Life in Afghanistan (Speaking to local Afghan’s on the border) 🇦🇫

[@leilagomulka5690]

You are incredible sojourners . Genuine free spirits. A beautiful thing.

[@MegaTeeruk]

Sent this video to a buddy of mine who spent 8 years in Afghanistan and he said it's a very good thing you did not get in the car at the border. A common scam with tourist is to sell them on going into Afghanistan, then when they get them there they basically blackmail them into giving all their money if they want to get back out. Maybe thosr guys wouldn't have done it but he said that its common enough that the state department issued warnings to journalist to not solicit rides at the border.

[@MattandJulia]

Very interesting, thank you for the insight Brandon. In reality, we were never, even for one second considering crossing the border, we know the many risks. We were trying to be friendly to the guys there and not disrespect them of their country. When we said "we would have loved to have been able to go there", we meant in a "totally ideal world", which unfortunately, this one isn't even close to 😞

[@dennismelton5080]

I lived in Kabul in 2001 and 2002 working on a project with the Ministry of Finance; Ashraf Ghani was Finance Minister then. Also flew up to the Bamiyan Valley to see where the Buddha statues used to be. In the 1980s I went to the Afghan border at the foot of the Khyber Pass in Peshawar, Pakistan. You have not missed anything by not going to Afghanistan. Please be careful, you wouldn't last 5 minutes on the other side of that border. You are both very adventuresome and I'm enjoying your vids. It seems that your Russian language skills are essential in this part of the world.

[@MattandJulia]

Thank you for the comment Dennis, must have been incredibly interesting to see Kabul at that period of time in particular! In reality, we were never, even for one second considering crossing the border, we know the risks. We were trying to be friendly to the guys there and not disrespect them of their country. When we said "we would have loved to have been able to go there", we mean in a "totally ideal world", which unfortunately, this one isn't even close to 😞

[@andrewlucas6236]

Matt and Julia, I'm really enjoying your videos from Central Asia. I'm looking forward to many more. In this whole travel video milieu, you have a unique niche with your warm personalities. Congrats and encouragement!

[@MattandJulia]

Thank you so much Andrew! Your comment honestly means the world 🤗 really appreciate that! ❤️

[@markrice2855]

My wife and I have recently discovered your channel and have seen almost all of your KZbin videos, we are really enjoying them! We hope to travel again in the future and would like to visit some of the locations that you both have been to. We both see the effort you are making to cover the history of the areas that you are filming as well as spending time with the locals, that give a much deeper appreciation for each spot. Additionally it is nice to see you experience the local cuisine as that is another facet that rounds out the region. Many people are simply eager to share the best their region has to offer. A suggestion, maybe include the names of more of the unique dishes that you try so we can look them up and attempt to prepare. Looking forward to your next videos, safe travels!

[@MattandJulia]

Hi Mark! Thank you so much! Really appreciate that!! 🤗❤️ And thank you for the suggestion, always helpful 😊

[@alibaba855]

Brilliant video. Thanks.

[@MattandJulia]

❤️

[@JulieBantin]

Oh my goodness! How scary that was. I'm glad you are safe. It's interesting to hear other points of view. Stay safe. Love and hugs. 💕💕

[@MattandJulia]

Thank you Julie! Glad you found it interesting, we thought it was important to share 😊❤️

[@JawbonesintheDust]

Julia has the BEST giggle 🥰🥰🥰

[@MattandJulia]

Haha, thank you so much 🥰❤️

[@muhammadhanifbaloch4430]

Nice video, Border of Afghanistan looked good

[@MattandJulia]

Thank you very much Muhammad :)

[@stevewall1553]

Just found your channel love it real videos

[@MattandJulia]

Thank you so much Steve! ❤️🤗

[@bobkirby2603]

Just to think you could have gone over the boarder, and seen what life was like. Thank you for taking us on the journey I wore my white safety helmet while you where at the boarder just in case.I got arrested.👴☹️ Nice to see thank you good job I went out for a meal today as you two make me feel hungry when you eat out all those dish, and nothing tonight. Cheers take care all our best Linda ,Bob and Sir Barkalot.

