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'''Afghanistan''' is In 2006, a country Russian hitchhiker traveling in Afghanistan went missing. For more information, read [[Asia]]http://www.digihitch. Part of the [[Silk road]] and formerly part of the socom/ftopict-called [[Hippie trail]6046.html here], it has since been invaded by the Soviets, ruled by the Taliban and attacked by the United States. Little people speak English or Russian, and there is an anti-Western feeling throughout the country.
According to Lonely Planet, hitchhiking equals taking a taxi in Afghanistan, as people use to flag cars down that go in there direction, and are taken against a fee. Some Afghans might let you hitch a ride out of curiosity, though. In some regions resp. seasons, hitching on trucks is the only way to travel. Most NGOs are banned from picking up hitchhikers (but still it's mainly NGOs picking up).
Afghanistan has the lower rate of cars per inhabitant in the world. Travelling by public transport or staying in hotels is rather expensive compared to Central Asia.== Women ==
== Safety ==It goes without saying that women are advised to cover as much hair and skin as possible when travelling in Afghanistan. It's not only a matter of safety, but it's a matter of respect too. Consider a Salwar Kameez 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 contact in public. It is generally advised to travel with a male companion.
It's probably quite an unsafe country to travel to let Women travelling alone in group taxis generally have to hitchhike even though Muslim hospitality might make up pay for that. Be aware that land mines are widespread in two seats at 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)front rather than sitting by a man's side.
In 2006While researching on the topic, a Russian hitchhiker traveling in Afghanistan went missing. For more information, read [http[user://www.digihitch.com/ftopict-6046.html herePerilisk|perilisk]] couldn't find any woman's account of hitchhiking in Afghanistan.
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'''Afghanistan''' is a country in [[Asia]]. 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 people speak English or Russian, and there is an anti-Western feeling throughout the country.
== Hitchhiking ==
According to Lonely Planet, hitchhiking equals taking a taxi in Afghanistan, as people use to flag cars down that go in there direction, and are taken against a fee. Some Afghans might let you hitch a ride out of curiosity, though. In some regions resp. seasons, hitching on trucks is the only way to travel. Most NGOs are banned from picking up hitchhikers, more specifically UN-based of large humanitarian organisations (but still, it's mainly NGOs picking 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 a "sign", peope hitchhiking with one still get questioned about their destinations.
Afghanistan has the lower rate of cars per inhabitant in the world. Travelling by public transport or staying in hotels is rather expensive compared to Central Asia. Collective taxis with fixed fares travel between cities once they are filled with passengers. Travelling with a bakpack there means extra cost, but that's where you can bargain. There are also minibuses, a bit cheaper but much more crowded.
== Safety ==
{{infobox Country
|country = Afghanistan
|hitch = from {{Senseless}} to {{average}}
}}
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.
== Border crossing ==
Hitchhikers have crossed to Afghanistan:
* from [[Iran]] via Eslam Qal`eh. Advice given by locals is to reach Kabul using the ring road via Kandahar in the South since it is a main road used by international peace keeping forces.
* from [[Pakistan]], via Torkham. The trip from Peshawar to Kabul takes about 7 hours.You must obtain a free permit the morning of the departure and a have a bodyguard accompanying you to the border. There is also a checkpoint via Chaman.
* from [[Tajikistan]], via Panji Poyon.
* from [[Turkmenistan]]* Some people allegedly tried to cross from [[Uzbekistan]], via Termez on the Afghanistan–Uzbekistan Friendship Bridge, but were refused, as only NGOs are allowed to cross there (no tourists).
== Links ==
* [http://traveloblog.com/trip/ludovic-hubler/asia-afghanistan-kabul-.html Ludovic Hubler's entry on Pakistan/Afghanistan]
* [http://wikitravel.org/en/Afghanistan Afghanistan on Wikitravel]
===English News Websites===
* [http://www.e-ariana.com/ e-ariana]
* [http://www.myafghan.com/ MyAfghan]
[[Category:Asia]]
[[Category:Southern Asia]]
[[Category:Afghanistan]]
