29 December 2009
“Hello
It’s Patrick. I hope you remember me. It’s been awhile. I hope your all good. I’m in Canada at the moment and broke my foot, for the rest i’m ok. I promised you to write a report about my journey i did with you in Afghanistan.
I’ve been planning to write this since i got back to Australia, but sometimes it is hard to find the right words. Because my experience in Afghanistan was one of a kind. From the moment that i arrived in Afghanistan untill the moment that i left, i felt that i was in a complete different world. Something that i had never seen before and most likely never ever will in any other country in the world. The incredible landscape of vast mountains topped with snow, the uge open area’s of the shibar pass to the awe-inspiring lakes of band e-amir, that seem out of this world so beautifull. Not one country can offer such different landscapes in the world. Words are not able to describe it. The true beauty of Afghanistan for me are the Afghan people. They suprised me in every way. Their Hearts are so colourfull, warm, open and most of all inviting. To me they can tell a hundred stories. I even consider to learn the language to be able to fully communicate with them. The Afghan people are full of joy, happiness and hope. They inspired me to change myself. And many people in this world could learn from them in my opinion. The country in a whole is inspiring. It is in my mind every moment. I look at the pictures i took almost every day. I go trough my memories and see the best trip that i’ve ever done. The people of Afghan Logisics are wonderful, and very helpful. It is because of you all that i had this wonderful and amazing trip. You helped me to interact with people, showed me all these amazing places. I felt safe and completely at peace. I even got invited for a dinner at a Turkmen home near Andchoi. A memorie that i will cherrish forever. To all the guides that went with me, you where very professional And made me feel like part of a family. I will remember you for my entire life. Many thanks to you all for the amazing journey that you gave me. I can honestly say that i will be back in the next couple of years. Maby even earlier, and i be looking forward to see you all again.
I also would like to say a few words to anyone who might read this: Go and see Afghanistan. I’m Dutch, i lived in Australia, New-zealand, and am currently based in Canada. I have had the luck to travel a bit and see a few countries. When i told my friends and family that i was going to Afghanistan they declared me insane. People world-wide have a view of this country that is incorrect. Afghanistan is a beautiful, warm and friendly place. For the entire time that i was there i felt safe, and most important i felt that i was welcome.
The people and the country opened up to me in a way nobody has ever done before. When i left i had tears in my eyes. I was crying. I felt that i had found a home away from home. I made friends that feel like family. I compare Afghanistan with every other country that i’ve ever been in. None of them come close to the beauty of Afghanistan in any way. It is a place that i hold close in my heart forever. I will be coming back and i hope that the world will open up and many people will follow to see this great and beautiful country and it’s people.
Kind Regards, “