Now that the war is over, I'm thinking of taking the family to Kabul for the Fall school break. I'd like to get a jump on all the American tourists that will surely be rushing to get there next year (Think Prague early 90s).

Logistics:

Flights look pretty good. Turkish Airlines seems to be the best way from ZRH but am open to alternatives.

Lodging: airbnb seems to have many good options for self catering. Any opions on the Shahre Naow neighborhood?

Dining/shopping: Would be interested in restaurant and butcher recommendations.

Driving/Transportation: I imagine that we'll just uber around the city. Might rent a car for some excursions into the countryside. Maybe better to hire a driver?

COVID: We'll be fully vaccinated. If we have to quarantine, a list of best restaurants that offer delivery would be appreciated.

Must-sees: Would love to hear suggestions for places/neighborhoods to visit. I'll be checking out tripadvisor soon but any personal tips would be great.

Buzkashi: My daughter would be keen on participating in this. Where might we find a pickup game?

Thanks in advance for your advice.

The British have left behind many translators, it seems. They should be a great help to you…

Please come back with a list of the best local artisanal distilleries!

Love it

Hellish living conditions are the new Kabul reality.
By Tori Richards, Sun August 29 2021, Washington Examiner
After reading this you might want to reconsider.!

Sure.

Have a bit of decency and show some empathy with those caught in the middle of this crisis. If you can't manage that, best say nothing.

I think it's a decent idea to go there and to spend money to fund recovery of the economy.

The crisis was created by Americans and British, I don't see you addressing them for some reason.

I have no interest in living there; just holiday for a few weeks. Thanks for the article though. It sounds like the new government has a good plan with dealing with petty crime that has plagued the city in recent years. It also sounds like the night time power conservation measures will be a benefit to stargazing. Looking forward to it.

It must not be so bad, and you will find some pals

I wonder how many are there to help family, and how many are there to help the Talibans.

But that would mean that many are left behind not willingly!
Shocking.

Related side question: Is going "brown face" considered non-PC in Afghanistan? Don't want to offend. Working on what clothing to pack. Also, I won't have enough time to grow out my beard so I may need to fake it a bit.

By the way, which instagram account you'll use to publish the memories and impressions of your trip?

@moderndaymissionaries

'cause they won't live to tell the story?

You can always decide to switch gender. A burka may help hide your weak spots, you may want to take one along.



PS
Is that picture from Team America? Perfect match!

Good advice.


Yep. I'm planning on watching it again to brush up on my jihadi speaking skills. Derka derka.

Perhaps spare Paris this time, they're still busy rebuilding Nôtre-Dame.

Don’t worry, I am sure they planned with uttermost respect for the current pandemic situation, leaving behind only the novax people: handicapped, pregnant women, minors … all the people that the new government already said will peacefully take care of.

I thought that was a strong spot

The cynicism aside, Afghanistan is a beautiful country, the Hindukush is mesmerizingly stunning.

Never been there, just have memories of the 8mm films our Chemistry teacher showed us, from the 70s.
Absolutely breathtaking.

If the Taliban don’t mess it up this time, there’s actually a chance of tourism happening again.

Pro tip: book through a Chinese operator. They‘re not going to bite the hand that feeds them, this time, hopefully.