Celebrating Obama's Victory in Kabul

November 4, 2008

Today I experienced probably the most exciting event in my life; elections. Voting in a presidential election for the first time in my life, I was pretty much hyped up about this election from the beginning. When I found out I would be in Afghanistan during the elections, I was quite disappointed because I thought I wouldn't be able to participate fully as I would in the states. I was quite wrong.

After about a month of my stay in Kabul, I found out about the first Obama rally and I was more than ecstatic to join in the fun. The rally was an amazing experience in and of itself. Not only did I feel like I was actually back home, among my fellow Americans participating in the elections as much as possible, but I had this yearning desire to contribute as much as possible during my stay in Kabul.

Then came the second and official democrats abroad meeting spearheaded by Susan Marx, an amazing woman who not only started the whole process of registering us with democrats abroad, but who continued to work hard to get all the Americans out here to vote for the upcoming elections, despite the fact that she has a full time job. At the second meeting we discussed Obama's policies and outlook on foreign policy, especially those concerning Afghanistan. I couldn't be more excited. That was until I heard about the third and official democrats abroad inauguration party/meeting.

Eager to join in the fun as much as possible, I ran for a few positions, hoping that the expat community would elect me for an officer position. When I was voted for the secretary position, I was ecstatic beyond comprehension. Yes, might sound eerie coming from a 21 year old smack in the middle of her country of birth - Afghanistan - but that's because Obama's campaign has given so much hope to so many people across the world, regardless of age, creed and race.

When it came to cast my absentee vote, I became quite emotional as I put my ballot in the envelope, sealed it and gave it to Susan Marx, who was collecting them to send to the embassy where they would be shipped back to the States. This was my first time voting in a presidential election and I was quite happy to be a part of it, to say the least.

Come Election Day and the celebrations were only beginning. I woke up at 5:30 AM to a local restaurant here to start watching the results on Nov. 5th, Kabul time, headed to a US Embassy post-election bash and after realizing that most of the people were not too happy about Obama's win, went back to the restaurant to actually celebrate.

And, here I am at the same restaurant writing about my first election experience. And, I can totally say that I made a different, even though a very small one. But, I voted and I'm proud of it...even in Kabul.

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