Paris Parfait

What remains

These images were shot at an abandoned glass factory on the outskirts of Amman, Jordan. The factory was once thriving and featured in many guidebooks. But a new road to the Dead Sea diverted most of the tourist traffic. The factory subsequently lost its government license and was forced to cease production. A limited selection of decorative glass from the factory's final production is still sold in an adjacent room. Check back soon for photos of the hand-blown glass.

 

Broken examples of frosted glass.

 

A ladder, unused equipment and debris.

Rays of sunshine spill through holes in the wall and ceiling.

A corroded, rusting barrel.

Peeling paint.

A rusty fan.

 

A mirror proclaiming "Palestine forever" and "I heart Palestine."

Shattered

Abandoned glass factory on the outskirts of Amman, Jordan.

Desperately seeking a quiet, soothing place to let the daylight in... Prayers, positive energy and good thoughts are much appreciated.

Downtown delights

My friend Gillian going native: trying on an antique headdress at the famous Al-Afghani Bazaar, Amman. We managed to find quite a few treasures here; more about them in an upcoming post.

 

Downtown Amman, Jordan is filled with an Aladdin's Cave of delights. Among them: freshly brewed Arabic coffee.

 

Take your pick of flavours and spices, including the ever-popular cardamon.

Roasting coffee beans.

A vendor carries a brass teapot and tray of glasses past stalls of knitted hats and scarves.

  

Sugarcane juice, anyone? This gentleman kindly agreed to pose for a photograph.

Crossing the street.

Traditional dresses trimmed with teal designs.

 

Red embroidery and cross-stitches accent these dresses.

 

Window display featuring traditional designs.

 

Bolts of neatly-stacked fabric in a tailor's shop.

 

Gillian and Julian at the Gold Market.

 

Feeling lucky? Here's your chance to play the numbers.

 

An old hotel that's seen better days. On one building in Amman, a sign proclaims "Life could be better."

A variety of tempting perfume oils.

 

King Hussein Mosque.

Laughter is contagious

Twins and their friends March 9 at Ghor near the Dead Sea, Jordan.

Just back from spending two-and-a-half weeks in the beautiful country of Jordan.  It was such a treat watching my photography group's enthusiastic reactions to the desert kingdom's natural wonders and its warm and welcoming people. Check back this weekend for the first of many stories and photos.

P.S. Happy to report my photographs of Merci, Paris are in the current issue No. 73 (March-April) of FRAME magazine, Amsterdam (pgs. 116-117). Also, three of my photographs are in the April issue of Romantic Homes magazine.