I have an Iranian friend who was a college student in the US during the 1970s, that never went back after the muslims took over. He still has family there, and they say that the outside of most homes and buildings are shabby looking, while the insides can often be lavish. That is on purpose, in order to try and keep from being robbed.
This is correct. The Arab sense of private v community space is a different take entirely. Outside the walls, it can be smoldering rubbish, goats eating trash and mayhem... inside, it is squeaky clean, everything clad in tile. This is a gross generalization, but it is true enough. I remember getting into this one compound in Fallujah, in 2004. Outside the walls, it looked like hell. Inside the courtyard, it was manicured sod, with a lazily twirling water sprinkler. Now, the bint lazing poolside in that pic... if she steps outside that compound like that, things will not go well for her.
Those buildings remind me of WWII Germany after the 8th Air Force has passed over.
ReplyDeleteIs that two bodies on the side of the pool?
Looks like one bodacious body. I'm sure those walls contain similar evidence of a hedonistic lifestyle
ReplyDeleteDaryl
No. One scantily clad female.
ReplyDeleteOh damn. I said "female". Now the wokerati will try to destroy me.
John in Indy
Life is good! Allahu Akhbar!!!
DeleteHow many guesses do I get? If guess correctly under 10 do I get a prize?
DeleteI have an Iranian friend who was a college student in the US during the 1970s, that never went back after the muslims took over. He still has family there, and they say that the outside of most homes and buildings are shabby looking, while the insides can often be lavish. That is on purpose, in order to try and keep from being robbed.
ReplyDeleteThis is correct. The Arab sense of private v community space is a different take entirely. Outside the walls, it can be smoldering rubbish, goats eating trash and mayhem... inside, it is squeaky clean, everything clad in tile. This is a gross generalization, but it is true enough. I remember getting into this one compound in Fallujah, in 2004. Outside the walls, it looked like hell. Inside the courtyard, it was manicured sod, with a lazily twirling water sprinkler.
DeleteNow, the bint lazing poolside in that pic... if she steps outside that compound like that, things will not go well for her.
How in the hell is that shitty building holding up that much water weight?
ReplyDelete