The bridge between Arab & Korea

Happy days.

2010-06-21T15:38:00.004+09:00

Sometimes I miss that last happy days with enough time & smile.

I couldn`t have many time with this mans since our second office opened in Incheon area.

This people and I see each other only occasionally cause of my commute, but when we're together it's as if we just saw each other. I remember one time Salam say to us like " Your my lucky" of his heart, specially I was deeply moved at his saying. It`s you that is lucky!

Souad Massi

2010-06-21T15:32:00.004+09:00

My favorite singer song writer from Algeria.

Souad Massi Biography :
Souad Massi is a leading light among the young Algerian artists. She sings the Arabic language with a sweet and pure voice. Her songs are of folk rock rhythms (besides she is often compared to Joan Baez or Tracy Chapman). Her activism, popularity and courage brought her into the limelight. Souad Massi, 28, is basically free and generous. She has a golden voice and a sparkling talent. She creates a delicate and harmonious Algerian folk rock with activist and sensitive lyrics. Souad comes from a family of performers. She was born in Alger on August 23, 1972. Her elder brother is a composer, her younger brother does new jack music and her little sister is a dancer…As for her, she always knew she would become a singer. She studied Arabo-Andalousian classical music, music theory and universal classical music. When she was 17, she performed on many stages with her only guitar. But at the same time, she was in a flamenco band "Les Trianas d’Alger". It was a real flop. After this defeat she went to pieces and decided to give up. Fortunately, her younger brother pushed her into going on. With her band "Atakor" Souad Massi travelled through Algeria. Their rock music (close to hard rock music) echoed in the whole country. But things became more and more difficult for Souad. Further to many political pressure, the cabinet of town and country planning she worked in (Souad has an engineer degree) decided to dismiss her. Then she has been through a difficult period, financially as well as psychologically. And while the young singer was just about to give up, she was offered to join in the “Femmes d’Algérie / Women from Algeria” Festival. This show which was initiated by Allalou (a former radio and television reporter) and the “Bled-Connection” association, set up in Paris at the Cabaret Sauvage.
On January 10, 1999, Souad arrived in France. There was a great atmosphere in the Cabaret Sauvage where all these Algerian musical women got together. Never mind the age or their regional roots, they were all united in their daily fight for Freedom. The show mixed together the feast (it was Ramadan) and the battle against fundamentalists. Paris audiences saw Souad Massi. They were astounded by her performance and deeply moved by her voice as well as her fantastic capacity to pass on feelings beyond the language barriers. Following this concert, Souad Massi signed a contract with the record label Island-Mercury. In order to keep Souad’s music and poetic world, Bob Coke (who previously worked with Ben Harper) is asked to carry out the artistic production. To preserve both Souad’s energy and emotion, Bob Coke decided to make a genuine live album. Thus he just managed to snatch the recording of the last song “Matebkiche” which was then kept unprocessed. Electric and acoustic instruments were skilfully measured out. And altogether they made a true box where strong melodies and more especially Souad’s pure and moving voice could open out. Her music atmospheres which wavered between rock and traditional music, mixed together electric and flamenco guitars, Arabic lute, battery, gumbri (Saharan acoustic bass), karkabous (Saharan metal castanets)… Each song was particular and reminded us of Joan Baez’ and Tracy Chapman’s rebellious and melodious worlds. The achievement of all these efforts was a magnificent album, where many different music styles (folk, chaâbi, rock) came closer. Moreover it reflected all her talents and gave the opportunity to travel through her songs in a comprehensive way. Souad used to put the finishing touches to her songs when she was on tour. Indeed while she was recording her album, she had one concert after another. She increased performances, especially famous opening shows : Orchestre National de Barbès, Thierry Titi Robin, Geoffrey Oreyma…and above all Idir. Indeed the latest offered her the opportunity to open his concert at the Olympia on December 13, 1999 (less than a year after she arrived in France). She has also been performing on Saez’ tour for some months. Thus she could meet a new rock audience who was immediately seduced by this young activist singer.
But though she now lives in Paris, she does not forget her native country. Algeria is always in the heart of both her music and life. And she carries on fighting even over the Mediterranean sea. Even if her family is still there she wants to take advantage of the freedom of expression she is given in Europe to say aloud what she has been singing for many years. She explains with accuracy and consciousness what happens in Algeria everyday and keeps on denouncing the oppressors without being boastful nor activist. “Remain silent would mean that terrorists have won and that all the intellectuals they murdered, died for nothing.” And she says that in a tone of evidence as if she were used to it!

