I Can't Breathe

4:00 pm and it is rush hour so let the chaos begin.

The air quality here really is awful. Every time I go out I get all clogged up. I actually had to lay down after this morning's 1 hour trip as my head was pounding when I got back. The same crappy feeling is coming back as I tap this out.

I guess it isn't surprising. The mountains that surround Kabul create a bowl that keeps a toxic mix of pollutants trapped. Exhaust from 20 year old cars that idle in traffic and old Russian and Pakistan trucks are bad enough. But on top of that all the little shops have gas generators that are lethal. Around town people huddle around small trash fires and a lot of homes are heated with wood, cardboard, and trash. Burning tires also add a nice touch.

Meanwhile I am whining while 1000s of people eke out a living along each street selling gum, wiping windshields, selling phone cards, pretending to direct traffic, or just tapping on your window begging for a few cents. The health toll they must pay is incredible.

Man, it just keeps getting better.

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