THE AFGHAN SERIES, DAY 3
KABUL
Crazy friday flag with Afghan locals. Before arriving into Kabul I still had one obstacle to overcome…flying on one of the world’s most dangerous airlines.
THIS PLACE SELLS HENIZ BEANS AND HP SAUCE?!!
Kam Air has been known to cut a few corners in their time, so much so that the EU has banned them from their airspace since 2011.
WHERE IS KABUL?
Kabul
KABUL AIRPORT
After a relatively boring and safe flight I arrived in Kabul airport and although I didn’t have a window seat got my first glimpse of what the US had left behind. Just in those few seconds of transiting the runway I would estimate I seen over $1Billion of military gear from airplanes to helicopters and hangers.
Crazy friday flag with Afghan locals
DAILY INFO….
- FLIGHTS – Dubai – Kabul
- MILES COVERED – 1,046 miles
- HOTEL – Serena Hotel Kabul ($180/night 8.5/10)
- RESTOS –
Lunch – Jumeriah 8/10
Dinner – Palace of Taste - FOOD – Qabili (An Afghan staple)
- ATTRACTIONS –
Tailor
Shah doshamshera
ABC
Kabul flag
Bibi mrahu - STEPS – 15,800, 14,800
AFGHANISTANS MOST EXPENSIVE HOTEL
Just a few hours earlier I was in the cheapest and worst reviewed hotel in Dubai but now I wanted to see the other extreme, Afghanistan’s most expensive hotel.
At first glance it was the security that I was shocked at, it was like something out of a movie. There were 3 vehicle checkpoints and then an additional section for the passengers. After confirming your name, having the underside of your car inspected then given the once over by a sniffer dog we made our way through some of the thickest doors in the country to a body and bag search.
Crazy friday flag with Afghan locals
Government Travel Advice
ABOUT THE COUNTRY….
- LANGUAGE – Dari and Pashto
- HELLO – “Salam alaikum” (Peace be upon you)
- HOW TO CHEERS – “Kha sehat walary”
- BEVERAGE OF CHOICE – Tea
- POPULAR SPORT – Cricket
- STAPLE DIET – Rice
SERENA KABUL HOTEL
After getting through the last of the security I walked into the courtyard of the hotel and it looked incredible, an oasis in the middle of the Kabul chaos outside. With a swimming pool, snooker table, spa, sauna and cafe the hotel had all the facilities necessary for the many tourists and NGOs who stay here and at $180 the value was pretty decent, the security alone was worth it.
Crazy friday flag with Afghan locals
FLAG….
- THE NATIONAL EMBLEM – Features a mosque and pulpit and two national flags. It also features the Islamic calendar year of 1298 (or 1919, when the nation won its independence from the United Kingdom), sheaves of wheat, the Takbir, the Shahada and the name “Afghanistan.”
- BLACK – Symbolizes the dark, troubled past of the nation.
- RED – Represents the blood shed by those who fought for the country’s independence.
- GREEN – Represents both Islam and prosperity.
TAILOR TIME
Not wanting to stand out in my adidas gear I made for the best tailor in Kabul to get suited and booted and what I thought would help me blend in.
Across the Kabul river is the busy Bazaar of Kabul so it would have been rude not to walk around and introduce myself to everyone. The guide suggested he follow behind me but I was too quick and I had lost him within a few minutes, even in my western gear he couldn’t find me.
There is so much going on here at the bazaars, so many things being sold, so many things being said it’s hard to take it all in. People were friendly and welcoming, saying hello, asking me to visit their stalls. A sure sign to come I will take to the bazaars more than anything else.
Crazy friday flag with Afghan locals
RELATED READ: THE MOST INSANE WATERFIGHT IN THE WORLD
ABC SUPERMARKET
I had heard about this place when doing some research and knew I had to visit to see for myself. We westerners enjoy our home comforts and often believe many of life’s pleasures such as Diet Coke and Doritos (not so much) are only available in the west. However this supermarket had it all, anything a westerner could need while away from home. You might not have heard of HP sauce or Kerrygold butter but they are all part of a staple diet back at home and the last thing I thought I would find here. Maybe Afghanistan isn’t so different after all.
THE FRIDAY FLAG
Finally it was time for todays main event, the Friday Flag at Kabul. This is the busiest day of the week for Islamic countries as the majority of people stop work in the afternoon to pray and then head their ways to enjoy the rest of the day socialising and meeting friends and relatives.
A common place for this would be the Bibi Mahru Hill. Previously it would have been the flag of Afghanistan would have flown here but since the Talibs took over it has been taken down and replaced with the flag of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan.
SUMMED UP….
- MVP – Everyone
- LVP – The fella who wouldn’t let go of my hand…
- HIGHLIGHT – Meeting locals at the Flag
MARANJAN HILL
Things got a little out of hand and we were told a few times by the Talibs to keep moving, any crowds like this can be an easy target for suicide bombers, however the crowd never seemed to dwindle so we moved on to another spot popular with locals, Maranjan Hill.
It was a bit bizarre here at first with horses, motorbikes and a game of cricket all happening in the same area and within seconds I was surrounded by 10 Talibs curious as to what I was doing. They were nothing but friendly and just keen to engage in conversation and a few photos!
TODAY’S YOUTUBE VIDEOS
If you want to see today from a different perspective, and catch a few different stories from the front row, then check out today’s YouTube videos below.
FINAL THOUGHTS
What a hell of a day to start my trip through Afghanistan. The locals have made me feel completely relaxed and at times at home, looking forward to the next few weeks.
NEXT UP
Reprimanded by the Taliban!! Click to read.
SAFE TRAVELS, DS x
159/229
This post was part of The Afghan Series, for the entire series click here or for episode 1, click here.
To watch the video of my trip, head to my highlights on my Instagram.
