Just like the just lately posted entry on birding Kabul, this isn’t actually a lot of a birding publish – it options simply two or three actually dangerous (= taken with a cell phone; = I do not likely need these pictures to be related to me as a chicken photographer in any respect dangerous) pictures. So, be ready to take a look at a number of terrible chicken pictures and fairly a number of considerably higher (however nonetheless taken with a cell phone) pictures of Afghanistan, and a little bit of covert promoting on the finish – or skip studying this publish altogether.
So, whenever you do NGO work in Kabul, it appears your Afghan hosts are at all times eager on displaying you a few of the good facets of a rustic with its justifiable share of not-so-good sides. In my case, this meant a visit from Kabul virtually to Jalalabad on a Friday (not the “Friday I’m in love” of The Remedy however the Muslim weekend Friday, so no option to do NGO work anyway).
So that they did (you will note a photograph of them later).
Leaving Kabul and stopping for some snacks and fruit on the way in which.
Kabul is at a better elevation than Jalalabad, so that you mainly go downhill on a regular basis (by the way, the story of my life as nicely, if dangerous jokes are acceptable in a relatively severe publish).
At times, you drive throughout reminders that this was mainly a conflict zone not a very long time in the past.
For some motive, my hosts determined that the automobile wanted to be washed. As in Shanghai I by no means wash my very own automobile (and it will get fairly soiled throughout birding journeys), this was a bit puzzling to me. Perhaps hospitality going into some sort of deranged overdrive – “we don’t want our visitor to be pushed round in a unclean automobile?”
The view down from the carwash web site.
Apparently, the indicators on this automobile point out that the particular person within the automobile has simply returned from Mekka – which permits the native youngsters to harass the passenger for sweets.
Different transportation choices would have included touring on a truck like this one.
As I stated, the street largely goes downhill …
… however not each automobile or truck has adequate brakes to remain on the street throughout this journey.
A bit decrease, the panorama has a definite desert feeling to it …
… interrupted solely by the areas very near the Kabul river.
One of many sights is an previous Russian tank. Now, I usually don’t take pictures of tanks (I did do different service in Germany moderately than serve the obligatory time within the military), however I made an exception for this one.
Then, lunch break close to the river with my hosts.
And eventually some birds: White-capped Redstart …
… and Frequent Kingfisher.
Right here, the river is kind of serene …
… so my companions took a relaxation whereas I appeared for birds and cursed myself for not having a correct digicam. I assume it is a raptor, however no clue which one.
On the way in which again to Kabul, we stopped at a mosque …
… in order that my companions might pray and I might take some extra pictures …
… not solely of the spectacular panorama but in addition of some goats (which then made me the focus of the locals) …
… and purchase drinks on the roadside retailer.
Then, we arrived again on the outskirts of Kabul.
On the finish of this publish, once more some background of what my Afghan buddies are doing in Kabul and the way you may be capable of assist them.
We’re presently specializing in two areas – one is getting some mineralogy/geology labs to work once more in order that Afghanistan can get extra worth out of its wealthy assets, and thus create extra jobs for the individuals. Anybody with information of the gear on this space and an curiosity in serving to may be very welcome to contact me.
The second, much more urgent space is feminine schooling. We are going to set up a collection of on-line workshops, trainings, and seminars for younger ladies. The subjects for these could cowl a variety however will usually deal with the event of important expertise to empower these ladies. In case you are all in favour of being a part of this and are keen to share your information with Afghan ladies from numerous backgrounds, please contact me at kai.pflug at gmail.com (see additionally the contact web page of this web site). I will probably be very blissful to supply extra particulars.