Hi, Tom.

hello everybody, As you know I am a rookie in 21st century crisis areas and also as a journalist in Muslim countries. Therefore, just remembering my safety course, I asked Tom in my predeparting talk with him on what regular basis I should have any form of contact with the Hilversum base. He told me we probably should have contact once a week. Can you even imagine that I have never been thinking about this form of safety procedures when I arrived in Bamiyan? It is really peaceful here and there are only the body searches at banks, hotels and NGO and military facilities and the appearance now and then from armed police and military that reminds you of being in a country at a state of war. Until Tom contacted me a few days ago, I wasnt thinking anymore of this weekly contact we agreed upon. Sorry, sorry. I apologize for me neglecting it.

1 Kabul from the air When we would have stayed in Kabul for a longer time, this would be slightly different. We were not even for a week in the capital, but I hated it there. Everybody was warning us about going outside of the guesthouse, even for just buying some telephone scratch cards around the corner. Even the only balcony of the guesthouse had a curtain that prohibited people outside of seeing you.

2 The Afghans4Tomorrow guesthouse in Kabul

Maybe it is because of my rookie status, but I thought there was a little bit of paranoia going around. Nevertheless, we kept ourselves on the safe side, although I felt like a prisoner there. Because of a series of misunderstandings we missed our initial connecting flight to Bamiyan, so Klaas and I stayed for almost a week in Kabul. Aly was able to organize one seat at a UNAMA flight the following day, so we send him as our scout to Bamiyan. We would follow him a few days later with the UNHAS helicopter. Just enjoy the flight

3 Bamiyan from the air

I know I did promise Ruth to send a lot of photos.. and I wil. Not because of a way of making up for not calling in to Tom (also that), but because I really want to describe to you how things are going over here. Anyway, after a lovely flight we arrived at Bamiyan Airport, nothing more than a non-paved airstrip. Aly and Mahdy Mahreein, our local fixer and editor in chief of Radio Paik, were waiting for us. We had to reside for a few days in the Roof of Bamyan Hotel, because the opted Noorband Qalla Hotel was fully booked. Just take a look at pics from the Roof Hotel and keep in mind that the little huts were our rooms and it was freezing cold at night, but the view was.. wowwww..

By the way, the Noorband Hotel was fully booked because of a conference of some ministery. The Kabul officials particularly like to plan their conferences in the Bamiyan province. I think they consider it more or less as a kind of holiday.

Anyway, after three days we moved to the Noorband and finally I could organize all of my stuff. The Noorband has great quality in accommodation (I very soon called my room, my little palace), but the kitchen needs new blood.

4 The Noorband Qalla Hotel near the Bamiyan river

I was really glad I took my little Philips coffeemaker with me and some D-E coffee. On the other hand you will be surprised about all the brands and products that are available here in the bazaar. Coca Cola, Sprite, Fanta, Lays, Lu, Nestl, Heinz. just besides all the great fresh vegetables, fruits and meats that are sold here. Oooohh I forgot about one thing: the job. That caused some problems, because recently there was the appointment of a new chancellor to the Bamiyan university: dr. Salim. Until now I wasnt able to speak with him. Only Aly, on his return to the Netherlands, spoke with him in the office of the Ministery of Higher Education in Kabul. And as I am writing this, the chancellor still hasnt returned to Bamiyan. As Aly discovered from the conversation at the ministery, there are a lot of misunderstandings about FPUs mission in Bamiyan. So we are still seeking for an agreement with the university so we can go on like before: training students and broadcasting independent radio in Bamiyan and the districts of the province. In the meantime we are completing now the first batch of a two weeks refreshing course for already working journalist (which attracted the positive attention of the UNAMA press office) and we are preparing for a second batch to start next week. Also we are looking into the possibility of giving this course in the neighboring province of Daykundi at the end of June. But the agreement with the university has the highest priority now, so we can at last start the courses for the students. I have to go now, because I have this date with a UNAMA lady whom I will escort to an Aga Khan Foundation dinner, where I will hopefully meet a lot of new interesting people. More from yours truly in Bamiyan will follow. Ooohh... I forgot the new house.... Later..... Best wishes, Arno Welling.