KABUL – Afghanistan and Tajikistan share a number of things in common, but one that I’ve been forced to get used to (again) over the past few days is the reality of living in darkness.
And, by darkness, I don’t mean a forboding mood, or perpetual ecliptic shadows. Rather, I mean that both countries suffer significantly from […]
DUSHANBE — It’s 5:45 AM local time in Dushanbe and it’s quiet and cold in the lobby of the Hotel Tajikistan. I’ve come full circle since arriving here in October 2007 — I stayed in this very hotel (pre-renovation) after arriving on the Turkish Air flight from Istanbul. This morning, I tried to leave Dushanbe […]
DUSHANBE — As a Canadian Conservative in a foreign land, it is hard to boot up the old laptop in the morning, find an Internet source and download (2Kb/s — don’t let the breeze knock you over) the latest headlines from Canada without wincing at what’s going on in Ottawa.
I confess to a healthy measure […]
A lovely fresh salad greeted guests to the annual Marine Ball in Dushanbe on Nov. 22nd. Cucumbers and tomatoes are actually fruits, n’est-ce pas? My own photo is trapped inside my locally purchased cell phone, so I’m grateful to Marit Rasmussen for this photo. (c) 2008 Marit Rasmussen.
DUSHANBE — It’s Sunday evening at La Grand […]
Seemingly innocuous, these ubiquitous drainage ditches lining Dushanbe streets can swallow grown men alive.
DUSHANBE — It’s six o’clock local time in Dushanbe on Monday, November 10 and I’m trudging home in the pouring rain. Head down, reasonably comfy in my aged Mountain Equipment Coop rain jacket to which, for the first time ever, I have […]
DUSHANBE — Back in Dushanbe and missing my old apartment already. After being graciously hosted for a night and a half by my colleague William, I moved in (albeit without unpacking) to temporary digs in a very Tajik style apartment close to the Ministry of Defence.
My new temporary home lacks an internet connection, working kettle […]
DUSHANBE — I arrived back in Dushanbe in the early morning hours, as always, on Thursday and was impressed to see the little things that have changed and the big things that haven’t.
Our Turkish Air 737 parked in the far distant reaches of the ramp area, something new, and a pair of shiny almost-new airport […]