I have moved to a new site, i have transferred all previous posts there as well. U'll like it better there :D
http://kabulaus.wordpress.com/
See you there ;)
Wednesday 26 December 2007
Hamaam- Public Bathrooms
Merry Xmas everyone!
Wanna know how i celebrated mine? two words- Stuffy and heated.
Yesterday, i made the ultimate grave mistake of going to the 'hamaam'. Forgetting the one time it struck me ill, i decided to go again with mum and my little sisters.
Basically, it's a big tiled bathroom with benches along the walls, two huge taps- one cold water, the other hot water. You enter, there are women collecting an entry fee of 20 Afs (~50c AU). To your left, there's a passage where a lady sits and watches over your clothes and items as you go in to bathe (nope, no key-lockers).
I entered the actual bathroom, stuffy and sometimes crowded. A gush of humid air hit my face as i tried making my way through the naked women who were fiercely scrubbing themselves. Some were modest, wearing an underwear *sarcasm*. Most were perfomring the ultimate hamaam ritual of keesa . Using a rough loofa, they scrub til the dead skin cells are rolled off and gone. An extreme form of exfoliation.
Basically, Kabul is very dusty. In order to maintain hygiene, you MUST go to the hamaam and do the whole keesa thing otherwise, you'd be walking around looking like you just cleaned a chimney- Oliver Twist!
I would agree that it does cleanse but on that note, it also leaves you with unpleasant rashes if your not used to it. So be gentle the first time!
We spent over 2 hours in there, i felt like i still wasn't clean as the place wasn't hygienic and so gave up and took another shower when returning home.
Upon returning home, everyone had things to do and so left the house. it was my two little sisters and the maid. Lunch time arrived. I offered my sisters by ordering AFC (equivalent to KFC). Eventually, we agreed to go and buy junk food, then go to Cedars (a Lebanese/ Italian restaurant). Boy, were they happy!
And so we did, my lovely fiance- H joined us at Cedars, but as he already had lunch, he joined us for coffee. We chatted for a little while before leaving for Shar e Naw where he bought a cake and some pastries (afg tradition for fiance's to bring their fiancee's sweets or fresh/ dried fruits when visiting her).
This morning on my way to work, Kabul weather was surprisingly clear! The mountains made a sharp contrast against the sky, other days it would blend in the smog and the clouds. Too bad my camera charger has been stolen, i wasn't able to photograph it.
Further, tomorrow night mum is cooking Kala Palaw (sheeps head cooked in rice) and i can't believe H likes that.
The thought of it makes me feel sick.
Two things i'm presently contemplating;
1- Where to go early March for a holiday. Europe is too cold, Turkey/ Greece is also too cold, The States is also freezing. Australia has excellent weather at that time. We have to book tickets soon.
2- Moving my blog to wordpress. why? because it has better features!
It's cold, my hands are freezing. Must do some work!
ba omideh deedaar, khuda negahdaar
Wanna know how i celebrated mine? two words- Stuffy and heated.
Yesterday, i made the ultimate grave mistake of going to the 'hamaam'. Forgetting the one time it struck me ill, i decided to go again with mum and my little sisters.
Basically, it's a big tiled bathroom with benches along the walls, two huge taps- one cold water, the other hot water. You enter, there are women collecting an entry fee of 20 Afs (~50c AU). To your left, there's a passage where a lady sits and watches over your clothes and items as you go in to bathe (nope, no key-lockers).
I entered the actual bathroom, stuffy and sometimes crowded. A gush of humid air hit my face as i tried making my way through the naked women who were fiercely scrubbing themselves. Some were modest, wearing an underwear *sarcasm*. Most were perfomring the ultimate hamaam ritual of keesa . Using a rough loofa, they scrub til the dead skin cells are rolled off and gone. An extreme form of exfoliation.
Basically, Kabul is very dusty. In order to maintain hygiene, you MUST go to the hamaam and do the whole keesa thing otherwise, you'd be walking around looking like you just cleaned a chimney- Oliver Twist!
I would agree that it does cleanse but on that note, it also leaves you with unpleasant rashes if your not used to it. So be gentle the first time!
We spent over 2 hours in there, i felt like i still wasn't clean as the place wasn't hygienic and so gave up and took another shower when returning home.
