Marla and Toni display their inate fashion sense with scarves.
Ladan purchasing up a storm at Bakhtnazira's shop.It's taken a few hours to get this blog up, and we finally had to email Kate B. back in the US to help put the photos up.
The Bpeace 7th Mission Team: Farah, Khatera, Ladan, Marla, Ray, Wendy and Toni assembled in Kabul. What did we find? Kabul is quiet. Or so it seemed today.
Those of us used to the bedlam of the Kabul airport were treated to a quiet scene. Our flight was full with 200, mostly non-Afghan men, on their way to some assignment or other in Afghanistan. But grabbing our baggage, usually a tustle with handlers wanting to “help” proved to be no problem. We calmly walked out of the terminal into the sun with Najib and Laila greeting us with big smiles all around.
The drive from the airport was on a new road, with barely any traffic. We remembered the scene two years ago when we were stuck for an hour on a quarter-mile patch.
New construction was still on every street corner, but fewer people seemed to be on the streets. Laila said it was because everyone was at work.
Khatera, an Afghan American who fled the country more than 25 years ago, basked in the Afghan hospitality, grateful to find it the same here as in her family’s home in California.. Ladan whose parents are from Iran, was surprised that she felt so at ease and at home here as well.
Those of us used to the bedlam of the Kabul airport were treated to a quiet scene. Our flight was full with 200, mostly non-Afghan men, on their way to some assignment or other in Afghanistan. But grabbing our baggage, usually a tustle with handlers wanting to “help” proved to be no problem. We calmly walked out of the terminal into the sun with Najib and Laila greeting us with big smiles all around.
The drive from the airport was on a new road, with barely any traffic. We remembered the scene two years ago when we were stuck for an hour on a quarter-mile patch.
New construction was still on every street corner, but fewer people seemed to be on the streets. Laila said it was because everyone was at work.
Khatera, an Afghan American who fled the country more than 25 years ago, basked in the Afghan hospitality, grateful to find it the same here as in her family’s home in California.. Ladan whose parents are from Iran, was surprised that she felt so at ease and at home here as well.
After unpacking at our hotel, we talked security strategy over lunch. We always feel comfortable under Najib's guidance and with maps in hand, we were able to see how tightly networked our movements around Kabul will be.
Tired or not from a 4:30 AM wake-up call, we still made it a point to visit the Rangeen Kaman Artisans store, the joint venture owned by 11 of our Afghan Associates. Wendy had spent the morning there dealing with a leaky roof. We spent an hour or two there trying to plug leaks in Ladan and Khatera's wallets as they delightfully shopped.
Around the corner, we also visited BN's shop, where Ladan and Khatera also found new accessories they just had to have.
We all did our part today to help infuse the Afghan economy with some juice. Tomorrow we put our brains to work.
2 comments:
I'll only ask once: Please can I use this one on the "About Us" page on the website?
Good to see you in Kabul and in high spirits! Can't wait to read about your day.
Emily
Wow! You are all there. How exciting! I love seeing you in the RKA store. When we were there in December it was like one of those re-decorating shows on TV. First it was just an empty space with bad paint and no light or heat.Then the amazing team of Pam, Steve, Kate, our associates and hand-picked painters, carpenters, and cleaners it was transformed into a chic Afghan-soul boutique.
Now you are shopping there!
I'm looking forward hearing about your adventures over the next several days. And remember to take time to contribute to the local economy by shopping. It's your duty!
Thanks for being there and doing the important work you do. You are building bridges of peace.
Love,
Athena
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