Need your help, my friends!

[Azeri]

^
yes
but you can also buy online at Pakhtoonhalek's shop or as he is known in here as Angaar.

Oh, thank you so much, graveyardofempires!

[Admin Khan]

Since you are visiting Kabul, wearing regular Afghan clothes would do the job. If you were visiting Kandahar, the ball game would be totally different and so would your apparel.

Many Kabulis wear T-shirts and jeans, so that's fine. However, I prefer you to wear:http://www.afghanistan-culture.com/i...en-clothes.jpg


And yes, you can find them in any clothing market. Don't worry, smile. :-)

[Admin Khan]

Oh, and your not annoying at all. We are all here to help you. Laila, ComradePashtun, Darweshkhel and several others just recently arrived from Kabul. It would be wise to PM them, and have a word with them. They might post in this thread if they see it.

[Gulbabo]

Dear Azeri,

welcome to the forums.

try to avoid early morning outings. if it isn't absolutely necessary for you to be out early morning then don't be. I understand you will go to office daily but try to start your work after 10. and dont go out shopping very early. i am not trying to scare you but usually blasts and stuff happen between hours of 7 am to 9 pm.

when you go out shopping remember that the currency in Afghanistan is afghani, so when someone says something is a 100, don't assume it is a 100 dollars. they are telling you the price in 100 afghani.
1 dollar = roughly 50 Afghani... don't let the shopkeepers calculate the dollar amount for you. you do it yourself. always always haggle for cheaper price. when a shopkeeper says something is a 1000 afghani go lower at least 200 or 300, even 400 afghani. go to multiple shops and get multiple prices before buying something.

try not to get sick by consuming food that is cooked out in the open (kabab is an exception) on the streets, or juices blended out in the open on the carts. avoid raw vegetables unless you know they are washed properly....

i will think of more stuff inshaAllah.....oh and i request you to eat some seekh kabab on my behalf and remember me when you are eating it. it is the most delicious kabab one can ever have... i guarantee it. you will love the food. afghan ice cream called 'sheer yakh' is really tasty too. just enjoy it and keep me in your thoughts..

[unknownprince]

well are you helping your self by being employed or helping Afghan people?

Foreigners usually support this unjust war against Afghan people.

[Laila]

LOL @ Gulbabo's request.

Azeri, Admin khan and Gulbabo has basically summed it well for you. If you still need advise, feel free to PM me

[Nick]

Welcome to the forum Kabul city is aright its huge and ugly populated, lol not ugly in a bad way but just large number of its population plus car and new comers form dai or country side specially from central and north provinces looking for job. The old population of Kabul has been replaced with new comers, and some few old residences are still there. Country side of Kabul and over all Kabul province I won't suggest you going wondering alone by yourself simply because its Kabul. Big NO. At least two more men be it if you have to hire them with gun, cause as soon as you are identified for money there are some people who would do anything.
By Racial defination in modern time in most provinces you are either an afghan calling yourself an "Afghan" or a non-Afghan. However Kabul city is most unique and very similar to 2 other major cities (Herat, Mazar) and but still different aside from its 35,000 Pakistani/15,000 irani workers and another 90,000 foreigner worker such as Chinese/Central Asian and foreign troops, in Kabul you would find 5 kind of different beautiful races. Dominated race is still Afghano by 60%, but another 40% would be divided between Turkic (Such as Uzbek), Irano-Turk (such as Tajikistani) Mongolid (such as Hazara) and Afghano-Turk (Are usually "mixed" such as Pashtun-Tajiki, Pashtun-Hazara, Pashtun-Uzbek). So if you find a familiar face of your best friend don't be surprised Kabul is already considered melting pot of the century new beautiful faces will be born in the next 10 years.
One more advice try to stay away from religious and political discussion. Kabul itself was once Sunni dominated but now things are getting ugly and Kabulis overall don't like religious discussions, politics like religion has also divided the muliti race people so you would find huge gap in between.
From city's bad neighbourhood or good neighbourhood Kabulis love joke, music, fun game and simply say comedy.

