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Old 11-11-2007, 05:03 PM   #1
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This is a question mainly for the T-Punks serving in Afghanistan at the moment:

Realistically, do you think it's possible and relatively safe for a solo male westerner to travel from Iran to Herat, go by bus to Kabul (through the central route), then to Bamiyan, Band-e Amir, Mazar-e Sharif, and finally head to Tajikistan? Or is this a crazy and stupid idea?
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Old 11-11-2007, 05:30 PM   #2
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That would be a great trip, but honestly it sounds pretty crazy and stupid to me. I've got a couple of friends there now, and it's really nowhere near stable at this point. My brother was contracting there, and they used to be able to drive around in civilian vehicles, now it's all convoy. Have you read Rory Stewart's "The Places in Between?" He crossed Afghanistan right after the Taliban was taken out, but had local military bodyguards...
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Old 11-11-2007, 06:10 PM   #3
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One of my co-workers is Afghani and was there not too long ago. He said that the danger of being kidnapped is pretty damn high if people find out you're Western, especially if you're American or British. Another one of my friends--female-- went to Afghanistan about two years ago with a women's human rights organization. She said it was great but when they were on the road, they had to hide big time. That same friend went to Tajikistan for about a month this summer and had a great time, but she didn't go through Afghanistan to get there.

Personally I would LOVE to go there, but it sounds a little risky right now.
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Old 11-11-2007, 06:53 PM   #4
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I'm not in Afghanistan but I wouldn't do it and I am crazy.

I suppose if you look like this guy they will leave you alone:

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Old 11-11-2007, 07:48 PM   #5
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I guess Nicole can give a pretty good opinion on Afghanistan. I think Iran should be no problem. I don't know much about Tajikistan, wikitravel says it is pretty stable. This may be a bit stupid as a comparison but my cousin spent a few weeks in Kyrgyzstan and it was just fine. I don't know how different they are really but they're neighbors geographically.
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Old 11-11-2007, 08:54 PM   #6
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There was a bit of discussion regarding where this thread belongs, in the Asia or Middle East forum.

I guess where you live in the world could give you a different view on it, so I copied and put it in both forums.
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Old 11-11-2007, 10:02 PM   #7
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Haven't been there myself, but from what I know, hell no. And I'm crazy too, but I wouldn't do Afghanistan, all of its neighbors, yes.
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Old 11-12-2007, 05:46 PM   #8
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Tony Wheeler traveled throughout Afghanistan when researching his book "BadLands." He stayed completely away from Kabul but did visit other parts of the country. And he always hired local guides to drive him around. You might want to check out the book for some more info.

* POSTED IN BOTH THREADS *
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