Somebody call George Clooney’s lawyer.
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“Your government say they came here to help. So why are they killing civilians?” — Try answering that question while a couple of Pashtun guys stare at you.
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Mark Splinter In Kabul - photo by David Gill
I live in the middle of this photo.
I told you the kids were normally friendly. They also throw rocks at dogs and shout “donkeyf**ker” in Dari, but still.
Earlier I reported that I haven’t seen one argument in the street. Some people here told me that they have seen plenty, and today I saw my first. Two guys were shouting over some object, and they were instantly surrounded by about 40 onlookers. I didn’t see them fight and it calmed down pretty quickly. FYI.
You are not allowed to leave Afghanistan without one of these. I might have to get three.
Weaving above a scarf shop. The manager and I haggled in fluent french. Well… he spoke fluent french and I mostly said “Je connais, la qualite c’est superbe, mais c’est trop cher”.
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Anonymous asked: Evidently (as a foreigner) you are taking in all the sights and sounds of Kabul, but how much do you feel like you are being observed by the locals? Are you highly conscious of being a westerner?
Sometimes I am totally ignored. Sometimes I get a non-threatening quizzical look, especially if I have a massive camera on my shoulder or my audio recorder out. Rarely I hear something that’s probably a gentle insult behind my back. Most of the kids, market traders and security guards say “How are you” and are very warm and friendly, and not just because they want to sell something.
I am highly conscious of being a westerner, but it’s probably a lot of paranoia. I try to be respectful and calm, like the locals are. I haven’t seen one argument in the street and to be honest I would be more scared walking around Camberwell at night.