A 5:30am start to the day to a drive down to Jalalabad for a number of interviews in the city and surrounds. There are a few spots on the mountainous route that trigger nervous smiles – where the scars of convoy attacks by the Taliban are visible on the road but mostly its a fantastic ride into Afghanistans outdoors, with the occasional wait behind the beautifully ornate Pakistani trucks. Only two days into the research, a lot done, so so much still to do.