After staying in Kabul for one week, I start my road trip to the capital of the province Balkh on a sunny morning. I’m very excited to discover what’s hidden behind the mountains that surround the city. Maybe you are trying to imagine what such a journey might look like: a bullet proof vest, a helmet, a Kalashnikov, as part of a NATO convoy. Nope, not quite! Rather: a white 90s Toyota Corolla, ten CDs with the best of Indian pop music, green tea and a little bread. My biggest fear? That I might be able to speak fluent Hindi after enjoying the CD collection…
Tanim is our driver. During the rule of the Taliban he fled to Pakistan, but after several years of asylum there, he decided to return in order to start his own business. He sells surveillance cameras in his little shop in Kabul. Tanim has a big heart – and many ideas for the new Afghanistan. He wants to show me some of his country, which is why he suggested driving to Mazar.
While I wait on the street for him to pick me up, a frowning security guy glares at me, his AK47 ready to fire. These guys always look like they will shoot you any minute. And since this has already really happened here a few times, a bad feeling comes over me. Normally, people here react when I encounter them in a friendly way, when I wave or smile. But this guy here, he just doesn’t want to be my friend.
Alright, I think, I guess that’s the disadvantage of traveling to Afghanistan, you can never feel safe.
No surprising realization, I admit.
Finally, our friend comes and off we are. As soon as we leave the city behind, the scenery becomes monotonous. Kabul already seemed grey, but this here – really lacks any color. We pass a few checkpoints without any major issues. Time and again, there’s a Russian tank wreck on the road, which is slowly turning into a dirt road, followed long by nothing. Afghanistan seems empty.
Tanim explains that the Salang Pass connects northern Afghanistan with Kabul, »and it’s one of the most famous passes in the world!« In fact, it’s an adventure: at nearly 4.000 meters, the Hindu Kush is crossed, and I have never experienced such an impressive drive. We go higher and higher. The rise seems to have no end. At times, jagged cliffs tower into the sky on both sides, then the slope steeply drops down right next to the road. At 3.400 meters, we enter the Salang Tunnel, which was the highest tunnel of the world until 1973. By the way, the mobile reception is excellent – so much for developed countries!
Now that we are slowly approaching the valley, the grey vanishes and finally the country shows what it has to offer: red rock, deep blue rivers. I try to imagine what it looks like in spring when the bushes and trees dip-paint the landscape into a vibrant green…
We have crossed half of Afghanistan, when we enter Mazar-i-Sharif after an eight-hour drive. Mazar, as the fourth biggest city of the country is referred to, was the first city that was freed of the rule of the Taliban by international troops in 2001. And since this day, it also remained one of the most peaceful places of Afghanistan. Tanim has found an accommodation, a kind of hotel, where we park our car. I enjoy strolling through the streets, many young people approach me – in astonishingly good English! – to ask me where I’m from, what brings me to Afghanistan, how I’ve been. I feel very welcomed.
But that’s not the only reason why the trip to Mazar was worth it: the city is known (and only known for!) its Blue Mosque – one of the most beautiful ones in the country. Splendidly gleams its blue marble dome, especially in the morning. And so I stand in front of the Mosque on this Friday, the believers gather for prayer and the rising sun dips the dome into a soft light. Marvelous. The grave of Mohammed’s cousin is said to be here – but whether it’s true or not doesn’t matter, this place is fantastic.
Back in our lodging, we are told that we can’t stay.
More or less conclusively, the owner explains to us that foreigners are not allowed here. It’s a shock. But after a cup of tea and with a heavy heart, we decide to return to Kabul. And that, even though at night the highway is still said to be controlled by Taliban, time and again. But what choice do we have? When we set out to climb the pass, the descending sun bathes the city in a golden light. The risk of getting stopped by fake policemen or Taliban is now unequally higher than by day. I keep texting our position to my sister, just in case.
And in fact, I see a Taliban on his way to »work«, at least that’s what Tanim assumes. With a turban and his face partly covered, he approaches the road from the mountains. I catch my breath. This isn’t TV, this is reality! What if he stops us? But I guess it’s still too busy. He seems to be waiting for his friends and doesn’t pay us any attention. Luckily, the traffic stays steady and that’s a relief to me.
After the Salang Pass (which is also a breathtaking enterprise at night) we head back to the capital. Too short of road trip, but nevertheless it was worth the journey! If you happen to be in the area sometime, I recommend this trip.
My last days in Kabul are long and intense. The things I experience here show me, once again, how good I have it at home. But also, that it’s worth traveling to places where I can witness how history is being written. And leave again.
An incredible privilege.
* * *
Readers Mail
Tell us what you think
Alexandra Sefrin on 20. November 2016
Ein wunderbarer Bericht!
Das Gefühl, durch eine Stadt zu wandern, wohin kein normaler Mensch reisen würde, kann ich ein bisschen nachvollziehen. Ägypten während des Golgkriegs zu besuchen, ist aber lange nicht so spektakulär, wie Kabul und Masar im Augenblick. Was wir aber immer wieder vergessen, ist, dass dort ja täglich Menschen leben und ein ganz normales Leben führen (müssen). Manche kommen mit dieser Realität nicht zurecht und nehmen die gefährliche Reise nach Deutschland auf sich. Mit einigen dieser Menschen habe ich in letzter Zeit gesprochen, ihre Geschichten waren sehr bewegend. Dagegen klingen unsere so vermeintlich abenteuerlichen Reisen, wie ein Spaziergang an einem Kindergeburtstag.
Dev Jain on 20. Juni 2020
Great Content Bro,
Thanks For This.You are trying to do some best of peoples. I will share the contents with my friends. Once again thank you so much.
TechnoEN
Tshewang Penjor on 9. Juli 2020
Hi,
Nice blogging and stunning pictures. Keep going !!!
Cheers
Tshewang
https://bhutanculturaltravel.com/
ruke on 25. Juli 2020
It is a beautifully curated article, thanks for sharing; May god bless all the souls. Also, do an episode on Jammu and Kashmir India, Baba Sidh goria nath Shrine in Swankha is the most popular shrine in J&K if you ever come must visit there.
Thanks
thuonghailongvan on 31. Juli 2020
If you want to travel by yourself, you have to have money first :))
Iolanta Zakharova on 22. Juli 2021
This really an adventures travel experience!
Enjoyed reading your experience throughout!
Have you been to Dubai ?? If not please visit & it will offer you so many experience & Content for blog along with that they have Best 5 Star hotels in Dubai for Staycation.