I was shooting various features for television in Afghanistan earlier ths year. The situation in Kabul is relatively `under control', with roads bieng built and power supply available- albeit for just 12 hours a day. However, even that dosent necessarily mean safe- there are any many factions/ warlords/ etc that still call the shots. The people were extremly warm and welcoming in a general sense, but the past has ensured that there isnt one opinion doing the rounds among Afghans. Kabul airport at first sight is a shocker. the sight of completely destroyed aircraft and helicopters just lying to the side, is quite bizarre...on the way back though, it was just another sight...${QuickSuggestions} our days in Kabul were largely trouble free except one evening when a car bomb exploded in the middle of a crowded market. it accounted for over 40 lives and left more than 100 injured... Outside Kabul however, its an entirely different story. The Karzai government has little or no control there, and aid dosent really get to far out of there, and life is indeed a struggle. Besides, Afghanistan has been facing a severe drought for the past 6 years to make matters worse... I stayed with an NGO group at their guest house with other voulenteer workers. Life wasnt as tough there as i ws prepared for. Had plenty of food, and even cable tv actually, which was rather strange for me... The things that you COULD possibly do as a visitor that may just be classified as a tourism thing- visit chicken street for the curio shops, buy some `dry fruits', and have a look at some amazing carpets which are really cheap compared to what you will pay for them back home. Afghan carpets are among the best you will get... ${BestWay} Ariana afghan airways- from delhi to kabul. I was glad to be home at the end of it all, but was really glad that i got the opportunity to visit as well... On the positive side- there are some signs of reconstruction, people are bieng seen going about their lives, except there isnt much work i guess. There are even a few cinema halls in town.
From journal of many guns and loads of smiles...