Today the Independent Electoral Commission announced the final figures for the presidential election. This is after they have taken into account all of the complaints made by the different candidates. As predicted, the front-runner, Abdullah Abdullah, has not reached 50 per cent plus one. So there will be a run off between him and his … Continue reading The game is on again
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Back in the land of craggy mountains – and crazy traffic!
So I'm back in Kabul - in 2014 - the year the wheels are supposed to come off Afghanistan. So how is it? Well, there is still no new President, there have been rocket attacks in the city, and legislation outlawing violence against women is even further away (http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/feb/04/afghanistan-law-victims-violence-women ). But the sky is blue, … Continue reading Back in the land of craggy mountains – and crazy traffic!
I hate to leave but I’m dying to go
So I’m back in the decompression zone of Dubai – the never-never land of the adult. It seemed I had only just finally come to terms with the fact I was back in Afghanistan, after so many years of dreaming of being there, and then I was leaving again. Yesterday I spent a morning crushing … Continue reading I hate to leave but I’m dying to go
How the other half live
I have been living a low key life here in Kabul; being driven in a normal saloon car; not walking on the street; not really going out at night. I’m not under any illusions that I am really living like an Afghan, but I’ve been spending more time with Afghans than with westerners. But I … Continue reading How the other half live
Ma Afghanistana khost darum – I love Afghanistan
I’ve come to realise that this project is a thought-provoking one – if that is not a complete understatement. It is fascinating to hear the women’s stories, and so many of those that I have interviewed have told me how important they think it is that the voices of Afghan women are heard across the … Continue reading Ma Afghanistana khost darum – I love Afghanistan
Women Spread the Word
The internet set up in our house is fantastic – but only when it works – hence the rather sporadic nature of these posts! So finally I have come to meet the women writers here in Afghanistan - and I have been blown away by their stories I left for the offices of the Afghan Women’s … Continue reading Women Spread the Word
The new Kabul
I am back on Afghan soil! I am so excited to be here – and yet, I still can’t quite believe it. I sat on the plane from Dubai with my laptop on my knee, furiously typing in my impressions of the journey, and the next minute the stewardess was announcing that we were to … Continue reading The new Kabul
Dubai and beyond
My head is awash with thoughts and ideas -partly due to the fact that I’ve only had about 6 hours sleep in the last 48 hours, but partly due to being back in the mad melting pot of Dubai. The journey from hell actually turned out to be not so bad – as in nothing … Continue reading Dubai and beyond
On the road again…
So, here I am, trying to fit everything I need, or might possibly need, into a suitcase I can still carry! It's never an easy task, and I find that the dozens of soaps, pens etc I have bought as presents for the women actually weigh a tonne when all put together. I finally got … Continue reading On the road again…
Culture lag — already!
I'm in London - always stressful at the best of times I find - but I have (almost) finally got my Afghan visa. Today I trekked from the farthest reaches of the Northern Line to the grand residences of South Kensington and the Afghan embassy. It may be one of the most prestigious areas of one … Continue reading Culture lag — already!