I’m starting to feel like everyone in this hotel is shady looking. They are not Afghans and yet they all eye me with suspicion. Actually, everyone eyes everyone here with suspicion. Just now three middle aged men in black suits speaking Russian walked past and stared at me and then stared at my computer where I was sending an email to a friend that said ‘everyone looks like a possible terrorist. Am I that paranoid?’ Oh well. At least they know I’m on to them.
Today was a great experience. We went to Camp Eggers, one of the military bases here, and interviewed 19 soldiers! Some broke down crying while others lived for the adrenaline rush. They let me climb into the gunner’s part of one of the Humvees and said I was the first woman to go in there. They also let me carry their M16’s and grenade launchers. I’ll be using those pics for my MySpace profile.
We also went to the bazaar where I bought 5 Afghan dresses that no one I know will ever wear but I wanted to support their struggling economy. I barely slept last night because I kept having nightmares of us getting attacked. Tonight I’m taking a sleep aid.
5 responses so far ↓
Anup Pandey // Nov 5th 2007 at 11:30 pm
Afghan dresses: You could wear each one on TV when you launch the series.
Did you interview any Afghans? Any opportunity to interview Afghan politicians?
thanks
Jenny Hoff // Nov 6th 2007 at 9:12 am
Good idea! I’ll consider doing that.
We did get an opportunity to interview some Afghans involved in developing Kabul, although our main focus was localizing the war around some Central Texans over there. We spoke with General Auga, the head of the Afghan National Police and several women involved in starting up businesses and educational programs. We also interviewed the U.S. ambassador to Afghanistan, all of which you will see in our series starting November 12th. Thanks for your interest Anup!
riccardo // Nov 9th 2007 at 8:25 pm
Absolutely something I needed to see. I am happy to see a different angle on what is happening in the Middle East. We are so sheltered from the truth and you have openly taken a chance to bring us the what is real. I hope there is more to come and I will definitely spread the word on such a great format. We’ll definitely be watching. Keep up the incredible work!!!!!!
Eric Johnson // Nov 12th 2007 at 1:56 pm
Jenny,
Wow, what a one sided and immature view of Afghanistan. I think you need to spend some more time there. I spent 12 months there leading a Civil Affairs/Psyops Team and came a way with a totally different point of view. Afghanistan is incredibly poor, yet it’s people are incredibly resourceful, hardy and vibrant. You talk as if everyone is a potential terrorist and that simply is not true. Most are hard working people who simply want a better life for their kids. You also put down the Afghan military, but need I remind you these same Afghans fought Alexander the Great to a stand still, destroyed the British and evicted the Russians. Make no mistake, they may not be educated, but they are not dumb and they are incredibly tenacous. I would love to meet with you and discuss Afghanistan. Maybe you should sit down with Arezow Doost and get her feedback as well. It might enlighten you.
Respectfully,
Eric Johnson
MAJ TXARNG
Jenny Hoff // Nov 12th 2007 at 5:54 pm
I appreciate your feedback on my blog because that means you are reading it, but I would like to correct the impression you have of my reports. What you are reading is my blog, my journal, the thoughts that went through my mind as I experienced all I saw in Afghanistan. They are not my final impression of the country, nor my conclusion on the people of Afghanistan. In reality, as you will see in my series, I found my impressions there to change on a daily basis. I was not embedded with the military or any type of organization, but there independently to see everything I could and bring it back to Austin. When I was with the military, I felt hope because I saw the good work going on. Yet, there were also times I felt extremely despondent because of the poor condition of the people. I made some comments about the Afghan military as if I were talking to my family because that is what a blog is supposed to be. However, in my reports I also talk about their ferocity and resilience.
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