Apple of my eye, a photo from Dubai, West

Photographer's Note

Exactly one year ago was my last day in the Middle East.
It was a bit crazy journey, lasting five weeks. First, I was with one group in Iran, then with another group in Oman, and finally alone in Emirates and Saudi Arabia. Travelling with an organized group has some advantages. I wouldn't be able to see many places in Iran and Oman if I travelled independently, using the local transportation. On the other hand, I like to travel alone. The main reason is that when I am alone I have more contact with the local people and this is for me very important.
On this last day, I walked around the old part of Dubai that I liked very much, just as a farewell. There are places that were never shown here, away of the skyscrapers and the tourists' routes. But then it was a highlight of my trip - the visit to an Arab quite wealthy house. Dalal, the woman that I met in the street a few days earlier invited me for lunch. There were other members of her family - two sisters, the mother, the brother in law. I spent with them the whole afternoon, then with one of the sisters I was in a Dubai Glow park and she took me to the airport 30 km away. And I got two beautiful dresses! Isn't it an incredible story? I am still in contact with Dalal. Interesting was that the women wore scarves also at home. I asked: why? They said that there was a man - the husband of one sister. Without him, they do not wear a scarf.

The phrase "apple of my eye" refers in English today to something or someone that one cherishes above all others. Originally, the phrase was simply an idiom referring to the pupil of the eye.
Here in the eye is my Arab friend. Two Workshops will follow.

Workshop 1# - we had a lot of fun in Illusion House.
Workshop 2# - lunch time.

holmertz, jhm, pierrefonds, jean113, COSTANTINO, worldcitizen, jemaflor, papagolf21, ChrisJ, Royaldevon, adramad, PaulVDV, ikeharel, alvaraalto has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

Silvio1953 (220417) 2020-11-25 1:08

Ciao cara Malgo, my today neighbour, great view of fantastic and original artwork, wonderful colors, fine details and splendid sharpness, very well done, my friend, ciao Silvio

holmertz (101864) 2020-11-25 1:18

Hello Malgo,
Seeing the thumbnail I first thought this was a reflection with a selfie! How could you do that? ;-) But it turned out a nice and original photo, although the strange location is explained only in the WS. Your friend is a very attractive woman, and it struck me when reading the note that you had a great advantage being a woman travelling alone in a country like that. You can meet women - and men, but I would never meet the women. I was invited to several homes in Afghanistan but I never met the wives or mothers!
Best regards,
Gert

jhm (211734) 2020-11-25 5:16

Hello Malgo,

We get a nice picture with the big eye with the woman if your apple ofeye, also with a lovely smile.
Excellent composition, nice presentation too.
Very well done, TFS.

Best regards,
John.

BennyV (34710) 2020-11-25 6:15

Hello Malgo

The fun post of the day. Also the WS images are great.
There are angels everywhere:)

Benny

pierrefonds (113458) 2020-11-25 6:35

Hi Malgo,

This is a very impressive scene. You have captured well the smiling expression of Dalal. The point of view is showing the details of the eye. Well done, have a nice day.

Pierre

abmdsudi (95869) 2020-11-25 8:17

Hi Malgorzata
Eye ya, Eye saw Me!
A thought evoking, imaginative portraiture & clever title. Love the colours and light here - she is a beautiful model. An excellent cheery & fun image supported by informative write-up and great WS pics as well. Congrats
Best regards

jean113 (27585) 2020-11-25 9:10

Hello Malgo, you share a lovely account of the kind family that you met. And how nice that you are still in contact with Dalal.
Your main post is an 'eye-catcher' if you will pardon the pun?
She has a lovely smile that we can see even more clearly when you were having fun in the Glow Park.
Three excellent pictures to illustrate your notes.
Thanks for sharing, Kind regards, Jean.

COSTANTINO (115387) 2020-11-25 12:02

Hello dear Malgorzata and have a nice day
clever idea for this presentation
great view of this fantastic
and original artwork
excellent composition
nice presentation
regards
Costantino

worldcitizen (15930) 2020-11-25 13:14

Hello Malgo,
This is a great set of photos! The main photo is really "eye-catching". Ha ha! ;-) This large eye is the perfect frame for your new friend. She has a lovely smile, too. It's always great to interact with locals, and even better to visit their homes. Take care!

lousat (138505) 2020-11-25 14:45

Ciao Malgo,another beautiful adventure that only you and a few others could live, your way of traveling allows these pleasant surprises. Beautiful photos no doubt but you have already figured out which is my favorite of the three .. ehhee .. Have a nice day and thanks,Luciano

jemaflor (146156) 2020-11-25 23:25

Hi Malgo,
Interesting result with this so big eye, well presented, perfect sharpness and colors, good idea the shot with this smiling face, tfs.

papagolf21 (152605) 2020-11-25 23:34

Bonjour, ch鑽e Malgo,
Je ne suis jamais d鱸u � travers vos notes et vos voyages par le monde.
Voyager seule est s皞ement plus enrichissant. Lors de vos rencontres, l'on parle avec son coeur.
Une visite peu ordinaire et passionnante.
Amiti駸.
Philippe

ChrisJ (171146) 2020-11-26 0:21

Hello Malgo,

Sometimes I compromise and take a bus tour. It might stop at 12 places only 3 of which might interest me. If I want to spend more time at one of those 3 favourites, I will then catch a local bus there & back. The woman's scarf is apple green so I guess that is where the title came from. The giant eye is obvious. Tfs!

Royaldevon (85546) 2020-11-26 4:09

Hello Malgo,

I would donate more than two points for these three photographs and associated notes, if possible! What a wonderful true story!
You should write a book about your travels, your experiences and the people that you have met!

I love the main photograph, it completely fills the frame with interest and surprise.
Your w/s are also interesting. The table looks to have been set for a banquet in a stately house!

Thanks for sharing this,
Bev :-)

jmdias (114126) 2020-11-26 8:24

malgo

a funny mural with a hole creating a surrealist mood. I liked to travel alone too, but in some places it isn't safe or difficult to reach remote areas. anyway, as everything in the life, things has a good and a not good side, in a group or alone we have nice and no nice aspects..
here, very hot and waiting desperately by rain..
take care

jorge

adramad (72496) 2020-11-26 10:41

Hello Malgo.
A very beautiful story that happened to you in Dubai, and with these three photos, they fill very well the sense of happiness that the occasion gave you, the three photos are magnificent.
Sharpness, lighting, color and magnificent composition; all are perfectly realized factors in this beautiful image.
Well done. I like very much.
Have a nice day. All the best.
Luis.

PaulVDV (62720) 2020-11-27 1:26

Hello Malgo,
Beautiful picture with the apple of the eye.
Your acquaintance seems to be a very friendly person.
Amazing are the strict rules of clothing in the house when there's a man, even someone of the family. On the other hand, they agree that their photo will be posted on the internet. Albeit with a headscarf.
I heard before that travelling in Oman independently and without car would be very difficult. On the other hand I found it easy in Iran when I was there in 1996. At least to go to the places I found interesting. I haven't been close to the borders of Afghanistan or Pakistan.
Best regards, Paul

alvaraalto (42804) 2020-11-30 0:48

Hello Malgo,
A remarkable story with a few equally remarkable pictures.
I wonder how much this is in line with the daily life of most women in this region of the world.
Beautiful photo work!
Have a nice day, groet Rob