I'm back...

and now what?
Stay tuned.

last day in Afghanistan

May 31, 2010. Flight to Dubai at 4:30PM, and then at 6:30 14 long long hours to Atlanta and finally to Charleston - and my son - by 9:30 the next morning.

Here are a few shots on my way to school for the final 'dumping' of assets - cell phone and laptop. And on to the airport.

The guesthouse and the the magnificant roses. And the guard shack.

Garbage collection by goat in our 'neighborhood.'
Recyling.Girls in their school uniforms.


The old and the new.

Sometimes it was hard to tell if a building was coming down or going up.

Street sweeping - a hopeless task in dusty Kabul.
A burka-clad woman searching.
Here's a modern young lady with new hat. Her brother looks on - aghast.
Here's the wondrous horse (and cart) that met us most days as we pulled into school. We all knew the horse hated the outfit. He was a stalwart soul.

Two of the security staff cleaning a rug - supposedly. They spray it with water and then 'barefoot' it to get the dirt loose and then spray again. Looked like fun.

The gym at school.

On to the airport.

Outside a mosque.



And, I'm gone. What a ride!

Two days to departure

Some more streets scenes.

Heads of some beastie for sale.

Local tailor.

Bombed out building.

what will they tell their children

What will this dad tell his little girl about her place in Afghan society. Will he encourage her to pursue her dreams or will he buy her first burqa. Will he tell her that a man may cherish her one day or own her.

How about Granddad? What will he say to his granddaughter?Then the young boys...

Following in the footsteps of dad?

What will the boys be told?

Article 22 of the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan:

"Any kind of discrimination and distinction between citizens of Afghanistan shall be forbidden. The citizens of Afghanistan, man and woman, have equal rights and duties before the law."

Kabuli mosques