Pat Dollard | Young Americans

Michael Yon has new photos up on his website today, in a photo essay called “Jurassic Trailer Park.”

Some stunning pictures of Afghanistan.

PICTURED ABOVE:

The bat caves were near “Little Barabad,” a village on the outskirts of Jalalabad. When we parked in Little Barabad, villagers came out to greet Tim, who knew the names of some of the kids and elders. The village head-man treated Tim like an old friend. Kuchi people are nomadic and semi-nomadic herdsmen, ever in search of pasture for their animals. I’ve seen their camel caravans in numerous provinces, but there were no camels around Little Barabad. Tim says these are “reformed Kuchis” who have settled down. Ken Kraushaar, an American I got to speak with for many hours on many occasions, says he has been visiting Little Barabad for over a year. Ken comes out here paying from his own pocket and rolls around without security. Lots of people come to Afghanistan on big budgets and heavy security, yet they hardly leave their guarded compounds. Ken goes out alone. Ken said that the 80 families of Little Barabad actually call their village Sak, and that the elders’ names are Ghani and Koko. He also said that perhaps another 100-120 families are expected to arrive due to a refugee crisis.

Click here to visit Yon’s site and the entire photo essay.