German Cyclists' Epic Journey Ends in Afghanistan, Taliban Offer Help
Two German cyclists, Joshua S. and Noah W., have completed an epic journey of 40,000 kilometers through 40 countries over two and a half years. Their latest destination, Afghanistan, has seen them cross paths with fellow travelers Philipp S. and Maria W., known as @philippundmaria on social media.
Joshua, Philipp, and Maria are part of a group exploring Afghanistan by bicycle, focusing on landscapes and local encounters rather than cultural sites. Their journey took them to the Torkham border crossing, the busiest route to Pakistan, where they found unexpected help from the Taliban due to an injury. Despite the situation, they snapped a photo with Taliban members, expressing gratitude for their assistance.
The Taliban, it seems, are not averse to positive PR. They have been creating multilingual content for platforms like TikTok to attract tourists and boost their economy. This strategy appears to be paying off, as international airlines resumed flights to Kabul in 2023, bringing tourist numbers to 7,000 within a year. Meanwhile, the German government has announced plans to negotiate regular deportations to Afghanistan, expected to commence in October.
Joshua S., a resident of Schleswig-Holstein, documents his travels under the moniker @unchained_exp on social media and through his blog, Expedition. His recent experiences in Afghanistan highlight the complex reality of travel in the region and the evolving dynamics of the country under Taliban rule.
