Kabobs and Rain

We recently took a trip around the PRT to visit some projects. It was raining, but we were still able to stop and get some kabobs at a local restaurant. They make the best pepper kabobs in the area.



Just remember: Mud and Rain probably don't mix. Good luck guys!

Tony Soprano arrives in Panjshir

Where Tony Soprano can be found after HBO canceled the show: In Panjshir. The PRT team with the Governor, Haji Bahlol.

Myself and Tony Soprano

Flight out of the Valley

All Kitted up!

My Ride!!

Love the smog line

Just like coming over the mountains in the LA

An isolated village up at 8000 feet. Damn cold up there.

Trip in the Snow

Recently took a trip to see if I could get to some villages for my projects. Unfortunately, the snow was still too deep for us to get to the cutoff villages. So we visited some other villages, talked and handed how some equipment and supplies to the villagers. It was a great trip and as you can see, the weather was beautiful. But the change is tremedous from the area we visited to some other areas of Panjshir. It's warm enough to see wheat growing in some areas and in others, you still have two feet of snow. Just incredible the diversity of Afghanistan.

BUZSKHASHI

Now, I don't know how you spell it, but it's definitely a riot. Picture this: 2 teams (about 15 horses each), cleared snowfield, audience in the action (keep your head on a swivel) and a wrestling match on the field (seriously, with mats even).

So, the rules are pretty simple. A circle on the ground on one end and a flag at the other end.

Your team has to take the headless goat (you heard right) around the flag and drop it in the circle. The other team tries to stop you. You drop the goat or it is stolen from you, the teams start over.


Remember what I said about active participation. It's really more about daring your buddy to see how close you can get to the action.

Look mom, no hands!!

It's a Party

The Soviets left Afghanistan a while ago, but the Afghans still celebrate. And boy do they like to celebrate in style. In Panjshir, we were lucky enough to be invited to attend the celebrations, which included lots of food, 100's of ex-Mujahadien fighers and my first Buzskashi game!!!

So, how do you feed hundreds in the middle of winter in Panjshir? Of course, outside!

Don't they look so happy :)

Men working the Afghan barbeque.

Got to have your nan bread. Reminds me a lot of lavash from Armenia

And the good stuff (green stuff is a type of creamed spinachish-like thing - not too bad).

Day after the Blizzard

We finally got hit. At least 10 inches fell in the area and turned the valley into a beautiful wonderland. Too bad no one had any snowboard or skis. Fresh virgin powder all over the place and no way to ski it. Oh well!!!

Just thought I would take a couple of pictures of the aftermath. Fort building will start shortly!

My first project comes to fruition

I recently attended the planting ceremony of the Gulab Kheil Winter Dormant Fruit Tree project. This was my first project that I personally helped do from concept to funding to finish. It's small, but it's a start. 20 families from one village participated in a 2 day training with an additional two day training for hands on practice and tree planting (we were there for the first day of tree planting). Each participant received 35 tree stocks (1 meter tall) of improved fruit tree stock of their choice from apple, almond or apricot. In addition, each participant received a wheelbarrow, shovel, pruning shears, nylon rope (for tree spacing), an axe and manure for fertilizer. They will also receive replacement trees in the spring if some of their trees fail to make it through the winter.

The villagers were extremely excited about this project from day one and there are already several other individuals who wish to sign up for additional trainings. For me, the two important factors of this project was that the village initiated the idea for this project and it has the potential to be sustainable in that the villagers will be able to garner an income from these trees from day one: 1) selling root stock initially and 2) then selling fruit in the future.

Below are several pictures from the day.

This is the valley where the project was taking place. Notice the terracing where the trees will be going.

The trees, labeled and categorized for each individual farmer

Signing or thumbprinting for the trees

The trees aren't light, let me tell you

Photo Op. Yes, cheesy, but it's my good side

Handing out more equipment

Another cheesy photo op, but I wanted to help. Me and my big mouth, later they had me dig a tree hole and plant the first tree. I'll come back later and carve my name in it.

Planting my tree!!

And even without running water or 24 hour power, you have to have your satellite.