Zahedan-Quetta(Pakistan)

aww..that train trip...did it before once..
but it's always different anyway,I guess..
first..this train..a weekly service..took 24 hours..
to reach Quetta..but..sometimes..it takes longer..
on the road between Mirjaveh-Dalbandin...it's desert..
sometimes...sandstorms...they even had to clear the tracks..
border crossing between Iran-Pakistan was a big hassle..
as always..Baluchi's getting back..smuggling..contraband..
the baksheesh(bribe)game on both borders Mirjaveh(Iran)
as well as Taftan(Pakistan)it can take several hours before
that bloody train moves again..I got a headache from it..
one has to wait in the bloody heat..can get very high..
customs just checked my passport..visa etc...no hassles..
in the train...I sat in a compartiment...with a Baluchi family..
strict Muslims..one has to adapt..they started cooking..
their meal in the train itself..on a gas stove..but..if one adapts
and respect their beliefs..they will let you eat with them..
they cook tea..flat nan bread..puri's..meat...anything..
but..I was not travelling alone on this train...well..well..
never take anything with your left hand..
that's for cleaning your ass..this family..a woman..husband..
and 2 kids..were nice to me..i felt rather awkward..
but anyway..I managed..the Baluchi tribals wear these funny
baggy trousers...the woman...mostly salwar kameez..
nice jewelry..earrrings..ankle bracelets..one of the kids...
had a black spot on his forehead..to cast away evil spirits..
I've seen this a lot in India..I'll explain later on..
now..train reaches first Nokkundi..when this train stops..
it seemed to me..the whole village wanted to sell andhe(eggs)
fruits..tea..meat...even a complete live chicken..
I just got some tea..fruits..be careful with other things..
you can catch a nasty diarree or even dysentery..
Dalbandin..same scenario..the whole village had to sell something..
landscape is arid..dry..hot..dusty..train moves not at top speed..
travelling in Pakistan/India sharpens your patience..
reaching Quetta...was a relief..moved into a hotel..
http://www.world66.com/asia/southasia/pakistan/quetta
met an American from Sausolito(California)
don't know how he got into Quetta..we both had to report..
at the local police office..registration of foreigners..
wel..well...I did not like these folks..they were the kind..
fishing for bribes..easy money for them..i never gave in..
to these kind of silly games..when one travells for 7 years..
one learns the tricks..one sees trough people..
now..it's internet....aww...another thing..even worser??
what's an identity on internet nowadays??
so..Quetta..Baluchi's..I guess I told it before...
don't mess around with these dudes..they'll dagger you..
it's a very fierce and easily aroused tribal group of folks..
don't get them angry..I'm just telling you..watch out..
there's a group belonging to Pathan origin...
I heard of some gypsie tribe called Lori..but I never met them..
I don't remember the name of the hotel I stayed..but it had a good standard..
I was staying for 2 days in Quetta..went to the railway
station to book my ticket towards Lahore(Pakistani Punjab)
will tell more later..in a few days...was gonna enter India again..
crazy Tiger