(^6) PAKISTAN
1 347 Kilometres – 70 Days
Zahedan, Iran - Pakistan border.
Upon leaving for Pakistan, my hosts advised against cycling due to
“dangerous activities”. A taxi had already been arranged and paid for
when my panniers were loaded. Tired of arguing, I gave up, got in
the cab, and headed through a moon-scape backdrop to the border.
I had no regrets about leaving Iran. Even though the people were
accommodating and friendly, the country had an extremely restrictive
vibe. Maybe my dislike of the country was due to my anti-
authoritarian attitude.
Reaching the Iran-Pakistan border, I had an immense desire to throw
them a boob flash! Not only was Iran far too conservative, but their
treatment of women didn’t appeal to me. “I want to cover myself
from head to toe in black,” no woman has ever said unless
brainwashed from a young age.
Once across the border at Taftan, one immediately felt Pakistan was a
friendlier country (maybe it reminded me of Africa). Helpful border
officials lent a hand with the bike. Great curiosity prevailed about
where I came from and what on earth a woman was doing on a
bicycle in such an inhospitable and, sometimes, dangerous part of the
world. First taken aback by the barrage of questions, I soon warmed
to the Pakistanis’ friendly nature.