Kabul - The Capital City

Women in chadrei walking outside the emergency room at Jambouriat Hospital in Kabul.

Woman wearing a head scarf shops with a man in the market in Kabul.

Kabul Afghanistan fruit market Emmalee Tarry

Harvest is the time to visit an underdeveloped country. Afghanistan is known for its fine melons. Tourists must beware of eating fresh fruits and vegetables as they have been washed in the juie or open ditch that runs through the city. The water is used for drinking and washing. We ate only in the CARE MEDICO guest house or in the better restaurants of the city. None of my family got sick. Fifty percent of Afghan children die before they reach 5 years of age because of the lack of clean drinking water. The rest develop resistance to the germs.

Kabul Afghanistan - vendors Photo: Emmalee Tarry

A busy Kabul street. Notice the cars mostly German and Russian. Pedestrians better watch out as Afghan drivers seemed to just honk the horn and charge ahead. Traffic control was provided by soldier in uniform. Despite all the animals, the streets were relatively clean. Women do not loiter in the streets or work in the shops. We saw few women even shopping in the bazaar. Most women are outside only going to and from work or accompanied by men or boys. I respected the wishes of Moslem women not be photographed.

This basketmaker's shop is a street corner. At night he packs up his wares and takes them home. Notice the Coca-Cola bottles to the right.

One of these men probably second from left is the shopkeeper. The others most likely relatives are just hanging out. Unemployment is high in Kabul. Used clothing from NY explains the western coats on these men. The man on the right is wearing glasses an unusual sight in this poor country.

This young man is wearing an American T-shirt with a picture of Mohammedan Ali "World Champion". I asked through a translator if he knew the man in the picture and he replied that he did not. Sorry champ. Used clothing from NY is sold in Afghanistan and it is cheaper than the traditional Afghan clothing. The man with his hand to his head is wearing a typical Afghan long cotton shirt outside baggy cotton pants. The other two men both wear western suit coats. Photo taken in the bazaar. The stall to the right sells dates and nuts.