Guest
16th November 2001, 17:59
The Floors May Be Dirty, But in Kabul It's the Ritz
With Taliban Gone, the Joint Is Jumpin'
By Lucian Perkins
Washington Post Staff Writer
Friday, November 16, 2001; Page A24
KABUL, Afghanistan, Nov. 15 -- Standing at the doorway of his restaurant, dressed in black pants and a sports jacket, Azim Niazi has a warm welcome for each arriving customer -- a consummate restaurateur.
If his restaurant were in Washington, he would probably be greeting politicians and lobbyists. Here in Kabul he is embracing the commanders of the Northern Alliance as they swagger in, surrounded by troops carrying assault rifles, rocket-propelled grenade launchers and machine guns slung over their backs. Soon the weapons are lying on the floor or leaning against tables and chairs as everyone sits down to eat.
Niazi's restaurant, the Herat, is a big room with dirty floors, shabby tables and worn chairs. The large windows are covered with dust. The bar is filled with soft drinks only. But for anyone who has been in Afghanistan for a while, this place is the Ritz. The menu of kebabs, rice, yogurt and rich meat sauces is delicious by any standard.
And now, after the Taliban's flight from Kabul, the Herat has become a hot spot. Niazi loves it. "We can now play music, wear trousers, and trim our beards," he reports with obvious delight. "Today this is a cheerful place to be." Behind him, Afghan music blares from the stereo. Music had not been heard in the Herat under the Islamic strictures that prevailed during the five years that the Taliban ruled most of Afghanistan.
By 1 p.m., Niazi's tables are filled with Northern Alliance soldiers, young men and a few journalists. Most customers eat large portions of the food with their hands, but forks and spoons are available for those who prefer to be daintier. Waiters scurry in all directions to please their customers who, after a hearty lunch, order dessert, green tea and Pepsis.
As the lunch crowd cleared out today, a group of Northern Alliance troops arrived with two guests -- Taliban prisoners they had just captured. They all sat together like friends. The troops ordered food for the whole group. "They tried to escape by dressing as Northern Alliance soldiers," said Najeeb Khan, one of the Northern Alliance fighters. "They had machine guns and a stolen jeep. We stopped them at our checkpoint because they looked Talib from their beards. We asked them who their commander was and they just got flustered, so we arrested them."
The two prisoners, Najeeb and Nazar, sat smiling as food was brought. Asked if they would have taken Northern Alliance soldiers to lunch if they had captured them, Naza chuckled and said, "No, we would have shot them." The soldiers laughed. "See how nicely we treat our prisoners," said Khan.
Niazi watched in amusement. In the seven years since he opened the Herat, he has seen pieces of Afghan history pass through his restaurant. Business has been painfully slow for several years. Many of Kabul's young people left the city because of the Taliban. And Taliban members were frugal customers.
Niazi's last Taliban patrons came Monday night -- his only customers that night. "When they got up to leave they started to argue over the bill," Niazi recounted. "I told them this was no time to argue. At that moment Kabul was under heavy attack from American planes. The ground and windows were shaking. They told me that I must have been enjoying this. I just told them that we all know why this happened. The Taliban brought this on themselves. They left the city later that night."
© 2001 The Washington Post Company
With Taliban Gone, the Joint Is Jumpin'
By Lucian Perkins
Washington Post Staff Writer
Friday, November 16, 2001; Page A24
KABUL, Afghanistan, Nov. 15 -- Standing at the doorway of his restaurant, dressed in black pants and a sports jacket, Azim Niazi has a warm welcome for each arriving customer -- a consummate restaurateur.
If his restaurant were in Washington, he would probably be greeting politicians and lobbyists. Here in Kabul he is embracing the commanders of the Northern Alliance as they swagger in, surrounded by troops carrying assault rifles, rocket-propelled grenade launchers and machine guns slung over their backs. Soon the weapons are lying on the floor or leaning against tables and chairs as everyone sits down to eat.
Niazi's restaurant, the Herat, is a big room with dirty floors, shabby tables and worn chairs. The large windows are covered with dust. The bar is filled with soft drinks only. But for anyone who has been in Afghanistan for a while, this place is the Ritz. The menu of kebabs, rice, yogurt and rich meat sauces is delicious by any standard.
And now, after the Taliban's flight from Kabul, the Herat has become a hot spot. Niazi loves it. "We can now play music, wear trousers, and trim our beards," he reports with obvious delight. "Today this is a cheerful place to be." Behind him, Afghan music blares from the stereo. Music had not been heard in the Herat under the Islamic strictures that prevailed during the five years that the Taliban ruled most of Afghanistan.
By 1 p.m., Niazi's tables are filled with Northern Alliance soldiers, young men and a few journalists. Most customers eat large portions of the food with their hands, but forks and spoons are available for those who prefer to be daintier. Waiters scurry in all directions to please their customers who, after a hearty lunch, order dessert, green tea and Pepsis.
As the lunch crowd cleared out today, a group of Northern Alliance troops arrived with two guests -- Taliban prisoners they had just captured. They all sat together like friends. The troops ordered food for the whole group. "They tried to escape by dressing as Northern Alliance soldiers," said Najeeb Khan, one of the Northern Alliance fighters. "They had machine guns and a stolen jeep. We stopped them at our checkpoint because they looked Talib from their beards. We asked them who their commander was and they just got flustered, so we arrested them."
The two prisoners, Najeeb and Nazar, sat smiling as food was brought. Asked if they would have taken Northern Alliance soldiers to lunch if they had captured them, Naza chuckled and said, "No, we would have shot them." The soldiers laughed. "See how nicely we treat our prisoners," said Khan.
Niazi watched in amusement. In the seven years since he opened the Herat, he has seen pieces of Afghan history pass through his restaurant. Business has been painfully slow for several years. Many of Kabul's young people left the city because of the Taliban. And Taliban members were frugal customers.
Niazi's last Taliban patrons came Monday night -- his only customers that night. "When they got up to leave they started to argue over the bill," Niazi recounted. "I told them this was no time to argue. At that moment Kabul was under heavy attack from American planes. The ground and windows were shaking. They told me that I must have been enjoying this. I just told them that we all know why this happened. The Taliban brought this on themselves. They left the city later that night."
© 2001 The Washington Post Company