Heavy traffic squeezes its way around road construction projects. Billboards compete for the exploding mobile phone market. Young women and men compete for the best university spots and a chance to participate in an economy bursting with double-digit GDP growth. Street vendors push products from around the world and the weekend newspapers feature the new Ipad 2. A commercial break in the radio reminds listeners of tonight's local version of "American Idol" before another rap song.

Reflections from Afghanistan - a Hagar Blog.