Travel from the EQUALS Compound to the Ministry of Water & Energy is about a 40 minute drive through Kabul City. Our work hours are the same as the program staff whose transportation to and from the Ministry Offices is provided by the government. I was told that the work hours change depending upon the time of year.
Our driver and security guard pick us up is an armoured SUV. Pick up and delivery is door to door. Only two of us can be transported at one time, and we must sit in the back seat behind the driver and security guard, both of whom are in camo and body armor. Our security guard carries a big gun! The doors are locked by the security guard, and he is the only one that can let us out of the vehicle.
As we leave the Compound, we travel first on a kind of internal road. I can walk on this road between the buildings without a personal body guard. Every few feet there is a big blue rectangular protection station with a square whole. I imagine it is a kind of bunker. Sand bags are also piled up at various corners. Security guards are at the gates of each of our Compound buildings and along the road to the first check point. There is a gate that is raised by the security guards and a sign in/out station.
As we leave the first gate on the Compound, we come to another security gate which is the entrance to our private street also guarded. Leaving our private street, we go onto a public street, which is not really public, as only those with certain permits and authorizations can travel on it. This public/private street is also adjacent to many of the embassys including the American Embassy.
From this public/private street there is another checkpoint and we are on the streets of Kabul City. Even so, there are multiple checkpoints within Kabul City, which we stop at if summoned by one of the guards to do so. We do not travel the same routes.
As you can tell from today’s photo gallery the ride is fascinating. The backdrop of the snow covered mountains that surrounds the Kabul on all sides gives a tribal feel to this city of over 3.5 million people.
All modes of dress are worn by the women on the street from the burka to more western dress with a scarf. According to our security guard, Omar, there are 3 types of burkas worn in Kabul, blue, white and black coverings. The blue ones seem more noticable as we travel. My “boss” Glen, the driver, and security guard all complimented me on my culturally appropriate dress today. I was very, glad I sought some guidance in Portland and took the time to order the tunic tops and head scarves online!
I will start teaching tomorrow so off to do last minute preparations!
