In Afghanistan, Hot Place to Shop is Bush Bazaar

This article, with it's portrait of a culture clash in Afghanistan's black market, reminded me of some of the things stated in a previous post about bribery with American products. It seems to me that Western products are in very high demand in Afghanistan. This article makes it seem that the the Afghanis are so eager to own Western products that they often buy them even if they have no idea what it is. It was interesting to know that even Americans go to these black markets to buy cheap computer hardware.

Another aspect of this culture clash is between conservative Islam law and the goods for sale at the black market. Many of the pre-made meals do not follow Islam's dietary rules, and therefore cannot be purchased (although some people buy them anyway.) 

When I think about the Afghanistan black market, I do not think of Western products. However, it seems like these products have a great appeal. Is it because these products are something new, different, and foreign? Is it because, in the words of an article previously posted, these 21st century products are in an 18th century society? Will these products lose their appeal once the younger generation grows up and, after being exposed to these products for so long, they lose their novelty?

Here is a link to a quick video of a black market in Bagram. A black market near the US military base in Bagram was mentioned briefly in the article, but I am not sure if this is it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=97vDlEJpfm0