im a 20 yr old American Girl, I want to go to afghanistan, help?

Question

I know that this picture is old but its been ingrained in my head forever http://www.savetibet.org/images/calendar/SteveMcCurryAfghanGirl.jpg
I have a really deep interest for afghans and Afghanistan, they are so mysterios to me and seem like they all have stories to tell. Just look through their eyes, these are boys and men in a refugee camp after a war that killed half of there people. This is an orphan boy
http://www.flickr.com/photos/violinsoldier/222260735/in/set-72157594199903299/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/violinsoldier/220105773/in/set-72157594199903299/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/violinsoldier/187965589/in/set-72157594199903299/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/violinsoldier/220106112/in/set-72157594199903299/
man
http://www.flickr.com/photos/violinsoldier/220105075/in/set-72157594199903299/

These were taken by a U.S soldier in Afghanistan, the people are of the pashtun (Afghan) ethnic group and are not Arabs. I want to go to Afghanistan and learn more about them.

dont give me stupid ignorant answers like
"you'll get bombed"
you'll get beheaded"
Im aware of the dangers in Afghanistan and i've talked to American women who have visited Afghanistan.

Answer 1

I don't think Afghanistan is issuing tourist visas to US citizens at this time.

Answer 2

Something you don't understand about Islamic culture. Women who are not part of the family are normally ignored. Women not related to a man does not talk to him, and vice versa. Muslim men, as a rule, do not socialize with women. The team I work on deals with foreign navies. We were invited to a dinner with some Muslims at a local restaurant. One guy said he had to bring his wife or he couldn't come. She was IGNORED all night. He committed quite a faux pas.
If you want to go to a Muslim country know ALL about Muslim/Afgahni customs before you even THINK about going. You could get arrested or beaten for breaking a religious law.
I have spent time in several Middle East countries (Kuwait, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Oman, UAE, N. Yemen, Egypt & Djibouti...more African, but still odd customs), so I DO know what I'm talking about.

Answer 3

im pashtun, my parents are from afghanistan (they left during the first war)
We visited Iran this summer and almost went to Afghanistan but we couldnt because its really not safe especially for us afghan christians. If you want to see pashtuns, there are alot in Iran, Pakistan, Russia but for now i wouldnt recomend you going to Afghanistan or anywhere in the middle east.

http://myspace.com/pointguard606

Answer 4

Join the Marines

Answer 5

It's admirable that you want to learn about other cultures, but your best bet may be a pen pal for the time being.

Have you seen the "updated" picture?

http://lava.nationalgeographic.com/pod/pictures/sm_wallpaper/April2002ThenAndNow.jpg