October 31, 2017

Pierre and Michele, France and Sihan, Tunisia (living in Nouakchott)

So many foreigners live and work in Mauritania. From a few months to a few years to a lifetime. Some being first or second generation.  Some come by choice others are life circumstances that brought them here others never wanted to leave or keep coming back. Let's draw them.

Fondation VGL, Mauritanie
Pierre and Michele they're retired but they choose to come to Mauritania every year for long months and work at Fondation VGL. They're responsible of labeling and cataloguing the whole collection of VGL. From postcards and photos to prehistoric pieces, from stamps to  chests and old jewelry.
VGL aim is to enhance, conserve and safeguard Mauritania's cultural and historical heritage for future generations.

Cup-cake Nkc
Sihan from Tunisia runs Cupcake (they've this beautiful page in facebook with all their sweets).
I don't know much about Sihan apart that she loves reading and that her pastry shop works as a book exchange place. But what I know is that is the best cake shop in town and she's well known for her cheese cakes.

October 24, 2017

Madame Yang's vegetable garden (living in Nouakchott)

partial view of the vegetable garden
 At zeinart we do a farmer's Market twice a month, we're in mid October and the three people that sell vegetables are still planting. Then someone tells me about this Chinese lady that has a vegetable garden growing in Sebkha. (a lot of neighborhoods have developed in areas were the land is under the sea level and salted water surfaces).
cutting the wood for poles

Lié and Yang preparing the wooden poles
 They were asked to come and do vegetable garden in Nouakchott for the Chinese community.
Madame Yang
 Madame Yang has now been 5 years or so in Nouakchott, looking for a better life. She was victim of an accident when she was 19 years old and lost the fingers of both hands. She has grey hair and a ready smile. Both are hard workers.

visitor and working under the sun
Both mornings I see a few Chinese and Koreans coming over to buy vegetables. This lady was well equipped to protect her skin from the sun rays.
They have done all the work of the garden themselves with the help of a local worker.
preparing the land for planting

October 22, 2017

using brush and/or nibs ink or watercolor

turkeys

peacocks

turkey holding his breath

ostrich

young boy

October 15, 2017

September in Istanbul

Vue from SALT

Suleymaniye Camii
Souleymaniye mosque


fish and tea at Kadiköy

Aya Sofya


street and Dolmabahce Sarayi 

Visiting Contemporary Istanbul Art Fair 
Esin and visiting Canan exhibition


graffiti, Karakoy

Balate, merry lady

Mihrimah mosque, Üsküdar

Street seller, Fatih

Mecidiye mosque, Ortakoy

Pic Nic Gülhane Parki

Looking at Asia

Arap Mosque 

fish sandwich, Üsküdar 

vue from Pierre Loti Coffee place

Byzantine Cistern

Galata Tower

Bosphorus 

Hoca Hanim Sokagi

restaurant

Iranian touriste and Köfte

Küçük Musthapha Pasa Hammam, Fatih

Rezzan

Iranien mucisians in Taksim

fish gear shop, Karaköy
pets and flower market 
fruit seller, Karaköy



Galata Tower and graffiti

Rüstem Pasa mosque

stray dogs and cats welcomed in Istanbul

tea seller
restaurant 
airport



airport

waiting airpot 

Ataturk Airport

flight Casablanca

excess luggage


staff at Galata Guestroom 

Aqueduct, Fatih

Bosphorus, Emirgan

Castle Küçüksü