[@MattandJulia]

Glad you enjoyed it Bob! Hope you had a lovely meal 😊

[@bobkirby2603]

@@MattandJulia Are yes gammon fried egg chips side salad with chutney. Followed by Sticky toffee pudding and ice cream and topped with strawberry. Coffee to follow.tomorrow my wife and I have known each other 40 year's yes long before you two where born. So hence the meal at lunch time. The place we go to is closed after 5 pm, but excellent food. I had minors butty for tea. Jam and cheese bap. Take care all our best. 👴👵🐕 We are the three stuges. 👋

[@Direwolf_Gamer]

Hi, guys well another awesome video uploaded I mean even the soundtrack just sets a whole kinda mood and atmosphere to the experience just amazing, amazing work. Plus of course, the bilingual aspect is next level I'm learning how to say so much. The only problem I have is they always seem to end too soon, It's like "what is it over???", starts again pushes loop, hehehe, try and end on me now video. Wait is that the ploy?. Fall for it every time, dang you're gooood

[@MattandJulia]

Thank you so much! Really, really appreciate that! 🤗 Over the moon we can help some Russian learning too! 😲 Hahaha, no ploy, we promise 😁 buttt, in general we are actually trying to make our videos longer now, i.e, closer to the 20 minute mark, as opposed to, 10 ❤️🤗

[@nixmor5333]

Wow this video had me rapt and a little tense as if I was at the Afghan border...😂. It was amazing how calm and friendly the men all were. But I'm not sure all of Afghanistan is as peaceful. Glad you guys are safe. 💖

[@MattandJulia]

Glad you enjoyed it Nix 😊 Absolutely, we are 100% sure that how they describing the situation was different to reality on the ground, but we still felt it was an important one to share 😊

[@nixmor5333]

@@MattandJulia it was very important to share. So enlightening. Thank you for taking us all there with you. 😊

[@JJsComfortKitchen]

Wow. It is interesting to see the perspective on the ground versus what we hear on the news. I'm definitely glad you didn't go across the border though. Praying for safe travels and definitely looking forward to the next video and more yummy food!

[@MattandJulia]

So glad you found it interesting 😊❤️

[@costasworldofmusicmemories5792]

Matt and Julia, you take us to places we barely dream about. Meeting the locals in Termez was most interesting all leading to the Afghan border. Julia, that priceless laugh😊 You can't fake it. Luv you guys. The musical score was so beautiful in the vlog. Hope to see soon in Richmond 💕💕Coming from Your biggest fans Harriet and Jim from Richmond, Va.

[@MattandJulia]

Thank you so much guys!! So glad you enjoyed and the score especially ☺️❤️ love to you both! ❤️

[@chrishamlin4004]

Enjoyed your vlog

[@MattandJulia]

Thank you Chris!

[@margaritasun7908]

I havent watch yet , but just the title , i clicked the button like outright.

[@MattandJulia]

Thank you so much Margarita!

[@patf.3776]

I get so nervous sometimes watching the situations you get into. Stay safe.

[@MattandJulia]

We will Pat, we promise! ❤️

[@Yanko-Musicanto]

I'm impressed! Greetings from Poland!

[@MattandJulia]

❤️❤️❤️

[@cherylsalinas1548]

You two are so awesome. It is very hard to understand how we get our news and we are being told Afghan is completely in chaos and then you talk to people who say the opposite. I’m glad you didn’t cross over because in reality we don’t know what it really is like and what if they wouldn’t let you cross back over? I hate that the world is like that. Again I really could not travel in a train knowing I gave total strangers sleeping above me. I’m a big travel snob I guess but really I guess I’m old and not as trusting of people as I was when I was younger. 😂😂. Thanks for once again sharing with us. It’s always so enjoyable to travel with you. Stay safe. ❤️❤️

[@roxana28101956]

Probably they are scare to talk against the Talibans dont who can heard them

[@MattandJulia]

For sure, we are sure the reality is incredibly chaotic but we felt it was very important at least to show what these guys were saying even it went against what most of us are shown. Glad you found it interesting 😊❤️

[@MattandJulia]

We have two theories. We think that they were more trying to paint a rosier picture of life in Afghanistan in front of the foreigners. Or perhaps they genuinely prefer the way life is now, the Talibán certainly have a lot of support on the ground in Afghanistan

[@cherylsalinas1548]

@@MattandJulia I think you are right. They cannot talk bad against the Taliban because they could harm them. Glad you stayed on the safe side. ❤️

[@kittykatz3518]

@@MattandJulia I doubt they have much support from women.