Upon returning home, everyone had things to do and so left the house. it was my two little sisters and the maid. Lunch time arrived. I offered my sisters by ordering AFC (equivalent to KFC). Eventually, we agreed to go and buy junk food, then go to Cedars (a Lebanese/ Italian restaurant). Boy, were they happy!
And so we did, my lovely fiance- H joined us at Cedars, but as he already had lunch, he joined us for coffee. We chatted for a little while before leaving for Shar e Naw where he bought a cake and some pastries (afg tradition for fiance's to bring their fiancee's sweets or fresh/ dried fruits when visiting her).
This morning on my way to work, Kabul weather was surprisingly clear! The mountains made a sharp contrast against the sky, other days it would blend in the smog and the clouds. Too bad my camera charger has been stolen, i wasn't able to photograph it.
Further, tomorrow night mum is cooking Kala Palaw (sheeps head cooked in rice) and i can't believe H likes that.
The thought of it makes me feel sick.
Two things i'm presently contemplating;
1- Where to go early March for a holiday. Europe is too cold, Turkey/ Greece is also too cold, The States is also freezing. Australia has excellent weather at that time. We have to book tickets soon.
2- Moving my blog to wordpress. why? because it has better features!
It's cold, my hands are freezing. Must do some work!
ba omideh deedaar, khuda negahdaar
Sunday 23 December 2007
My Shirnee Dadan particulars...
On Our Engagement
What does it mean to be engaged
To one you love so much?
It’s open arms and gentle words --
A reassuring touch.
It’s knowing that you have someone
Who never turns away,
Who laughs with you and dries your tears,
Your partner night and day.
It’s opening your very soul
Where all you faults are bared.
It’s joining of two loving hearts,
Commitment made and shared.
It’s hope for all your days to come
And vows to keep for life.
Engagement means you soon will be
A husband and a wife.
~~~
Event: Shirnee dadan (Pre Engagement Ceremony)
Venue: Shaam-e-Paris, Kabul, Afghanistan.
Date: 13th December 2007, 5.00pm
Hair and Make up: Hers- Shugofaan ; His- Skin Deep, Ehab (from Dubai).
~~~
The interim engagement ring, until we fly to Dubai for my diamond ring! Bracelet- a gift from my mother in law. She knows my taste exactly as is :)
Saying farewell to our guests.
Cutting the cake with the grand sword! Our cake was the Eiffel tower... oh so grand!
Yep, she's engaged!
Can you believe it? I wore Indian initially before i changed into my dress. Still looked good!
What does it mean to be engaged
To one you love so much?
It’s open arms and gentle words --
A reassuring touch.
It’s knowing that you have someone
Who never turns away,
Who laughs with you and dries your tears,
Your partner night and day.
It’s opening your very soul
Where all you faults are bared.
It’s joining of two loving hearts,
Commitment made and shared.
It’s hope for all your days to come
And vows to keep for life.
Engagement means you soon will be
A husband and a wife.
~~~
Event: Shirnee dadan (Pre Engagement Ceremony)
Venue: Shaam-e-Paris, Kabul, Afghanistan.
Date: 13th December 2007, 5.00pm
Hair and Make up: Hers- Shugofaan ; His- Skin Deep, Ehab (from Dubai).
~~~
The interim engagement ring, until we fly to Dubai for my diamond ring! Bracelet- a gift from my mother in law. She knows my taste exactly as is :)
Saying farewell to our guests.
Cutting the cake with the grand sword! Our cake was the Eiffel tower... oh so grand!
Yep, she's engaged!
Can you believe it? I wore Indian initially before i changed into my dress. Still looked good!
Eid Mubarak
Eideh gozashteh hamayetan mubarak baad!
A very happy belated eid to everyone!
Oh yes, very late!! Being a fiance is a tough task to fulfill, but i'm doing well. Eid was great, H-jan bought me lots of presents (including a SHEEP) and we spent lots of quality time together. Such a sweetheart! He also wrote me a real sweet message in the card, i shall upload it next time. He took me out for dinner to Serena (5 Star hotel). It was really romantic, just looking out the window watching the snowflakes fall and just enjoying each others company. *sigh*
Watched the previews for 'The Kite Runner'- EXCELLENT, can't wait to watch it.
We just recieved a serious warning that we are targets for kidnappings. To be honest, this is the first time i've been scared since our stay in Kabul. Not scared of being kidnapped, but for anyone in my family getting hurt.
Ba omideh deedaar, khuda negahdaar
A very happy belated eid to everyone!
