The Apricot Road to Yarkand
Tuesday, November 13, 2012
The Apricot Road to Yarkand is a spellbinding tale of journey from Shigar Valley to Yarkand in the North, over the glaciated Mustagh Pass by Salman Rashid. The author is master of conveying what seems to be going on in his heads in gripping prose that is never clichéd.
First, a word about the author. Salman Salman is Pakistan's foremost travel writer. His passion for writing is matched by his passion for photography. His research, range of visual subjects and narratives make a remarkable combination. In addition to eight travel books, his work appears in leading English language journals. In The Apricot Road to Yarkand, Salman Rashid has also told how he switched his career in the army to become a full time researcher and a writer. (I keep thinking how Salman Rashid would have been in appreciating tactical situation on battle grounds if he was still in army?)
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posted by S A J Shirazi @ 12:56 PM,
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Attock Khurd Railway Station
Monday, November 12, 2012
This photo is by Malik Ayaz and it shows Attock Khurd station. This small station with its Victorian architecture is arguably one of the most beautiful railway stations in Pakistan.
I know for a fact that many people visit this little station to appreciate its architecture as well as the nearby Attock Railway bridge on the Indus. The rectangular structure in this photo, behind the railway signals, is the fortified approach to Attock Railway bridge. In other parts of the world buildings like this become tourist attractions in themselves; in Pakistan they often get neglected and decay.
What do you think of this building? Do you have your own favorite railway station to suggest? Should we really not be doing more to preserve these grand structures strewn all over the country?
What do you think of this building? Do you have your own favorite railway station to suggest? Should we really not be doing more to preserve these grand structures strewn all over the country?
posted by S A J Shirazi @ 10:46 AM,
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