Hookahs or Nargilla

2009-04-08T22:40:00.002+09:00

Hookahs or Nargilla
Hookahs are very popular smoking devices around the world, and although it was the Arab culture in which they first developed, since that time they have become incredibly well established around the world, and are now popular universally with all different cultures and ages of people. Glass hookahs in particular are very popular and loved by many.

What is a Hookah?

A hookah is basically a sort of pipe, and is also commonly called a narghile, sheesha, and hubbly bubbly. Shisha is the name of the tobacco or herbal mixture that is used in these hookahs, and it is available in a variety of different flavors, ranging from apple to peach and everything in between.

Glass hookah smoking is considered as being a type of social activity, one that originated in India but which quickly gained popularity in the Middle East and then spread over to the Western world. A typically glass hookah smoking session will last anywhere from half an hour to 45 minutes, and can be shared with a few or a group of people or by a single person alone.

Sweet from midde east.

2008-11-24T23:35:00.009+09:00

A large tray of Baklava at one of Amman's sweet shops. Filled with pistachios and oozing with syrup, they are guaranteed to make you want more. But don`t eat too much for your health.

Ramadan mubarak

2008-09-08T21:53:00.002+09:00

Ramadan or Ramazan (Arabic: رمضان, Ramaḍān) is a Muslim religious observance that takes place during the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, believed to be the month in which the Qur'an was revealed to Angel Gabriel, to deliver it to Prophet Muhammad. It is the Islamic month of fasting (sawm), in which participating Muslims do not eat or drink anything from dawn until sunset. Fasting is meant to teach the person patience, sacrifice and humility. Ramadan is a time to fast for the sake of God, and to offer even more prayer than usual. During Ramadan Muslims ask forgiveness for past sins, pray for guidance into the future, ask for help in refraining from everyday evils and try to purify themselves through self-restraint and good deeds.

2008-09-08T21:42:00.001+09:00

Young boys wearing traditional Arab dress

2008-08-21T00:01:00.001+09:00

UAE Princess Al Mak Toum started her training at the University of Kyung Hae in South Korea in preparation for the upcoming 2008 Beijing Olympics.
She held a press conference at the Lotte Hotel to give a progress report on her training for the Olympic Games.Through her press conference, she told the press that she has been training in martial arts since age 12.
She is also a black belt in Karate.Princess Al Mak Toum first competed at the 2006 Asian Games.
With the Olympics right around the corner, she said "Taekwondo requires heavy concentration and experience" and added "I am very excited to have an opportunity to be competing at the Olympics. It has always been a dream of mine since I was a kid to represent my country (UAE) at the Olympic Games."She also said "UAE is still Karate dominated nation.
Not too many people are interested in Taekwondo" and told the press she is currently training in both Karate and Taekwondo back home. She is currently concentrating on Taekwondo to prepare for the Olympic Games.
When asked about the 'wildcard controversy' where people were saying she only got a wildcard spot because of her position as a Princess, she replied by saying "I'm not involved in politics. I just train hard." "The decision was made by the IOC committee. Besides myself, 3 others were selected and they are our top athletes in our nation."

Three arab persons

2008-08-04T15:39:00.021+09:00

Threre is one Korean guy in this picture.
Can you recognize? Shams look like real arab person.
Two soilder recived an education for military science in Korea. They left for each homeland last friday.
We didn`t have enough time to make friendship.
This make me feel sorry, I hope to see them soon.

두 아딜, 같은 이름을 갖고 같은 자녀수를 가졌으며
같은 나라에와서 교육을받고 떠난 같은 직업을 가진,
그러나 다른 나라에서 온 이라크의 아딜과 사우디의 아딜,. "샴스는 중동사람 한국사람 중간이예요" 하며 서투른 말로 고마움을 표시할때가 생각난다."좀더 잘해주지못해 미안하다

The bridge beween Palestine & Korea.

