Unique Pencil Shop in Bagdad With 1 Million Designs
Wednesday Post: Know about this unique pencil shop in Bagdad, make a tour to Jibhi, explore Baklava & Turkey together and watch the best of Hoi Ann with Tripoto
What if the most extraordinary treasure in Baghdad wasn’t gold or oil, but pencils?
Hidden behind an unassuming door in the bustling streets of Baghdad is a shop that feels like it belongs in a dream — or a Wes Anderson film.
This tiny pencil store, run by Ali Al-Mandlawi for 40 years, holds over 1 million unique pencil designs — neatly arranged in drawers, shelves, and vintage boxes. From multicolored mechanical leads to vintage wooden pencils from across the world, each piece is catalogued with care, like artefacts in a miniature museum.
You won’t find this place on TripAdvisor’s top 10, and you won’t see long queues of tourists. You will find this only when you stroll through the beauty of everyday Baghdad, because Baghdad is so much more than headlines. It's the cradle of civilization — home to the once-glorious House of Wisdom, where scholars changed the course of history. Walk through the historic Al-Mutanabbi Street, browse ancient manuscripts, sip sweet Iraqi chai, and stop by the pencil shop now.
Read more about Backpacking in Iraqi Kurdistan
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🗺️ Destination Of The Week: Turkey
Turkey doesn’t ask you to visit — it dares you. Dares you to get lost in the labyrinthine bazaars of Istanbul, to bite into a sizzling kebab wrapped in a whisper of lavash, and to sip a tiny glass of Turkish tea that somehow always tastes better on a rooftop.
From the spice-laden chaos of breakfast tables to the indulgent pleasure of baklava dripping with pistachio, Turkish cuisine bridges continents, much like the country itself. Try the iconic menemen for breakfast, taste çig köfte on the streets of Diyarbakir, and experience the rich, earthy flavors of Anatolia’s stews.
But Turkey isn’t just about food.
It’s Cappadocia’s surreal valleys, Pamukkale’s cotton-white terraces, Ephesus’ ancient ruins, and Antalya’s turquoise shores. It’s the echo of the call to prayer dancing over Bosphorus waters at sunset. It’s chaotic, it’s poetic, it’s maddening — and you’ll miss it the moment you leave.
Because in Turkey, every bite, every street corner, and every stranger carries a story. And they’re all waiting for you.
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👀 What To Watch This Weekend
Experience the enchanting beauty of Hoi An, Vietnam, in this comprehensive travel guide for 2025. Join Bhavani, in collaboration with Tripoto, as she explores the must-see attractions and hidden gems of this UNESCO-listed ancient town.
This newsletter is dedicated to the oversleepy panda trying to get some sleep before catching the next flight.
Did you know? Pandas poop over 40 times a day.
See you next week! Until then, let’s explore the wonders of the world, one newsletter at a time.
Adieu,
Sreyashi Paul