Afghan wildlife refuge: no hand grenade fishing

by Tom Johansmeyer on

Afghanistan is going green. The war-torn country has declared Band-e-Amir its first conservation area. While it may be premature to book your trip to this spectacle, at least there’s hope that you’ll get to enjoy it someday.

Band-e-Amir, like the rest of Afghanistan, has had a rough run over the past 30 years. Let’s face it: that’s how long the country’s been engaged in one war or another. The region’s snow leopards fell victim to the conflict between Soviet troops and mujahideen in the 1980s. Of course, the great Buddha statues were destroyed by the Taliban in 2001.

The fighting is reportedly in other parts of the country, these days, which the locals will attract foreign visitors. The lakes are the major draw, assuming you’re willing to subject yourself to a brutal daylong drive from Kabul. The destination may be billed as safe, but the journey certainly isn’t. Head into Afghanistan at your own risk.

For now, local merchants have their fingers crossed for Afghan tourists. Westerners, one would assume, would come much later.

If you do throw caution to the wind, be sure to follow the rules. Fishing with hand grenades is no longer allowed.
Among the local practices that are now banned: no more fishing with hand grenades. If you role the dice, don’t worry. The rangers tasked with enforcement are paid less than $60 a month and can be on duty for up to 24 hours at a time.

A dozen lucky people are going to Afghanistan!

by Tom Johansmeyer on

Bored with the usual travel fare? Get in touch with Poland-based Logos Travel, and you could find yourself in Afghanistan for two weeks. All 12 spots have been purchased – at prices of up to $3,700 each. Poland’s Foreign Ministry doesn’t think this is a bright idea, though, and issued a travel warning … as if one were necessary.

In case you didn’t know, people are fighting over there. With guns and bombs and grenades and everything else they can find. In fact, a shipment of cigars for U.S. soldiers serving in Afghanistan was delayed because of the intensity of the fighting.

Currently, 1,600 Polish troops are among the NATO forces fighting the Taliban in Afghanistan.

According to Marek Sliwka, owner of Logos Travel, security measures are being taken, including armed guards. The trip starts on May 2, but it could be scrapped if the fighting becomes too intense. Stops include Kabul, Herat, and the site of the two giant Buddha statues that were destroyed at the turn of the century. The Tora Bora caves were once considered a possibility, but this was cut from the itinerary for safety reasons.

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Afghan Women Get an American Makeover

by Iva Skoch on

Talk about different cultures! A few days ago, a watched a really interesting documentary film set in Afghanistan: The Beauty Academy of Kabul. Well-worth seeing.

A group of American hairdressers and three returning Afghan-expats open up a beauty school in Kabul with the intention of teaching the oppressed Afghan women how to do their hair and make up, all smack in the middle of the pile of rubble Kabul has become in the last twenty years. It is inspiring to see how these women make the best of very little – they are incredibly poor, have no rights, are controlled by their husbands…yet somehow they look happy. Go figure.

The one aspect that I found immensely entertaining, if not embarrassing, was the American stylists (God bless their good intentions) teaching those women how to deal with difficult situations: ‘Before you walk into your home, knowing your husband will beat you, take a deep breath. Meditate!’

Or how about this one: “If you are sleeping more than 12 hours a day, you should talk to a professional. You might be depressed.”

Afghan women obviously have difficult lives and deal with much different stresses than we in the West. But casually suggesting they should seek out a psychiatrist for stress? In Kabul? Perspective, anyone?