Gallery: Afghanistan’s Got Karaoke Bars and Bowling Alleys Galore

  • This image may contain Human Person and Water
    Anna Loshkin
    01

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    Men swim at the Kabul Waterpark.
  • Image may contain Human Person Bowling Screen Display Electronics and Monitor
    Anna Loshkin
    02

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    A first-time bowler plays a round at Strikers, a bowling alley opened by Afghan-Canadian entrepreneur Meena Rahmani. The alley attracts middle class locals and foreigners.
  • Image may contain Human Person Helmet Clothing Apparel Weapon Gun Weaponry Military Uniform Military and Armored
    Anna Loshkin
    03

    ent-kabul01.jpg

    A young man aims his paintball gun while playing at the Kabul Paintball Park.
  • Image may contain Furniture Couch Human Person Sitting Room Living Room and Indoors
    Anna Loshkin
    04

    ent-kabul17.jpg

    Jawad, 31, plays Counter-Strike at a friend's house. The US Institute of Peace estimates that 89% of urban Afghans own a television. Video game enthusiasts also purchase game systems such as Xbox or PlayStation.
  • Image may contain Clothing Apparel Human Person Building and Field
    Anna Loshkin
    05

    ent-kabul04.jpg

    A child waves a flag representing Roshan, an Afghan telecom firm and the sponsor of the Afghan Premier League, at a soccer game between two local teams. Tickets cost as little as $1.50.
  • Image may contain Human Person Lighting Transportation Vehicle Automobile Car and Arcade Game Machine
    Anna Loshkin
    06

    ent-kabul18.jpg

    Friends play air hockey at Wonderland, Kabul's first amuseument park.
  • Image may contain Human Person Wire and Barbed Wire
    Anna Loshkin
    07

    ent-kabul15.jpg

    Local kids watch a paintball game at Kabul Paintball Park.
  • Image may contain Human Person Lighting Bowling Furniture and Chair
    Anna Loshkin
    08

    ent-kabul07.jpg

    Regulars at Strikers, the first bowling alley to open in Afghanistan.
  • Image may contain Human Person Audience Crowd Michel Constantin Clothing Apparel Hat People and Alejandro Toledo
    Anna Loshkin
    09

    ent-kabul05.jpg

    Spectators watch a soccer match between two local teams of the Afghan Premier League from the stands.
  • Image may contain Electronics Phone Mobile Phone Cell Phone Human and Person
    Anna Loshkin
    10

    ent-kabul14.jpg

    A girl takes a selfie with the mascot of Wonderland, an indoor amusement park in Kabul.
  • Image may contain Human Person Water Pool Swimming Pool Banister and Handrail
    Anna Loshkin
    11

    ent-kabul08.jpg

    The Kabul Waterpark opened in 2013. Only men, boys and girls under the age of 10 are allowed. It costs about $10 for three hours.
  • Image may contain Human Person Fireman Helmet Clothing and Apparel
    Anna Loshkin
    12

    ent-kabul11.jpg

    Players talk strategy at the Kabul Paintball Park.
  • Image may contain Human Person Light Laser and Night Life
    Anna Loshkin
    13

    ent-kabul06.jpg

    People dance at a party in a private home in Kabul. Young people often gather at friends' houses to smoke hookah and listen to music.
  • Image may contain Human Person Lighting Transportation Vehicle and Kart
    Anna Loshkin
    14

    ent-kabul09.jpg

    A mixture of children and adults play bumper cars at Wonderland, an indoor amusement park that opened atop the Park Mall.
  • Image may contain Human and Person
    Anna Loshkin
    15

    ent-kabul19.jpg

    A man prepares to bowl at Striker's.
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