The dark cold Nights

An uncomfortable night in the provincial capital Kunduz.

Ice-cold and wet wind whips through the streets of Kunduz this evening, it is a very uncomfortable November evening. Despite the circumstances, people still have to keep their airy shops and sales outlets open, every day and every night hour counts to earn a little money, even if there are hardly any people on the road because of the weather.

Only a few friends have turned up at the local hairdresser's; hair or beard trimming is not on the agenda this night. It is at least dry in here, but not warm.

Conditions must be ideally cool for the apples on a small sales cart on the muddy pavement. Less pleasant for the local farmer, who has been trying to sell a few kilos of his own harvest all day.

The big grocery stores wait in vain for shoppers this evening, yet the shops are open late into the night and the owners wait patiently, freezing, for closing time.

Light construction swaying in the wind: A wooden shed next to a shop is at least brightly illuminated.

Evening chat at the sales counter,...

... the salesman of a small grocery store in conversation with an acquaintance. To the right, brightly lit, is the well-stocked DVD store, mostly with wild copies of Indian Bollywood movies.

The restaurant in the background is relatively well frequented, the kebab griller is at least a little warmed by his charcoal grill while he prepares the skewers for the restaurant's guests.

It rounds off the fatty grilled meal, and those who want can have a bowl of Ferni a typical Afghan dessert.