探索频道英语听力 寻找失去的佛陀-03

You don't have to go far to see evidence of war. Everywhere there is rubble. We film discreetly. Photography of humans is officially banned in Afghanistan. And because this is a country suffering from trade sanctions, westerners aren't that popular.

"The people got no food to eat. Some of them, they are deprived from basic human needs. So of course they are not happy and of course they're probably, they're blaming the Western countries."

"So they, so they feel totally abandoned by the international community? "

"Yeah, of course, the people say we didn't commit any crime, why they have to impose sanctions on us."

In Kabul, the law only allows foreigners to stay in one hotel, and one hotel alone- the Continental. It's an ugly building, not improved by the ravages of the war. It was where I stayed last time and it's where I stay this time.

And what a line-up! One of the great tenets of Islam is that all visitors must be honored, whatever their country or religion.

The plight of the Continental sums up Afghanistan. Normally an international hotel like this would be brimming with businessmen, politicians and power brokers. But the sight for me: it's empty, a deserted monument to Afghanistan's international isolation.

After years of shelling, many of the windows are still covered in plastic as a shortage of glass, and I'm glad that I wasn't here when these rounds hit. I ask for my old room, it's of course no problem. I've got the peak of the hotel. And it's still got the best view in town.

"Er, five years ago, standing here, this was a panorama of battle with tanks over on that far hill. All the way through the city was just gunfire and then from outside rockets are coming and just lobbing into the city. It's just incredible to see it at peace. It's something I couldn't quite imagine five years ago. "

tenet: a principle or belief

round: the amount of ammunition needed to fire one shot

panorama: an unbroken view of a surrounding region