Thought I'd share a few pictures of Kabul, Afghanistan, a place that can be enlightening, frustrating, rewarding, fascinating and dam dangerous at times, I've spent much time there, both as a security consultant for Aid and development agencies and now as a company owner doing business there.
Once you get to know the place, know the people and develop friendships, you find an amazing city and great culture, my hope is that as time passes Kabul will become safer and its people will prosper, for now ... a few little images about things around town.
One thing you see in Kabul everywhere is kids, many street kids, they are out and about trying to make ends meet, make money to help their families survive, sometimes you see them with a burning coal in traffic to ward off bad spirits, sometimes cleaning cars, selling tissues or simply begging, they are everywhere, and a constant reminder that life in the West really isn't so bad
The children in this photo are by the Old DarulamanPalace, it's undergoing some kind of reconstruction but will take a while...
Young girl was really interested in my tattoos, she wouldn't let go! ... we gave them plenty of goodies that day, some cash, food and drinks from the car, not really much but it makes them happy for a short time :)
Kabul is 1800 metres above sea level and surrounded by even higher mountains, they kind of form a border around the city which can make for staggering views in the winter when covered in snow, but in the heat of summer with the dirt, dust and car fumes they seem to act to trap in the pollution. Not ideal.
Kabul has many small stalls like this selling fruits and vegetables, this one makes amazing smoothies, pull up in the car and the guys will come out to serve you, they make an amazing creamy banana shake and bring to you to enjoy in the car in a large stein like beer glass! Great way to start the day.
As well as great smoothies Afghan cuisine is fantastic, this nice platter is Kabuli Pulau, a dish of rice, sweet spices and lamb, its amazing, mopped up with freshly cooked bread... heaven.
And this dish is one of my favorites, Mantou - Kind of an Afghan dumpling, minced beef with spices and fresh herbs... one day I must learn the recipe!
And this is where the nice food comes from! Doesn't look to appetizing in this shot in "Meat Street" Hygiene is not exactly the main priority, but one thing I have noticed over the years is that it's getting better, some vendors now wrap the meat, screen it off from the flies and generally take a bit more care! That said... in all my time in Kabul, I've only been ill once!