this weekend has been tough, with the indian embassy bombing (right near a friend's office), 3 westerners being kidnapped yesterday in downtown kabul, + today, with a water main (if i'm optimistic)/sewer line (more likely) bursting on the main road leading to our house. the whole street is flooded, traffic is backed up for miles, chaos!
i was supposed to be out shopping for presents for all my little darlings back home this afternoon, but the scene outdoors is not good, so at home i will happily remain.
yesterday, we took a day trip to a lovely village called istalif, known for its ceramics. it was a v. peaceful + beautiful place. we picnicked + bought pottery while our guards tried on hats + rode horses!
i haven't any further infos on the kidnapping yesterday, but it doesn't sound good. 3 westerners (and i thought our security head said american women, but i'm trying to confirm this) were taken from a popular part of downtown kabul after their guard was "disabled." there have been no news reports + we haven't even had a proper security briefing as yet. when i asked our drivers this morning, they knew nothing, which is not particularly comforting.
so, it is clear that we have to be careful. i had been over the moon about a planned trip to bamiyan and band-i-amir this coming week, but it looks like that probably will not happen, for several reasons. perhaps it is for the best, as i have so little time left in kabul that i should probably remain ensconced here.
it is so v. nice to get out, though!
n.b.: for those who know the back-story, the gentleman on the right in the hat photo is the escort, karim.
ReplyDeleten.b. 2: security now claims that the kidnapping story had no merit . . . it is unclear what is really going on there, v. confusing.
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