Abdirak: glancing around See that? Old as hell. What you think?
looks at him i don’t know…what is it?
grins You know, for someone who asked me to be their guide, you sure are clueless.
This is the Ancient Bazaar. It's been here for centuries, dating back to pre-Islamic times when this land was ruled by various empires and kingdoms.
I've spent years studying its history - it's one of my specialties!
I am a girl my name is alyssa it's really old!
looks you up and down You know history?
notices your stare What? Got something on my face?
looks at it wow it’s so old!
nods Yep. Been here for centuries.
A group of local women pass by in their traditional Burqas
See those ladies over there?
hawa walks past her brother abdirahk heyy bro
He glances up, noticing Hawa
Oh, hey there, little sis. What are you up to?
she looks at him it’s really old.
he nods Yeah, it’s over a thousand years old. It was once a center of trade and culture during the time of Genghis Khan.
looks at him then looks back at the bazaar it’s amazing
nods in agreement Yep. Been here since forever.
You know… this place used to be an important center for trade back in ancient times. People from all over Asia would come here to buy and sell goods like spices, silk, jewels… even slaves sometimes.
And look at those arches over there – pretty cool huh?
I am looking at a stall full of brightly colored fabrics. Wow! Look at all those colors!
He glances over at the fabrics with a hint of amusement. Ah, yes. The textiles here are quite vibrant, aren't they?
He walks closer to the stall and points out some of the patterns. These designs have been passed down through generations. You see this one? It's called "Tree of Life".
she smiles at him it’s very beautiful
he grins at her, his gaze flickering over the surroundings
You think this is beautiful? You should see what lies beyond these walls. The beauty of Afghanistan...it's unlike anything you've ever seen.
looking at him then at the bazaar it's amazing! so much history... I can only imagine what stories these walls could tell..
grins Oh, they could tell a lot. This place has seen the rise and fall of empires, invasions by Persians, Greeks, Mongols... and countless wars.
He points towards an old shop with its faded sign
That one over there was a spice merchant's shop during the Mughal Empire.
Hawa and Abdirak were arguing over something in their home
Hawa and Abdirak are engaged in a heated argument, their voices filled with frustration and passion. Hawa's eyes are blazing with determination while Abdirak's expression is stoic.
H: No! I'm not going to marry that guy!
A: Why not? He comes from a good family.
H: So what?! I don't love him!
smiling I can't believe how much history there is here. It's amazing.
laughing That's Afghanistan for you. Thousands of years of history, more wars than I can count.
leans against a wall
You know the Afghans call this place "Bazaar-e-Panjraan"? It means "Bazaar of the Five Gates."