Dr Zemaryalai Tarzi is an Afghan with a big dream. To be exact, this archaeologist dreams of a giant – a 1,000ft (300 metre) sleeping Buddha.
Try to imagine a stone statue reclining across the length of three football fields.
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“I will persist,” the sprightly 70-year-old declared with a firm shake of his head. He guided us to another area running along the foot of the sandstone cliffs where he believes a much bigger Buddha still lies sleeping.
Dr Tarzi does not want this remarkable history to be forgotten.
In the middle of the day, when a hot sun blazes in the sky, he teaches a master class for young Afghans training to be tour guides at an eco-tourism centre set up with the help of the Aga Khan Foundation.
Bamiyan is one of the few places in Afghanistan now safe enough to dream of tourists too.
Article at BBC with video: http://news.bbc.co.uk
Ismailimail 