najiba alavi runs a hotel overlooking one of the lakes.she shows us round, pointing out that each room has a double bed, a stove, and hot water. she's been running the hotel for five years. but it's empty. not a single guest this year so far. >> we had a few guests last year. but no one comes anymore. afghanistan is seen as too unsafe. >> in fact, bamyan is relatively safe. the way there, through the mountains, less so. the only way for tourists to get here is by plane. najiba wants nothing more than to be able to greet guests and make them feel welcome. >> it saddens me that no one comes here. i opened a hotel to make a living. and to show visitors this beautiful scenery. >> bamyan truly is picturesque. 3000 meters above sea level, it feels like it's on top of the world. but it wasn't always so idyllic. the lakes are situated just west of the famous buddhas of bamiyan, two 6th century monumental statues carved into the side of a cliff. they were destroyed by the taliban in 2001. plans to reconstruct them have stalled in the absence of the