[@meldhardtabora237]

nice vidio bro godluck

[@MattandJulia]

Thank you very much 😊

[@meldhardtabora237]

@@MattandJulia ur video woching anytame

[@princehigh3415]

the Uzbek government will be building the Termez, mazar, kabul ,jalalabad ,peshawar railway line and you will be able to take a train from Termez and Tashkent to Kabul and Peshawar and back to Tashkent into Kyrghizstan and Kashgar in Xinjiang Would be awesome to take such a trip from Pashtunkhwa to Afghanistan , to Uzbekhistan, kirfhizistan and Xinjiang to Urumchi.

[@jvstcu76]

I am so glad that you didn't attempt to cross the border into Afghanistan. I know of some KZbinrs who would do that for the novelty of it but to me it would be like trying to sneak into North Korea on a lark! Looking forward as always to your upcoming vlogs. Take care and have a pleasant and rewarding week. 🤗❤🙏🌎

[@MattandJulia]

No, for sure, some probably would have, but no way would that be us. In reality, we were never, even for one second considering crossing the border, we know the risks. When we said "we would have loved to have been able to go there", we mean in a "totally ideal world", which unfortunately, this one isn't even close to 😞 Thank you John 🤗❤️

[@joannmcgowan9394]

So interesting, and so true about the media! I just learn so much from you both!! Thank you for sharing ❤️

[@MattandJulia]

❤️❤️❤️

[@bobwalker9635]

Very interesting!

[@MattandJulia]

Glad you enjoyed it Bob!

[@Jensie50]

Thanks guys, very interesting video! 👏🏻 As you said, very frustrating to be so close and not being able to explore. I believe those guys about daily life being relatively normal in Afghanistan, the media tends to create an extremely bleak mental picture in one's mind of countries that are not completely stable. Having said that, I am not suggesting everything is "perfect" at all, just that it is not all fire and brimstone as we automatically assume from media accounts.

[@karlos55555]

Spot on Johan. Western media are full of crap, disinformation and propaganda.

[@MattandJulia]

Thank you Johan! 🤗 For sure, we are in agreement that usually the reality of these things are somewhere in the middle and of course, the media finds the flashpoints and uses those as an example of 'normal life'.

[@miarrem]

It's normal for the men, but if you're a woman or a young girl who wants to go to school, it's not

[@normanshafty]

What tickled me was how friendly the Afghans were considering that both of your countries have invaded theirs's, Matt's twice!

[@neilkoch5481]

The border would be as far as i go. On the news its a different story and Afghanistan is not ok place to live atm. Iam spending a cold sunday here in England watching your videos that i haven't seen. You too would be fantastic on your own tv show on the travel channel. I could watch your videos for hours.

[@lb42]

Just subscribed to your channel ✌️👍 which is underrated in my opinion 🤔 You should have at least 100k subscribers by now 😔 and that's what I wish for you to happen very soon 😊 Great work guys 👍❤️ Much love from Croatia 😍

[@MattandJulia]

Thank you so much, really means the world! 😘 We will keep on work 🥰❤️

[@kabardinka1]

And on the other hand, if taxi drivers are wanting to get customers going to Mazr-i-sharif, they're not going to tell those potential customers how there are massive food shortages or that arrests are occurring. The reality is, Uzbeks are a minority in Afghanistan, and a minority which has often fought against the Taliban (Pashtuns). Interesting video, thnx.

[@MattandJulia]

Absolutely, we are 100% aware that the reality is incredibly complicated and for the most part an incredibly scary and difficult one. But on the flip side, we felt it was very important at least to show what these guys were saying even it went against what most of us are shown. These guys were actually mainly ethnic Tajiks (Dari speakers). Glad you found it interesting :)

[@barbarahorch7426]

Glad you guys got to be so close to the Afghan border. The Media here in the USA always brings up that Afghanistan is "the graveyard of Empires." After 20 years in Afghanistan, Americans wanted to get out, but the exit was a mess. 9/11 is still an open wound in the USA. It is hard to believe the Taliban has changed, but hope things are better. Great video and your hotel room looks great. Love 💘

[@MattandJulia]

Thank you Barbara, glad you found the video interesting! For sure, when you look at the history of so many empires that left with "their tails between their legs" it's easy to appreciate that tag. From the British empire, to the Soviets in the 80's and now the US, none of these 'great powers' have been able to "tame" Afghanistan. Love to you ❤️

[@TT-zd6nr]

Your hotel reminds us of our honeymoon experience. Arrived to find two single beds. Clearly the message on the booking had not got through :)

[@MattandJulia]

Hahaha, did they change it for you in the end??

