Email from Afghanistan:

[aquart]

I received this today, under the buoyant subject heading: I'm in Afghanistan and doing A-OK.

"My dearest all!

So, I've been to the country that I love so much since last week. Got stranded in Pakistan for three days after our flight to Kabul was cancelled for security reasons. But I'm here, surviving all the bad stuff happening in Kabul and other parts of the country. Have been doing some live reporting for my TV station in Greece and working everyday for a documentary --five years on, what has changed and what hasn't.
Now let me tell you, comparing everything to last year's trip, things are far worse this time. Everything in Kabul runs on generators --there is no electricity! Bombs are exploding frequently, there was the suicide attack a few days ago and all foreigners stay for most part of the day indoors. There's a lot of insecurity, still thousands of beggars in the streets, homeless people, working kids, terrible roads, no running water, you name it, it's here.

Been meeting lots of "crazy" people this time but I guess if you stay in a crazy war zone like Afghanistan for a long time, you'll never be the sane person you were before.

But some good stuff has been happening. One of the Afghan refugees who came back to Afghanistan with me from Greece found his missing family after 10 years. It was such an emotional reunion, we ALL cried and cried.

Anyway, my internet access is extremely limited. I plan to stick around Afghanistan for another two weeks. Going outside the capital in a couple of days. And yes, I'll be careful.

Miss you all and just because I'm so used to hearing the same greeting here again and again, stay safe.

Gotta go. Just got a phonecall that there was yet another explosion.

Lots of love to all
Filio

PS TO JOHN- I found our family. Shopira had a new baby 8 months ago. They moved to the ruins where the boys were playing football the day we met them. Will write about everything when I get back."