Monday, June 07, 2004
Day 4: Safe and Dusty in Kabul
So what's it like in Kabul? We got right into the rhythm today, like we were part of the city's life. Kabul bustles, well into the evening (of course, only the men are out and about after dark). There's traffic, traffic cops, shops and restaurants with bright lights, pushcart vendors, women in burqas with babies hailing taxis. Everyone's shoes are dusty, but no one minds.
For our families and friends: we feel very safe, but we're also being cautious, and are not taking any risks.
Picture how we started the day. Four high-powered business women (us), flipping out because we knew we had no control over the forthcoming interviews--our very reason for being in Kabul. Screw this up, and we've wasted a lot of people's time and a lot of our own money. Would the women show? Would we ask the right questions that would open them up? Would we relate to each other? How would we work with the translators? How could we do all that we needed to with interviews scheduled every 30 minutes?
In the end, it went pretty great. Yeah, there were some big potholes in the day (and in Kabul that's saying a lot), but we feel inspired by what we heard in the interviews, and the quality of the women. And, we did a good job ourselves.
We completed 13 interviews with Apples and Reeboks at the Afghan Women Business Center.
We operated like we were in a conference room anywhere in the world, even with the pizza we had delivered (which was very good by the way). The only difference was that we were all barefoot (as is the custom). Ray, Masuda and her sister Sara, kept us moving and sane.
An advantage over American conference rooms was our little house man (about 4-feet tall), who kept us plied with hot tea, cookies, clean cups and a big smile all day long.
We all feel buoyed as we go to sleep tonight.
Wendy, Corinne, Laurie and Toni
For our families and friends: we feel very safe, but we're also being cautious, and are not taking any risks.
Picture how we started the day. Four high-powered business women (us), flipping out because we knew we had no control over the forthcoming interviews--our very reason for being in Kabul. Screw this up, and we've wasted a lot of people's time and a lot of our own money. Would the women show? Would we ask the right questions that would open them up? Would we relate to each other? How would we work with the translators? How could we do all that we needed to with interviews scheduled every 30 minutes?
In the end, it went pretty great. Yeah, there were some big potholes in the day (and in Kabul that's saying a lot), but we feel inspired by what we heard in the interviews, and the quality of the women. And, we did a good job ourselves.
We completed 13 interviews with Apples and Reeboks at the Afghan Women Business Center.
We operated like we were in a conference room anywhere in the world, even with the pizza we had delivered (which was very good by the way). The only difference was that we were all barefoot (as is the custom). Ray, Masuda and her sister Sara, kept us moving and sane.
An advantage over American conference rooms was our little house man (about 4-feet tall), who kept us plied with hot tea, cookies, clean cups and a big smile all day long.
We all feel buoyed as we go to sleep tonight.
Wendy, Corinne, Laurie and Toni
Comments:
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Wendy,
The Women of Afghanistan are lucky to have you on their team. Keep up the good work. Enjoy not wearing shoes in the conference room.
Mike
The Women of Afghanistan are lucky to have you on their team. Keep up the good work. Enjoy not wearing shoes in the conference room.
Mike
# posted by 
: June 7, 2004 at 6:10 PM
: June 7, 2004 at 6:10 PM
Laurie...its amazing to know you are there after so much planning, so much anticipation. I'm following your journey with great interest and excitement for you and this particular group of women. "business women" xxx susa surrounding you with love.
# posted by : June 7, 2004 at 6:39 PM
: June 7, 2004 at 6:39 PM
Hi Laurie - it's Marla - sooooo proud of you - spoke to Steve today who is at The Point - told him how everything was going for you - he can't wait to hear about it when you return - not much going on around here - saw Harry Potter yesterday with the kids - Jenna is fascinated by this website and what you are doing - a true role model - lots of love to you, Marla
# posted by : June 7, 2004 at 8:05 PM
: June 7, 2004 at 8:05 PM
Congratulations on all your hard work. I wish I wasn't a chicken. Speaking of chicken, try and take pictures that capture the flavor of Chicken Street and the women of Afghanistan (a job for Ray's artistry?). We could print fund raising greeting cards for the team in time for the holidays. Laurie, maybe it's possible to use shots from your documentory
It sounds like everything is going well and you are learning a great deal about the Afghan culture. I can't wait to hear all the details. I am enjoying reading about your days. The picture is fantastic. I agree with Anne. It will have to go in the new brochure.
We are thinking about you.
Mary and Charlie.
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We are thinking about you.
Mary and Charlie.
# posted by : June 8, 2004 at 1:14 PM
: June 8, 2004 at 1:14 PM << Home
