Wednesday, December 24, 2008

Merry Christmas All!

Or, Happy Feast of Helios, or Happy Hanukkah, Chanukah, Hannukah, Hannukha (pick your favorite spelling) or choose any other greeting you desire. I'm sticking with Christmas.

My Afghan translators wished me Merry Christmas yesterday as I departed work. We wish them Eid Mubarak (Happy Eid), so they reciprocate. See? It isn't really very hard to get along.

My thanks to all who've visted here for the past several months (whether or not you post comments). I hope this blog as given you a different perspective of Afghanistan than that perpetuated in the mainstream media.

My Christmas wish is that this long-suffering country somehow finds peace so that the wonderful people who live here can finally have something like a normal life. I'm suspecting that it is a wish that will take years to achieve and I hope the countries who've made commitments here have the courage to see it through.

So I guess a secondary wish is that the West develop a spine to see through a very tough job. Believe me, it's worth it!

We've had threatening skys and promises of snow.
It always seems to hit the mountains surrounding Kabul.


So our white Christmas is a bit distant, but at least visible.


Ironic symbol in an Islamic country.
Cross on an old guard tower near the Afghan Army base.


Is that what I think it is?


Yes! An Afghan florist selling Christmas Trees!
His shop is conveniently located near the Western Embassies.


My tree is a bit smaller.
Perfect fit for the wee room.

10 comments:

Joanie said...

Merry Christmas to you too! Stay safe! Love your little tree!

Simplicity said...

A very Merry Christmas to you!! Your tree is perfect! It looks like Santa already stopped by. :)

Those skies look heavy and haunting. Is it very cold there? If so, I hope you're warm. Regardless, I hope you're safe!

HUGE HOLIDAY {{HUGS}} FROM CANADA!!

Sunny said...

you've got a beautiful tree.
Merry Christmas to you!

preTzel said...

Merry, Merry Christmas J.L. I hope you stay safe, are able to connect with your family is some small way, and know that you're in my thoughts.

ssas said...

My mom says no matter where you are, no matter what your condition, you ALWAYS MUST have a Christmas Tree. So I'm relieved to see you've got one.

MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

Anonymous said...

A belated Happy Winter Solstice Ragnar, and brighter days ahead.

Charles Gramlich said...

Definitely an interesting place to spend Christmas.

Vodka Mom said...

Merry Christmas!! Hope you are safe, and that Santa brings you ALL that you wish for!!!

xoxox

laughingwolf said...

season's blessings to you and yours, bud... may you come home safely....

Barbara Martin said...

Belated Merry Christmas, J.L., but there's always the Orthodox Christmas on January 7th.

The little tree you have for Christmas is perfect, and those wrapped presents look like books!