We may yearn for rustic detail and old-world charm, but those who have it set their minds on vinyl wallpaper, fitted carpets and all mod cons.
Tahir ShahTags: keeping-up-with-the-joneses
Moroccan traffic isn't like normal traffic. It's armed combat, a war of wills, in which only the very bravest have a chance to survive.
Tahir ShahTags: traffic
In the West we are driven by an extreme form of guilt -- if you are not seen to be working like a dog, you're perceived as being slothful.
Tahir ShahTags: east-vs-west
In Morocco," said Osman, "word spreads like a fire tearing through the depths of Hell.
Tahir ShahTags: gossip bush-telegraph
The very fact that a Frenchman was prepared, after tow minutes of conversation, to be so friendly towards anyone, especially one who had come from England, made me restless.
Tahir ShahTags: friendship friends travel french
Bombay is a city where gossip is treated as a commodity.
Tahir ShahTags: wisdom life gossip india bombay mumbay
An intelligent enemy,' he would say, stroking his beard as if it were a bristly pet, 'rather than a foolish friend.' Or, 'He learnt the language of pigeons, and forgot his own.' Or, the favourite of Jan Fishan Khan: 'Nothing is what it seems.
Tahir ShahTags: wisdom proverbs sufism folklore afghanistan saying sufis afghan
Back at the Chateau Windsor there was a rat-like scratching at the door of my room. Vinod, the youngest servant, came in with a soda water. He placed it next to the bag of toffees. Then he watched me read. I was used to being observed reading. Sometimes the room would fill like a railway station at rush hour and I would be expected to cure widespread boredom.
Tahir ShahForas Road has a sordid reputation (…) Old crones sat in doorways, while their daughters were pushed out to earn money. It is intriguing that a society which is very covert with sexuality should be so straightforward about prostitution.
Tahir ShahTags: women travel india travel-writing prostitutes gondwana
Osman and Prideep had been in my employment for some weeks. Every Friday I would take the to lunch. It was the high point of their calender. During the meal I would harangue them as a reminder of what they had been hired for: but my orations never seemed to increase their output. I realised later that, in the East, a commitment to produce does not automatically accompany employment.
Tahir ShahTags: society values india gondwana
« first previous
Page 13 of 14.
next last »
Data privacy
Imprint
Contact
Diese Website verwendet Cookies, um Ihnen die bestmögliche Funktionalität bieten zu können.