Viewpoints and Humor in a Faraway Place.

Seems that disdain for local work and things of percieved inferior quality is not limited to only foreigners. I and a local friend went to a furniture store a few days ago. Nothing incredibly odd about that, I do work at furniture company now... The interesting thing about this store is that it's an outlet of a German organization that trains otherwise unskilled workers how to build solid usable furniture that won't break in a few months of hard use. The furniture is obviously hand made, but it is well made and nice. As I'm admiring the craftsmanship, behind me I hear my friend exclaim; "This furniture is so provincial..." disdain dripping from his voice. It struck me how different our viewpoints were. My perception of the work done was a moving forward of people and the learning of skills, my friends perception was of just how behind his country is. I'm beginning to think that it's a feeling endemic to the majority of people here. It's been awhile since there was any hope of peace here. What little there is the international media is doing it's best to squash. It is an interesting place to live still, for both locals and foreigners. (violence notwithstanding) I was involved in a four way bargaining session today in three different languages. It started in Chinese, went to Dari, and then to English... then back. It was a trippy thing to hear.

I actually got a joke to go over well in Dari today. It was so good it will probably NOT be funny now, or in English. In any event here goes. Around here there is this guy: Mulla Nasruddin. He's known for all kinds of crazy stories and even crazier advice... alledgedly he lived sometime in the 13th century. Everybody has heard of him and has an idea of what he looks like. Well, my crew (all Afghan) and I were coming back from a job today and we passed this really wise looking BaBa (grandfather) riding on a donkey going the other way. I pointed out the window and exclaimed "Una Nasruddin as?!" (which roughly translates to "Is that Nasruddin?!") As he's a popular folk hero and not really going to be riding down the street it was obviously NOT him, but he looked like him (see the picture).... enough that the whole crew thought it was hilarious. Maybe it looses something the translation.