Akbar discusses a variety of topics in preparation for his return to Afghanistan. It sounds like he was on the phone with someone and this is a recording of his side.

First is a person mentioned before, Julalie (sp?), Interior Minister of Afghanistan. Then he discusses an ad in an anti-Pasto newspaper for a press secretary. Prior to taking out the ad, those responsible didn’t inform Akbar’s father, who was the press secretary

Akbar notes his father is in Kunar in order to help confront the warlords and has since been attacked.

Akbar lays out what he expects in his trip. On ways this trip will be different that his first the year before, he believes he will be better prepared, and he believes he’ll be much more comfortable in Kunar than trapped in a Kabul hotel.

He notes how the trip relates to his studies in college. He reflects on going to a community college versus a traditional college. He says Afghanistan is full of western-trained professionals, but that’s a moot point due to political/war issues. He wants use his education to do well for Afghanistan. For example, he’s thinking about majoring in economics, as opposed to his previous focus on getting an MBA.

During his comments, he reflects on the fact that he doesn’t dream at night like he did as a child. He mentions the relationship between Kabul and the providences. He speaks about the importance of beards in Afghanistan