‘Kabul gets bombed 24/7’: Eight stereotypes about Kabul

Rockets, bombs that's what you think when you hear Afghanistan. So did I, till I took this eye-opening journey.

Rida Umer June 20, 2015
A six-day long Afghan-Pakistan Youth Dialogue in Kabul changed my life forever, as I set off to a venture that helped me break stereotypes about Afghanistan.

From their meritorious hospitality  to appetising cuisine, from their commendable social activism to unwavering dedication, I could pen down a novel about my week-long stay in Kabul. But for now, let me share some of the stereotypes which were shattered once I moved across Kabul myself, experiencing and collecting cherished moments.

Not everyone gets bombed 24/7

Kabul is not a battlefield and rockets do not come falling over your head. Chances of you dying while driving in Kabul are higher than getting shot at.

An Afghan man roller blades along a street in Kabul. Photo: Reuters

Kabul has established infrastructure

Residents live in actual buildings, park their vehicles in their car porches, enjoy the beautiful weather sipping their sugar-less green tea from their balconies and throw grand BBQ parties in their backyards. Kabul also has well-reputed hotels which are beautiful, secure and provide quality service to visitors.

An interior view of the City Walk shopping mall in central Kabul. Photo: Reuters

People have mobile phones with 3G internet

My greatest concern while travelling to Kabul was whether I would have proper communication networks to call back home. But to my surprise, not only did they have fast cellular services, they also have 3G internet activated – 3G which actually works.

Alongside this, more than 60% of war-stricken Afghanistan has mobile phone connectivity.

An Afghan man walks past a 3G logo in central Kabul. Photo: Reuters

Women wear a variety of attire, including jeans

Women have the right to wear whatever they like to wear. Headscarf is considered culturally appropriate and appreciated within the society; however, it is not a passport to life or survival. Their traditional dresses are gorgeous, just like the people who wear them.

An Afghan policeman keeps guard in Kabul, Afghanistan. Photo: Reuters

Better economy than Pakistan
Me: “How much should I keep, in case I need some cash? Would a few hundred rupees be fine?”

Dad: “Haha no. One Afghan afghani is equal to two Pakistani rupees.”

Me: “We are doomed.”

Source: Tumblr

Afghans love Bollywood

I mean, who doesn’t. And this just goes to show that they are as much in sync with popular culture as people from any other nation.

Afghans love Bollywood, an afghan vendor displays a poster of an actress. Photo: Reuters

Kabul has a bowling alley

‘Strikers’ is the place to go if you are looking for the best bowling place, coupled with delicious food afterwards, in town. The bowling alley is mobbed on the weekends so make sure you book yourself a lane earlier.

Photo: Rida Umer

Kabul has majestic historical heritage

From Babur Gardens to Darul Aman Palace, there is a long list of historical sites every outsider should consider visiting. The city itself tells about the conjuncture of events, the highs and the lows of the nation, the valour of people and the future that this country holds for the next generation.

The Large Buddha niche backdrops the town of Bamiyan, in central Afghanistan. Photo: Reuters

After my trip, I realised that the stereotypes which the media had portrayed about Kabul were just that – stereotypes. I would urge everyone to keep Kabul on their travel lists and make the most of a beautiful city which is so close to Pakistan.
WRITTEN BY:
Rida Umer Former student ambassador to Kennedy Lugar Youth Exchange and Study Program and Global Undergraduate Exchange Program, USA. An undergraduate media student, a cultural nomad and a freelance writer. She tweets as @Rida_Umar (https://twitter.com/rida_umar)
The views expressed by the writer and the reader comments do not necassarily reflect the views and policies of the Express Tribune.

COMMENTS (43)

liberal-lubna-fromLahore | 8 years ago | Reply how does me laying out facts about a US initiated war in Afghanistan lead me to hating all of West? This is obviously coming from someone who has no awareness of war politics. So basically u r saying the MILLIONS of civilians death as a direct result of US military war is JUSTIFIED and better than the taliban rule? Apparently your hate for muslims is quite apparent here.
Maratha warrior | 8 years ago Life under Taliban rule was hellish. Your claim of more than million civilian deaths is exaggerated. If you love Taliban so much, why not make mulla fazlullah army chief of Pakistan.
Swaadhin | 8 years ago Since when did you become so concerned about millions of deaths when your own country was carved out of a million dead bodies and another 3 million were put to rest for the cause of keeping your nation united in 1971? If Taliban had not given refuge to Osama and co after the attacks on 9/11, would US have come to Afghanistan? The Americans are no saints which they proved in Iraq but not every country keeps quiet when they are being attacked by terrorists, the killings in Afghanistan are a fact and there is no condoning that but the atrocities of Taliban which you yourself do not want to be subjected to is equally true. You would obviously not agree with this because according to you 9/11 was another conspiracy and stop pretending to be concerned about Afghan lives when another comment of yours on this same blog clearly shows the disdain you treat the Afghans with.
liberal-lubna-fromLahore | 8 years ago | Reply what an illogical statement but then again, not surprised coming from an Indian whose country's media loves to show fabricated lies about other countries and thus makes it's viewers braindead. Your views are extremely narrow for u to have such plain biased opinion about situation in pakistan. anyone can counter what u have said by saying that oh last time i checked INDIA is the one that ADMITTED to sponsoring terrorism in Pakistan and plotting bombay bombings as an inside job as well but I am pretty sure for u, its going to fly over your head and your brain is conditioned to debunk it as an anti india conspiracy theory
Maratha warrior | 8 years ago Mobile networks in Afghanistan are provided by Indian companies.
Swaadhin | 8 years ago "last time i checked INDIA is the one that ADMITTED to sponsoring terrorism in Pakistan and plotting bombay bombings as an inside job as well but I am pretty sure for u, its going to fly over your head and your brain is conditioned to debunk it as an anti india conspiracy theory" The year was 1999, three men were freed in exchange for innocent Indians being taken hostage by terrorists in Kandahar, within no time they surface in Pakistan and start addressing angry crowds in thousands chanting anti Indian slogans, one of them was Omar Saeed Sheikh, who was free to do what he liked until he killed Daniel Pearl , the other one was Maulana Masood Azhar, the prime accused in Indian parliament attack. Hafiz Saeed accused in another attack in Mumbai who now has a 10 million bounty on his head is free to preach hatred against India, where do they reside? I am not asking to be convinced by what we tell you because we know the fact that you know facts but would rather look the other way, I am just telling you to enjoy your liberalism while India responds in kind because unless a price is set which Pakistan has to pay for attacking India, Pakistan would not mend its ways.
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