Where's Dara?

15 April 2008

Yup, sushi in Kabul. I kid you not. Complete with wasabi (sinus burning), pickled ginger, sticky rice, seaweed. Complimented by potstickers and a fabulous dipping sauce, and chicken on a bed of rice noodles.

Really, it was in Kabul.

You know how you can tell: the fillings.

It being so rare to have sushi fixings minus the fresh fish (that would be pushing it too much in a landlocked, already dodgy food country), the sushi chefs went a bit crazy. On offer were: tuna (canned), smoked salmon, vegtable, peanut butter and oreo. On the last one, I confess it may have been slightly my fault.

I walked into the house where the sushi fest was and the birthday girl came up to me and said, "What do you think of oreo sushi?" Taken slightly aback, I answered, "Why not!" Well, we found out why not. Foul. Opinion was split on the peanut butter sushi.

Dinner parties, such as this birthday do, are always enjoyable in Kabul. You usually end up hanging on the toe-shaks (long cushions on the floor), slipping wine, and having a laugh. The restaurants are good for a dinner, but, as with home, nothing can replace hanging out at a friend's place.

With the warm weather sneaking in--though not last night, as the rain poured down with the nippy air, bonfires and garden parties are on the upswing, and Kabul is again becoming a fun place.

April 14, 2008

well, it has been eons since I actually posted on my blog. I know. It's a crime.

Lots of crazy things have happened... including a move to Kabul to work the org's headquarters, frozen pipes, the untimely death of a friend, and the departure from Kabul of many.

Being in Kabul, while not as exciting as road missions, and field work, definitely has its moments that are unique to Afghanistan and to Kabul. One of the drawbacks, though, is excruciatingly slow internet (except at the restaurants and cafes, which are now back on limits). Another is long hours at work... of course, that is off set by being surrounded by good friends.

Anyway, I hope to write a bit more than I have been and to post up some old stories, and some non-Afghan adventures (shocking, I know!). Now, though, I have to run to another one of those dastardly. meetings.

Hope all is well.