Oh yes, very late!! Being a fiance is a tough task to fulfill, but i'm doing well. Eid was great, H-jan bought me lots of presents (including a SHEEP) and we spent lots of quality time together. Such a sweetheart! He also wrote me a real sweet message in the card, i shall upload it next time. He took me out for dinner to Serena (5 Star hotel). It was really romantic, just looking out the window watching the snowflakes fall and just enjoying each others company. *sigh*
Watched the previews for 'The Kite Runner'- EXCELLENT, can't wait to watch it.
We just recieved a serious warning that we are targets for kidnappings. To be honest, this is the first time i've been scared since our stay in Kabul. Not scared of being kidnapped, but for anyone in my family getting hurt.
Ba omideh deedaar, khuda negahdaar
Sunday 16 December 2007
I’m engaged!
Yep, you heard right! I am engaged…
To all of those wondering, he’s an Afghan-American from Washington DC (yep, that’s where all the smart ppl are at! Haha jks)
Have emailed pics. Enjoy!
To all of those wondering, he’s an Afghan-American from Washington DC (yep, that’s where all the smart ppl are at! Haha jks)
Have emailed pics. Enjoy!
Tuesday 11 December 2007
Snow culture in Afg
Barf Mebarad Ba Farmani Khuda
Barf naw az ma, barfee az shuma!
I got the above email from a colleague and i replied back saying 'what does this mean?' He came to my office and explained the whole thing! Basically, what happens is that one the first day of snow, one person congratulates another on the arrival of snow. When this happens, they recite the above verse, following this; the congratulator has to invite the person who has recited the verse for dinner or lunch.
I know, confusing! I had to get my colleague to explain it to me twice.
Anyways, IT SNOWED TODAY! I saw the snow flakes!!
Barf naw az ma, barfee az shuma!
I got the above email from a colleague and i replied back saying 'what does this mean?' He came to my office and explained the whole thing! Basically, what happens is that one the first day of snow, one person congratulates another on the arrival of snow. When this happens, they recite the above verse, following this; the congratulator has to invite the person who has recited the verse for dinner or lunch.
I know, confusing! I had to get my colleague to explain it to me twice.
Anyways, IT SNOWED TODAY! I saw the snow flakes!!
Monday 10 December 2007
Barrf tabreek*
* Congratulating everyone on snow's arrival. *grunt*
The snows are here! Kabuls mountains are decorated in white snow, i really can't help but draft a similarity between a horrid ghost and the white kabul mountains drawing over us.
1. What is your idea of perfect happiness?
Success and laughter! Happiness in the family home = happiness over all.
2. What is your greatest fear?
Good byes and losing a loved one.
3. Which living person do you most admire?
Does it have to be just one? I'd say Khalid Hosseini and Afghan village women! Yep, i admire their strength.
4. What is the trait you most deplore in yourself?
Being too nice, impatient.
5. What is the trait you most deplore in others?
Bluffers/liars, lacking emotional security, hypocrisy.
6. What do you consider the most overrated virtue?
Practising 'good' muslims who overtly practise 'loudly'. You'd think there are so many- everyone claiming to be one!
7. On what occasion do you lie?
I suck at that! My face gives it away. Generally, i don't lie. but if i really have to, it would be to save someones face.
8. What do you dislike most about your appearance?
Nothing really. I'm satisfied with the way i look.
9. What is your greatest regret?
No regrets in life, everything is a learning experience! If you regret certain things, chances are you will gain a guilty conscience and god help you with that!
10. What or who is the greatest love of your life?
Afghanistan and knowledge.
11. Which talent would you most like to have?
Being able to master Dari/ Persian poetry and literature. It's such a profound and expressive language, perhaps broader than English.
12. What is your current state of mind?
Anticipation and excitement.
13. If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?
More patience. Does anyone have any to spare?
14. What do you consider your greatest achievement?
Being in Afghanistan!!! At the moment aiming to recieve international mental therapy assistance for the Afghans. It's tough but most rewarding.
15. If you were to die and come back as a person or thing, what do you think it would be?
Lion or tiger. lol
16. What is your most treasured possession?
My intellect and potential. Tangible items: photo album, itty bitty pieces which trigger great memories.
17. What do you regard as the lowest depth of misery?
I don't let anyone put me down, so i wouldn't know! :)
18. Where would you like to live?
in Kabul but with annual holidays to rejuvenate!
