Letter from India

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Friday, May 12, 2006

Falling in Love

Three days ago, walking down the street I live on, I realised I had fallen in love. With Afghanistan. I love the street I live on. It's my third month in Kabul and I know all the shop keepers and most residents on the street. No matter how much of hurry I am in, I stop and say Salaam to them all.... Sign in to see full entry.

Tuesday, May 9, 2006

Zamestan, Bahar and Tabestan

I came to Kabul in the season of zamestan (winter), eagerly awaited bahar (spring) and am now complaining about tabestan (summer). And, in this time, Kabul moved from brown to green. The winter, with its clear blue skies, snow capped mountains in the distance, bright sun, and stark trees and bushes... Sign in to see full entry.

Friday, May 5, 2006

Building Youth Leadership

It's Thursday, May 4, 9am. Forty young women and men between the ages of 16-31 are gathered in a first floor down town hotel meeting room in Kabul. They are students, lawyers, medical doctors, teachers, researchers, administrators, members of political parties, journalists, and radio and TV... Sign in to see full entry.

Saturday, April 29, 2006

Picnic in Shamali Valley

Shamali is north in Dari, one of the official languages spoken of Afghanistan. On Fridays, the national holiday in Afghanistan, most devout Muslims go the mosque, have a family lunch, and visit friends and family. Many picnic. Last Friday, I was part of a picnic party in the Shamali Valley, where... Sign in to see full entry.

Thursday, April 27, 2006

Brunch at the Kabul Serena

For Kabulites, and those that can afford it, Friday brunch at the five-star Kabul Serena Hotel, is the thing. I got there at 11.30, as that's when my group was gathering. It was a kind of farewell for one of the women who was leaving Afghanistan, after having served six months as part of the US... Sign in to see full entry.

Tuesday, April 18, 2006

A Single Life

When I came to Afghanistan in 2004, I stayed in a 'guest house' where women and men from many parts of the world shared a home. In effect, we all became single. Married or in relationships, Afghanistan is a non-family station. So families are not allowed. Even if spouses and children were allowed,... Sign in to see full entry.

Thursday, April 13, 2006

Gender Training of Afghani Journalists

I came to Afghanistan primarily as a gender trainer for a local NGO working with radio journalists. I was hired for three months (March-May) and my task was to conduct four two-week courses with about 12 trainees in eah class. I also had to train a peson to carry on the sessions as well as write a... Sign in to see full entry.

Sunday, March 19, 2006

Daily life in Kabul

While the local and international news media focus on the security and violence in the country, for most people in Kabul, life goes on. From the breadbakers who produce the delicious nan, shaped like a very large flattened egg or a flat circular crater with pits, to the vendors selling chewing gum... Sign in to see full entry.

About this Blog

I started this blog in mid-March 2006 when I moved to Kabul, Afghanistan, for a four-month assignment. In mid-July I moved back to India, and am continuing the blog.

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