Hey, Ladan's mom: here she is. (She's doing a great job by the way.) The scene: the fancy-dancy 5-star Serena Hotel. Amazing that such a venue exists in Kabul where the best hotel in town three years ago was a bomb-blasted Inter-Continental (not part of the chain).
Where's Waldo? Find the 5 Bpeace meetings. Hint, that's Ray in the winter Irish cap. Why? We don't know.
You'd grin ear-to-ear too if your mint water sold at twice the price of unminted brands.
Farah, Ladan, Ray, Toni, Wendy, Khatera and Marla preparing for the B2P workshop with the Associates on Saturday.
Cultural hybrid: Nasima taking her mid-morning tea break with an American Power Bar.It’s Friday in Kabul, day off for everyone—except us, a few of our Associates, Najib and his team. At one point this afternoon, five different Bpeace meetings were in progress in the gardens of the Park Palace Hotel. We learned about Afghan food processing initiatives including that Afghans will pay twice as much for a bottle of water that has mint in it, believing in its health benefits. Met a woman who has written 80 business plans in the past two years, and 100% of her clients have received bank loans. Learned of a large color offset printer who is producing slick printed calendars and brochures for Afghan businesses.
Cultural complexities—stuff you don’t think about…Yes, turns out everyone in Kabul has a leaky roof during the winter, spring and summer. Doesn’t bother them. So when the dry season comes in September is when they address the problems. That’s why the RKA shop ceiling leak didn’t seem urgent.
The long networking arm of Kate B. reached out to us at our hotel. An American walks up to us and introduces himself as a friend of Kate, and gave us reassuring advice on security. Ladan also charmed him into taking a group photo of us.
And we managed to squeeze in connections with old friends. Ladan and Khatera went to Sarah Takesh’s shop. And Masuda Sultan stopped by after dinner for a chat about her Kabul consulting business—now a year old.
Big day tomorrow: Meeting with all of our Associates to set expectations for their third year in the Bpeace program, and facilitate their formation of Business to Peace (B2P) projects.
Cultural complexities—stuff you don’t think about…Yes, turns out everyone in Kabul has a leaky roof during the winter, spring and summer. Doesn’t bother them. So when the dry season comes in September is when they address the problems. That’s why the RKA shop ceiling leak didn’t seem urgent.
The long networking arm of Kate B. reached out to us at our hotel. An American walks up to us and introduces himself as a friend of Kate, and gave us reassuring advice on security. Ladan also charmed him into taking a group photo of us.
And we managed to squeeze in connections with old friends. Ladan and Khatera went to Sarah Takesh’s shop. And Masuda Sultan stopped by after dinner for a chat about her Kabul consulting business—now a year old.
Big day tomorrow: Meeting with all of our Associates to set expectations for their third year in the Bpeace program, and facilitate their formation of Business to Peace (B2P) projects.
9 comments:
who is the woman with the mint water? did all the women from the provinces get to kabul for their interviews? have you met the honey lady, yet? details, details--you all look great and cheery--XXL
Hi Everyone:
Believe it or not, seeing the pictures of the Serena makes me pine to be there. A veritable Shangri-la!!!!
Hey, if people will pay $4 for a cup of coffee at Starbucks, why should we be surprised that they will pay more for mint water???
I like the hat Ray, you look dashing!!!
Keep up the awesome work everyone, sending you thoughts of joy, energy and happiness! Be safe.
Steve
Hello everyone,
You all look marvelous and, though I'm sure you might feel a "little" fatigued, you must feel marvelous,
too, because of all the great work you are doing.
It's heartwarming and encouraging to read your blog posts and they always make me smile. I have sent the link to my auction donors, family and friends.
Speaking of the auctions...I'll take advantage of this opportunity to put in a request...
if anyone sees a fabulous item she or he thinks will entice our bidders, and you would like to donate it, please bring it back!
A million thanks for everything you are doing. --Sandi
P.S. I agree with Steve, Ray looks (extra) dashing in his cap!
We're in awe and enjoying your blog. Wishing all of you much success and safe travels.
I recognize the lady with the mint water. She is on the AWBF board! She offered us some water when we met her. She's a great marketer!
I'm so curious about the B2P experience with the Grove materials.
I'm in Hawaii...and still I'm following your trip with great interest.
Love to all of you.
Athena
Wow! Kabul never looks the way I think it would look. Great pictures and lots of accomplishments. Ray, love the distinguished looking cap. All the smiles convey the mood and hope. loretta
it's a rainy yucky sunday...keep looking at the blog hoping to be cheered up with news from sunny kabul! love to all XXL
Glad to hear of your work and adventures so far. Love the photos. You all look happy. Keep smilin'. Sending good thoughts.
Stay safe.
Sherry
I think it's cool the way you operate...whether it's in Kabul or in midtown, the Bpeace group looks at home in the world! The happy smiles tell me how much the visit means to our associates. The admiration and validation is a huge payoff. Sending regards and love (and thank heavens I'm back on the blog), Ellen Lubin-Sherman
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