we started journey as per schedule.. the plan was first to reach to Bamyan by after noon and then next day join other staff from bamyan to go to panjab...
The journey to Bamyan was 7-8 hrs. from Kabul.. of course we had to pass one of the scary area
[taliban controlled] but the day time crossing was ok....
we started the journey with hope and excitement.. we just left Kabul and one of the car's [Toyota corrola] tyre brusted...
"pratham grasse maxika" ... we wasted 2 hrs to replace the tyre.. then the journey on dusty road started...
the road seems endless... bumpy.. bouncing me out of the roof top..
The instruction from my office was not to travel beyond 6:00 pm... so i was pushing drivers to run fast .. it was scary journey.. the drivers didnt speak a single word of english.. i could not speak single word of "dari"[local language]...
they stopped at one of the restaurant on way for their choice for lunch...
the restaurant was a mud building.. the floor was carpeted with iranian carpet.. we had to eat lunch on floor...
there was no menu. the items are naan [local bread] -- the exact size was 3 ft x 2 ft x 2 inch :) mutton with lots of red gravy and rice [coocked with veg. oil]... :) being 100% vegetarian i could not find anything interesting.. i thought i can go for naan and tea [green tea without milk]..... i ordered...
the boy came with a big roll of tarpaulin sheet [2ft wide by 10 ft long].. he unrolled in front of us... he brought big plate of rice... 3 bowls of meat... and then brought some naan tightly hold under his armpits!!! :)..
he started throwing the naan on floor... we have to catch the one!!! :)
pathatic hygiene.. i had to adjust.... i decided to non-memorize what i saw.... :)
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we completed the lunch... i was bout to get in car.... and realise... my GOD.... the driver had left the car keys in side and locked the door.... shiiiit!!!! the nightmare started...
he was angry on me... he said it is my fault that i asked him to lock doors before we went for lunch.. i was angry too.. i said you are the driver you should take the keys out before locking the doors... any ways.. we tried alot.. more then 15 min we were trying our level best to see how can be open the windows.!!!! we failed... it seems no way ahead....
ohh yea.. funy thing was driver left car engine running!!!!!
since we had 2 cars.. i suggested driver to go to Kabul and take the keys .. he seems not ready to leave his car at the restaurant and further it was running engine so it will eat up all fuel.. :) goooooooooooooood nesss!!!!!!!!!!!
i left the decision on driver .... he decided to break wind shield !!!! i said it is your call.. i am not going to pay for your foolish act.!!!! he was upset with me... he broke a glass... i was afraid that it might break whole wind screen.. surprisingly he could punch a hole.. rest of the screen was intact.. .... we headed to the destination with broken glass...
we kept on driving... the road seems end less... full of bumps... crossing mountains.. passing thru river lets.. river pebbles... mud, dust.... however the land scape was too beautiful.. full of green trees and green valleys .....
it was around 7:00 pm... we were still away from Bamyan... it was difficult for me to communicate with driver... he was not able to tel me either how far we are from bamyan...
as per the security procedure i shd not travel beyond 6:00 pm... ..
finally we stopped at a small village and a small restaurant... not different then the place where we took lunch... i went in with drivers... it seems too pathetic in terms of hygiene.. i could not trust food.... so decided to stay away and skip dinner...
i was hungry too... finally one of the guy from restaurant could arrange biscuits and milk creams..... biscuits were just like dusts.. it was ok... i grabbed the food to survive.. ...
driver decided to sleep inside the restaurent.. i could not trust the place.. so decided to stay in car.... i locked the car.... stretch the seat... pull over my sleeping bag. .and slept....
it was cold , quite and scary night... my first night in unprotected strange place... i could not sleep well.. every now and then i wake up and check the situation around to make sure i am not in trouble.....
finally 5:00 am.. driver woke up.. we took green tea [without milk and sugar] .... we started our journey.........
in 1.30 hrs.. we reached Bamyan.. i could see the place of famous bamyan budhdha..
we reached CHF office... it was around 7:00 am... Ian [PM] a guy from NZ welcomed me... he said he is scheduled to travel so leave me on my own.. and promised me to join in punjab....
I met another PM mr. terry lencashire and AUZ guy.
i relaxed a bit.. .. went to market bought some good food stuffs to eat as well as to take with me for next journey... i could buy some resins, almonds and cashew nuts.....
drivers went to town for repairs and some regular maintenance of cars....
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