Afghanistan

[Rhine]

Ive noticed several people here have been to Afghanistan. Ive taken an interest in visiting A-stan on my next wave of leave. Im just wondering what you people did? Did you go in with a group, or on your own? Id like to travel in the Wahkan Vally, and also Kabul so I can visit a few friends there. Any help would be much appreciated in where to go, and what to do....

Thanks
Rhine

[pinknic38]

I didn't visit there for fun - I was deployed there for 15 months. I have been to eastern provinces near Pakistan, I've been north of Kabul, and I've been south in Kandahar.

Afghanistan is a beautiful country but it was my job to assess the threats my whole time there and in my professional opinion it would be the stupidest thing ever to go visit there at this time. There are a lot of places that have gone untouched from when the soviets were there and laid minefields and they're exploding now when we move through areas. It is a very unstable country politically and kidnapping of foreigners is a very common thing.

There isn't enough I can say about why it's a bad idea. I understand the curiosity and thrill of visiting a country that is pretty much unknown but we also must exercise common sense.

Afghanistan is a very, very beautiful country and the locals I interacted with - some were very nice while others really were not used to foreigners and acted out - especially to women. It is a shame that things are so bad there but it is what it is: unsafe and unstable at this time. And it's only gotten worse over time.

No offense, but this is something I have a lot of knowledge on and also feel very strongly about.

[Rhine]

Thanks for the input pinknic38. I undertsnad the danger that comes with traveling in these regions. I suppose it would be smart to wait awhile, but odds are time isnt on our side in places like this. I guess im used to traveling and living in parts of the world cursed with war. Ive experienced the "two way fireing range" a few times starting at very young age in the Balkans. And its the last thing i want to go through again. I just feel like the more time that goes by the worse it gets, so the sooner I go the better it would be. Afghanistan is a beautiful country, with a beautiful culture that I really want to forst hand.

[Canadian Bacon]

Originally Posted by pinknic38

Afghanistan is a beautiful country but it was my job to assess the threats my whole time there and in my professional opinion it would be the stupidest thing ever to go visit there at this time. There are a lot of places that have gone untouched from when the soviets were there and laid minefields and they're exploding now when we move through areas. It is a very unstable country politically and kidnapping of foreigners is a very common thing.

I concur. I've been to southern Afghanistan (Kandahar), and you don't want to be travelling around there without close protection or some hardcore tribal connections. Kabul is pretty bad too - because of recent kidnappings, Canadian embassy staff arent' even allowed to venture out into the city without persmission and some kind of close protection.

Remember its not the insurgency, but the crime and kidnappings that are the major concern.

THAT being said, Herat (and the west and north, in general) is much more peaceful, and those places you may have a chance of travelling and nothing happening. But remember that the insurgents/bandits are EVERYWHERE, and that the central government doesn't really control all that much, rather, its qutie decentralized sources of power.

The book 'the places in between' by Rory Stewart is great, because (although im assuming you wno't be walking) it shows the extent to which you have to network and get tribal protection to travel freely and safety.

But if you had to choose a 'safer' place, I'd say your best bet is Herat.

[mollymore]

your reasoning doesn't make sense. that's like selling stocks while the price is falling. I guess everyone has a different strategy though.

Originally Posted by Rhine

I just feel like the more time that goes by the worse it gets, so the sooner I go the better it would be. Afghanistan is a beautiful country, with a beautiful culture that I really want to forst hand.

[Rhine]

Originally Posted by mollymore

your reasoning doesn't make sense. that's like selling stocks while the price is falling. I guess everyone has a different strategy though.

Makes sence to me that one would go sooner before it gets worse then it already is.


But it doesnt look like im going to be able to go in the near future anyway. I'll be spending most of my time in Monrovia, Liberia starting in January.

I'll go one day.

[Canadian Bacon]

Wait a couple of years until the Taliban have reconciled (hopefully) and police forces get better.

Still - Herat is your best bet.

[mish99]

Ive never had any experience in Afghanistan, but I wouldnt go, even though I would love to.

I know you said it looks like you wont go, but thought id say it anyway. Last year I had the opportunity to go to Pakistan and was thrilled! But that was the time with the whole State of Emergency thing, and was warned against going. I would have been with people I had only met once (my dads boss and his family) so thought it would be pretty safe.....but a few weeks later my dad was there, the time I would have been, and he had eaten out with his boss and family when about 30 min after they left the restaurant it blew up!!! As far as im concerned, thats WAY to close to death for me!!

I suppose when the time comes, you just have to weigh up how you feel about it and the risks you are taking. And if your willing to risk your life.

Sorry, its got nothing to do with Afghanista, but I thought id put in my 2 cents worth anyway...