson wrote: > When I go out here in Kabul, it is for a specific purpose like looking at > a site or checking on a construction project, so I don't have any social > images as yet. I am actually not allowed to go wandering around the city, > I can only go out with an escort and armed guard. > > Today we looked at a new development site which I will be planning very > shortly, we also looked at a warehouse the company is building. Some of > you might enjoy the Afghan construction methods. These images are going > to be shared with my construction friends, so I apologize if they are not > too exciting, or are lacking in technical quality. > > All photos taken with a Sony DSC-S950 P&S, with minimal processing in > iPhoto. > > Start here, and the next seven: > > <http://gallery.leica-users.org/v/Hugh+Thompson/Afghanistan/Construction/DSC01045.jpg.html> > > I would be happy to answer any questions, and always welcome C&Cs