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Bed that saved me from the Taliban

bbc.co.uk

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Re: Bed that saved me from the Taliban

#131

Post by toomanybeersies »

0xcafecafe wrote: post #14

Amazing read. Happy that he made it out. Loved the closing comment as well (I wonder why everyone of us can't live like this without going through a NDE, I myself am a guilty party): >You know, sitting on the beach in Greece with friends I've heard people complaining that because we had a financial crisis they miss some of the comforts they used to have. I am like, "Come on! Enjoy your life and health. You are eating…

I discovered last week that my best friend, who's in her 20's, has lung cancer and a 36% chance of survival. That's only 3 months after being in a car crash where the doctors said she might never walk again, yet she made a full recovery.

It's really put things into perspective for me. There's no point in spending time and effort doing things we don't like, there's no point in staying in a job you hate, or spending time with people you don't like. I might get hit by a car and killed tomorrow and it would be fucking awful if my final thought was how I wasn't looking forward to going to work in the morning.

Obviously I understand that I'm privileged that I'm in this position. There's so many people out there who need to work shit jobs to feed themselves or their family. But most of us here on HN are in the same position as me. Why spend time working working some shit corporate job in the valley, paying a fucking fortune for rent, just so that you can get a job somewhere else earning more money? I earn enough money to be comfortable, I'd rather direct my efforts towards making meaningful human connections and enjoying life.

Work to live, don't live to work.

Re: Bed that saved me from the Taliban

#134

Post by gideon_b »

wiradikusuma wrote: post #37

"Parts of the hotel were able to re-open two months after the attack" — what? Curious, what would be the logical explanation for that? I mean, for starters nobody would want to work there, and nobody would want to _stay_ there. Right?

The Intercontinental and the Serena are the main hotels that house journalists, pilots and aid workers. They have both been attacked multiple times.

If you need to travel to Kabul, as many people do, there are no truly safe options. Both hotels are beautiful and well guarded. They are also high-profile targets.

If your employer doesn't have access to a lower-profile private compound with private security then you are going to the Serena or the Intercontinental.

Re: Bed that saved me from the Taliban

#135

Post by latchkey »

toomanybeersies wrote: post #131
0xcafecafe wrote: post #14

Amazing read. Happy that he made it out. Loved the closing comment as well (I wonder why everyone of us can't live like this without going through a NDE, I myself am a guilty party): >You know, sitting on the beach in Greece with friends I've heard people complaining that because we had a financial crisis they miss some of the comforts they used to have. I am like, "Come on! Enjoy your life and health. You are eating…

I discovered last week that my best friend, who's in her 20's, has lung cancer and a 36% chance of survival. That's only 3 months after being in a car crash where the doctors said she might never walk again, yet she made a full recovery. It's really put things into perspective for me. There's no point in spending time and effort doing things we don't like, there's no point in staying in a job you hate, or spending ti…

Worked 20+ years in the Bay Area. 3 years ago, I got tired of the rat race, I sold everything I own and moved to Saigon, Vietnam. For the last month, I've been on a motorbike driving all over Southern Vietnam and Cambodia with my gf. Technically, we are homeless, living out of low cost, but decent hotels.

We live a completely minimal lifestyle. We own just enough to fit on the motorbike. In the last month, we've used a single plastic bottle (because we were on an island and wanted water and couldn't get it any other way) and created just a tiny bit of trash. We aren't religious about it. I'm only bringing it up because by focusing on making a minimal impact on this planet, it has allowed us to really let go of so much.

It isn't easy, but it is possible to do exactly what you're saying.

cheers,

https://imgur.com/a/8V6NUWm . (Kampot, Cambodia)

Re: Bed that saved me from the Taliban

#136

Post by vsl »

ricardobeat wrote: post #98
simplecomplex wrote: post #89

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It had already been attacked and was full of international guests. In the capital city. 4-5 guys should not be able to take complete control of the hotel with no heavy weaponry. That means security is deficient or non-existent.

What kind of daily security setup can protect against 5 gunmen with AK47s?

Armed and trained security detail/guards.

Re: Bed that saved me from the Taliban

#140

Post by runjake »

simplecomplex wrote: post #89
runjake wrote: post #88

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It's a hotel in Afghanistan, a country presently immersed in turmoil.

It had already been attacked and was full of international guests. In the capital city. 4-5 guys should not be able to take complete control of the hotel with no heavy weaponry. That means security is deficient or non-existent.

"Should not be able to take complete control"

Sure, in a normally-functioning country with available leadership and logistical resources. But that is not Afghanistan, at present.

That was my whole point.

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