Doha, Shanghai & Ordos
End of August to mid September 2012
After a healthy & sweat summer spend in the continent of Europa, work was slowly pulling me back to the east. On
the way to Thailand I had a short layover in the fastest growing nation in the world, Qatar. I was stunned but not too
surprised to see this fellow Qatari man represent the city of Berlin. Ties between the two nations have been good
since the end of the 90s because of oil you might think. Oil is probably the case for most of the countries within the
Gulf, but for Qatar its natural gas. With almost 25 trillion cubic meters of natural gas, puts Qatar in third place, right
behind Iran & Russia. I can say without a doubt that Qatar will be a big player in twenty first century.
the way to Thailand I had a short layover in the fastest growing nation in the world, Qatar. I was stunned but not too
surprised to see this fellow Qatari man represent the city of Berlin. Ties between the two nations have been good
since the end of the 90s because of oil you might think. Oil is probably the case for most of the countries within the
Gulf, but for Qatar its natural gas. With almost 25 trillion cubic meters of natural gas, puts Qatar in third place, right
behind Iran & Russia. I can say without a doubt that Qatar will be a big player in twenty first century.
Similar to Kuwait, Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates, the commercial side of Doha is erupting with large buildings.
While the Indian immigrants are more amazed by the fabulous glass buildings being build, I hired a Muslim driver
from south India to drive me to a mud mosque 1/2 hour outside of Doha so I could visualize some history in a nation
that seems to be lacking historical structures or presence besides the sand which looks uniform in most extends.
from south India to drive me to a mud mosque 1/2 hour outside of Doha so I could visualize some history in a nation
that seems to be lacking historical structures or presence besides the sand which looks uniform in most extends.
My friend Derek Flood an avid traveler to the Gulf always advised me to stay away from the Islamic countries during
Ramadan. Nevertheless bought a ticket crossing into Qatar on the last day of fasting just to experience the torture
of not digesting anything for a full day. Not eating was one thing, but not drinking and walking around all day in forty
degrees was followed up with massive dehydration. I thought non-Muslims such as myself would be excused from
not eating nor drinking during the presence of the sun, but I was wrong. Any foreigner who had the need to eat
could be excused at home or in non public places, but since I was out all day taking photos, I found myself hiding in
back allies and behind bushes to just chug down a point thirty three can of Sprite without having anyone witness my
misdoings. It's funny now thinking about of how paranoid I was, but I was told that you can be charged over a
hundred dollars or even more if caught drinking or eating anytime the sun could be seen in the skies or the horizon.
Ramadan. Nevertheless bought a ticket crossing into Qatar on the last day of fasting just to experience the torture
of not digesting anything for a full day. Not eating was one thing, but not drinking and walking around all day in forty
degrees was followed up with massive dehydration. I thought non-Muslims such as myself would be excused from
not eating nor drinking during the presence of the sun, but I was wrong. Any foreigner who had the need to eat
could be excused at home or in non public places, but since I was out all day taking photos, I found myself hiding in
back allies and behind bushes to just chug down a point thirty three can of Sprite without having anyone witness my
misdoings. It's funny now thinking about of how paranoid I was, but I was told that you can be charged over a
hundred dollars or even more if caught drinking or eating anytime the sun could be seen in the skies or the horizon.
As much as I love Black & White Photography, the Gulf needs to be seen in colour!
With around 40,000 camels within the state of Qatar makes it easily a haven for camel racing.
The world widely known Middle Eastern news broadcasting channel known as Al Jazeera (english - The Island)
originated from Qatar. The opportunity of watching uncensored news for men like these became reality when the
Emir himself gave out a big loan to fund the channel's fundation during take off in the mid nineties. By the time of
the terror attacks of 9/11, it was the only channel to provide live broadcasting from the war in Afghanistan, etc.
originated from Qatar. The opportunity of watching uncensored news for men like these became reality when the
Emir himself gave out a big loan to fund the channel's fundation during take off in the mid nineties. By the time of
the terror attacks of 9/11, it was the only channel to provide live broadcasting from the war in Afghanistan, etc.
I found myself wondering the streets of Doha and a week later sitting in a van with Guy Mariano who can't quite
decide if he wants his breakfast from the morning prior. 'To Diarrhea or not to Diarrhea?, that is the question!'.
decide if he wants his breakfast from the morning prior. 'To Diarrhea or not to Diarrhea?, that is the question!'.
Straight out of the van crooks on slanted handrails. Guy is possibly the best skateborder I have ever fitnessed.
This security guard from Shanghai on the left might have no idea that he is posing with Mister Eric Koston himself.
Even a week later I find myself taking more homie shots between authority figures and skateboarders. This time
its Jay Meador (slightly exposed because of the open film canister) with a friendly policeman who was exhilarated
to talk to humans in the ghost city of Ordos.
its Jay Meador (slightly exposed because of the open film canister) with a friendly policeman who was exhilarated
to talk to humans in the ghost city of Ordos.
The city of Ordos was build with the effort to raise the GDP of the People's Republic of China. Over 120 billion
dollars was spend to inhabit a city of over a million people. In the end only a couple thousand people live in this
empty city at the moment which got labeled as one of the few ghost cities as well as a paradise for skateboarding
according to a bunch of forum bloggers after watching our clip of Ordos which Charles Lancelpaine put together.
dollars was spend to inhabit a city of over a million people. In the end only a couple thousand people live in this
empty city at the moment which got labeled as one of the few ghost cities as well as a paradise for skateboarding
according to a bunch of forum bloggers after watching our clip of Ordos which Charles Lancelpaine put together.
In the search for tickets for the 2nd Ordos International Nadam Festival Sports Competition.
Boneless in the middle of nowhere.
Like one can tell, this city was quite deserted when compared to an average Chinese city. That being said, there
are still people there, but its not hard to find a moment when none are visible. Pushing through empty streets has
its charm as Eliott Zelinskas performs here. The Ordos trip was filled with fun (thanks to playing UNO), and was a
pleasure to travel with the Shanghainese homies, how about checking out Awaza the Ordos of Turkmensitan next?!
are still people there, but its not hard to find a moment when none are visible. Pushing through empty streets has
its charm as Eliott Zelinskas performs here. The Ordos trip was filled with fun (thanks to playing UNO), and was a
pleasure to travel with the Shanghainese homies, how about checking out Awaza the Ordos of Turkmensitan next?!
