A Club for a New Afghanistan

[ufo973]

KABUL—Off a rutted street of Afghanistan's capital on a recent day, just beyond a shoeshine boy and a guard performing pat-downs, Afghans of a certain station were learning how to chill.

The new Lajaward Swimming Complex here has drawn a growing following since it opened last year offering what is a novelty for all but a few Afghans—a pool, a menthol-scented steam room, full-body massages and the opportunity to imagine they aren't living in a war zone.

"One of the most important aims that I have is to destress myself," said Riaz Sadiq, a Kabul pediatrician lounging poolside on a ...

A Club for a New Afghanistan -- Photos - WSJ.com

[Badlun]

I do not see any Pashtun face there! Also the instructions on the walls are only in Dari not in Pashto? Can women also join this club?

However just the existence of such a club is a big relief to my mind that at least one day a Pashtun friend can go and chill.

[Khostai]

^Its in Kabul so thats wahy the use of Dari, and I heared Pashtuns don't like swiming :P

[Badlun]

It means Pashto is not used in the capital of Afghanistan!
Interesting that Pashtuns do not like swimming!

[Khostai]

It means Pashto is not used in the capital of Afghanistan!
Interesting that Pashtuns do not like swimming!

This is a small private club that is made by a Farsiwan, so thats the reason they didn't use Pashtu.
Pashtu is used in Kabul, but not everywhere and also not by everyone.
If you want so badly Pashtu in a club go to Kabul make a swimming pool and name everything in Pashtu. If that will make you happy.

[Badlun]

Actually I want there should be some legislation where it is made obligatory that both official languages must be used in all public places, documents and in all advertisements, sign boards etc. the same we see some countries like Switzerland where you have more than one language.

If I have a swimming pool one day in Kabul definitely I will make it sure that both Pashto and Dari are used in the notices etc.

[faye]

Interesting that Pashtuns do not like swimming!

so you're not pashtun then?

[DaZahroJaam.]

Since when did the saboon****ks of Kabul started representing Afghanistan???

[Badlun]

so you're not pashtun then?

Ha haha I am Pashtun but this observation was interesting that Pashtuns do not like swimming may be they belong to mountainous areas but I know all my Pashtuns relatives and friends including myself do like swimming and we should have such bars every where in Qandahar, Jalal Abad, Quetta, Peshawar etc .

[faye]

seems as though men are the only ones who have that fun, over that way. i've seen lots of pics where the men and boys are swimming in the rivers.
in australia, muslim women are going swimming. they created an especially designed swimsuit and are even becoming lifesavers at the beach.

[Kushan Prince]

^Its in Kabul so thats wahy the use of Dari, and I heared Pashtuns don't like swiming :P

What are you talking about? Pashtuns love swimming! My dad loves it, in fact I remember him swimming like pro at the apartment pool when I was a child. He is really good. It's the Chinese and Afghans that are good at swimming. It's the black people that hate it!

[Joey_Gladstonezai]

What are you talking about? Pashtuns love swimming! My dad loves it, in fact I remember him swimming like pro at the apartment pool when I was a child. He is really good. It's the Chinese and Afghans that are good at swimming. It's the black people that hate it!

Khostai also called me stupid in one thread. I don't think he is Pashtun based on all of his posts. I don't want to cause ethnic divisions because I love all my Afghan brothers but I still think we need to be up front about our identities lol.

Khostaya, ta dar rishtya Pashtun ye? Zma sara pa Pashto ke lage khabara wakawa chy za darbanda poy sem chy ta sok ye lol.

[Joey_Gladstonezai]

By the way, I have heard that in Afghanistan the brightest students in the country were Pashtuns, even if rural. The Kabulis had the resources but the Pashtuns were smart. Ta chy khpal sabaq ky takra na ye, ma sara lag shak payda kegy aw pata raze chy kedaly sy Pashtun na ye lol. De noro bakwas na de hm malomegy lol.

[SiiNii]

I have a feeling that Pashtuns are smartest in Afg. Consistently defeating invaders, dominating your neighbors, is a result of superior organization, training, long term planning, battlefield leadership, logistical supply train this takes brains to pull off. You can see this in the military performance of Japan vs China in the Sino-Jap war, Americans vs Mexico in 19th century, Germany compared to Italy in WW2.

[Joey_Gladstonezai]

I have a feeling that Pashtuns are smartest in Afg. Consistently defeating invaders, dominating your neighbors, is a result of superior organization, training, long term planning, battlefield leadership, logistical supply train this takes brains to pull off. You can see this in the military performance of Japan vs China in the Sino-Jap war, Americans vs Mexico in 19th century, Germany compared to Italy in WW2.

I had people confirm to me that in the universities, the brightest and ingenious minds generally belonged to Pashtuns and the Kabulis could not compete with them despite having it easy otherwise. The ones who always topped the lists with the highest marks were Pashtuns, even if poor or from rural areas. If and when they do choose to study, they happen to be intellectually gifted.