[Afghania]

wa alykum as salam

i wish you all the best for your tour in sha Allah

[Azeri]

well are you helping your self by being employed or helping Afghan people?

Foreigners usually support this unjust war against Afghan people.

That is a good question, my friend. My father is very skillful surgeon. He used to travel a lot to war torn areas within the delegation of Turkish Red Crescent Society and help the people who was in need of his services. He was getting salary, of course. People were thanking him for the good job he has done.

I am already employed, Unknown Prince, and my employment doesn't depend on the fact whether I will go to Afghanistan or not.

What concerning if I support unjust war... Foreigner doesn't always mean to be an enemy. I support piece in your country and wish a prosperity to Afghan people. As a brave and hospitable people, you deserve to have a strong and stable state, and Inshaallah you will have it.

[Azeri]

Dear Azeri,

welcome to the forums.

try to avoid early morning outings. if it isn't absolutely necessary for you to be out early morning then don't be. I understand you will go to office daily but try to start your work after 10. and dont go out shopping very early. i am not trying to scare you but usually blasts and stuff happen between hours of 7 am to 9 pm.

when you go out shopping remember that the currency in Afghanistan is afghani, so when someone says something is a 100, don't assume it is a 100 dollars. they are telling you the price in 100 afghani.
1 dollar = roughly 50 Afghani... don't let the shopkeepers calculate the dollar amount for you. you do it yourself. always always haggle for cheaper price. when a shopkeeper says something is a 1000 afghani go lower at least 200 or 300, even 400 afghani. go to multiple shops and get multiple prices before buying something.

try not to get sick by consuming food that is cooked out in the open (kabab is an exception) on the streets, or juices blended out in the open on the carts. avoid raw vegetables unless you know they are washed properly....

i will think of more stuff inshaAllah.....oh and i request you to eat some seekh kabab on my behalf and remember me when you are eating it. it is the most delicious kabab one can ever have... i guarantee it. you will love the food. afghan ice cream called 'sheer yakh' is really tasty too. just enjoy it and keep me in your thoughts..

My dear friend, thank you soooo much, for such a wonderful post. I have copied your post into my file "Things to Remember". You have a big and kind heart. By the way we have these words in my language as well "sheer+in" is "sweet" and "yakh" is "butter". Is it what you meant?

Be sure, that I will abide your instructions and I will definitely remember you when I will be eating that kabab

[Azeri]

LOL @ Gulbabo's request.

Azeri, Admin khan and Gulbabo has basically summed it well for you. If you still need advise, feel free to PM me

Thank you very much, Laila, for your support!

[Laila]

My dear friend, thank you soooo much, for such a wonderful post. I have copied your post into my file "Things to Remember". You have a big and kind heart. By the way we have these words in my language as well "sheer+in" is "sweet" and "yakh" is "butter". Is it what you meant?

Be sure, that I will abide your instructions and I will definitely remember you when I will be eating that kabab

Yakh means 'cold'

Gulbabo is right....you need to try it. It is very good.

But like a couple mentioned here, try your best to not look like an outsider. Blend yourself into the society as much as you can. Otherwise you will be given a hard time. Do avoid places that are meant for 'tourist' such as a few of the hotels and the shopping malls....those get targeted often. However, Intercontinental is nice to visit one night. It takes about 10 minutes to get through security (which is a good thing). Go to their outside pool area. They have a nice international buffet of food and some entertainment....the late Ahmad Zahir used to perform there.

[Laila]

Thank you very much, Laila, for your support!

You are more than welcome

From my side, i do ask you to have plenty of fun. And if its not too much to ask, visit a couple orphanages.....the smiles of those children are a gift itself.

[Laila]

^ lol!

[Baygham]

Thank you so much, dear Admin Khan, for your warm words and hospitality! Oh, I have nothing to do with foreign forces, believe me. A friend of mine who has been to Kabul, is praising a lot your food, especially Kabuli Pulo and Sabzi Pulo I would be so grateful if you help me with choosing the hotel. Is Serena Hotel, safe?

Huge hugs!

Sarina is safe if you can pay 300 dollars a day. For a whole lot less you can go to other less expensive places which are quite safe as well.