Blogs from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan, Asia - page 3

TOday we hired a minivan and bussed our asses down the Khyber Pass. After the initial hassle of getting our permits we picked up our armed guards (who were actually shorter than me!). And set off. First we drove through the smugglers market where the store windows are filled with A47s, rocket launchers and heineken. Standing under the concrete arch which marks the beginning of the pass was pretty surreal, and soon we entered the tribal lands. Outside we passed the refugee camps full of Afghanis in their mudbrick homes, children playing the dust and the colourful local string beds for sale on the roadside. The landscape was stunning: winding roads through rocky passes, forts dotting the hillsides and goats and donkeys grazing on the little grass that grew. Wherever we stopped we attracted the attention ... read more

So thought we should add an entry in the spirit of backpacker-dom. We have a house, with aircon and cable, and a cleaner. And another crazy kiwi who has brought us out tonight. there has been vodka and beer and chianti and johnny walker and paul simon on itunes.... we had burgers for dinner.... we are HARD... ha ha ha tomorrow: sleep in, chai, shopping for togas! Listening to: The police, every little thing she does is magic eating: nothing cos the kitchen closed at 10 drinking: chianti.. not sure which but it aint bad in 'alcohol free' Pakistan Feeling: great! We might get a guest entry soon......... read more

Hello our Canadian Friends & Family!!! We are happy to report that we are safe, sound and fully showered! This past week Galib and I volunteered our time to assist at Camp Chitta Batta, an earthquake affectee relief camp due to the earthquake that occurred for 20 minutes and killed over 240,000 people on October 8, 2005. 7.5 million people were displaced. These past 5 days have been an unbelievable adventure for the both of us to say the very least. Galib & I have seen the unthinkable, the unimaginable, the unmentionable...we have many stories to tell you. I will attempt to convey some of them on this Blog through my comments and the pictures. United Pakistan began with the vision of one person and the collaboration of many. We have been blessed to meet so ... read more

The border immigration opened in the Pakistan side around 9am. At the border people were burning plastic cans to keep themselves warm. I guess the Pakistan government should run an Environmental Studies 101 in this area to make people aware of the harmful effects in what they do. Since there was no queue for foreigners like in the Wagah border I was put in front. All the while my backpack was resting on the Iranian border wall; I kept watch from the Pakistan immigration queue to make sure no one was putting anything. I think have got quite paranoid of this whole drug trafficking route hence, worried that people will put something in my bag. Exiting Pakistan was a breeze; as usual the officers have a laugh at my unusually long name. It’s a funny site ... read more