Friday, August 14, 2009

The Faces of Kabul

First, let me thank all of you who've stopped by while I've been "silent" and inquired about my well-being. Doing fine, but I needed a break. I went home on leave where I thought I'd have more time to blog...NOT! My last day at home I hauled 6.5 tons of mulch, but I left it to my dear wife to spread.

While there I did all my medical checkups. When next I return in December, I've got knee surgery scheduled...on Pearl Harbor Day.

As you may notice, I'm in Afghanistan past the one year mark. Right now it looks like I'll be here until the end of April 2010 or beginning of May 2010.

Weather here has been much milder than in many years. There is still snow on the peaks west of town. We hit 99°F yesterday, but for the most part the temps have stayed around the mid-90's for the hottest part of the year. We still have not broken 100°F for the year in Kabul.

We're expecting next week to get a little more dicey with the election. So far the town is quiet, but we doubt the bad guys are going to let the elections go unchallenged. They've certainly made their hostile intentions well-known.

Today I'm just posting a bunch of pictures I'm simply calling "The Faces of Kabul." Some you have seen before, but since they are among my favorites there here again.


You frequently see men and women with their scarf or burqha clenched in their teeth.


Old man begging in the middle of the road.


Ladies out shopping.


Telling a story.


Baker done for the day.


Another very talented woman.


Are you talking to me?


Yep, something stinky nearby.


Six Pashtun men.


Day laborers waiting for jobs.


Pashtun goat herder.


What's this? Boys, talking to girls! In public!


Walking home from the bus stop.


Begger boy.


Ok, there's a little bit of a story to this one.
The hottie on the left is my "girl friend" (it's a joke with my driver).
She frequently flashes me -- drops her veil and smiles when we see each other.
I almost caught her here.


For the guys, note the sexy eyes on the one in the pink shawl.
It's incredible how sexy a woman can look without revealing much.


Homeless old man.


Same little guy from the earlier picture, different day.


Woman begging in the middle of the street.


Crossing Guard.


School Girls.


Cool hippie dude. Note the shades.


Old woman begging.


Fashionably pink.


Blind man eating outside a mosque.