The Afghans are among the most hospitable people in the world. In fact, some may invite you to stay with them for a long, long time, unless you or your relatives can cough up the ransom. Kidnapping is actually a tribal tradition that goes back before recorded time. It is an easy way to get a wife, get your goats back or make some extra money in lean years. Recently, kidnapping has been a means to bring attention to tribal disputes or grievances. Locals, expats and tourists are routinely kidnapped in Afghanistan and near the border with Pakistan. Ransoms run from US$2,000 up to US$50,000 and more for foreign workers. The positive side to this is that if you're traveling under the protection of one tribe and are kidnapped by another, your host tribe has an obligation to free you. The people in the greatest danger are foreign workers who travel in a predetermined route or stay in a fixed place.
http://travel.state.gov/afghanistan_warning.html
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