Just like the lately posted access on birding Kabul, this isn’t truly a lot of a birding submit – it options simply two or 3 truly unhealthy (= thinking about a cell phone; = I don’t truly need those pictures to be related to me as a chicken photographer in any respect unhealthy) pictures. So, be ready to take a look at a couple of terrible chicken pictures and somewhat a couple of slightly higher (however nonetheless thinking about a cell phone) pictures of Afghanistan, and a bit of of covert promoting on the finish – or skip studying this submit altogether.
So, whilst you do NGO paintings in Kabul, it kind of feels your Afghan hosts are all the time excited by appearing you one of the most nice sides of a rustic with its fair proportion of not-so-good aspects. In my case, this intended a go back and forth from Kabul nearly to Jalalabad on a Friday (no longer the “Friday I’m in love” of The Treatment however the Muslim weekend Friday, so no option to do NGO paintings anyway).
In order that they did (you’re going to see a photograph of them later).
Leaving Kabul and preventing for some snacks and fruit at the method.
Kabul is at the next elevation than Jalalabad, so that you principally pass downhill always (by the way, the tale of my existence as neatly, if unhealthy jokes are suitable in a relatively critical submit).
At times, you force throughout reminders that this was once principally a battle zone no longer a very long time in the past.
For some explanation why, my hosts determined that the auto had to be washed. As in Shanghai I by no means wash my very own automotive (and it will get beautiful grimy right through birding journeys), this was once a bit of puzzling to me. Perhaps hospitality going into some roughly deranged overdrive – “we don’t need our visitor to be pushed round in a grimy automotive?”
The view down from the carwash web page.
It appears, the indicators in this automotive point out that the individual within the automotive has simply returned from Mekka – which permits the native youngsters to annoy the passenger for chocolates.
Selection transportation choices would have incorporated touring on a truck like this one.
As I stated, the street most commonly is going downhill …
… however no longer each automotive or truck has nice sufficient brakes to stick at the highway right through this adventure.
A little bit decrease, the panorama has a definite desolate tract feeling to it …
… interrupted best by way of the spaces very with reference to the Kabul river.
Some of the attractions is an previous Russian tank. Now, I usually don’t take pictures of tanks (I did do choice carrier in Germany quite than serve the necessary time within the military), however I made an exception for this one.
Then, lunch smash close to the river with my hosts.
And in any case some birds: White-capped Redstart …
… and Not unusual Kingfisher.
Right here, the river is somewhat serene …
… so my partners took a relaxation whilst I appeared for birds and cursed myself for no longer having a right kind digicam. I suppose it is a raptor, however no clue which one.
At the as far back as Kabul, we stopped at a mosque …
… in order that my partners may just pray and I may just take some extra pictures …
… no longer best of the spectacular panorama but in addition of a few goats (which then made me the focal point of the locals) …
… and purchase beverages on the roadside retailer.
Then, we arrived again on the outskirts of Kabul.
On the finish of this submit, once more some background of what my Afghan buddies are doing in Kabul and the way you could possibly give a boost to them.
We’re recently specializing in two spaces – one is getting some mineralogy/geology labs to paintings once more in order that Afghanistan can get extra worth out of its wealthy assets, and thus create extra jobs for the folks. Any person with wisdom of the apparatus on this space and an passion in serving to may be very welcome to touch me.
The second one, much more urgent space is feminine schooling. We will be able to determine a chain of on-line workshops, trainings, and seminars for younger ladies. The themes for those would possibly quilt a variety however will typically focal point at the building of vital talents to empower those girls. If you have an interest in being a part of this and are prepared to percentage your wisdom with Afghan girls from numerous backgrounds, please touch me at kai.pflug at gmail.com (see additionally the touch web page of this web site). I will be able to be more than happy to offer extra main points.