19. What is your most marked characteristic?
being too straightforward and strong personality.
20. Who are your favorite writers?
Due to my obsession with Afghanistan- Khalid Hosseini, there are so many more.
21. Who is your favorite hero of fiction?
Dana Evans.
22. Who are your heroes in real life?
Mum, dad and expatraite community in Afg,
23. What is it that you most dislike?
Poverty! i HATE it!
24. What is your motto?
What goes around, comes around.
Zindagee do rooz hast.
Dunya wafaa nadareh, ageh ashkaat bebareh, tanha memooni. Vali ageh bekhandi, dunya ba rooyet mekhandeh.
25. Favorite Journey?
Returning to Kabul from Panjshir- singing and clapping to Afghan songs.
Islamabad- Peshawar- it was even better!
26. What do you value most in your friends?
Loyalty
27. Which words or phrases do you must overuse?
Are you serious?
Mebakhsheen (i apologise automatically for any thing- even if it's the other persons fault! E.g bumping into a person at the shops. I guess it's an aussie thing)
28. Which historical figure do you most identify with?
Malalay, she has a strong personality just like me.
29. What is your greatest extravagance?
Clothes, perfumes and phone cards.
30. If you could change one thing about your family, what would it be?
Nothing, I love them the way they are!
31. What is your favorite occupation?
Interior architect, lawyer, wedding planner!
32. What is the quality you most like in a woman?
Elegance and pride.
33. What is the quality you most like in a man?
Masculinity, security, strength, gentleman, decent, good heart, faithful, not pook…would you like me to continue?
34. How would you like to die?
What a pleasant question! But I want to die a martyr.
35. If you could chose what to come back as, what would it be?
Myself.
The snows are here! Kabuls mountains are decorated in white snow, i really can't help but draft a similarity between a horrid ghost and the white kabul mountains drawing over us.
1. What is your idea of perfect happiness?
Success and laughter! Happiness in the family home = happiness over all.
2. What is your greatest fear?
Good byes and losing a loved one.
3. Which living person do you most admire?
Does it have to be just one? I'd say Khalid Hosseini and Afghan village women! Yep, i admire their strength.
4. What is the trait you most deplore in yourself?
Being too nice, impatient.
5. What is the trait you most deplore in others?
Bluffers/liars, lacking emotional security, hypocrisy.
6. What do you consider the most overrated virtue?
Practising 'good' muslims who overtly practise 'loudly'. You'd think there are so many- everyone claiming to be one!
7. On what occasion do you lie?
I suck at that! My face gives it away. Generally, i don't lie. but if i really have to, it would be to save someones face.
8. What do you dislike most about your appearance?
Nothing really. I'm satisfied with the way i look.
9. What is your greatest regret?
No regrets in life, everything is a learning experience! If you regret certain things, chances are you will gain a guilty conscience and god help you with that!
10. What or who is the greatest love of your life?
Afghanistan and knowledge.
11. Which talent would you most like to have?
Being able to master Dari/ Persian poetry and literature. It's such a profound and expressive language, perhaps broader than English.
12. What is your current state of mind?
Anticipation and excitement.
13. If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?
More patience. Does anyone have any to spare?
14. What do you consider your greatest achievement?
Being in Afghanistan!!! At the moment aiming to recieve international mental therapy assistance for the Afghans. It's tough but most rewarding.
15. If you were to die and come back as a person or thing, what do you think it would be?
Lion or tiger. lol
16. What is your most treasured possession?
My intellect and potential. Tangible items: photo album, itty bitty pieces which trigger great memories.
17. What do you regard as the lowest depth of misery?
I don't let anyone put me down, so i wouldn't know! :)
18. Where would you like to live?
in Kabul but with annual holidays to rejuvenate!
19. What is your most marked characteristic?
being too straightforward and strong personality.
20. Who are your favorite writers?
Due to my obsession with Afghanistan- Khalid Hosseini, there are so many more.
21. Who is your favorite hero of fiction?
Dana Evans.
22. Who are your heroes in real life?
Mum, dad and expatraite community in Afg,
23. What is it that you most dislike?
Poverty! i HATE it!
24. What is your motto?
What goes around, comes around.
Zindagee do rooz hast.
Dunya wafaa nadareh, ageh ashkaat bebareh, tanha memooni. Vali ageh bekhandi, dunya ba rooyet mekhandeh.
