My first post in Kabul, Afghanistan- WOWee just about sums it up. I am very lucky to be being hosted by the very generous and loving Zahra and Khalid in their home in Kabul.
The title refers to a response in Farsi to compliments, and people say the above to indicate that they see beauty because they are beauty. Nice, its a beautiful language- and we are slowly picking bits up, for example' Khoob asti?', a question which works from the default setting of being/ feeling good.
We arrived late this morning from Dubai to be welcomed by the passport control and told that the world thinks that Afghanistan is a dangerous place, but we will see that it is not...' translated by the gorgeous Zahra of course who doesn't leave our sides. It is minus degrees here but it doesn't feel it, as it is a dry cold, which reminds me of Ladakh, similarly the high altitude affects the sensory experience of the climate. The sun shines strongly in the day though, and we were surprised to see that the temperature was only five degrees when it seemed warm.
Beautiful moments are in abundance, in particular when ones' expectations do not correspond. The police in Kabul are very friendly, and happily let us through a check point to take photographs of a frozen lake, and of them beneath a sign for the only golf course in the whole of Afg which proudly denotes 'Kabul Golf Course'. Apparently the polce are less friendly outside of Kabul, but here they seem jolly and friendly. A nice surprise indeed.
Zahra has a naughty Alsation puppy 'Abrash' who keeps us entertained, and a lovely team of folk who live and work in her house.
I have an Afghan sim now, but not sure of the number, so if you want to contact me send me a email.
Feeling very tired, its been a busy few days, from London to Dubai, to Kabul......All in three days.
I will write about my Dubai exp later.
Feeling fine here in Afg, please be reassured that I am in safe hands, and in a fantastic position to see a mysterious country from the inside.
