I really so much enjoy experiencing strange things for the first time (and usually thereafter). I was in Luxor, Egypt in 1997, scouting out the local Luxor and Karnak Temples as well as the surrounding Valley of the King & Queens, Dendera, etc…..
I liked very much to walk around and visit the local bazaars; I saw heads of goats for sale on makeshift tables of scrap wood; I attempted to sup native Okra soup; I ate lots of very delicious rotisserie chicken, and drank Egyptian beer on rooftops - I experienced many wonderful things.
One day I was very thirsty and in need of a smoke. I stopped into the local funky Tea and Smoke House where all the locals hung out - it was indeed like stepping back into time. I loved it. I felt very relaxed as I sat around a table with the indigenous crowd of Men and sipped Egyptian Tea. There was this big Hookah sitting in the very center of the table, it had a very long hose on it. Each Gentleman took a hit and passed it on to the next in the circle; it was my turn, I took my hit…..I didn’t know how to smoke it at all….I never had authentic blends of what ever that was I smoked in that Hookah, and I did not quite understand the words they spoke to explain it to me. What ever it was, it was very nice and soothing to Hookah out to along with others and drink Tea. I call that a great ‘Cultural Exchange’…..
I thought this man was so handsome and masculine. He did remind me of the guard at Luxor Temple with his Turban and long Egyptian Cotton Gown. I showed him my camera and gestured asking if I could take his photograph, he agreed. I got a few shots of him, this one turned out very nice I think.
These photographs are from 1997 film prints. I scanned them, then I worked on them with a digital graphic arts program and turned them into what you see now. I think they would make lovely framed prints….. Cheers, Colette