where am i?

I've been here for a week and all in all its been rather nondescript with minimal updates. Today, though would be different. Saturday is the day that a convoy of international development workers from my office head on a shopping excursion to three different "PX's". These PX's are international military-backed shopping areas where one can get all of their groceries, sundries, and other things to feel a bit more like they are home and less like they are in Kabul.

Since my stay isn't for the long term, my only reason for going along was to see more of city (albeit in a car) and basically do as the local internationals do. On our first stop, I was more than happy to find a DVD store loaded with bootleg DVD's to allow me to better kill time. In my recent international work travels, the DVD stop has always been a personal fave. For $3 per DVD, you can load up on movies that you would never pay to see back home. I chose such cinematic classics as Benchwarmers, ATL, Supreman Returns, 24 Season One and Green Street Hooligans. At least now my evenings will be busier. They also had Season 11 of the Simpsons which is not even out yet at home. This was particularly interesting since that is the season that stars yours truly in a supporting role. I thought I could use this bit of information to schmooze the owner into giving me a free copy, but the language barrier was too much. He only spoke in US dollars. I actually didn't buy it, but I'm sure I will before I leave.

These PX's are full-fledged Target/Rite-Aid/Walgreens/Duane Reade style grocery stores complete with such western goods as Pringles, North Face gear, M&M's, and Pepperidge Farms cookies (chessmen even!). It was a trip to see modern stores after only seeing street vendors. Interestingly, none of the workers at these stores were Afghan. They were from other places such as Turkmenistan, the Philippines, and other neighboring countries. That speaks to the struggling economies of these other lands, as they would come to Kabul for work. Although upon further reflection, Kabul is definitely bustling and with a large population of international workers, they are much more likely to find steady work here than in other Central Asian countries.

I did finally get to see a lot more of the city on this trip. Again, I was in a car and didn't get to stop and take any pictures. No words will really do it justice, except to say that is didn't look too different than any other major city in the developing world. A lot of military on the streets, signs of emerging globalization including primitive store fronts sitting next to four story commercial buildings, and tons of uncontrolled traffic.

The ride also took me near the presidential palace, a number of embassies, and the US military base. I'm glad that these sites were pointed out to me as they all sit behind seven-foot concrete walls, razor wire, and heavily guarded entrances, which meant there is no way I could distinguish them from anything. I also learned that there is a bazaar that comes to the US Embassy on Friday afternoon (which is like Saturday in the US) to sell local goods so I'm stoked to check this out next week.

Perhaps, most importantly, after a slow first week a number of international consultants who work for the Foundation are beginning to pop up around the hotel and office just returning from "R&R" after the holidays. I have been able to strike up conversations with these folks and have been assured that they will take me around to do more things this week(and maybe even have a beer!). Hopefully this means that my stories will be a bit livelier , and more photos will be generated. Until then, it looks like I'm hanging with Jack Bauer for the rest of the day and evening.

My buddy Rich in LA has hooked me up to his Slingbox and I'm praying that the power stays on tonight so I can catch the UCLA-U$C hoops game. Sadly, I have been really looking forward to this (anybody who's reading this is likely familiar with my UCLA hoops addiction), but am a bit worried because the hotel power tends to have issues at night. Keep your fingers crossed that the electricity gods are with me, but more importantly that the boys get the W.