China it is, Beijing to be more exact, what I will call home for the next dozen days or so. It’s my first time to China and it is exciting!
I’m back in Sana’a, Yemen and on assignment. I went out to the demonstrations today, all frenzy but peaceful.
Update: The night after this photo was taken, fire was opened on the demonstrators and things started to become bloody. Since that night, the situation constantly escalates. Most of my friends in Yemen were deported two days later.
For some days already, I am back on Socotra, continuing my work. I climbed the highest mountain already, swam in the Indian Ocean, did Qat (a local drug – though imho as much ‘drug’ as coffee.) with a local sheik, and had a goat slaughtered for me (on the picture the poor little creature is still alive). Everything’s great over here but the food (No spices! Poor little creature died for nothing) and I got quite some good shots already. I’ll keep you updated!
Writing this, I am in the aircraft, minutes before take off. Istanbul and further to Arabia – Yemen, Socotra and the rest of it. Ahead of me are 3 weeks of exploration and adventure and also 30+ degrees celsius instead of ice and snow. Not too bad…
I’m back in Istanbul – and it feels great. Somehow, I seemed to have forgotten how lively, how thrilling, how inspiring this city is (yet November was the last time I’ve been in town).
It also feels cold, wet and cold. Though scientifically several degrees warmer than icy Brussels, it’s Istanbul that makes you shiver first. It’s raining, raining, and raining. The dampness creeps up your bones, your fingers are clammy, and your soaking-wet shoes covered in mud and filth. Istanbul in winter.