Is this Diagon Alley, or is this real life?

Ka Faroshi Bird Market, Afghanistan

So in the middle of my lecture today, I was surfing the web - as you do - and stumbled upon this 'Ka Faroshi Bird Market', in Afghanistan. Now please, correct me if I'm wrong, but is it just me or does this place remind you an awful lot of Diagon Alley? - Harry Potter's one-stop-magic-shop/street-of-shops-which-sells-everything-and-anything-cool-and-magical-and-stuff. Anyway, I am just in awe and thought I should share it with the world. This is truly magical. The colours, the cages, the people. 

The Lonely Planet Review for Kabul's Bird Market

"Entering Kabul’s bird market is like stepping back in time a hundred years, to a corner of the city untouched by war or modernisation. Also known as the Alley of Straw Sellers, it’s a narrow lane tucked away behind the Pul-e Khishti Mosque, lined with stalls and booths selling birds by the dozen, plus the occasional rabbit. King of all the birds on sale is the kowk (fighting partridge). These are prized by their owners who lavish great care on them, and keep them in domed wicker cages that are almost works of art in themselves. Kowk are fought on Friday mornings in quick bouts of strength (the birds are too valuable to allow them to be seriously harmed), with spectators gambling on the result. Their highly territorial nature also lets them act as decoys for hunters, attracting potential rivals who end up in the pot. Similar to the kowk is the budana, a small lark-like bird. These are also fought, especially among Kandaharis. Unbelievably, their small size means that their owner frequently keeps them tucked in his trousers, bringing them out for contest and display. More benign are the myriad canaries and finches, kept simply for their song. At the far end of the bazaar are the kaftar (doves), a common sight in Kabul’s late afternoon skies."

In all complete honesty, I have no interest in the birds - I'm actually terrified of them - however, I can't help but think that this would just be the coolest market to ever exist - and I have every urge in my body to go there dressed as Harry Potter and pick myself a nice Snowy Owl… Which i'd obviously call Hedwig. Unfortunately though, I think this act may be frowned upon in this particular part of the world. Thus, I probably wouldn't recommend it to any of you - as tempting as it is. 

Kabul's Bird Market, Afghanistan - on a crowded day

Eeylops Owl Emporium, Diagon Alley - on a non-crowded day...