Rawze Sharif Mosque

The Rawze Sharif Mosque (Also known as the Shrine of Ali) lies at the center of Mazar-i-Sharif. Along the sides of the giant park where the mosque sits is Mazar's central bazar, with carpet shops on one side, car parts on another side, household items on a third side, and fruits and vegetables on the fourth side, around the big square. The Mosque itself is off-limits to non-Muslims, but the grounds outside are well-kept and are a perfect place for people watching. The view from the park provides a vantage point where men in turbans and piran-tambon outfits walk hand in hand with their friends, women wearing the white burqas of Afghanistan's north float by, and all the while the chaotic rumblings from the streets beyond the park float in as background music. This is a photographer's dream world, with camels, horses, donkeys, and seas of men and women in exotic outfits pass by the beautiful Timurd architecture of the Shrine of Ali. Getting to Mazar is relatively easy from Kabul, as taxis pry the paved highway in 7-8 hours. Security is always a concern, so access to good, recent information is essential. For more information on traveling to Mazar go to www.greatgametravel.com