Women Only

I've collected a few experiences that involve us women.  A woman in Afghanistan is vulnerable, whether you were born here or came here to befriend.  Depending on our purpose here, our contact and influence on Afghan women varies.  It amazes me when I see young expat women are here, by themselves, to teach, heal,  minister to, and nurture Afghans.  In the city of Kabul it is possible to converse with both men and women, as a woman; whereas in the village, more traditional standards require complete separation.

                                                                                    The first event  I share is a birthday party for  Linda, who lived where we do now.  In the transfer of  occupancy, we have become friends.  I felt privileged to be invited to her party....will not divulge which year!  She is the dark-haired one in the middle
of the row.




                                                                       Another women's event was a baby shower, altho
a couple men came to keep the dad company.  Baby Micah has been featured on our blog before, but Debbie (in the pink) wanted to give them a party.  She invited some of her Afghan friends, so we ate on the floorcloth (a desterkhan) and sat on toshaks (except for some like me).
One thing about gift-giving here.....you are not supposed to notice it when it is brought....put it aside and say nothing.  Natalie opened the gifts after nearly everyone was gone.

 The guests included the young women who teach at the International School of Kabul....here to the right.  I have been an aide in some of their classes.

To the left is  Debbie's houselady, holding baby Micah. Often the employees of M's have worked for many thru the years and are dear friends.

                                I got a good share of my Christmas shopping done one Saturday morning recently.  The Herzara ladies who do exquisite embroidery came to show us their wares.  There were four altogether, but I persuaded two to be in the photo.   We probably bought enough to feed their families and fuel their homes for the winter!  That is the kind of shopping I feel good about.


Another women's event was a fun-filled few hours  at our Community Center, playing games (Bunko a different way?),
listening to women with tremendous testimonies, and a great lunch!  The skit shown at the right was hilarious......buck teeth and all......two visitors dropping into Kabul wondering about all this tal-i-ban talk and wondering how to be-have.  Laughing at ourselves is always good medicine!

A real special treat was having High Tea at  The Serena Hotel with Debbie and her two friends visiting from the US!  We donned our black Abayas and headscarves and dubbed ourselves the Queens.  The Serena is THE hotel in town for expats.......luxurious furnishings (by afghan standards anyway), clean, gracious, and food we can get nowhere else.....besides the High Tea, there is an Ice-Cream&Pastry Bar, an Afghan Restaurant, and a Euro-style Cafe with a buffet to die for.  It was a delight to have our choice of savory treats and then the sweets.  We even managed to drink tea!

This week an angel, in the form of Scott, came to cut hair in Kabul!  His wife supports the Salon that has trained deaf girls to do the services.....I have had a haircut and pedicures there.  But Scott has come with Holly now and again, throughout these nine years, to touch base with friends they've made...and to be a blessing.  And many of us got 'the best haircut of our lives!'  He even highlighted mine!  It is their Afghan son, Joseph, whom my friends are praying for.  Everyone expects a miracle with him......meanwhile Scott and Holly are being a blessing in Kabul.

WEll, that covers my feature of 'women's business.'  Gals have their needs and ways of getting them met.

PTL!