Should I Go To Afghanistan 🇱🇾?

Intro

Yesterday, an opportunity was presented to me to visit Afghanistan for 4 days next month, and I am a little bit conflicted. On the one hand, this is a country that has always fascinated me, but on the other hand, I’m also a tad nervous about going… 

My Dilemma 

For those unaware, I am currently a university student. As an in-person student, it usually takes quite a lot of work to be ahead of my schoolwork, and I constantly ask permission from my professors to excuse my absences. School has never been my thing. I work really hard and get great marks, but I learn a lot more from being out in the world… 

Even for me, this is a little nervewracking

So here is my dilemma: 

I am due to fly to the Seychelles sometime in late March with United and Turkish Airlines, following along to Madagascar. For that, I would already be missing 3 WED/THU/FRI of class, and I think why not miss the two days before so I could also get the weekend abroad? 

I was able to conjure up the following itinerary: 

Los Angeles to Hong Kong

Hong Kong to Guangzhou 

Guangzhou- Islamabad (where I would get the visa)

Drive from Islamabad to Kabul 

4 days in and around Kabul 

Fly KAM AIR A340 to Dubai 

Emirates First Class to Mahe 

On paper, this seems like a strict itinerary with no margin for error. My flight from LA would leave on a Friday morning, and I would have to be on that flight on China Southern on that Sunday night. Reports have stated that you can get a same-day visa in Islamabad for 130$, and then I could take off across the border to Kabul… 

The Plan 

Thankfully, due to having a lot of adventure traveler friends, I have access to a lovely guide in Afghanistan who put together a magnificent plan for my stay if I decide to come. From visiting NGO organizations for young Afghan adults to having a picnic by the lake to enjoying a lovely stay in the country, this seems like a dream come true. 

However, there is a certain nervousness about visiting Afghanistan. Traveling Africa is something that I have just figured out, and once you get it, you can go anywhere. However, I haven’t been to many places in Central Asia or the Middle East, and I understand that it is a little bit different. That’s what concerns me; I just haven’t spent enough time around the people from countries in those regions to fully understand how everything works/relate to those. 

I’m pretty dead set on going, but of course, I need to clear this up with multiple people before it goes into action. It could end up being a trip to remember. How about bringing a KAM AIR A340 review to this blog?!

This would be the coolest report I've brought to the blog!

Final Thoughts 

I recently have been given the opportunity to visit Afghanistan 🇱🇾 next month, and it is something I am wholeheartedly considering. If my professors allow me out of class, the flights are still available, and I can somehow finalize the timeline, I might end up just going. With reviews such as Kam Air and Emirates First Class would be coming to the site, only time will tell if it ends up working out!