Kabul,
Afghanistan Aug.17, 1988- My Mujahed friends smuggled me into Soviet
held Kabul, stole a city bus and took me for a drive around the
city. The big picture in the center is of Amanullah Khan, chief
of the secret police. Apparently inspired by this stunning portrait,
the bus broke down frequently by overheating. This was serviced
by dipping a bucket into the open sewers by side of the road
and dousing the engine. We often stopped within sight of a bus
stop. At each stop, groups of Russian and DRA soldiers were usually
waiting for a ride. Assuming that we were a regular Kabul municipal
bus stopping at what, in Afghan reckoning, was a reasonable proximity
to a designated stop, groups of soldiers would begin to amble
toward us expecting to board. Usually just before they reached
us, my friends would finish their maintenance, close the engine
access panel and roar off in a stinking cloud to the bewilderment
of our would-be passengers.
Al-Hamdulillah!
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