Here, a kind of street-side warehouse filled with bags upon bags of charcoal. These coals are destined to burn for someone's water pipe. The little tin boxes hanging in clusters here and there will play a central role in that process. They are used to carry the hot coals from the fire to the pipe, which may we quite a way off. Their form follows their function. They're like baskets with rather long handles to keep hands cool enough while carrying it around, and they have little feet on the bottom to keep the coals elevated so that, should they be set down for a bit, they don't burn the ground below.There are also some ladle-like things hanging there, and I regret to say that I'm not sure what they're for. Oh well. Always something more to learn!
That is really interesting, the photo and your explanation.
ReplyDeleteI just love all your photos and thoughts. I agree with one other person that you ought to publish them altogether for a lovely coffee table book. Thanks so much for sharing.
ReplyDeleteUm ... that is not a particularly efficient way of using the heat from the coals to get hot water through a pipe! Is this only still a practice in the older/poorer parts of town? Is there much air pollution in Beirut?
ReplyDeleteThe water pipes are like hookas for smoking, they're also called 'argileh'. At the top of the device is a little tray where small amounts of hot coal are placed, and people sit in restaurants or near the sea or even just outside their home smoking. You wouldn't want a hot burning fire in all those places, so the coals are carted here and there in the little tin containers pictured.
ReplyDelete