magazine Afghanistan part 3 21st Century Life in Afghanistan by Damian Bird Continued Protection from January weather is sought from any means possible. Dust and cold are kept out of the lungs, and heat loss from the head are prevented with the same skilfully worn piece of material. Another low tec and efficient Afghan solution. Afghan cars never move very fast due to their condition and the poor road surfaces, therefore to use the boot for extra seating is fairly safe, if rather uncomfortable.  There are no laws regarding the wearing of seat-belts in Afghanistan. Two well stocked Kandahar shops open and ready for business. Portable shops are very common place in Afghanistan and go were the customers are. ANA new recruits practicing their shooting skills under the instruction of The British ISAF contingent at a Kabul training camp. Even girls as young as ten must keep their hair and faces covered in public to remain socially acceptable in most regions of Afghanistan. Kandahar. Brother and sister on their way home from the bakery. One can clealy see in this image how males of all ages take precident over females. Kandahar junction. Whatever it takes to keep the winter chill at bay and the morale high. Sheep are a very important source of protein and wool in Afghanistan and their natural durability makes them Afghanistan proof. Sheep rustling is rife and all sheep farmers need to keep a very close eye on their flocks to combat theft and financial jepardy. Boys street fighting. Kabul. Without any money or Western-style shops a snow ball is a substitute for sophisticated toys. Afghan man allowing his cart horse to stretch out and let off steam before being re attached to its cart.  The close rapport that this man has with his horse that allows him to excite and then calm his animal, is typical of Afghans.  They are very skilled horsemen who rely so heavily on their horses that they form a strong bond with them. ANA soldier with his AK47 at the ready. The AK47 is a perfect weapon for the ANA in Afghanistan because it is ultimately durable and hard wearing as well as extremely powerful taking a higher calibre bullet than the British Army rifles. Afghan pound shop.   Road signs only exist in small numbers in city centres and most people can’t afford sat nav. ISAF soldiers about to set up a shooting range in the snow. Afghan man in perfect harmony with horse and dog, two working animals that make his life possible. Grandson Kabul. Grandfather. Kabul. .