2008-08-04T14:22:00.011+09:00

Yesterday I drop in the ogarnization for Palestine. They try to associate beween Palestine and Korea as Music, Litterature, Painting... If you wnat see more information, please refer down following website: http://www.palbridge.org/

팔레스타인을 잇는 다리라는 단체가 있다 이스라엘사람들에게 조국을 빼앗기고 국제적인 무관심속에서 하루하루를 버티며 견디는 팔레스타인지역의 아랍인들과 한국을 잇는 역할을 하는 NGO단체이다. 어떠한 보상이나 대가를 원하지않고 팔레스타인 사람들의 실생활을 한국에 알리기 위해서 흔들리지않고 열심히 한다. 하루라도 조용할 알이 없었던 이라크에서 느꼈던 나의 미안한 마음을 한국까지 가져오지 못한 내가 참 부끄럽다.

Diabatte from Gabon.

2008-07-31T17:19:00.004+09:00

He came Korea for taking professional soccor player test. Unfortunately he hurt his toe so he didn`t take a test in Korea. But I believe he will catch a chance again.

축구를 할때 엄지발가락이 갖는 의미를 잘 모랐다.
엄지발가락때문에 프로선수 입단 테스트를 받지못했으니
그 먼나라에서 와서 얼마나 속이 상했을까...프로선수로 한국에서 뛰게되면 팬클럽회장이 되어주겠다고 한 약속을
꼭 지킬 수 있었으면 좋겠다.

Korean style sauna

2008-07-31T17:08:00.007+09:00

Korean enjoy this style of sauna. We go to inside of cave for throwing into a sweat. when we feel tired it`s good for reducing a stress.

특히 비오는날 가면 좋다, 광주 곤지암 근처의 모 숯가마. 무료로 의료기기를 이용할 수 있어 더 좋다. 특히 훌라우프머신이란것이 있는데 장기간 화장실에 가지못한 분들을 위해서 강력히 추천한다

Hey ! Donkey!!

2008-07-31T17:02:00.010+09:00

Can you recognize this animal?

we call it donkey.

He guards farm against a magpie.

당나귀로 보이나??ㅎㅎ

집뒷켠에 모아둔 재활용 쓰레기를 하루종일

붙잡고 있더니 사장님이 결국 뭔가를 만들긴 한 모양이다. 난 아무리 보아도 언젠간 잡고 말겠다는 치토스같기만 한데, 끝까지 당나귀라신다..

Reap a field!

2008-07-31T16:55:00.007+09:00

We reap a field attached to a shukran house site.
Thanks! God!

밭에 먹을거리를 심기를 정말 잘했다.
밭에서 나는것들로만도 맛나는 식사만들기가 가능하다. 또한 끼니에 쓸 채소들을 사서 냉장고에 재놓지않아도 되니까 매우 경제적이다.
가지반찬이 이렇게 맛있는지 처음알았다.

Shukran house with shams

2008-07-31T16:21:00.008+09:00

Shams painted all day long.
Shukran house wear new clothes!

슈크란 하우스,
게스트 하우스 단장에 열심인 샴스사장님.
한번 시작하면 끝을 봐야하는 오버계의 오야지.
생각보다 그림이 예쁘게 나와서 밋밋한 파란벽이
화사해졌다. 밤에보면 더 예쁘다. 땀뻘뻘 흘린
보람이 있는 포스를 마지막 사진에서 확인할수있다.

Near the shukran house

2008-07-31T16:16:00.008+09:00

This beatiful place is aroud Shukran house.

A men who loves flower

2008-07-31T00:52:00.013+09:00

He is from Kurdistan and work in government of Iraq. He likes beautiful Korea, we have been to flower seed market and he bought many kinds of seed for raising it in his country. Hello!Mr. kamiran. How are you doing about that seed? Is it bloomming?

Good brothers.

2008-07-23T17:39:00.012+09:00

I met good friends who speak english well and humorous last winter.
Especilly, Mr.discount have a look of me.
They are good business man, sometimes I learned by good spirit from their smart attitude.
I hope we`ll become good friends for a long time

I am Souad.

2008-07-23T14:40:00.007+09:00

Marhaban!! Everybody~ Let me introduce myself. I am Korean, miss Souad. I love arab, middle east contry. When I was in there I felt very interesting, I am interested in their culture,life,business.,,etc. And I`d like to announce their good image to all over the world. We, Korean have wrong image against arab, middle east contry. If we have chance to know about their life,history,strong thinking..., we can understan them. Now I work with middle east people, this chance is very wonderful to me.