The ancient city of Fes, Morocco

Chefchaouen, Morocco

Pointed hooded robes that worn by the elderly folks.

Quarzazate, Morocco.

Hotel Madrid, Chefchaouen, Morocco

A Miao Village in Rongjiang County, Guizhou

One of the highlights of this visit was to see a demonstration of using a sickle to shave a man's head.

More photos, here

Miao Sister Meal Festival, Guizhou.

I was in Guizhou recently and had the opportunity to witness the very grand costume show of the Miao ethnic minority in Kaili, Guizhou.  Here are more photos to tell you the event of the day, Miao Sister Meal Festival

A Rug from Damascus

While wondering around the souk in the Tekkiye complex in Damascus,  we walked past this shop and I was immediately attracted to the bright looking colour rug displayed on the bench at the entrance.  On closer inspection I was told that the colour is natural dye, made from pomegranate. I didn't know that! There must be a good crop of pomegranates in Syria. When in Krac, a few days before arriving Damascus, we had some fried cauliflower and potatoes drizzled with pomegranate sauce and a light sprinkle of sugar before they were brought to the table.  I must say cauliflower has never tasted so good before!

Artist at work.

I love this area, laid back and full of charm. Nobody tried to get you into their shops.

Not only the corridor, a large area of the ground is just as seriously uneven.  Some restoration works were in progress on the structure of the building.

I like this unusual looking large wooden door.

The souk is not big at all, but there are plenty to see and keep one intrigued.

Two years on after my visit to Syria, I still have not found a corner for my rug.  But perhaps like many shoppings done during travel, a few become tangible collection of memories, it's purpose comes later.

Afghanistan - touch down in flight on Vimeo

People and tradition beautifully put together,

a film by Salome & Lukas Augustin.

     
         Video

Source Nasim Fekrat

A shop in Luang Prabang, Laos.

A Shop in Luang Prabang

An old photo I found in the album, taken during my trip to Luang Prabang a few years ago.  It's one of the very few I have of the trip.  The battery in my camera drained out sooner than I thought.  Anyway, that's another story.  This photo is a lot of the Luang Prabang I remember, street lined with wooden shop houses, textiles everywhere, from the very exquisite to those hastily produced, all only within a short walk from one to another.

A hotel in Damascus.

The exterior of a hotel in Damascus.  The textiles seemed to be a permanent display, or at least for the length of our stay in Damascus.

Bagdad Cafe, a quirky and charming little place located in the middle of nowhere, between Damascus and Palmyra.

Here is a write-up about Bagdad Cafe on The Guardian,

Next stop Baghdad - Syria's ultimate backpacker cafe

http://www.guardian.co.uk/travel/2010/aug/21/bagdad-cafe-hostel-syria-backpacking

Laha Boutique, Luang Prabang - Display at the entrance.  Photo taken in 2008.

Laha Boutique, Vientiane.

Laha Boutique, Luang Prabang - It has a bigger space than the Vientianne outlet.  Some of the collections were displayed in a room upstairs.  Photo taken in 2008. 

 Laha Boutique, Luang Prabang - A worker sorting out new stocks at the back of the shop.
Photo taken in 2008.

Institute for Khmer Traditional Textiles - photogallery
http://www.flickr.com/photos/21095566@N03/5182285731/in/pool-54395832@N00/

Are bamboo products really the eco-friendly option?
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/property/greenproperty/8645517/Are-bamboo-products-really-the-eco-friendly-option.html
Although not related to textiles, but now that we are on the subject of bamboo, I can't help but to include these links about the Green School in Bali,
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WQr36syiWTA&feature=related
http://www.greenschool.org/2010/08/10/bbc-interview/
Having seen the place in my recent trip to Bali, it is indeed an awe-inspiring project.  Not sure if Mr. Hardy has plans to produce bamboo towels in the future!

A section of Green School view from the entrance.