Chapter 21

Chapter twenty-one starts with Amir and Farid driving through Pashtunistan Square. While driving Amir gets to see all the damage and changes that have happened to the city since he lived there. This brings back memories about how Kabul used to be. They also drive back to Amir’s old neighbourhood, Wazir Akbar Khan, where Amir is shocked that most of the houses are still in pretty good shape. Farid explains the reason for this is that the people behind Taliban – or the ‘’real brains of the government’’ live here. Amir keeps walking around Baba’s old house and thinks back of how his life used to be.

Later they check into a hotel in Pushtinstan Square, where the toilet is broken, there is no hot water, a bloodstain and a worn out mattress, still he has to pay $75 for the night. They tell each other Mullah Nasruddin jokes until Farid falls asleep.

The next day, they go to a big stadium called Ghazi Stadium where they watch a soccer match. Through the whole game Talib guards roam the aisles for people who cheer to loudly. Halfway through the game, tree red pickups drive into the field. It is the Taliban with two adulteresses, who they place in two holes in the ground, and the Talib start’s to stone them. Once they are killed the guards load them back up in the truck and the soccer game continues.

The chapter ends with Amir and Farid arranging a tree o’clock meeting with the Taliban official.