The Work Ethic

It's Sunday night, which means it was already our second work day of the week. We are off on Friday, then work without the local staff on Saturday, and everyone is back to work on Sunday. As I think about it, I don't know how the U.S. is going to remain competitive with Afghanistan. I mean, by the time people in the U.S. go to work Monday morning, we will already be completing our third day of work! Lazy Americans.....

I guess the thing I appreciate most from traveling to 'developing' countries is just how damn hard people have to work just to be poor. I grew up thinking that poor people must be lazy--I mean, everyone has a chance, right? Well, not so much. Poor people have to work endlessly just to stay alive. I will be posting some pictures in the future of people working around town, fixing bike tires, selling telephone cards, picking through the trash, or all matter of other activities. They are incredibly hard working--and poor as dirt.

Kids are out working everywhere, hustling. I broke down and bought two bracelets today from 12 year old Amin outside the U.S. embassy today (can you say birthday present Dooz?). The lucky ones are like this boy, standing outside a small store in Kabul. He works around the store (an Afghan version of 7-11) picking up and helping to sell stuff. Like much of Afghanistan, he is a good looking kid, just doing what he can to get by.