On the way to Mazar-e-Sharif

Characteristically decorated Pakistani truck on road to Mazar

A funny thing happened on the way to Mazar-e-Sharif last week: We missed the plane. It wasn't our fault - we were misinformed about the reporting time (domestic Afghan flight times are never announced until the day before ... but that's tricky if on that day the office closes due to the start of Ramadan) and so we drove instead. I've already shown one picture from that expedition and here are some more.



Over a hundred people died during flooding in this village a few months ago. Note the washed away restaurant at right.



The Halo Trust remains visible in Afghanistan as it tackles the immense task of clearing landmines and UXO.



President Hamid Karzai is popular in most of the parts of Afghanistan I'll be working in. Less so in the Taliban controlled areas...



Northern mouth of the 2.6km Salang Tunnel at 3,400m altitude.






Nomadic Kuchi caravan






Roadside baker's shop. Shopkeepers are very often children and while I wish they were in school they are perfectly able business people.



The white tick mark on the shop wall indicates that the structure has been cleared or found clear of landmines.



Roadside grave



When this power line is finished in 2008 it will bring the first reliable power from Tajikistan to Kabul and much of Afghanistan.

Mazar Doves

The answer to my recent picture quiz is that the feature is a snowshed (in Afghanistan called a 'galery') leading towards the Salang Tunnel between Kabul and Pole-Khumri. Congratulations to Sue for identifying it.


Doves in Mazar-e-Sharif

More Mazar photos coming soon...

What is this feature?

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Answer to be posted soon, and recognition to any reader who correctly identifies will be displayed on this esteemed site! [Update: we have a winner!]

[Note to regular readers: I have added a photo and some remarks about the Fortingall Yew to my recent post about Scotland].

Herat

I got back yesterday from a quick trip to Herat in western Afghanistan.

The work involved meeting progressive Islamic leaders (I'm already calling them PILs) who we hope will support our project called ASPIRE, which I'll write about another day.

The rest of the time was spent visiting the remarkable Herat Mosque and the future museum. (It's all to do with who you know...)



Helicopter gunship at the Herat Museum



Colleague Hanif in the Herat Museum beside diaroma-in-progress



Herat glass blower. We were told he is the only person in Afghanistan who knows how to make the traditional blue bubbly Herat glasswhere (which I like and will buy). I suspect rather that he was the only one who knew how in that shop (while the other fellow was on tea break).



I like a lot of Islamic architecture and I really liked the Herat Mosque. While I was there the lottery for places in the next Haj was going on. Hopeful pilgrims were waiting for their name to be pulled out of the rotating drum. Herat's quota is 1,500 devotees.




Entrance to Herat Mosque. Like very many other Afghans I've met, this laddie has a [select one or more from: sister / brother / niece / nephew / aunt / uncle] in Toronto.



Herat Mosque



Herat Mosque




Herat Mosque - hopeful pilgrims monitor Haj lottery procedure.




Colleague Seraj in Herat Mosque