Salut tout le monde, cheers to the world,
This is my first Blog ever. I really like the idea of a Blog, of something living that will evolve and shape itself through time. For now I have no idea where to start.
For you to know who is writing all this, here is a fairly recent picture. Having a break at the office. Obviously I still need to practice that blue steel look.
It will take me time to figure out how to organize all this… by date? by subject? which categories should I create? what to include? what to rave at or if I should even get angry at things on that blog? Should I be silly, geeky, both? Oh… and should I write all entries in English or should I spike it up with some french to make my countrymen (and my grand ma) happy? olala…
This below is just something to chew on while I try organizing my thought and understand how to use that Blog software… for now I am just so very excited that my new website is up. So enjoy that while I cook something up proper for that blog.
Matthieu
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FACTS, FACTS, FACTS… AND SOUND TOO.
I am mad about collecting information on places and people when I travel - on assignment or not.
Unfortunately, a lot of people can’t be bothered to read captions. Fair enough… the visuals should tell it all, right! Well, unfortunately it’s not always true.
One way I would like to use this blog is by presenting you some of these facts hidden behind the pictures, maybe in a more interesting way than just a “plain” captions.
Afghanistan, Wakhan Corridor.
Can you see 3 men, a donkey and 2 horses below this gigantic scree?… It’s happening bottom right of the image and they are on their way to a Wakhi wedding, in mid-February 2008, Afghanistan. This is part of my story on “The Forgotten” . I was on my way down from the Little Pamir when I spotted these figures. We eventually joined in for the wedding.
As you enter the house of the groom (the bride is in a different house and her family celebration take place in her house, on the next day -they get united the day after that), you get thrown a bit of flour on your shoulder: this is to wish prosperity to the couple to be (see right shoulder on that picture).
Below, these are the Wakhi musicians inside the groom’s house - listen to the extract of MUSIC they play, it was a poignant moment, the guys turning on themselves, the kids whistling and shouting. Coming down from the lonely Pamir plateau, it was so much human warmth at once. I needed that… very emotional.
HIT THE PLAY BUTTON BELOW
The guy with his arms up outdoor is Alowat, the main singer, showing me his dancing moves - moves that reminds me of some of the traditional American Indians dances.
This below is the groom. Traditional afghan cloak over army pants and cool brand new shiny white snickers. A cool Wakhi dude on snow!
And while we are at it, I recently found this video below. I think a piece of heart of Central Asia (and human kindness) lies in this couple, dancing with quiet smiles, brushing at one another.
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I leave you with these words from Sacha Guitry, the French actor and director:
« Il faut être heureux car lorsqu’on se met à être heureux, l’existence devient une chose tout à fait inouïe »
“You must be happy because when you start to be happy, existence becomes something very special”.
Hard to live on a daily basis, but a good and simple motto to bring up.
