Kabul, Afghanistan Report of what it's like to live there - 07/18/19
Personal Experiences from Kabul, Afghanistan
Background:
1. Was this post your first expatriate experience? If not, what other cities have you lived in as an expat?
I have done assignments for DOS in Tajikistan and Botswana and for the U.S. Army in Germany along with TDYs to many other places.
2. What is your home city/country? How long is the trip to post from there, with what connections? How easy/difficult is it to travel to this city/country?
I am from St. Paul, Minnesota. It can be difficult flying anywhere from Kabul. Most flights must go through Dubai or Istanbul. Europe isn't too difficult but the U.S. will take a couple of days.
3. How long have you lived here?
10 months.
4. What brought you to this city (e.g. diplomatic mission, business, NGO, military, teaching, retirement, etc.)?
U.S. Embassy.
Housing, Groceries & Food:
1. What is your housing like? What are typical housing sizes, locations, and commute times for expatriates?
Housing at the U.S. Embassy is decent, especially now that the newer area is finally finished.
2. How would you describe the availability and cost of groceries and household supplies relative to your home country?
The cafeterias at the Embassy are pretty good. There is a pizza place, Thai place, and a Turkish place along with several coffee shops at Camp Resolute Support next door all of which are decent. There are a couple of small PXs that have some stuff.
3. What household or grocery items do you wish you had shipped to post?
I did not ship anything to post. I do have a full kitchen in my room so it is possible to cook.
4. What typical restaurants, food delivery services, and/or takeout options are popular among expatriates?
There is a pizza place, Thai place, and a Turkish place along with several coffee shops at Camp Resolute Support next door all of which are decent.
5. Are there any unusual problems with insects or other infestations in housing?
No.
Daily Life:
1. How do you send and receive your letters and package mail? Are local postal facilities adequate?
DPO or APO.
2. What is the availability and cost of household help, and what types of help are typically employed by expatriates?
You can have someone clean your room through the Kabul Embassy Employee Association (KEEA). It wasn't expensive but I don't remember the exact price.
3. What kinds of gyms or other sports/workout facilities are available? Are they expensive?
A nice new gym just opened up in the new housing unit plus there are several other gyms. You don't have to worry about lack of workout space.
4. Are credit cards widely accepted and safe to use locally? Are ATMs common and do you recommend using them? Are they safe to use?
There are several ATMs at the Embassy and Camp Resolute Support.
5. What English-language religious services are available locally?
There is a weekly multi-denominational service at Camp Resolute Support.
6. How much of the local language do you need for daily living? Are local language classes/tutors available and affordable?
None.
7. Would someone with physical disabilities have difficulties living in this city?
Yes.
Transportation:
1. Are local buses, trams, trains or taxis safe and affordable?
No.
2. What kind of car do you recommend bringing to post, given the terrain, availability of parts, burglary/carjacking risks, etc.? What kind of car do you advise not to bring?
You cannot bring a car to post.
Phone & Internet:
1. Is high-speed home Internet access available? How long does it typically take to install it after arrival?
Internet is supplied through the Embassy free of charge and is decent. You can stream on it.
2. Do you have any recommendations regarding mobile phones? Did you keep your home-country plan or use a local provider?
Post will supply a phone.
Employment & Volunteer Opportunities:
1. What types of jobs do most expatriate spouses/partners have? Locally based or telecommuting? Full-time or part-time? Can you comment on local salary scales?
It is Kabul so spouses must get a job at the Embassy in order to come to post. There are EFM positions here.
2. What volunteer opportunities are available locally?
None.
3. What is the typical dress code at work and in public places? Is formal dress ever required?
It is not formal at all for most sections.
Health & Safety:
1. Are there personal security concerns to be aware of at this post? Please describe.
It is Kabul, Afghanistan. If you do not know the security concerns you haven't been reading the news.
2. Are there any particular health concerns? What is the quality of available medical care? What medical conditions typically require medical evacuation?
Yes, the pollution here is really bad in the winter. Kabul is in a valley and everyone burns anything in the winter. It is better in the summer but still not good. There is incredible medical care here. If it is anything dangerous you will go to Bagram and be seen by top notch military doctors before being evacuated from post.
3. What is the air quality like at post (good/moderate/bad)? Are there seasonal air quality issues? Does the air quality have an impact on health?
Yes, the pollution here is really bad in the winter. Kabul is in a valley and everyone burns anything in the winter. It is better in the summer but still not good.
4. Are there any particular mental health issues that tend to crop up at post, such as Seasonal Affective Disorder (winter blues)?
There can be a lot of stress here.
5. What is the overall climate: is it extremely hot or cold, wet or dry, at any time of year, for example?
It does snow in the winter, but usually melts right away. I can get down into the 20s F which isn't cold to me but is to people from warmer states than MN. The summer is hot and dry. It is dry all year. Expect to get very dry skin and maybe even nose bleeds from the dryness.
Expat Life:
1. What is the relative size of the expatriate community? How would you describe overall morale among expatriates?
My morale is excellent every other Wednesday when I check my bank account. Other than that, not so good.
2. What are some typical ways to socialize, either with local people or with other expatriates? Are there groups or clubs that you can recommend?
There are lots of various events at the Embassy. I do not participate in them, but I think if you find some activities or clubs you like you will definitely have better morale.
3. Is this a good city for single people? For couples? For families? Why or why not?
You are confined to the Embassy for obvious security reasons. I heard there is a Tinder group here, which my office joked about for a couple of weeks once we found out.
4. Is this a good city for LGBT expatriates? Why or why not?
There are no issues I know about at the Embassy for LGBT since you are confined to post.
5. Is it easy to make friends with locals here? Are there any prejudices or any ethnic groups who might feel uncomfortable here?
No, we are confined to post for obvious reasons.
6. Are there problems with ethnic, race/racial minorities or religious prejudices? Gender equality?
Yes, there are quite a lot of social and religious divides in Afghanistan.
7. What have been the highlights of your time in this country? Best trips or experiences?
R&Rs are great here. You get three in one year and can be out of the country for 65 days. I was in Tajikistan a few tours ago which is very similar to northern Afghanistan. I would love to come back here and tour the country when it becomes peaceful again. I think it would be pretty special to see Badakhshan Province, Bamyan, Herat, Mazar-i-Sharif and other places. Sadly, you cannot do that now.
8. What are some interesting/fun things to do in the area? Can you recommend any “hidden gems"?
Since you are stuck at the Embassy you cannot visit any "hidden gems".
9. Is this a "shopping post"? Are there interesting handicrafts, artwork, antiques, or other items that people typically buy there?
There are some trinket stores, jewelry stores, and carpet stores at the Embassy and Camp Resolute Support but nothing special.
10. What are the particular advantages of living in this city?
Money, money, and money.
Words of Wisdom:
1. Knowing what you know now, would you still move to this city?
Yes, I got a great onward assignment and been able to save a lot of money here.
2. If you move here, you can leave behind your:
Ability to have a normal life for a year.
3. But don't forget your:
Common Sense: this is a war zone. You will hear and maybe see complex attacks within the city of Kabul. Please treat it seriously.
4. Do you have any other comments?
I thought I would have more of a sense of accomplishment for the work I have done here but a lot of it feels pointless and a waste of time and money. I am paying my dues by doing this assignment but I don't feel like I was able to make a positive contribution like I was at other posts.
