A Somali in Kabul Part 2

[Bokero]

Week 3&4

 

Random thoughts

 

My first Bombs

 

The first major attack since my arrival took place this week. Ministries were attacked and many lives lost (all mostly poor afghans). I was at the Parliament when the attack started and we all had to be evacuated from the building. There was a real fog of war, no one seemed to know where the attack was taking place and many feared the Parliament would be next… I felt sad, angry and wee scared. The thing about this kind of bombings is that one never thinks it will happen to them until it does., complacency and a sense of false security is one’s undoing here, I always try my best to control any breach of complacency. Local people hardly filch about the bombings they’re sadly used to this kind of thing, decades of senseless conflict and death toughens you up I suppose.

 

Mohamed is cool..

Because of the security situation our interaction with Afghans is severely limited, with our movements restricted to security cleared places. One of the few places we can freely interact with Afghans is at work, where I can categorically testify that this one of the few places I have lived that is SUPER COOL to be called Mohamed. For so long, I have had to put up with suspicious looks from the western immigration and custom officials, who either think I am about to blow something, declare asylum or smuggle drugs, so its good to be in a place where once you utter your name you get hugs, a cup of tea and biscuits while my “infidel” colleagues only get handshake …

 

Standing out

 

When I’m working in West Africa I am always thought of as a Fula (one of the large West African tribes) so I don’t stand-out in a crowd. This is my first venture to a place were I am truly noticeable as black folks here are rare. The Wazungu can grow a beard and cover-up so to not stand out too much, but being black, you can’t hide your foreignness. At least I now I know what Wazungus must feel in Africa… Black folks are so rare that when we run into each other we are magnetically move towards each other and exchange notes…

 

Talking about Black people, few days ago I walked into a coffee house on the outskirts of Kabul, and was greeted by a very unusual scene – a black dude sitting in a table surrounded by Afghan women (no it wasn’t P Diddy). What made it so particularly surprising is that once you land here you are warned by everyone not to even look at Afghan women let alone sit next to them and chat – it would be an act of suicide. The Afghans would cut off your head and make soup out of it! (in my case a spicy Somali stew, I always thought I would make nice dish… ). Ok I am exaggerating, but let’s just say you will be asking for a lot of trouble. Naturally I was thinking what this guy is doing with all those Afghan women. I approached tentatively not wanting to be collateral in what the soup makers have in store for him.

 

“I am Tayo from Nigeria” he says - I asked him what he was doing in Kabul, but what I really wanted to ask was - what hell are you playing at man you want to die?? He continued to explain that he runs a company that trains women NGO’s on blah blah and that he also does Monitoring and Evaluation and everything else that needed to be done… Because he is from Lagos I was not surprised about the diversity of services this single man delivers (or at least claims to). He has been here for few years and his company is doing well. Wow, I thought he must have seriously enlarged cahones, or simply be a Nigerian, to come to this place and seek business opportunities. For those of us who are passionate about Africa’s development and want to see a prosperous continent in our lifetime, men like Tayo give us hope. His story is a confirmation of the entrepreneur zeal that is present in Africa and only needs careful management to transform the continent. I was awed by his brazenness to life, he is officially my HERO. I could imagine him saying, Taliban, Nato, and bombs don’t scare me I am from Lagos man!

 

Women in Afghanistan

 

A friend of mine recently emailed me to ask, “what is it to be a woman in Afghanistan” I have to admit I know little about what is it to be a woman anywhere… I am trying really hard not to rush to any judgment on an issue I know so little about, especially when I hardly get the chance to chat to any of them. But, because I am human I cannot help but be influenced by what I hear, allow me to regurgitate what informed people here say “womanhood here needs a lot of work”… Although tentative evidence does exist to back this assessment I can’t say for sure…

 

Finally my R&R is approaching in the next few days I can’t wait to go and see my loved ones and get a deserved break from lighting wood…

[Abtigiis]

If you are in kabul, have you met Adnan from Ethiopia? Which branch of the UN do you work for. PM me if you want. That guy will give you my CV from childhood if you meet. He is an accountant.

[Bokero]

Hey... i have briefly met Adnan he is with Ocha i think i am with UNDP... we spoke briefly on the phone...he seems like a solid guy... i am getting all the somalis together this friday do you have his email.. if so pls send it to my inbox

[Abtigiis]

I will. Please meet him. He is more like NBA guy, very tall, and pleasant. I will give you his e-mail. I will also tell him about your dreams!kkkk.

[Bokero]

thanks bro...

[Abtigiis]

Resistance,

 

Do you now accept I have a friend in Kabul, other than Bokero? You implied as if I was making up it last time. Next time, when in doubt ask me who I have in Argentina or Costa Rica before you go to hasty questioning.

 

Bokero,

 

I sent you the address by PM. Do what I told you, but A&T code name is dear to me. Don't reveal it. Dadkoo dhan ayaa maqraati ah. If you tell him, he will tell me and I will be bashing you for your dreams all year long.

[Resistance]

^ u went through all this hassle to make your point, i feel touched Abti. Now go and prove u have a freind in Argentina ( and Palestines do not count )

[Abtigiis]

No hassle. But I wanted to help release some of your cynicism. Just because I talk much doesn't mean I lie.

[N.O.R.F]

Waryaaraheen, I think I can more than manage workin for the UN. A&T, I will send you my CV.

[Bokero]

A&T, what are you doing in Mugabe land... i am sure it was peacefull prior to your arrival...thanks for the email

[Bokero]

p.s your name and the rest is safe with me...your location need not be secret unless your up to something dodgy

[Coloow]

Bokero, the best of luck sxb. I was once called for an interview to take a WB position either in Ceylon aka Srilanka and Afghanistan. I was shortlisted but was terrified; so I declined. Who knows had I taken the job in Afghanistan we would have met.

 

How many years is your placement? If you travel to western Afghanistan (bordering Iran) there are some people who are dark skinned- and you might have felt at home.

[Bokero]

maybe you will get another chance

[Coloow]

Actually, I declined because I am a coward. I fear to work in an uncertain environment and besides I am overqualified. Srilanka and Afghanistan are dangerous spots. Why don't you transfer to UNDP east Africa where you can blend among the walendo?

[Bokero]

I would love to transfer but no now...if i see something, interesting may apply..

 

Sri Lanka is good, very good nothing to worry there..the war is limited in north