mink

Anson Stewart is doing some really cool work with urban transportation systems . I recently came across this map he made of dala dala routes in Dar-es-Salaam. A few years ago I had talked to my friend about how we needed a map like this so that public transport systems in Tanzanian cities could innovate further. Maps provide locational data that is important for many reasons. A few of them are: Being able to also map out specific stops (and other travel-related spots) along routes; timing route/journey durations; providing distance/time information to travellers; and eventually even providing such information to city planners who can then dedicate specific space on roads just for public transport. Exciting stuff! Thanks Anson .

The city I was just in about 6 months ago - which owns more than a million years of human history - is now hearing a desperate, angry, and fearless roar of reform from its people, whose voice is reverberating across several Arabic-speaking countries. Egypt is an extremely valuable player on the global playing field. It's ancestors are known to have built one of the first far-reaching ordered civilizations the world has known. Medieval Egypt significantly advanced scholarship in the sciences and philosophy. In contemporary times, it has been looked at as a model of modernization amongst Arab states. Even more recently, Egypt has provided strong support in brokering peace in the Middle East, and negotiating as well as facilitating the transfer of resources from and to the Western world. The people of Egypt, therefore, have witnessed many, many changes in leadership. Moreover, they have experienced diversity in the most deepest historical aspect of the word. Surely, a people with s...

A tree near Al-Azhar park, Cairo.

The sun is hidden sometimes, yet it enlightens the world. Even when it is in full view, it is so bright that it's blinding. Sound like knowledge? PS: This was a blissful evening in Cairo just over 2 weeks ago.

Citadel @ Msyaf Sunset over Salamiyeh View from the Citadel @ Msyaf Evening @ Tartous Flagpole in the Citadel @ Msyaf A pine tree in Damascus

And this is where I'm at :) More pictures coming soon Insha'Allah.

You’ve lost me, dear brother, You’ve lost what I stood and lived for, The glory of our protection, The green of our grass and plants, The grace of our canals, The giving nature of our people. I can’t blame you, but you are lost, Without reason or history, You were born out of a needy greed, A thirst for power that my people perhaps fuelled, You’re lost in a world of commerce and mistrust, In a world of this nuclear greatness. What can I say except remember, Remember me and my people, remember us, Remember you. Remember where power comes from, And for what reasons, Remember those around you and where they came from, Remember the seeds that grew, Into plants, grass, animals, and birds, Remember our skies are still your skies, Our mosque’s souls are your mosque’s souls, Remember why you breathe, Remember your history and yes, Remember your future. Will you really call me your historical brother, When I am right here inside you, Remembering and talking to you? Remember.

Is it there there's so much to do in such little time, or that there is too much time to do such little things? (Picture taken in Brighton, UK one April 2010 evening)