Electricity (when you can find it) is 220v/50Hz. The official languages are Pashtu (mostly in the south and east) and Dari Persian (in the north and west). Many people speak English and some Russian. The money is the Afghani and the black market is the only real place you can exchange notes. Figure on a U.S. dollar getting you 44,360 afghanis. Be forewarned that there are two afghanis. One, called Dostum money, is used in the north and is one-tenth of the value of the Talib afghani used in the south. They look identical except for the spacing between the type on the front. The way to remember is the type of the northern or Dostum money is "allied" or together and the south is apart.
The money changers are fair since this is how all people change money. Try not to use U.S. $100 bills printed before 1993 since many money changers won't take them. When shops are open they start at 8 a.m. and close between noon and 1 p.m. and then reopen until 4:30 p.m. Some shops are closed Wednesday and Friday. Traffic drives on the right and the normally paved roads are full of potholes from shells and disrepair. Jalalabad is the main smuggling area for cars, electronic goods and drugs into Pakistan, so be judicious when asking questions or taking photographs.
Web Sites
http://www.agora.stm.it/politic/afghanistan.htm
The authors and publishers assume no liability nor do they encourage you to do, see, visit or try any of the activities or actions discussed in this site. This book is intended for background information only. ©2000 Robert Young Pelton. All rights reserved. This material is not to be reproduced or transmitted without the written permission of Pelton & Associates, Inc.
for more information see our official disclaimer