Source: all-that-is-interesting.com

The peaceful hues of 1960s Afghanistan paint a far different picture of the country embroiled with corruption and struggle. In 1967, Arizona State University professor Dr. Bill Podlich and his family swapped the stark, sultry summers of Tempe, Arizona for the environs of Kabul, Afghanistan. After serving in World War II, Podlich wanted to partake in a cause for peace and for that reason, he teamed up with UNESCO to work for two years at the Higher Teachers College of Kabul, Afghanistan. With him were his children, Jan and Peg, along with his wife Margaret.

The Podlich sisters in the Paghman Gardens.

When not developing relationships with his Afghani cohorts, Podlich developed his Kodachrome film, capturing a modernizing and peaceful Afghanistan that belies the harrowing images and thoughts associated with the war-torn country we see today. That is why, in Peg Podlich’s eyes, her father’s photos are so incredibly important. Says Podlich, these photos “can encourage folks to see Afghanistan and its people as they were and could be. It is important to know that we have more in common with people in other lands than what separates us.”

Afghani men out for a picnic

Afghan girls coming home from school. Both Afghan boys and girls were educated until the high school level.

A man preparing Jalebi, a sweet dessert.

King’s Hill in Paghman Gardens, constructed following Amanullah Khan’s tour of Europe, India and Iran. Paghman soon became a chic holiday retreat filled with chalets, villas and gardens. These royal gardens were public, however in order to enter one had to don Western garb. At the tail end of the 20th century, though, Paghman converted into Mujahideen battleground and most everything has since been destroyed.

For more pictorial essays on 1960s Afghanistan, head over to the Denver Post. And if you enjoyed this post on 1960s Afghanistan, be sure to see our posts on the haunting faces of Afghanistan and staggering photos of abandoned Detroit.