THE PAKGHAN SERIES, DAY 15 – 17
PESHAWAR
Pakistan’s most insane city. I have been told many things about Peshawar, the amount of unique experiences to be had is incredible.
POUND FOR POUND, PESHAWAR HAS TO HE ONE OF THE MOST UNIQUE CITIES I HAVE VISITED.
The town is just 30minutes from the border of Afghanistan and is the gateway to the tribal areas beyond.
WHERE IS PESHAWAR?
Peshawar
BUS STATION
I never expected a bus station to be on my list of attractions to visit here in Pakistan but the buses here are worth seeing. They have to be the most colourful and unique buses in the world and every one of them is different. Don’t get me wrong they look cool but could not imagine sitting in one for any longer than I needed to; no windows, no AC and very cramped when at capacity!
Pakistan’s most insane city
$0.25 STREET MASSAGE
After bumping my way around Pakistan it was time to get the famous Peshawar street massage all for the cheap price of 0.25 cents! I’m sure lying on this old cloth and pillow was not the most hygienic but could have still laid there for hours!
It seems some food I ate or possibly the AC in the Islamabad hotel has tipped me over the edge. Out of all the things that could have finished me here in Pakistan it was AC 🤦🏻♂️
Pakistan’s most insane city
SMUGGLER’S MARKET
After an hour in bed we headed to the outskirts of Peshawar towards the border of Afghanistan. This market is famous for old military goods smuggled over the border. Many of these good would have been stolen from convoys or sold by US military in exchange for drugs (allegedly). I wasn’t surprised at the knives or knuckle dusters on show but for sure the amount of viagra and penis enlargement cream on offer!
Pakistan’s most insane city
CHEAPEST HOTEL
What do you think the cheapest hotel in the world is? $10/night? $5/night? No, you can stay in this place, right in the centre of Peshawar for the grand total of $0.50! I have stayed in some interesting places but this one takes it. Not only is it outside but the sheets and pillows clearly don’t get washed too often.
Pakistan’s most insane city
RELATED READ: THE MOST INSANE WATERFIGHT IN THE WORLD
DAY 16, ROOFTOP RIDER
After getting my visa for Afghanistan it was time to tick another thing off the bucket list, riding on the roof of a bus. I done it in Karachi with my dad but I wanted to stay up at a little longer and it was incredible as well as being insanely dangerous! This is where the students sit as it’s often free.
SNUFF & CHAPLI
Being a tribal city, Peshawar has a unique way of consuming some products. This includes snuff, a form of ground tobacco mixed with ash and water to form a type of resin. I was shocked at the response of some locals when I said I wanted to try some so eventually decided against it.
Chapli is a very popular form of kebab but fried. I’ll stick to the BBQ kebab!
GYPSY CAMP
On our way back into the city we stopped of at a gypsy camp, some of the most horrendous living conditions I have seen. These people have been moving around the region most of their lives as the seasons change. Seeing kids and adults clearly unwashed in months and wearing clothes that you wouldn’t have cleaned your floor with was hard to stomach. Although it was to get worse later.
HASHISH
One thing I didn’t expect was to come across religious elders hanging around smoking Hashish, and it wasn’t a one off. These “sufis” come here everyday to smoke hashish together. I was all for trying some until I got a sniff of the stuff and it near knocked me out.
DAY 17, GUN FACTORY
This morning started in a gun factory, just your standard Saturday morning in Peshawar. Every part of manufacturing happens within these four walls. I have never considered the precision and attention to detail in building these weapons.
Everyone has their own job, whether it’s the main body, the barrel, or the trigger, all designed with absolute accuracy. The workers are of all ages, most highly skilled and experienced. Some as old as 60 and others at 15 who are just starting.
Most guns are remodels of famous brands for a twentieth of the price. Some real models fetch up to $3000 but are sold here for just $80!
AFGHAN REFUGEE CAMP
This was horrendous. Ever since it was clear the Taliban were going to gain control of Afghanistan many 1000s of Afghans fled across the border into Pakistan. Although with the poor economic situation in Pakistan there were no homes or jobs available to meet even the demand of the locals never mind the influx of refugees.
Those that were lucky enough setup refugee camps and although they could be called home the living conditions are as bad as I have ever seen. Surrounded by rubbish and cow manure, the people here are living with animals. This goes to show the situation in Afghanistan as people are fleeing into Pakistan (or all places) in search of better opportunities.
FINAL THOUGHTS
That’s pretty much it from Pakistan, what a place and what incredible people, possibly the friendliest I have met!
NEXT UP
A wild experience crossing the border into Afghanistan and the Tora Bora Caves!! Click to read.
SAFE TRAVELS, DS x
172/229
This post is part of the Pakghan Series, for the entire series click here or for episode 1, click here.
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