Bob & Patty's Excellent Afghan Adventure - Day 7

If you received our daily email updates you've seen most of it, but not all. Since our return I've added a few notes and comments which I've put in blue italic type so those of you who don't want to read it all again can pick out the "new stuff." <g> I've also added a couple photos from each day of the trip, which weren't always in the daily updates.

If you'd like to see more photos from the trip, follow the link to the left. I took most of them, but some were taken by other team members Ron Atchley, John Eisel, Gary Goodenow, and Susie Knezel. (John and Susie are pros, so the best ones probably came from them. <g>) If you'd like hi-rez copies of any of them just let me know.

Sunday, April 27

Today is an Afghan national holiday commemorating Afghanistan's freedom from Russian occupation. I's usually a happy day in Afghanistan, but today is a very sad day here in Kabul. A small group of Pakistani Taliban attempted to assassinate President Karzai during a large Saur celebration here in Kabul.

Since it's a national holiday, our only plans for the day had been to have a barbeque at a local park and go to Camp Eggers (the Army base in Kabul) to attend a Sunday evening church service with members of the coalition forces. Unfortunately, with the assassination attempt all plans were cancelled and we were confined to the guest house for our own safety.

But our extremely gracious Afghan hosts were able to have the barbeque brought to our compound so we could enjoy authentic lamb kebobs and Naan (Afghan bread) and spend the afternoon relaxing and sharing stories with them. The musicians also came so the mood inside the Guest House was festive.

It is now 6 o'clock in the afternoon and we'll be eating dinner soon. After dinner we'll get word on whether or not our security personnel will be allowed to take us to Barek Aub again tomorrow to give the older children, who weren't able to join us before, their packets of school supplies.

I'd better send this now since it appears our Internet connection is alive again. Hopefully the next time you'll hear from me I'll have more to share about Barek Aub.

Thank you for your continued prayers and support. We will see you soon!

One bite of these kebabs had me doing my best Homer Simpson impression... "Mmmmm... kebabs..... mmmm...."

Although the mood was subdued throughout Kabul today, local musicians definitely brightened the day at the Guest House.