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Culture of Afghanistan is very friendly and fatalistic take security seriously - and the Afghans are in denial about the roots of terrorism

Was the first group of security guards at the Intercontinental Hotel in Kabul that gave us advice on how to sneak in "Do not tell them you want to spend time at the hotel. Tell them that you are here for a meeting. "

My friend and I thanked him with joy. We had fond memories of the childhood of the hotel - the scene of a suicide bombing earlier this week - and I just wanted to take advantage of our old haunts

The little log cabin where the women were subjected to body searches of visitors was even more relaxed. Ran a TV in the corner and women dressed in traditional clothing in just a look in our bags. There was no proper research.

that seeks to "secure" places of Kabul are often too polite or too ashamed to do good research. Looking in my bag, one of them said, "Do not worry sister, I know that only women have something in your bag." I often found myself doing the female security personnel to search me properly, to look carefully in my bag, but often refused to shame.

young or old, male or female, rich or poor, the Afghans are very friendly and it is this culture of courtesy that is conducting a search for a good job little strange. A friendly visitor who speaks the language of security guards and greeted in a friendly and respectful, without knowing culturally disarmed the guards, making them unable to fulfill its duty to seek vigorously.

is one reason why security is lax in Kabul and why these types of attacks such as the Intercontinental can be done despite the security guards and barricades. Therefore, this week's attack did not come as a surprise to many visitors to the hotel.

A friend told me about his recent experience visiting the Intercontinental. "My driver told me that the security guard had just asked if he had any weapons on him and told the guard he did not. He was allowed to drive and park the car on top of parking. "

From the car park above the driver had an excellent view of the pool and the ground level. If I were a terrorist, would have a field day.

Afghans may be too polite to be security guards well. Social interaction is informal and people can easily be persuaded to engage and comply with their obligation to security, not strength.

Kabul taxi drivers are fully aware of the lack of security because it makes their dangerous work. According to Mohammad, a driver, "When the police arrested a taxi, just look in the glove box. They do not see elsewhere and just look in the glove, as the hope of finding and confiscating drugs there. "

Kabul, Mohammad called "Shahr-e Kharbouza" (market melon), a derogatory phrase that sums up not only the security chaos, but also the traffic of the city of nerves.

pilots tell their stories of terror in a monotone lower reflecting strong they are resigned to live in a city that can become dangerous at any time.