I look forward to seeing how my relationship to this city, and people, grows and shifts. In the meantime, me and my new pal are soaking in the slow Kabuli vibe.

This time around being in Kabul feels more intimate. Maybe it’s only natural that when you return to a place you can see the details, the special features. But something else feels different, something between Kabul and me.

Kabul and Me … I like the sound of it.

The city is definitely speaking to me and I can sense a resonance; a relationship growing. The last two days have been very quiet because the country is in mourning for former President Rabbani.

Yesterday the streets were empty. I had a chance to wander the guest house and get acquainted with the city in a quiet way. The loneliness of the place made things clearer, more present.

The water in the swimming pool stood still, the courtyard bare. But there was an energy nonetheless. It felt a little blue, a little funky, and I liked it.

Tomorrow the Kabul Theater Festival begins and I’ll be busy from then on in so I’m glad I got some alone time with Kabul. I am working on two projects this visit. First with Bond Street Theatre, training Kabul based artists at the University. The second is with the BBC Afghan Education Projects – the organization I worked with last year. I’ll be training artists from Kunduz in Theater of the Oppressed techniques and community building through theater.