Had a very early rise to get to the airport. So half asleep in our usual attire of flack jacket and headscarf we were transported by a close protection team to Kabul airport. At that time in the morning the roads were pretty clear which meant that our vehicle was more obvious and needless to say we were stopped at two police roadblocks. It has to be said that was the most vulnerable I have felt in the whole trip. There's no one around to see what's going on and there's an AK47 being pointed straight into the car. Just kept our cool and sat there as if it was a regular occurrence whilst trying to control the shakes. When we got to the airport site we were segregated and sent into what looked like an old abandoned shipping container with a filthy curtain slung across it. Turned out to be the venue for our first body search. The second frisk was in the actual airport and was completed by two beautiful Afghan women, fantastically made-up but wearing Burkas & headscarves, who appeared to be delighted to see us. They did the necessary then asked if we'd enjoyed our stay & would return to Kabul...which to be honest I would. In the course of our conversation they told me it was 'Womens' Day' which obviously delighted them, they hugged & kissed us before sending us on our way. Such a surreal experience.
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