Waterproof Mascara Is A Must

The following is from the blog (as reported in the October 2010 issue of Harper's Magazine) of British surgeon Karen Woo, one of ten aid workers with the International Assistance Mission killed in August by the Taliban while providing medical care in northern Afghanistan.

Sunday, December 20

I'm now slowly morphing out of my London life, no sexy dresses and high heels here; I find myself blending in with the blokes. It's strange, in a way, as I feel quite at home, though I know that life here for most of my friends back home would seem like one hellish choice. All my life I've planned for a less than easy environment. For a good couple of years as a child I refused to go to bed without underwear on just in case I got kidnapped during the night. I was, of course, immune to my mother's protests that it was unhygienic to sleep in your underwear. I just couldn't bear the idea of being taken out through the bedroom window, nightdress billowing and no clean pants.

Thinking back on the things I liked best, really it was the torches and the penknives, the CB radio and the camping kit. Saying that though, I was also probably the only tomboy who also loved makeup and was very happy climbing trees outside the house in my electric blue miniskirt and full 1980s kohl-black eyes. So for now, I'll continue to cause a stir by putting on my makeup in my combats; waterproof mascara is a must for any hostile environment.