When I headed out to work, it had been five days since the Taliban took over Kabul. And it was Independence Day, a national holiday, when Afghans celebrate their country’s independence from Britain in 1919. I wanted to capture the mood of the city.

I went first to an event for Ashura, a religious ritual at which devout Shiite Muslims beat themselves with chains to display penance and mourning.

I didn’t spend more time there than necessary, because Shiite Muslim events have often been a target of deadly attacks in Afghanistan.

By the time I left, I had drops of blood spattered on my shalwar kameez, the traditional baggy tunic and trousers, as well as my camera, hands, glasses and face.