Before coming to Afghanistan, I’d already met a lot of different people from many different cultures around the world. I’ve stayed with nomads in Mongolia, I’ve mingled with the Japanese on Tokyo’s busiest streets, I’ve spent a night in a Sami hut in Northern Sweden, I’ve lived with four Faroese families, I’ve been saved from the cold by friendly Kyrgyz mountain people, I’ve watched a total solar eclipse with natives of unknown Pulau Belitung. Over the years of travelling to off the beaten path destinations all over the world, I’ve met many people who hadn’t seen westerners before. People that would pull my light brown hair, come right close to my face to gaze at my green eyes, point at me on the street and ask for me to take photos with them.
But I’d never before experienced the curiosity that I was met with, when Steve and I went to Sultan Eshkashim, a tiny village in the northernmost corner of Afghanistan, on May 31st 2016.
Afghanistan was one of a kind. Never in my life had I felt further away from home, yet still felt so at home. Afghan people are extremely warm at heart, they’re welcoming and curious, and despite what the news might tell you, they’re peaceful and good people, just like you and I. They just happen to be born in a country at war.
The experience of going to Afghanistan was as unique as can be. I still recall how excited I was to call my family, when we got back to Khorog, Tajikistan. I hadn’t told them that we were going to Afghanistan, simply because I was scared of their reactions. Instead I surprised them, when I was back in Tajikistan, safe, although I’d never felt unsafe.
Five days prior to going to Afghanistan, Steve and I had arrived in the small Tajik village of Karakul, located in the middle of the Pamir Mountains by Karakul Lake, in probably the most remote spot on earth. I remember telling Steve that the buildings of Karakul reminded me of how I thought Afghanistan would look like. Saying that, I never thought in a million years that I would be seeing the buildings of Afghanistan myself just five days later.
Going to Afghanistan and meeting the kind-hearted Afghan people changed me in a lot of ways. Before, I used to be extremely materialistic. Money used to matter to me, and so did nice nails and shoes. Now I don’t even shampoo my hair.
I’m not going to say that I’m not at all materialistic anymore, because that Black Milk addiction is definitely still there, but I no longer NEED to buy stuff all the time. I like to save my money for travels and life changing experiences. I’ve stopped thinking about how many shoes I could get for 100 dollars, but instead I think of where I could go for 100 dollars and how much happiness and life experience that would bring me.
I’m still learning and every day is a battle to try to better myself. I want to be the best possible version of myself, a version that going to Afghanistan has helped me realize exists.
While in Afghanistan, we didn’t actually do much. We didn’t see much, but we experienced a lot from our many interactions with locals. We spent most of our time in the market square in Sultan Eshkashim, talking to all the locals who would constantly surround us and stare at us with pure curiosity. In Khirmani, the tiny village that we stayed in, we went star gazing by night and explored the beautiful countryside with the locals by day.
Travelling is not about seeing everything and ticking things off a bucket list. It’s about the people that you meet. It’s about the conversations you have, the laughs you share, the life lessons you learn from each other.
In many ways, my head has been filled with so many new things since that life-changing trip to Afghanistan. I used to be one for the easiest solutions, and I don’t have much that I can say I’m good at. Now I challenge myself. I believe in growing as a person and I want to keep growing.
I’m already dreaming about going back to Afghanistan, next time to new and even more remote destinations. I want to venture into the unknown, to explore what hasn’t yet been discovered. To have the experiences that I’m so priviliged to even be able to have.
I feel like I left a bit of myself back there in Sultan Eshkashim. I’m longing for the place, really longing. I’ve never missed a place so much before. My love for the world has always been there, but Afghanistan enhanced that. And most importantly, it taught me that the world isn’t dangerous. News is.
There’s just one thing left to say. Go to Afghanistan. Go to Iran, Iraq, North Korea, Somalia. It will transform you. Be smart, but don’t be scared. The world is not as dangerous as you think.
8 COMMENTS
Pasargad
6 years agoDear Melissa!
Though our country has been war-torn, we are not bad and ugly people…..Afghanistan is rich in beautiful nature and ancient artifacts.Only the problem is of war and insecurity.
If there is no war and insecurity, Millions of tourists go to Afghanistan annually.
Precious stones such as emerald and ruby can easily be found in the mountains of Afghanistan.
If you interested to know more information, please read story of Afghanistan.
I’m from Herat city of Afghanistan. But now I’m living in Venice Italy…
Best regards
Pasargad
Melissa Cherry
6 years agoYou are absolutely beautiful people. Some of the best people I’ve ever met!
I would love to know more about Afghanistan and I also have plans to go back there. I’m thinking sometime next year if the situation is safe up north! 🙂
Pasargad
6 years agoThanks!
Well behavior and debonair human is really beautiful, i found this beautiful character to you .
In fact, you only met 1% of the people Afghanistan.
But it will be interesting for you to walk in the Nuristan area,Meet the people with blond hair and blue eyes . Yes, there are different tribes and races in Afghanistan.Our people only suffer from religion. And they need to study .
Next year, maybe I will travel to Afghanistan in the summer…
If you needed help, I will happy to help you……
Melissa Cherry
6 years agoThank you, I will remember that 🙂 Afghanistan definitely needs to be explored further! 🙂
Pasargad
6 years agoDear Melissa !
It can be said that the situation in Afghanistan has deteriorated due to ethnic and political differences..
But wakhan corridor badakhshan Afghanistan is safe near the Chinese & Tajikistan border and there are many tourists traveling annually…also, tourists see the snow leopard. ?
This is my Email and some contacts…
Pasargad.universe00@gmail.com
Instagram, Azmray.H.Pasargad
Facebook, Azmray Pasargad
Melissa Cherry
6 years agoThank you very much! 🙂
Ann
7 years agoThis is a deep confession…I have never thought of you as a materialistic person, somehow it still does not fit you, dear Mel, I guess you overestimate this feature of yours, frankly, I believe we are all a bit materialistic, since we cannot live without good modern flat or house, a nice car, a lovely bag…though, experience gained while traveling and getting to know unknown is the most valuable! Traveling has a drastic effect on our way of thinking, it does change us from inside and even outside, helps us understand how fragile this world is and how perfect as the same time. Being not afraid is an advantage gained through being wisdom and looking at everything with cold brain and kind heart! Right?
Melissa Cherry
7 years agoThank you Ann, that’s really nice of you to say. I used to be very materialistic, but that was before I realized how much more the world has to offer than material goods. All that matters in life is happiness for oneself and others, and I don’t believe that material things can bring that. But you are right in saying that we’re all materialistic, because we are, but it’s important to recognize it. And about travelling you’re absolutely right. It does something amazing to people, to everyone I’ve met, and I hope that everyone gets to experience it someday! 🙂 xx