Autumn is in full stride here and the members of my team are sporting wool watch-caps, gloves and polypropylene sweaters. The locals are wrapping blankets and scarves of various dimensions and colors around themselves. They have a beautiful way of blending into their clothing or becoming part of their clothing (or vice versa). And in general, they have a relationship with their immediate surroundings that is more dynamic than what I am accustomed to.
For now, Nangarhar is pleasant; the trees are takeing their time in losing their leaves, the river runs low and gently, and the sky has taken on a drawn out and intimate relationship with the horizon. The river's embankments are saturated with long graying grasses which are slowly being harvested by the locals. Much of the grass will serve as winter feed for their livestock, while the rest will be used to winterize their homes. It is beautiful.
