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Afghanistan's Islamic heritage is also the basis of its famous hospitality: if you - male or female,
Muslim or not - are invited into a home, expect to be treated with a respect not often understood in the West. Though
a family may clearly be putting themselves under financial strain to provide a meal for you (the honoured guest), refusing
the invitation or offering to bring food would be a grave insult. A gift of fruit, flowers or something small from home
would be appreciated, however. This is a large aspect of Afghan culture.
Afghanistan's geographical position - for centuries crisscrossed by armies, empires and trade routes - combined
with its varied geological terrain have given rise to the great diversity of foods, arts, languages and traditions that make
up this country's cultural heritage. Unfortunately, many of the country's artistic treasures have been surreptitiously sold
on the global market, while 2001 saw the destruction of the Great Buddhas in Bamiyan by the Taliban. The Afghan people have,
in some ways, sacrificed such luxuries in order to survive. However, no country with as rich and plentiful a heritage as Afghanistan
could forget this source of strength and expression. If and when this country is blessed with a little peace, expect to be
dazzled by its contributions to the world's culture once again.
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