Adam (Humanity)

The other day, I was helping my colleague, Maryam, with her English assignment. They had watched the movie "A Raisin in the Sun" and she was really curious about African Americans (or rather "African people in America") and their history. I gave her a few points to research: Jim Crow Laws, Civil Rights Movement, the standard. Now I feel the need for a new one: the 16th St Baptist church bombing. Never before have I tried to imagine it so vividly, such an innocent activity becoming associated with such violence. I am also trying to imagine it on Christmas Day, when members who might not make time throughout the year to attend, but follow the social protocol for holidays, are also present.

Today, on such a holiday, a mosque was blown up on my side of town. Filled with the faithful members as well as those who attended just for a holiday, the impact of the explosion killed or injured over 100 men, women, and children. Fatality numbers are rising, as there is a lack of medical resources available for the victims.

Mariam made the connection right away--the situation in my country and hers were not the same, but there were basic principles that were violated. She sees the discrimination between ethnic and religious lines everyday. It's this hope in humanity that will keep us going. For every person who is willing to blow himself up and kill innocent people in the name of an ideological cause, there are many more who are tired of violence and want to create a society where each group finds acceptance as members of humanity.

Qurban

When choosing your Qurban, please take color into consideration. Let's see, do I want a pink sheep or an orange sheep?

Photo courtesy Google Image. Unfortunately, I didn't have the courage to take a photo while outside (Kabul's not the best place to appear touristy!)

Eidi Mubarak!

Eidi Mubarak!

It's Eid ul-Qorban time! After some visa issues, it looks like I'll be one of a handful of foreigners staying in the city for the celebration (and bloodshed--mmm...kabob!) It looked like I was going to stay in my ghetto apartment by myself, but my boss was gracious enough to give me a key to her place, where I will have a few expat neighbors to watch movies with (and everything is working here)!

My real neighbors have been awesome, though. When they found out that I would be alone for 10 days, they were shocked! They sent kids out to welcome me home, and made several visits in the past few days. They even invited me to spend the holidays with them, but unfortunately, they are going to some places that are not so secure for foreigners.

I haven't taken many pictures, and I've had an even worse time posting them, but here are some pictures of me and my neighbors. I didn't take any of the women--maybe later ;)

Finally Posting

Due to unstable Internet connection/power, and busyness (teaching full-time), I haven't had the chance to post an update. After 2 1/2 weeks, it seems like I have been here for a long time; yet, when I try to communicate with my neighbors in Persian/Dari/Farsi (there seems to be a sociolinguistic discussion over this terminology), I know that I have not been here for long!

I did, however, survive my first "lockdown day" on Saturday. To be honest, I didn't even realize that a bomb had gone off and shook my building. A few streets over, there was a suicide attack on ISAF that killed 13 people. At the time, I was having a small crisis of my own. After an outing with a neighbor, we came back to an apt. of screaming women. My friend left immediately, as the situation seemed to be an emergency. I was left with the crying women who, like most women here, don't speak English. All I could figure out was that my neighbor's baby was involved...there had been an accident. The baby was missing, presumably taken to the hospital (which was where my friend went).

I want to remember the helplessness I felt, not being able to communicate with these women, not being able to help in any way, and only being able to give hugs as comfort. My neighbors have really taken care of me so far, inviting me over for meals, inviting me over to watch Bollywood with them, treating me as part of their family. I hope to express my appreciation for them (at a level greater than "tashakur") by speaking the local language, whatever stance on the name I choose to take. ;)

Post Script: The baby ended up being okay. He fell on his head, but was patched up and returned home later that day. Aal izz well! :)

Better to Be An American

I keep going back and forth about documenting my taxi driver conversations in Dubai. Here are some highlights:

One (of many) Pakistani driver and I decided that while the governments have a lot of problems and ill will, the people of the country should be treated separately and not as representatives of these politicians.

Afghani driver told me I should look forward to apples in Kabul, but Kandahar has the best!

Bangladeshi driver thought I was European, because "Most Americans keep talking about America, like they are relatives of Barack Obama or George Bush."

Afghani driver from the consulate was obviously trying to see if I would be interested in marrying him. I tried to steer the conversation away, and he was commenting on my Russian looks. So I decided to find out: of the superpowers that have been at war with Afghanistan, which was better. Although it was a loaded question, I found out that it is better to be an American in Afghanistan. :)

Something to take my mind off of the crazy driving habits. I commented to one driver that the driving is very hard for me to get used to. He said, "Oh, no. I heard that they drive crazy in America!"

Women's History

One of the goals of the organization I am going with is to provide opportunities for Afghan women to realize their dreams. Here's an interesting link to some Afghan women's history:

http://www.afghan-web.com/woman/afghanwomenhistory.html

Almost there

I made the man at the Afghan Embassy laugh today. An American woman without an iPhone? Thankfully, he had mercy on this American woman without access to communication and let me borrow his mobile all morning (only after 1 call, he ran out of minutes!). It's been pretty hectic trying to contact people in Kabul about visa information, worried family in America, and the friends I'm staying with, all without a mobile!

If you'd like to talk to me, wake up very early in the morning and get on Skype or Gchat! My tomorrow morning (American evening) will be filled, as the visa information came in late, so I will have to go through the whole process again tomorrow. Hopefully, there are no problems and it will be as efficient as possible.

Sans business duties, Dubai has been great. I haven't done anything "touristy" yet, but the people I have talked to have been very friendly and helpful. And while I was excited to practice Arabic, a lot of people speak English. Actually, I haven't spoken to any native Dubai residents yet--South Asians are pretty much taking over here!

Why Afghanistan?

I'm moving to Kabul in a few weeks. Right now, I'm trying to brace myself for a complete change in...just about everything.

I will be an English Trainer with an organization that I really believe in. Their approach is to connect Afghans with the resources they need to solve their problems effectively. My generation, the generation that has grown up in war, is talented, capable, and motivated, but they lack a lot of the opportunities that people in stable countries have access to. I will be working with a team of people who are connecting and preparing these people for opportunities (in education and business) which will aid them in not only stabilizing, but building their country.

Currently, the situation is not stable. In the past month, there have been more attacks in Kabul than ever (U.S. Embassy, NATO, Rabbani, a German tourist). But this insurgency is not the cry of the majority of Afghans. These events serve to weaken their spirit, their hope for change. I believe that service for the people, with no strings attached, will enable this majority to gain control to be able to dissuade the ideological warfare that permeates the region, and the financial desperation that strengthens its cause.

I don't think that I, personally, will change anything in Afghanistan. Nor do I want to. I just want to work on the side of promoting humanity, peace, and hope. I want to learn as much as possible from my co-workers, students, and the people of Afghanistan. I want to learn about human nature: the good, the bad, and the ugly.