Aside from travelling countless kilometres in armoured personnel carriers hoping that an IED didn't blow us to kingdom come, joining a foot patrol in a well known Taliban stronghold was probably the most dangerous thing I've done during my brief stay in Afghanistan.

A few days ago, I joined a group of Canadian and Afghan soldiers for a six-hour foot patrol leading to a small village where the Taliban have been known to frequent.

We headed out shortly after 7 a.m. and marched through fields and narrow pathways leading to the village.

Seeing that most of these small villages don't have running water or electricity, it should come as no surprise that it was eerily quiet.

However, once we arrived at the village, the voices of countless children and young adults could be heard everywhere.

We were the centre of attention and were greeted with smiles and at times, touches.

My camera gear soon became the focus of their attention.

"You take picture," they would say time and time again.

I would snap a few shots and the children would gather around to see the results and giggle.

One elder in the village though insisted I not take his picture.

I was later told it's probably because he feared the Taliban would see his photo and label him as a collaborator.

Aside from the fancy electronics and cameras, the children cried out for pens.

They would hold their hands up and pretend to write.

"They're asking for pens and paper," says one soldier. "They love em'."

The elders in the village insisted that I join them for tea and were quick to accept my cigarettes as a gift.

They would have taken the entire pack if I had let them or my sunglasses for that matter.

When we left, the Canadian soldiers had promised to return and not abandon them to the Taliban. Some might say it's a war of promises.

Link: Photo gallery