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sheyn · May 17th, 2009, 08:02 PM

Extending from west to east in the heart of the city is the romantic 'Street of Story-tellers' - the Qissa Khawani Bazzar. In olden days, this was the site of camping ground for caravans and military adventures, where professional story-tellers recited ballads and tales of war and love to throngs of traders and soldiers.

Today the story-tellers are gone but the atmosphere lingers on. Bearded tribesmen bargain with city traders over endless cups of green tea. Fruit stalls look small colourful pyramids. People from everywhere throng the crowded street. Afghans, Iraqis, Uzbeks, Tajiks, Afridis, and Shinwaris move around with ease and grace in their colourful native robes and run shoulders with the Western tourists-lost in a world so different, so enchanting.

Qissa Khwani (Story-tellers) Bazaar was described in the mid-l9th century by British Commissioner in Peshawar Sir Herbert Edwardes as "the Piccadilly of Central Asia ".

Here perhaps visiting travelers or the relaxing townsmen were regaled with stories by professional story-tellers, in the evening, in the many tea-shops. Hence the name Qissa Khwani (story telling). The tea-shops still adorn the bazaar front with their large brass samovars and numerous hanging teapots and tea-cups, though the legendary story-tellers are nowhere to be seen.

Towering over the street are tall, narrow buildings with intricately carved balconies and window frames enclosing wooden shutters. Here you find many of Peshawar's cheaper hotels and, in the evening, food stalls selling excellent kebabs and fry-ups. Meat is sold by weight and then cooked while you watch.

Brass and copper shops are in the street to the left (northwest) at the end of Qissa Khwani. These sell a range of new and old wares.

The Peshawar Pottery is down a side street on the left, immediately after the brass shops. The wide range of ornamental and utilitarian pottery is glazed in strong earth colors. Tinsmiths work in the street leading to the pottery, using traditional methods to coat brass pots with tin to prevent the brass from poisoning food.

May 17th, 2009, 08:02 PM	#2 (permalink)
sheyn Chat Room Manager, Moderator Video Gallery, Audio Gallery, All Views, Health & Fitness Forum Join Date: Dec 4, 2005 - 12:55 am Location: outta this world..... Posts: 18,986 Blog Entries: 204	Extending from west to east in the heart of the city is the romantic 'Street of Story-tellers' - the Qissa Khawani Bazzar. In olden days, this was the site of camping ground for caravans and military adventures, where professional story-tellers recited ballads and tales of war and love to throngs of traders and soldiers. Today the story-tellers are gone but the atmosphere lingers on. Bearded tribesmen bargain with city traders over endless cups of green tea. Fruit stalls look small colourful pyramids. People from everywhere throng the crowded street. Afghans, Iraqis, Uzbeks, Tajiks, Afridis, and Shinwaris move around with ease and grace in their colourful native robes and run shoulders with the Western tourists-lost in a world so different, so enchanting. *Qissa Khwani (Story-tellers) Bazaar was described in the mid-l9th century by British Commissioner in Peshawar Sir Herbert Edwardes as "the Piccadilly of Central Asia ".* Here perhaps visiting travelers or the relaxing townsmen were regaled with stories by professional story-tellers, in the evening, in the many tea-shops. Hence the name Qissa Khwani (story telling). The tea-shops still adorn the bazaar front with their large brass samovars and numerous hanging teapots and tea-cups, though the legendary story-tellers are nowhere to be seen. Towering over the street are tall, narrow buildings with intricately carved balconies and window frames enclosing wooden shutters. Here you find many of Peshawar's cheaper hotels and, in the evening, food stalls selling excellent kebabs and fry-ups. Meat is sold by weight and then cooked while you watch. *Brass and copper shops are in the street to the left (northwest) at the end of Qissa Khwani. These sell a range of new and old wares.* The Peshawar Pottery is down a side street on the left, immediately after the brass shops. The wide range of ornamental and utilitarian pottery is glazed in strong earth colors. Tinsmiths work in the street leading to the pottery, using traditional methods to coat brass pots with tin to prevent the brass from poisoning food. *Guns don't kill people ! Dads with pretty daughters Do !* >>> PERFECSHEYN <<<