The Women’s Section and Greasy Food in Herat Restaurant

We went for lunch with our translator today. We were ushered into the “women’s section”… a small room behind a beaded curtain. Once we were inside, there were such strange “sexy” photographs on the wall. As women, we’re put in a private place so the men can’t see us (or so we can hide from the men??) BUT the photos on the wall totally sexualized women. So what are we women supposed to be?? Private non-sexual beings or Bollywood temptresses?
We were given traditional Herati food – big bowls of greasy meat, greasy rice and greasy beans…. Eugh. I could barely move afterwards! The Bollywood superstars on the wall certainly aren’t eating this stuff!

Afghan hospitality

Afghan hospitality is quite incredible - every house I go to, even where the families are clearly desperately poor, tea is always provided. Sometimes I am also offered grapes and melon, or sweets. In the offices where I have been working - such as the IOM office or the Afghanistan Independent Human Rights Commission office - the staff always insist on giving me lunch (even though they're paying for it themselves). These lunches are amazing - buttery rice, or rice with orange peel and spices (an Afghan speciality). And dishes of meat and aubergine (all glistening with grease!!). And, of course, the staple naan bread. I am going to get very very fat here!!