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Afghanistan

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'''Afghanistan''' is a country in [[Asia]]. The capital is [[Kabul]]. It has borders to [[Iran]], [[Turkmenistan]], [[Uzbekistan]], [[Tajikistan]], [[China]] and [[Pakistan]]. Part of the [[Silk road]] and formerly part of the so-called [[Hippie trail]], it has since been invaded by the Soviets, ruled by the Taliban and attacked by the United States.
Little Few people speak English or Russian, and there is an anti-Western feeling throughout the country, but the hospitality to individual travelers is immense.
==Hitchhiking culture==
According to Lonely Planet, Afghanistan has no tradition of hitchhiking equals taking a taxi in Afghanistan, as people use to for free. Those who flag down cars down that go in there direction, and are taken against a feeusually pay something for the transportation. Some Afghans might let you hitch a ride out of curiosity, thoughbut even if the hitchhiker makes it clear at the beginning of the ride that he cannot pay, the driver may still insist on payment when dropping the hitchhiker off. In some regions resp. seasons, hitching on trucks is the only way to travel. Most NGOs are banned from picking forbidden to pick up hitchhikers, more specifically UN-based of large humanitarian organisations organizations (but stillnonetheless, in practice it's mainly NGOs picking who pick hitchhikers up). If you choose to hitchhike, be prepared to be questioned by the police over and over again. It is unusual for people to understand Low literacy rates mean that using a "sign", peope hitchhiking with one still get questioned about their destinationsis not necessary.
Afghanistan has the lower rate of cars per inhabitant in the world. Travelling Traveling by public transport or staying in hotels is rather expensive compared to Central Asia.
===Maps===
==Public Transport==
Collective taxis with fixed fares travel between cities once they are filled with passengers. Travelling Traveling with a backpack there means extra cost, but that's where you can bargain. There are also minibuses, a bit cheaper but much more crowded.
==Safety==
 
It's probably quite an unsafe country to travel to let alone to hitchhike even though Muslim hospitality might make up for that. Be aware that land mines are widespread in the country. Known landfields are marked with cobblestones painted red (towards the field) and white (safer zone). They are identified MF (Mine Field) and LM (Land Mines). Another concern is around the opium traffic route - through the Panj river.
In 2006, a Russian hitchhiker traveling in Afghanistan went missing. For more information, read [http://www.digihitch.com/ftopict-6046.html here]. However, the feeling in the Russian community is that this hitchhiker perished while trying to ford a river or negotiate a cliff, and not from violence.
===Women===
Woman have hitchhiked in Afghanistan in the company of one or more male hitchhikers. It goes without saying that women are advised to cover as much hair and skin as possible when travelling traveling in Afghanistan. It's This is not only a matter of safety, but it's a matter of respect tooas well. Consider a Salwar Kameez ''salwar kameez'' dress with proper headwear. Afghan women do not chat up men in public, or make eye contact with them, or smile to them. Keep in mind that your behaviour and body language might send strong messages to men. Avoid all bodily physical contact in public. It is generally advised to travel with a male companion.
Women travelling traveling alone in group taxis generally have to pay for two seats at the front rather than sitting by be allowed to sit next to a man's side. While researching on the topic, [[user:Perilisk|perilisk]] couldn't find any woman's account of hitchhiking in Afghanistan.
==Border Crossing==
==Eating & Drinking==
==Accomodation Accommodation & Sleeping== While hotels in [[Kabul]] can be extremely expensive, attempting to camp in the street will attact local people, who will then insist you stay in their homes.
==Other Useful Info==

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