Afghanistan: First Impressions

It's so normal.

Even on the plane it seemed so - normal. I guess I don't know what I really expected. Maybe a ton of security and guns everywhere and shady looking characters. I guess I thought that it would be scary and dark and grim, unsmiling people and unfriendly glares. But all I have encountered thus far are delightful, clever and friendly people who constantly reach out and smile. Afghanistan may well be back on its way to the modernity it enjoyed before the Taliban. The streets are remiscent of pakistan - on the way to work today there was a traffic jam...caused by goats. Giant billboards advertising 'whitening face cream,' politicians, and cell phone companies overshadow the few signs dedicated to reminding people to report suspicious behaviour. The traffic has a sort of organized chaos to it - a river of bicycles, donkeys and minivans are herded along by whistling policemen and roundabouts.

On the way out of the airport barbed wire lined the nearby military bases and giant road blocks made the drive feel like a G2 road test (so some of you would not have been able to make it). The drive to Roshan Village (RV) was smooth and my host was delightful, sharing stories of his family and friends and, of course, asking if I knew so-and-so in Canada.

I swung by the Roshan Clinic - a modern clinic with plenty of facilities - and met my sister!