Afghanistan 10 pukul hat

Maimana (Herat-Mazar road): The Viking PRT here have about as much on their plate in the restive region as they desire, it is a rough area and taking potshots at passing vehicle is a popular taliban past-time here.

Jalalabad: Surprisingly to most people the area is rather quiet these days, but there are considerable local issues that mean you're probably best to just keep away for now.

South of Kabul: Please don't. Thank you. 

Clothes: 
 Firstly, please, for your own sake, don't wear a pukul hat. You will look silly in it, and it is one of the easiest ways to spot tourists from a mile off.

Outside of Kabul it is generally a good idea to invest in a set of shalwar kamis.

Note: make sure you buy a vest for it, either the waist-coat style or the fishing style, but in Afghanistan, generally not wearing a vest is the western equivalent of walking around with either a propellor hat like a child or walking around with pink hotpants and a mesh shirt.

Only if you have considerable personal prestige (which you don't) is it considered normal to wear one without it.

(to be continued)

Afghanistan 9 Regions to know the risks in:

Kabul: You will probably come here at some stage. Beware of the dramatic upswing in violence and show-piece terrorist attacks recently, and be prepared for anything. Don't walk around at night.

Panshir Valley, tomb of Massoud & Shomali Plain: Considered as close to 'safe' as Afghanistan gets, mines and UXO are the main issues here you will likely face.
Mazar & Balkh: These are probably the safest places you will visit, but beware the risks of kidnapping and general crime are still something you just cannot discount and keep your wits about you at all times.

Kunduz: Stop, change buses, keep going. Nothing good have ever happened to anyone in this shit-hole of a town. Drive through if you must, but just keep on going to Mazar, Kabul or Tajikistan.

Bamiyan & Band i Emir: The town itself isn't the issue so much as the roads leading to it from Kabul are very hazardous, to the point of, at the time of writing, being very difficult to recommend visiting.

Herat & Central route to Bamiyan: Lovely city but the sights to the north of the city are along roads no less intense than anywhere in Helmand, Kandahar or Paktika provinces. Recommend using only the road to Iran or flying to Kabul/Mazar unless absolutely necessary. Even if it is necessary to leave by road north or east, think again.

(to be continued)

Afghanistan 8 homosexual rape

Afghan men will kill each other of matters of honour, and the slightest, most abstract provocation can often be enough.

Along the same vein never be alone with Afghan men in areas out of public view, especially at night, never accept drinks that aren't shared with the host (ie the same tea pot)

One related issue (for men too) is that of homosexual rape. Yes, you read that right, this is not as strange as it sounds.

If you find yourself alone with an another Afghan male, Pashtuns in particular, be very aware that he quite likely may interpret your presence without other locals for company as an invitation for sex.

They may also believe they have a right to take it anyway, and the idea of forcing submissive sex with another male is in no way uncommon.

Nobody talks about this due to it being haram in islam, but it is a serious issue, and not just one for women to be careful of.

(That said don't go around thinking you're going to be raped by every male offering hospitality, like everything, just be aware)

(to be continued)