Afghanistan

Inside is a rare escape from war and suicide attacks, and soldiers.

There are long lines to get inside Kabul City Park- Afghanistan’s first-ever amusement park.

Children in bright clothes clutch their parent’s hands and hop from foot to foot in anticipation.

Inside is a rare escape from war and suicide attacks, and soldiers.

9 years old Fakhroden gushes as he gets inside.

“I feel very happy, wow everything look very nice.”

Squealing children hardly know where to go first…

There are large friendly characters that look almost like Minnie Mouse and Tom the cat from Tom and Jerry.

And then there are the classic rides--- a Ferris wheel and bumper cars….and then there is a carousel and face painting.

17 year old Ahmad has just come off the dragon ship—he has been here for an hour.

“City park is really nice and by the far the best thing in Kabul…there is nothing else like it.  I like every ride but the spacecraft was the best.  It’s wonderful hearing people shouting for joy all around.”

For two days of the week—the place is only for women and children.  The other days everyone is welcome.

Parween Rahmati is a kindergarten teacher.

“We wanted our children to have some joy. We have spent two hours here and are very entertained. I would like to see more parks like this all over Afghanistan. I really liked the rules that this park has, and it’s very safe and in a good condition.”

Kabul—a city of 6 million people -- is a virtual fortress.

Major buildings are protected by concrete and barbed wire and roads are choked with traffic.

Armed security forces guard almost every street corner.

Afghanistan has been at war for more than 30 years, and while U.S. and NATO combat troops prepare to leave by the end of 2014, the Taliban insurgency shows no sign of abating.

Few families in Kabul have been untouched by the violence says Habib Allah Asmati , the park's general manager.

“The businesses aim is to abolish sorrow from our people’s minds even if it is for a short time.  It’s very clear that our people desire entertainment. We have had around 3- 5 thousand visitors a day.”

The park is set on 10 hectares (24 acres) of land owned by the Kabul Municipal Government and leased for five years to a private company.

Khozhman Olumi the municipality's deputy says that 1.5 million US dollars has been invested in the park with the local government taking 26 percent of profits.

He says the government will support more such parks.

“In the past we haven’t had a park like this and our children’s minds are full of war.  We want to create new memories for children and show them that the future is bright without war.  The park has been very popular and we see lots of happy visitors and hear shouts of joy.  This really makes us happy.   We have received another proposal for other amusement parks that are even better than this one.”

17 years old Ahmad has spent hours inside the park and is now heading home. 

“I feel like I escaped from the news about blasts, suicide attacks and the war.”