Entertainment in Kabul

Entertainment in Kabul

Since ISIS' declaration of a caliphate headquartered in Mosul, many in the media have drawn comparisons between Iraq and Afghanistan. Although the American-brokered unity government is set to take the reigns of the country, the threat of insecurity looms. People still remember the terrorist attacks on soft targets in the capital this spring, but despite these memories, a relaxed atmosphere permeates through parts of Kabul. The average per capita income in Afghanistan is around $700 per year, but there is a growing segment of Kabuli society that earns significantly more, and they are looking for ways to enjoy their free time. For young Afghans, this can be gathering at someone's house to listen to music or smoke hookah. Outside the home, there is an array of options: in recent years, a water park, bowling alley, and karaoke bar have opened up in the city. The latest addition to the entertainment scene is Kabul Paintball Park, an outdoor arena where visitors use weapons that shoot paint instead of ones that shoot bullets.

by contributor Anna Loshkin

Since ISIS' declaration of a caliphate headquartered in Mosul, many in the media have drawn comparisons between Iraq and Afghanistan. Although the American-brokered unity government is set to take the reigns of the country, the threat of insecurity looms. People still remember the terrorist attacks on soft targets in the capital this spring, but despite these memories, a relaxed atmosphere permeates through parts of Kabul. The average per capita income in Afghanistan is around $700 per year, but there is a growing segment of Kabuli society that earns significantly more, and they are looking for ways to enjoy their free time. For young Afghans, this can be gathering at someone's house to listen to music or smoke hookah. Outside the home, there is an array of options: in recent years, a water park, bowling alley, and karaoke bar have opened up in the city. The latest addition to the entertainment scene is Kabul Paintball Park, an outdoor arena where visitors use weapons that shoot paint instead of ones that shoot bullets.

A young man points his paintball gun at his target on the field at Kabul Paintball Park. There are two other paintball venues in the city, but Kabul Paintball Park is the only one of its size, and the only one to operate outdoors. It opened in mid-2014. A first-time bowler at Strikers poses for a photograph with a bowling ball. Opened by Afghan-Canadian Meena Rahmani in 2012, Strikers is the first bowling alley in Afghanistan. It attracts a mix of foreigners and locals. A worker at Wonderland, a new indoor amusement park and arcade, sets up the boxing booth as people wait for their turn. The boxing booth is the among the most popular games in the arcade area. The management has had to replace the punching bag twice in the last three months. A man sings at Kabul Karaoke, a restaurant and karaoke club. Inspired by similar places in Dubai, the club opened in late 2013. Indian and Iranian songs are available, and the management is working to add popular Afghan songs as well. A boy watches the wave pool in Kabul Waterpark. The park, opened in 2013, is a male-only facility, although all children under 10 years old are welcome. Adults pay 600 Afghani, or around $10, for three hours of unlimited access. A group of regulars take turns bowling at Strikers. Opened by Afghan-Canadian Meena Rahmani in 2012, Strikers is the first bowling alley in Afghanistan. It attracts a mix of foreigners and locals. Jawad plays Counter-Strike at a friend's house. The US Institute of Peace estimates that 89% of urban Afghans own a television. Video game enthusiasts also purchase game systems such as Xbox or PlayStation. People in bumper cars try to avoid hitting each other at Wonderland, a new indoor amusement park and arcade. Wonderland, opened in May 2014, sits atop the recently constructed Park Mall. It attracts families with children as well as groups of friends looking to play video games and ride the bumper cars. A girl takes a selfie with Wonderland's mascot. The entertainment center, which opened in May 2014, sits atop the recently constructed Park Mall. It attracts families with children as well as groups of friends looking to play video games and ride the bumper cars. Neighborhood boys watch the paintball players at Kabul Paintball Park. Each paintball costs 2 Afghani, the equivalent of 3.5 US cents, and the game runs as long as it takes for the players' paintballs to run out. A young man smokes a cigarette at a party at a private home in Kabul. Some young people, often only men, get together at friends' houses to smoke hookah, talk and listen to music. A man gets ready to bowl at Strikers, Afghanistan's only bowling alley. The bowling alley was opened by Afghan-Canadian Meena Rahmani in 2012, and attracts a mix of foreigners and locals. Friends play air hockey at Wonderland, a new indoor amusement park and arcade. Wonderland, opened in May 2014, sits atop the recently constructed Park Mall. It attracts families with children as well as groups of friends looking to play video games and ride the bumper cars. A family watches their children play a game at Wonderland, a new indoor amusement park and arcade. Wonderland, opened in May 2014, sits atop the recently constructed Park Mall. It attracts families with children as well as groups of friends looking to play video games and ride the bumper cars. Young men slide down the waterslide in Kabul Waterpark. The park, opened in 2013, is a male-only facility, although all children under 10 years old are welcome. Adults pay 600 Afghani, or around $10, for three hours of unlimited access. Jawad plays Counter-Strike at a friend's house. The US Institute of Peace estimates that 89% of urban Afghans own a television. Video game enthusiasts also purchase game systems such as Xbox or PlayStation. Young men discuss strategy on the field at Kabul Paintball Park. There are two other paintball venues in the city, but Kabul Paintball Park is the only one of its size, and the only one to operate outdoors. It opened in mid-2014. Men swim in the pool in Kabul Waterpark. The park, opened in 2013, is a male-only facility, although all children under 10 years old are welcome. Adults pay 600 Afghani, or around $10, for three hours of unlimited access. A man celebrates a successful turn at Strikers, Afghanistan's only bowling alley. The bowling alley was opened by Afghan-Canadian Meena Rahmani in 2012, and attracts a mix of foreigners and locals. Young men gear up for a game at Kabul Paintball Park. There are two other paintball venues in the city, but Kabul Paintball Park is the only one of its size, and the only one to operate outdoors. It opened in mid-2014. Men dance at Kabul Karaoke, a restaurant and karaoke club. Inspired by similar places in Dubai, the club opened in late 2013. Indian and Iranian songs are available, and the management is working to add popular Afghan songs as well. Friends play air hockey at Wonderland, a new indoor amusement park and arcade. Wonderland, opened in May 2014, sits atop the recently constructed Park Mall. It attracts families with children as well as groups of friends looking to play video games and ride the bumper cars.