Is Afghanistan all about attacks? What is Afghanistan’s history? Is there a constant war going on in Afghanistan? What is Afghanistan map like? what language do they speak in Afghanistan?
What comes to your mind when you hear “Afghanistan”? probably war, bomb, and poverty. It’s only one side, Let’s look at the other side.
If I were to describe Afghanistan by one color, it would be Grey. This mysterious land is a mixture of love and hate, light and darkness, good and bad. Now it sounds more familiar, right?
History
Afghanistan has been through a lot. It was a part of the Persian empire, then got attacked by the big guys because of its strategic location.
The most recent ones are the Soviet Union and then the Taliban.
They seldom had any chance to go develop as a nation.
People
There are two major ethnic groups in Afghanistan, Pashtun, and Hazara. Pashtuns generally look Caucasian (Blond and ginger) while Hazarans look Asian.
They also have minorities like Tajik, Uzbek, and Turkmen.
Traveling to Afghanistan
Due to security issues, most governments don’t recommend traveling to Afghanistan but recently we see some famous YouTubers who went there and made fantastic videos.
Generally speaking, People are way too nice with foreigners and most of them would invite you for tea.
The new generation has some understanding of English, but come on! We all smile in the same language!
How to get Afghanistan visa
You can apply through an Afghan embassy in your country. It takes about two weeks to proceed and then you’d go there personally to finish it. It costs $160.
There’s also a faster way, to get it from their Consulate in Dubai. At the end of the day, you probably need to get to Kabul from Dubai since there’s almost no direct flight from other countries.
It takes less than 48 hours and costs you $80 or 300AED. Take cash with you, they don’t accept credit cards there. They usually process it in half a day and would give you a visa for 30-60 days.
What to do in Afghanistan
Even the fact of being in this almost forbidden land is interesting but there are a lot of things you could do over there.
Buddhas of Bamyan
This site is one of the most amazing historical sites in the world.
There are two Buddhas carved in the mountain. They are the biggest Buddha figures in the history of Buddhism.
In 2001, the Taliban destroyed them but it’s still fascinating to visit them. If you climb up inside the mountain through the stairs, you can get to the top and see a breathtaking view of the Bamyan region.
Band-e-Amir National Park
This national park has a beautiful lake and a fantastic mountain view to enjoy.
The water is unbelievably blue. You can surf it by swan-shaped boat and then have a delicious local fish dish. (Sorry vegetarians!) .
Skiing in Afghanistan
Yes, that’s right. you can ski in Bamyan city. Afghanistan has a lot of mountains and which makes it ideal for these kinds of sports.
There’s a ski club in Bamyan that even offers to teach people how to ski.
Dar-ul-Aman Palace
This beautiful Palace was built by Afghanistan’s late king, Amanullah Khan as the symbol of modern Afghanistan.
It’s been targeted and ruined a few times but they rebuilt it in a 4 years project and it’s completed now, powerful and fascinating, looking at Kabul.
National Museum of Afghanistan
Right beside Dar-ul-Aman Palace, there’s a great Museum, reflecting the country’s history.
Because of wars, not a lot of things had the chance to survive, but it still shows the roots of the country.
Do you have any opinions or recommendations? Share them with us in the comments below.
Beautiful photos and great recommendations! Have you seen the movie Whiskey Tango Foxtrot? I also want to read the book it’s based on, and it seems like a great representation of life there in the early 2000s.
No! I’ll add it to my watch list!
Thanks for the recommendation!
Actually I went there during 2000s! (If 2009 counts! Lol!)
Well WTF was before that
I love the way you shortened the title! I had to double check your previous comment, just to make sure I wasn’t wrong! lol!
Well, we’re talking Tina Fey here, so of course
Two of my friends who I’ve written about in my blog who got married to each other lived in Afghanistan for five years. I heard some interesting stories from them. (I’d rather not mention names for both security and spoiler reasons, although I don’t know if security is an issue anymore now that they’ve been back in the US for quite some time.)
Love the post. Thanks for sharing. I had a friend from Afghanistan, we are not in touch anymore. This post reminds me of him.
Glad to know you liked it!
Thank you very much for your comment!
This gave me a very different perspective of Afganistan. Really hoping to visit this place someday!
I hope so too.
Thank you for your comment!
Enjoyed your post. The children are so beautiful. They have a story to tell behind those eyes.
Right! Thank you for your comment! 😊
Nice post. I have been read somewhere that Afganistan means Gandhar of Gandhari queen Mahabhrata.
That’s interesting! I didn’t know it!
its true.
Yes. Shakuni was the king of Gandhar! Shakuni is Gandhari’s brother
But its name changed after some days Afganisthan.
Thank you for sharing the beauty and a bit of Afghanistan’s history. I truly enjoyed the read.😊
My pleasure!
Glad you enjoyed it! 😊
wow
It’s really a shame and tragedy that a beautiful land of diverse cultural and natural beauty has been the victim of such extreme violence and destruction. Don’t know whether peace will ever place it’s foot permanently on that country.
You are right! It’s a fabulous country! Let’s cross our fingers for Afghanistan’s peace!
Thank you for your comment! 😊
Nice to read. I always wanted to know more about Afghanistan people and how they survive all odds. But here you helped me a bit! Thank you
My pleasure.
I’ll write a lot more about Afghanistan in about 3 months. I’ll let you know by then.
Thank you for your comment.
Great article & beautiful shots!💕
thank you very much dear Maria!
Great post!
Thank you.
You’re welcome 😊
Wonderful article! 😀
Thank you dear endorsum!
I do love seeing posts about places on this planet we share.
Glad you liked the post.
You’re right. It’s nice to see something of Afghanistan other than the images seen in the news.
What a lovely post. Thank you.
Thank you for commenting.
You are very welcome. A beautiful ‘forbidden’ land.
Love this post!! Definitely enlightening!! Beautiful!
Thank you very much dear Omatra.
One word. Wow.
Thanks dear Nina, I appriciate it.