What comes to mind when you think of Afghanistan? Definitely not short skirts, friendly crowd, or any of those liberal lifestyles. But these fascinating pictures below taken by American university professor Dr. Bill Podlich show that Afghanistan in the 1960s was a completely different place than the one we see today.
Dr. Bill Podlich worked work for UNESCO in Afghanistan and also served as the Expert of Principles of Education at the Higher Teachers College in Kabul. It was during this time that he captured the images of life in Afghanistan. A decade later the Soviets invaded the country, followed by the Taliban rule. In 2001, the US invaded and now Afghanistan bears little resemblance to the prosperous, crowd-friendly and peaceful nation that we see in these unforgettable pictures below.
1. Young Photographer at Paghman Gardens
Photo credit: Dr. Bill Podlich
2. Students At The Higher Teachers College Of Kabul
Photo credit: Dr. Bill Podlich
3. Co-education
Photo credit: Dr. Bill Podlich
4. Kindergarten Dance
Photo credit: Dr. Bill Podlich
5. Afghan High School Girls
Photo credit: Dr. Bill Podlich
6. Education Under The Trees
Photo credit: Dr. Bill Podlich
7. Bus Trip
Photo credit: Dr. Bill Podlich
8. Big Sister
Photo credit: Dr. Bill Podlich
9. Afghan Hound
Photo credit: Dr. Bill Podlich
10. Rush Hour
Photo credit: Dr. Bill Podlich
11. Decorating Cakes
Photo credit: Dr. Bill Podlich
12. Sharing Tea and Music
Photo credit: Dr. Bill Podlich
13. Hanging Out At The American International School Of Kabul (aisk)
Photo credit: Dr. Bill Podlich
14. Shopping For Scarves
Photo credit: Dr. Bill Podlich
15. Blonde and Afghans
Photo credit: Dr. Bill Podlich
16. Aisk Parking Lot
Photo credit: Dr. Bill Podlich
17. Kabul Gorge
Photo credit: Dr. Bill Podlich
18. Bus Driver
Photo credit: Dr. Bill Podlich
19. Frying Up Dessert
Photo credit: Dr. Bill Podlich
20. Salang Pass Tunnel
Photo credit: Dr. Bill Podlich
21. Under The Trees
Photo credit: Dr. Bill Podlich
22. Fruit and Veggies
Photo credit: Dr. Bill Podlich
23. Friendly Crowd
Photo credit: Dr. Bill Podlich
24. Art Show
Photo credit: Dr. Bill Podlich
25. Outdoor Class
Photo credit: Dr. Bill Podlich
26. Kabul
Photo credit: Dr. Bill Podlich
27. Co-education
Photo credit: Dr. Bill Podlich
28. Gas Station
Photo credit: Dr. Bill Podlich
29. Afternoon Shade
Photo credit: Dr. Bill Podlich
30. Balloon Boy
Photo credit: Dr. Bill Podlich
31. Annual Exhibition Of Student Art Work
Photo credit: Dr. Bill Podlich
32. All Dressed Up
Photo credit: Dr. Bill Podlich
33. Skinny Tie
Photo credit: Dr. Bill Podlich
34. Dr. Podlich and The Afghans
Photo credit: Dr. Bill Podlich
35. Fully Loaded
Photo credit: Dr. Bill Podlich
36. Indoor Class
Photo credit: Dr. Bill Podlich
37. Bamiyan Buddah Statue
Photo credit: Dr. Bill Podlich
38. Shave And A Haircut
Photo credit: Dr. Bill Podlich
39. Kabul International
Photo credit: Dr. Bill Podlich
40. Walking Home
Photo credit: Dr. Bill Podlich
41. Military Band
Photo credit: Dr. Bill Podlich
42. Portable Grand Stand
Photo credit: Dr. Bill Podlich
43. Shopping For Canned Goods
Photo credit: Dr. Bill Podlich
44. The Dance
Photo credit: Dr. Bill Podlich
45. People and Ducks
Photo credit: Dr. Bill Podlich
46. Masked Parade
Photo credit: Dr. Bill Podlich
47. Main Street
Photo credit: Dr. Bill Podlich
48. Cookin’ Kababs
Photo credit: Dr. Bill Podlich
49. Algebra and Mud
Photo credit: Dr. Bill Podlich
50. Apartments and Stores
Photo credit: Dr. Bill Podlich
51. School’s Out
Photo credit: Dr. Bill Podlich
52. Marching
Photo credit: Dr. Bill Podlich
53. Monument
Photo credit: Dr. Bill Podlich
54. Road Work
Photo credit: Dr. Bill Podlich
55. New Years Celebration
Photo credit: Dr. Bill Podlich
56. Swimming In The Kabul River
Photo credit: Dr. Bill Podlich
57. Guard Duty
Photo credit: Dr. Bill Podlich
58. Afghan Army
Photo credit: Dr. Bill Podlich
59. The Demonstration
Photo credit: Dr. Bill Podlich