25. Favorite Journey?
Returning to Kabul from Panjshir- singing and clapping to Afghan songs.
Islamabad- Peshawar- it was even better!
26. What do you value most in your friends?
Loyalty
27. Which words or phrases do you must overuse?
Are you serious?
Mebakhsheen (i apologise automatically for any thing- even if it's the other persons fault! E.g bumping into a person at the shops. I guess it's an aussie thing)
28. Which historical figure do you most identify with?
Malalay, she has a strong personality just like me.
29. What is your greatest extravagance?
Clothes, perfumes and phone cards.
30. If you could change one thing about your family, what would it be?
Nothing, I love them the way they are!
31. What is your favorite occupation?
Interior architect, lawyer, wedding planner!
32. What is the quality you most like in a woman?
Elegance and pride.
33. What is the quality you most like in a man?
Masculinity, security, strength, gentleman, decent, good heart, faithful, not pook…would you like me to continue?
34. How would you like to die?
What a pleasant question! But I want to die a martyr.
35. If you could chose what to come back as, what would it be?
Myself.
Sunday 9 December 2007
Trial by media??
It's sickening. Whatever happened with 'innocent until proven guilty'?
You may have all read about it in the news and saw the images flashing on TV. We're going through a tough period of time- Dad's cool, he's going to fight back with a press statement via his lawyer.
I won't be saying anymore, lawyers have advised not to comment as it will be detrimental to the case. So, quiet i shall remain!
i would have posted the media articles here, but it would reveal my identity as the names are printed. Those who know me, will know what i'm referring to.
Sorry, but that's all i can reveal at the moment.
Keeping strong.
You may have all read about it in the news and saw the images flashing on TV. We're going through a tough period of time- Dad's cool, he's going to fight back with a press statement via his lawyer.
I won't be saying anymore, lawyers have advised not to comment as it will be detrimental to the case. So, quiet i shall remain!
i would have posted the media articles here, but it would reveal my identity as the names are printed. Those who know me, will know what i'm referring to.
Sorry, but that's all i can reveal at the moment.
Keeping strong.
Wednesday 5 December 2007
Ya Allah, khayr.
The third suicide attack in eight days. I wrote the following (not sure what you can call it). It’s not a poem, although sounds like it.
It's 7am. In most households, alarm clocks haven't sounded yet.
BOOM! Alarm?
No, look out the window, exhaling short fast breaths, the glass window fogging.
A man sits disorientated, dazed. Painted in blood.
His blood? Or is it the person seated alongside him on the bus?
Six courageous soldiers dressed in uniform… no longer
Only guts and flesh remnants.
Death arrived hastily.
Frustration, anger, pain. Tears run down lost faces.
The sound of death, can you hear it? Sounds distant doesn’t it?
Wailing ambulance.
Ear pitching howls of men.
Women screaming in agony.
Its just outside your window. Look to your left…
Men carrying four little lifeless bodies.
Carefree children… no longer
Thirteen wounded. Lost and confused.
Look closer, can you see their frightened faces or is it covered in blood and tears?
A helpless crowd collecting what’s left of a once happy child.
Why are you breathing so hard? Your crying, shocked aren’t you?
Close your eyes as the burning tears scald your face.
Tragic, isn’t it? And you’re a witness.
I am your conscience and have been imprisoned by this calamity. Unshackle me…
It's 7am. In most households, alarm clocks haven't sounded yet.
BOOM! Alarm?
No, look out the window, exhaling short fast breaths, the glass window fogging.
A man sits disorientated, dazed. Painted in blood.
His blood? Or is it the person seated alongside him on the bus?
Six courageous soldiers dressed in uniform… no longer
Only guts and flesh remnants.
Death arrived hastily.
Frustration, anger, pain. Tears run down lost faces.
The sound of death, can you hear it? Sounds distant doesn’t it?
Wailing ambulance.
Ear pitching howls of men.
Women screaming in agony.
Its just outside your window. Look to your left…
Men carrying four little lifeless bodies.
Carefree children… no longer
Thirteen wounded. Lost and confused.
Look closer, can you see their frightened faces or is it covered in blood and tears?
A helpless crowd collecting what’s left of a once happy child.
Why are you breathing so hard? Your crying, shocked aren’t you?
Close your eyes as the burning tears scald your face.
Tragic, isn’t it? And you’re a witness.
I am your conscience and have been imprisoned by this calamity. Unshackle me…
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