Middle East Travel
Until the wars stop and probably long after you should probably steer well clear of Afghanistan even the bordering countries. Still it will hold a fascinating recent history and no doubt it will one day be a place to adventure in.
As you can see in these videos it is possible to travel in the country but we strictly advise against it.
In 2001 a war was launched against the ancient country of Afghanistan. Too bad, as while as of today the place might be war-torn, yet it is a maginificent place filled with all sorts of wonders throughout its 652,000 square kilometers.
Sadly, almost half of the capital city of Kabul has been destroyed by war. However, with a lot of tender loving care the city will make a comeback. Maybe this way everyone will get to enjoy the National Gallery, the Kabul Museum, and the Gardens of Babur--created in the 1500s with its own marble mosque and tomb. Kabul's Sultani Museum is filled with all sorts of pottery and carving treasures.
Shahr-i-Zahak is also an ancient city, and its also known as the Red City. Bala Hisar was also once a thriving ancient city, eventually destroyed by the Brits in the Second Anglo-Afghan War.
Jalalabad was once a winter resort filled with cypress trees. Not any longer, but maybe one day soon it'll return back to its former glory.
The current war in Afghanistan doesn't make it easy to get here to see it all, but flights are available from New Delhi and Dubai; so long as you've got a passport, a return ticket, and a visa.
Afghanistan's network of roads are not really passable any longer (again, thanks to the ongoing wars); and public transportation in Kabul is unreliable at best.
What makes the inconveniences worth it is just one look at the remote Hindu Kush Mountain Range. Its tallest peak stretches a staggering 24,600 feet into the sky.
Weather in Afghanistan is affected by its altitude, making the milder Spring & Autumn the best times to come. Winters can be harsh, summers sweltering--so the middle of the road seasons are best.
Whatever season you've managed to get here, take necessary precautions against landmines, waterborne diseases (think boiled or bottle as the safest), and the necessary vaccinations before departure (Diphtheria, Hepititis A & B, Malaria, etc.).
Eating can be treat, so long as you don't eat undercooked or raw meat. Dishes tend to be spicy, and mostly eaten with your right hand. Fresh fruit like pomegranates and oranges make for a delightful after-dinner treat.
Shopping for some extraordinary items in Afghanistan are a treat to bring home. The embroidery, glassware, brass & copper goods are some of the best you can get.
You'll have to pay cash, as no credit cards or travelers cheques are accepted. Some ATMs will dispense United States Dollars, mostly in part to the US military's presence in the region.
While the US personnel will speak English, the official language in Afghanistan is both Pashto and Dari Persian. One thing that trancends language barriers is the fact that alcohol, drugs, and homosexuality are illegal. Know before you go--and this is a predominately conservative Muslim country--some 90 percent of its 28 million people.
Whether it is, or not--maybe one day Afghanistan will rebuild itself so that everyone will know what lays hidden within.
