December 22nd, Karte 3, Kabul, Afghanistan

So, I'm sitting here with once again the power out, getting what typing I can done before the battery on my laptop peters out. Dr. Mojadidi left today for a few days to Dubai for a little well deserved R and R.

So, it's just me the house guard Dedar (then Ashraf, they trade off week long shifts on Thursday) and the house servant Abdul, neither of whom know any English to speak of (though more than I know of Farsi, respect given where due). It should be an interesting few days.

This morning I went to the US consulate to register myself as being in Afghanistan. But, they wouldn't see me, as they said they only take appointments Monday,Tuesday, and Thursday. Well, their website not only said I didn't need an appointment, but it didn't mention anything about only taking them on certain days. Seems the Afghan government isn't the only one with problems (no surprise, I assure you). I think about that from time to time- about all the problems with the U.S. government and it's poorly oiled bureaucracy. If such a well educated (relatively speaking, of course) and wealthy country has such significant issues, what chance does a worn-torn impoverished nation such as Afghanistan have of sustaining an effective government?

I have to say- the most nervous I've been since arriving in Kabul was standing today in front of the U.S. Embassy waiting for a car service to show up. I was out there for about 25 minutes well aware I was standing PRECISELY at one of the premier targets in the whole of Afghanistan. Though far from inducing an all out panic, it was none the less quite an uncomfortable place to be. I'm still struggling with knowing just what my appropriate level of caution here should be. Not only would it be simply unnecessary, and down right silly, to be at a constant state of alert, but it would also greatly impede my ability to get the most out of this experience, not to mention being able to simply enjoy myself. That said, obviously a certain about of caution is appropriate, this is a conflict zone. I'm trying to take my cues regarding this from the locals, and the ex-pats who've been here for a while, but I've a feeling this is something maybe one never really learns to balance just right. Most certainly it won't be something I'll be able to master in the six weeks I'll be here. One step in the right direction I think, will be to avoid the U.S. Embassy.