After leaving behind Pakistan and tackling endless paperwork, our journey’s next chapter took us to the fascinating and often misunderstood heart of Afghanistan. With travel plans in hand and curiosity driving us, this leg became a true test of patience, adaptation, and warmth in the face of uncertainty.
✈️ Arrival in Kabul: Crossing Borders
From Erode, our train snaked through southern India before we took off from Cochin, transferring in Sharjah, and touching down at Kabul International Airport. Arriving in Afghanistan, the initial apprehension vanished when we were greeted by real Afghan hospitality and the bustling, energetic pulse of Kabul.
No luxury hotels here — our stay was in a modest local hostel. This choice turned into a blessing, letting us mingle with locals and truly experience daily life. Afghan kindness shone through: tea was shared, advice was given, and even simple meals felt like feasts.
🍲 The Flavors of Afghanistan
Each meal is a celebration in Afghanistan. Whether it’s bread fresh from the oven, rolls, rice, or sweet fruits, the hospitality knows no bounds. Invited to homes, we were served way more food than we could eat, as is tradition. Sharing tea after every meal and learning about the importance of food in Afghan culture broke any remaining ice.
Between meals, we discovered that the Afghan Afghani (currency) was exchanged everywhere — in markets, taxis, or guesthouses. Negotiating fares and prices became part of the daily ritual.
🚕 Getting Around Kabul
Travel within Afghanistan is unlike anywhere else. Standard city buses are rare; locals crowd into shared taxis, cycle, or simply walk. For longer distances, hiring a private taxi was often the best bet, though the roads were dusty and traffic chaotic.
Some taxi rides became mini-adventures themselves: friendly banter, learning local words, and soaking in the city’s rhythm.
🕌 Exploring the City & Culture
Kabul isn’t about tourist attractions — it’s about people, resilience, and history. Walking the lanes, we encountered children rushing to school, vendors peddling everything from fruits to crafts, and ancient mosques tucked into neighborhoods.
Conversations over broken English and basic Farsi revealed the proud Afghan spirit. Despite recent struggles, locals are warm and optimistic, eager to share their world.
💸 Highlights & Challenges
- Getting an Afghan SIM card and exchanging money was perfectly doable, with the help of hostel owners or friendly taxi drivers.
- The local economy is simple but efficient, and prices were mostly fair.
- Travel, however, required patience: border checks, slow-moving traffic, occasional power cuts, and restrictions on filming in sensitive areas.
🗺️ Natural Beauty and History
Leave the city, and Afghanistan’s legendary landscapes open up. High mountain ridges, river valleys, and ancient fortifications tell stories of empires and conquerors. School kids recited Mughal Empire history, and our visit to Babur’s Tomb reminded us of Afghanistan’s place in world history.
The Kabul River divides neighborhoods, and the surrounding Hindu Kush mountains offer breathtaking, if sometimes harsh, views.
⚖️ The Realities of Afghan Life
It’s common to associate Afghanistan only with struggle, poverty, and conflict. Yet, living even a few days among locals, we saw genuine friendliness, practical wisdom, and deep pride in their past. Yes, many families live simply, and some rely on bicycles or old cars — but joy, community, and faith light up their lives.
Water shortages are real, especially as Himalayan glaciers melt and climate shifts reshape river flows. Still, Afghans unite around their children’s schools, local markets, and daily routines.
✨ Memorable Moments
- Sharing bread with families who barely knew us.
- Learning local words and customs from taxi drivers and hostel keepers.
- Visiting Babur’s Tomb and hearing about Mughal, Persian, and British history.
- Walking along Kabul River and seeing how geography shapes culture.
- Experiencing the warmth of the Afghan people.
📚 Conclusion
Episode 2 of Budget Tour Season 12 casts Afghanistan in a new light — not as a country of fear, but one of rugged beauty, powerful history, and human resilience. For budget travelers and culture-seekers, Afghanistan rewards patience with kindness and unforgettable insights.
Ready for the next leg? Central Asia awaits in Episode 3 — Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, and beyond.
