07/13/2026
We’ve now been to Afghanistan independently three times now and I can truly say that I’ve never been anywhere quite like it.
It truly feels like stepping into another world and traveling not just to another country, but back in time before everywhere seemed to mold together to appeal to tourists.
A place where you’ll constantly feel like you’re somehow gathering more questions than answers, and a land of incredibly kind and welcoming people that are SO misrepresented by the media.
But what’s stayed with me most are the little moments with people: attending a wedding with tons of amazing women, being gifted a Polish flag by a carpet seller, city walks that became enthusiastic photo shoots with people keen to pose for the camera, mindblowing Afghan burgers on random street corners, eye opening conversations with taxi drivers and so much more.
These trips weren’t my longest, but the impact they had have outweighed countries I’ve spent months on end in.
These shots were taken over the course of the three trips, and here’s a little bit about each one:
1. Men hanging out at Wazir Akbar Khan Park in Kabul, with the largest new flag of the country
2. Us at the Sahki Shrine in Kabul, which is particularly visited by the Hazara community.
3. A man we met while walking around Mazar I Sharif
4. Found a frame at the famous bird market in Kabul!
5. The amazing man who gifted me a handmade, carpeted Polish flag and purse in Mazar. His family is originally from Turkmenistan 🇹🇲
6. Views on the Kabul-Jalalabad Highway after crossing from Torkham
7. Fareed at Band e Amir National Park in Bamyan, which was particularly stunning with these fall colors!
8. Kabul at dusk. This city surprised me in so many ways!
9. A man selling onions in Mazar I Sharif ✌️
10. Me at Shahr e Gholgola (the City of Screams) which was the center of the 1221 Siege of Bamyan.
11. I swear this man represents the energy we were welcomed with so well 🥹
12. Thriving on the famous giant swing in Balkh, this was truly a highlight for me as a swing lover 😂
Would you ever visit Afghanistan?
