Visiting Afghanistan

Flak jacket?

I've spent a good deal of time in Afghanistan, but not too much in Kabul. Your best bet is to get in touch with the person you'll be replacing or someone who has done the job; the organization should be able to get you in touch or provide some form of guidelines. You're going to stick out, but it's more important to not become an easy target from a security perspective. I don't know what the organization has worked out, but if you avoid developing a predictable routine (if you walk/drive/practice the same route every day you're making it very easy to plan your demise) you'll reduce some of the major threats. Bring sturdy clothing, and pack for both cold and warm weather. You'll be able to pick up more "authentic" garb in country, if you really want to, but again don't plan on fooling the locals nationals. Remember, bad guys in the area don't care if you carry a camera or a weapon so never get complacent or feel too secure when it comes to safety. Enjoy your trip.

Good luck safely taking pictures.

Good luck! Skateistan is one of my favorite NPOs and they do great work.
As for clothes, most people wear normal western style clothes (think jeans and shirts). Stick with that and you will be fine. Kabul is a moderately safe place, but I believe you will still get some security escort for the most part. There are a couple luxury hotels in the city (you will likely be put up in company dorms or something though), one is known for getting attacked all the time, the others never get touched. I suggest you stay away from that one, I cant think of what it is called right now.

Enjoy lots of the food there, its all really good and really cheap, especially the pomegranates, super super good.

The only way I'd be willing to go to Afghanistan as a civilian is if I have a crack squad of ex-SF guys from Blackwater following me around. You're a better man than me.

Head to toe Damir Doma

Visit the huge pre-Islamic Buddha statues.

With a time machine. Kabul is fine, just don't go places frequented by foreigners and don't get close to any security forces. Keep your elbows and knees covered at all times. Don't dress like a power ranger and don't dress like you used to be in the military. Frye & RMWilliams serve me well. There are plenty of videos kicking around about Skateistan. Wear what they wear. Olivier will be the one to tell you where to stay and how to move around because you will be his insurance risk. If I had to guess: that is the reason he has a 6-month minimum and you will have to prove to him that you're providing enough value to justify the risk. It's not just about funding--you can get here from Europe for under $2k. The insurance hit if you get killed is the problem. Also, Skateistan very much has a long term vision. Hosting tourists for six weeks doesn't necessarily fit that vision. There's always the option of coming as a journalist and covering them once you're here. The summer is hot, dry, dusty. You'll miss pomegranate season if you're only here six weeks and the good pomegranates go straight from Kandahar to Pakistan anway. Look for melons instead. Eat Qabuli palau, chopan kebab, mantu, anything with saffron. The food is great but tends towards the greasy. If you are serious about covering factories then email me off the forum. Good luck. Thanks for the link Matt Tom

Don't go chase any girls but I heard Chinese massage parlor girls might be available if you're really desperate.

JayBoy you've got brass fucking balls. One of the most dangerous places on Earth, no women, only upside is food? Better man than I.

you white people do some crazy stuff to get your rocks off

Not to belittle the OP, but with everything that's messed up with Afghanistan, I never figured on their lack of skate parks to be one of the things people should focus on.