Old Bastakia

Portrait in a Dubai Wadi: 1970s

Story behind this "most viewed" photo!

Photo was taken in a small Wadi not far away from Hatta Fort Hotel.

We regularly made Friday visits to the Wadi. It was quiet and safe for children to play. On this Friday we had finished lunch when the local farmer appeared with his father. They greeted everyone then sat down with John and myself on the rocks for a chat. John and I spoke in slow English and they rapid Arabic. Neither knew what the other was saying but there was a common understanding.
The old man produced his small clay pipe and his tobacco - probably grown on his farm because that's what Farmers grew in Hatta. John was a pipe smoker so was immdediately interested in the old man's tobacco. John produced his pipe and tobacco. The old man became curious so they exchanged tobaccos and lit up.

Two Puffs and a Photo!

The old man took barely two puffs before he began coughing and spluttering! He banged his pipe on a rock to rid it of John's tobacco. He didn't like it! John however enjoyed the old man's tobacco. The farmer meantime was interested in John's new camera. John gave him the camera to handle. The farmer indicated he wanted to know how to operate it. John showed him. The farmer then wanted to take a photograph. John posed with his pipe filled with Hatta tobacco. The Farmer took John's portrait. I had my camera at the ready. I took the photo of the photo being taken!

What happened to the Farmer's photo?

This was before digital photography so presumably John had the film developed when he went home. I don't recall seeing the outcome. Maybe it is lying in a dusty photo album at the bottom of a drawer somewhere!

This unique situation typifies the innocence and simplicity of that time.

Sheikh Rashid