CNN PRODUCER NOTE     WDAGarner shares these snapshots from his 2009 tour of Afghanistan. He traveled to the country to interview people and do research for Joseph David Osman's book, 'Surrender to Kindness: One Man's Epic Journey for Love and Peace.' He tells us that, in his experience, Afghans are generally welcoming of U.S. troops: 'Some Afghans ran up to soldiers and to me, shaking hands and offering flatbread and tea.' However, he says that regarding U.S. civilians, Afghans were generally wary. 'They knew these Americans were there for a reason other than to help the Afghans and their country,' he says.

Of life after the Taliban, he comments: 'Way out in the countryside where there are more goats and lambs than Afghans, life hasn't changed too much since the Taliban left. Only in those districts and villages where the Taliban were active and present do we see a real change: the people are now free. [...] Unfortunately, though, in small districts and almost all villages, the women still suffer the arcane laws of the past -- they are not allowed out except in the company of an adult male, and they must wear the infamous burqa.'
- elchueco, CNN iReport producer