Gund

In the rain dropping day, little rain, I suddenly meet some kids on the street. They push self made cars in front of them. They are so proud of there cars, which are very properly done by dads help.

After 18 km, started only at 1pm, I arrive a little bit exhausted in Gund. Everyone tells, that I can’t stay in that village. No-one will host me. I am, little bit surprised by these statements, let them know, that I will ask the Imam in the mosque. The mosques in the area look here and there a bit like churches. Coming to the mosque, the people don’t allow me to enter. Later I understand, in this village or areas non Moslems are not allowed to enter. But no-one asked me, if I am maybe a Moslem. It’s just so clear for them…..

The Imam will come to the evening prayer. They gave me a chair for waiting and lots of people where standing around. I asked them, how many people are living in this village and someone said 20.000. I guess, around 3000 is more correct. Anyway: How can they be so sure, that no-one in the village could host me? How can it be possible, that 3000 Muslims can’t host a strainger. Which Imam is responsible for this kind of teachings? I told them all this questions. And from my experience I don’t know, that a non Muslim is not allowed to enter a mosque. Is that only in the village or area or….?

After a while Aabid appeared and promised to help me. A men a bit younger than 30 is the hosting facility manager of a tunnel project some km ahead. It takes another 2 hours, but then he is ready to bring me in the car of the director of the whole project, Eskesing, towards the location. Eskesing is around 50, came all the way down from the project, and is exercising with this car, because he did not have a driver license earlier. He apologize for his unsafe driving, but I am fine. It’s not unsafe, just slow…. ??? The hosting place is a former hotel, the lobby is changed in lots of working desks, and this place and the people who work here, have space, inside and outside. I have not been in a place with so much space for month, for sure not for all the time in Afghanistan. During the delicious meal, made by 3 cooks, I feel, how my back, also my lower back expand into this space. I feel so wonderful. And the same with the room, not only big, but a athmosphere of space. I love it.

With Eskesing I qickly come in a nice conversation. I ask him what he all things of ‚free Kashmir‘ as an Indian and I tell him a bit, what I all heard in the last week. He is not a friend of a ‚free Kashmir‘ and don’t believes in the promisis of Parkistan to the Kashmiries. Also he has a lot doubt what would happen, if Kashmir go free. How could they defend themself? And would get China maybe interested. He himself finds everywhere clever and kind people, who he always respect, and he finds them also here. With the others he is just not getting involved to much with. About the arguing about the power stories, he can’t confirm. This stay is just so good – because of the welcoming and the space.

Next morning I got brought back to the place where I stopped walking. It’s a day of difficult steps and I regret, that I did not ask for a second night to stay. Later I hear it would have been possibly possible. I met also Eskesing with some more driving experiences on the road, but he is not responsible for the housing….. Anyway, there came another solution.