Living in Afghanistan
Learn how to live joyfully in Afghanistan!

Living in Afghanistan is not for the faint-of-heart. We have realized that many of us who have lived in Afghanistan for years have a wealth of information on how to live well among Afghans.

This section is designed to try to describe all of the things we have learned to do to make our lives easier, fun for the children, while at the same time living "in community" and helping Afghans to improve their own lives through employment and furthering their eduction.

You will find that some foreigners choose to live very simply, more Afghan-style, and others have a mix of Afghan and western living in their homes. Do whatever works for you and helps you rest at home so you can live long-term in Afghanistan!

If there is a topic not listed here related to living in Afghanistan, or you have a question about something, just contact us and we'll add your question - and our answer - to this section.

Here are the pages on living in Afghanistan we will be writing and re-organizing in the next month:

Making Your House and Yard Fun and Beautiful

• Maintaining a Swimming Pool in Afghanistan
• Building an Italian Pizza Oven in Afghanistan
• Making a hot tub in Afghanistan
• Building a beautiful bamboo shade over your veranda without nails
• Finnish Sauna in Afghanistan
• Design and build a playground
• Gardening in Afghanistan - growing roses, flowers, and fruit trees in Afghanistan

Managing your House

• Renting a House in Afghanistan
• How to train your Afghan nanny
• Hiring and working with House Helpers
• Working with your Chaukidars (watchman)
• How to install a battery/inverter system for 24-hour electricity for those areas without city electricity
• Living with solar electricity
• VFF - where to get custom furniture made in Kabul

Food - How To's and Cooking

• What is Available in Afghanistan - a list of Appliances, Food, Household items, Fruits and Veges, and Meats
• Cooking western foods in Afghanistan
• Cleaning fruits and vegetables in Afghanistan
• How to make coffee cream
• Clean cooking and drinking water
• Making your own rootbeer
• Meat - How to NOT become a vegetarian in Afghanistan!
• Food Products - an orientation on specific food products from Iran, Pakistan, Russia, and the U.A.E. and are great substitutes to learn how to recognize and use!

Clothes and Fashion in Afghanistan

• Wondering what to wear? Your guide to fashion dressing in Afghanistan.
• Learn the best bazaars for finding the best fabric, working with tailors, and getting toshaks made

Shopping in Kabul

• An orientation to stores selling western foods in Kabul - Food stores recommended in Kabul
• Recommended sports stores
• Where to find the only REAL drycleaner in Kabul
• Where to find stuff in Kabul
• How to get around Afghanistan with drivers
• Recommended Restaurants in Kabul

Miscellaneous Tips to Living Well in Afghanistan

• Healthy Living Tips for surviving Afghanistan joyfully!
• How to throw a party in Afghanistan
• Living in Afghanistan with your baby

Managing Your Security in Afghanistan

• Communication in Afghanistan - how to stay connected
• Security in Afghanistan

It is possible to live joyfully in Afghanistan. If you have a question not answered here, please contact us and we'll be happy to answer any question!