Afghanistan aka: Afghanestan

http://www.greetingsfromafghanistan.blogspot.com

I’ve been to Afghanistan twice. Once in 2005, once in 2007. First time with Global Exchange. The second time with NGO Afghans4Tomorrow. Bring a camera. Bring a polaroid and give away photos. Get a local guide. Learn a few phrases in Dari. Take a taxi. Visit Chicken Street. Eat at a local kabab stand. Afghan hospitality is second to none. Don’t isolate yourself from the local population by staying behind the walls of an NGO or embassy.

The 1960’s. I was still a preschooler up to second grade. The caravans used to come down from the mountains and we would pay a little bit of money to ride the camels up and down the street.
But my best and scariest memories came from when I wandered away from our house and got lost. I was about 5 years old. A very nice Afghan man found me wandering and put me up on his shoulders so I could find my way home. I got in trouble when I got home, but I was just SO embarrassed because my mother was rude to the man. I sat up in my room and ate grapes and cried.

I have a friend who lives in this country, and.. well.. heheh.. won’t say anything else about why I want to go to Afghanistan.. you guys would think i’m crazy!

I was here shortly after 9/11. Here I felt like I did something. Barren and dry, I liked it anyway. I was stationed on Kandahar Airport and saw so much beauty in the night sky I cried. The land was peaceful even if the people were not always.

Well, I haven’t gone just yet but my mum was there about two months ago now visiting her friend and travelling around a little bit and just wow, I kind of knew it before but this trip just totally confirmed that my mother is one of the most awesome people I know. Her photos and experiences of this torn but beautiful country are just wonderful, and I can’t wait until it’s my turn.

Well, definately do not got here in the winter unless you like being so cold that you can’t think straight. The mountains are a beautifull sight to see but it’s still not worth it. The winter is too cold to do anything and the summer is too dangerous for obvious Americans. If you are of Afghan origin though I do recommend you at least visit and if you are willing and able live there. Having people there helps the economy and unemployment is one of the biggest things that causes terrorism. Besides, everyone should see where they came from at least once if they weren’t born there.

kindest people in the east and east south,,,, take care if you go further

I’m getting deployed. I like to travel it’s kinda why I joined the Army. This might be a cool adventure.

I spent a few days in Kabul and was sleeping in the NATO basis in the airport. A place to see ! When you’re inside the basis: supermarket, bars, hospital and several restaurants… Outside: chaos…

It is wonderful there