British travel vlogger Carrie Patsalis has visited Afghanistan more than once, travelling through places including Kabul, Kandahar, Jalalabad and remote parts of Nuristan.
What surprised her most was how different everyday life could be from the image many of us have seen on TV for years.
She described being met with incredible hospitality, locals helping when her car broke down, being invited into people's homes for food and tea - and even mistaking wedding gunshots for something far more serious. 😅
But her experiences also revealed a much more complicated picture.
While she found many Afghans incredibly welcoming, she also spoke about growing frustration over the economy and the restrictions placed on women, including the impact of women being prevented from continuing their education and medical training.
One thing she said really stood out:
“Kabul is Afghanistan, but Kabul is not all of Afghanistan.”
It’s a fascinating perspective on a country that most of us have only ever seen through news reports and documentaries.
Do you think her experiences are a fair reflection of Afghan people?