Adobe Afghan Style

Adobe Afghan Style
Originally uploaded by gaikokujinkyofusho.

After talking so much about trees and lumber I thought I’d post a picture of a house in progress. Just about every structure in Afghanistan is either cement or adobe (or a combination of both) and this place is not exception. These places look bomb-proof and according to the Wikipedia entry for adobe they are but in driving around I saw many places there were falling (or totally fallen) apart, though this could have happened over 20 years. Because there is so little rain (snow can be, and is, shoveled off the houses before it has a chance to melt) these structures don’t have too much to worry about and like houses in the US have their roofs replaced or sides painted every few years people usually repair their walls/houses every few years (plastering/piling on fresh mud in the areas that need it).

This is a prime example of how wood is used in these areas, rarely burned (probably due to scarcity) and mostly used as trusses. The logs they are using are perhaps a wee bit on the larger side of trees I have seen grown here but then again this house (probably a compound for a large extended family but that is only speculation) is larger than average. You can also see the wet mud that has been stacked/piled on top of the dry parts slowly building up the size of the building. This is hands down the best examples of a house being built and I am thankful I actually got a shot in as the driver was speeding back to the office (I think he was ready to get back and eat).