The six deep blue lakes of Band-e-Amir National Park in Afghanistan, at the foothills of the Hindukush mountains, call out to all who love nature in her raw earthy pristine beauty. The lakes are a natural wonder. Snow-melt from mountains comes out from faults and crack in the rocks. The carbon dioxide rich water deposited calcium carbonate, which, over time, transformed to natural reservoirs of travertine to store the deep blue water. In the winters, when snow envelopes the barren mountains, and chilly winds howl through the silent skies, the deep blue lakes- mute spectators of the destruction of the Bamiyan Buddhas-wait in anticipation of their fate.

None dare answer the call of Band-e-Amir. Tens of thousands of soldiers and civilians have lost their lives in the war in Afghanistan. The count is still on.