There’s no way around it. I can’t hide, pretend it’s not happening, close my eyes. I have to have to face it -the project has come to an end. Well, my part of it has come to an end and now the young students are tasked with carrying on the work and moving it forward.

I have learned a great deal by spending these 6 weeks in Kabul, listening to people, observing life, understanding daily struggles, seeing entrenched attitudes and thinking about all of this in light of how art and culture can be used to educate, build community, and inspire change.

Below are some photos of Kabul, people, things, places, memories.

Closing Time

At the Hashemi home, the family and us guests play games before dinner.

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Kabul strangely reminds me of Rio - colorful homes in the hills, deeply musical (though private), a slide in the language, multicultural, and a general funkiness in the culture.

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Juggling scarves - easier than the real-life juggling acts managing work, family, cultural asumptions, and school.

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Raisins, figs, nuts ... oh my. Everyone seems to have a tray of dried fruit and nuts in their office or home to offer guests. And, the requisite cup of tea! This is in Cote Sanghi near my apt and where many college students have rooms.

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Lovely little homes. On the way to our performance in the women's prison.

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On your wedding day, the bride will transform into a drag queen. This is the prevailing fashion and all beauty salons advertise the most extreme drag looks! Such cultural contradictions please me.

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traditional dinner at a friend's home in a plush, carpeted, cushiony room. What a lovely way to share a meal.

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From the inside of a bazaar stall, looking out to the street.

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DIVAS!!!!

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At the last women's show, we took glamor shots in the beautiful garden. These young women are so striking and so brilliant!

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The youngest, but one of the smartest and most talented women in the group. She was also the writer of the script. On my last day she told me she gave her family the forms for applying to college. Her father said he doesn't want her going to university - he wants her home. I asked my dear sister what she was going to do and she raised her fist in the air and quoted the title of the play: "Rights cannot be given, they must be taken!" I love this child.

Closing Time

Goodbye sky, goodbye mountains, goodbye friends. ... for now.