[@TT-zd6nr]

@@MattandJulia Nope, so the furniture had to be rearranged

[@gkschick6804]

In keeping with the Afghan theme, the "let's head off" comment as you were getting back into the car at 14:02 evoked a slightly different meaning for me. Sorry, just being cheeky. The one question I would have to attempt to understand how things may or may not have changed in Afghanistan is what is life like now for women? Are girls still allowed to go to school, or not? That would be one litmus test for me.

[@MattandJulia]

For sure, there were so many questions we thought to ask after it happened, always the way. To be honest we didn't expect to meet anyone otherwise we would have been a little more prepared x

[@gkschick6804]

@@MattandJulia Fair enough. Thx for the reply. Am loving Uzbekistan btw!

[@resfencali7425]

Very Interesting and Well Made Video/Travel Share Experience. When you were in the market, did you not want to buy fruit/nuts to share with the driver or to thank the merchant for his kindness?

[@johnalthuizen2036]

Thanks a lot for all the great videos Matt and Julia! Are you planning to visit Tajikistan and Turkmenistan too? I think you will probably like Iran too. Heartily recommended.

[@MattandJulia]

Thank you so much John ❤️

[@katenickels617]

so interesting

[@MattandJulia]

It was an incredibly interesting chat and trip there. Glad you enjoyed it :)

[@sathishsk1711]

Hi Matt and Julia, I am really enjoying your Central Asian Videos, As I am heading there on November, I was really amazed that We can visit Afghanistan, Do you guys have any idea about the Consultate as the Taxi Driver was Saying? Any Possibility to visit?

[@MattandJulia]

Hello Sathish, so glad you are enjoying it 🥰❤️ we certainly have no idea regarding the safety side of things, so please dont judge by this video, but as we understood, the border is still open. The consulate was in Termez x

[@TheJujunick]

Great video again. I’m curious, as I’m sure many of your subscribers are: Any plans to go to Iran 🇮🇷?

[@MattandJulia]

1000%! Unfortunately it is a little difficult if you are a Brit, American or Canadian. You need to book a tour, you can't just "travel independently", so it is just a little too expensive for us at this point 😞 but hopefully in the future ❤️

[@user-l4y7r04wy6iv]

@@MattandJulia When you get enough subscribers, you might be invited to tour Iran, expenses paid, just like Americans Mark Wiens, Trevor James (Food Ranger) and Sonny Side (Best Ever Food Review Show). With Mr. Taster as a guide!

[@chikac8717]

Мужик , наверное, подумал, что Вы что то незаконное там на границе приехали забрать 😀

[@user-l4y7r04wy6iv]

Unfortunately, you two are a bit too late. In November, 2020, American Drew Binsky traveled throughout Afghanistan. And as recently as spring 2021, Eva zu Beck, the blogger was there as well (this was just before the Taliban ramped up their military offensive).

[@pamelawing626]

I don't think that what you read from a reputable news source is not true, it's just that most articles are talking about the politics. If you travel you find lovely, kind people everywhere. If more people traveled and came into contact with people from other countries and cultures I think we might be in a better place.

[@MattandJulia]

For sure, we agree, the hard thing in our times is trying to hard an reputable new source 😔

[@inmamv977]

Love your videos!!!! Im confused... When you were there? After or before USA left the country? In which month you were there?

[@MattandJulia]

Thank you very much 😘 we were there around October

[@Ded_Silu]

The music of Taksim Trio?

[@meldhardtabora237]

ur wife so funny wow injoy ur vlog bro

[@MattandJulia]

Thank you Melhard, it is both of ours together, which is amazing 😊

[@joesambrano7634]

cool

[@MattandJulia]

Glad you found it interesting :)

[@sophiehenderson2442]

All I could think is was it a good idea to identify the guys at the border? Suppose anything they said has to be tempered against the practicalities of living under regime change

[@fjj5301]

I mean you couldn’t possibly judge all of what’s going on in afg by asking a few people from afg. Just as what you hear on the news. I have fam in rural parts of afg and as minority things are not so great for them.

[@MattandJulia]

Incredibly sorry to hear about your family, hope they stay safe! Of course not, we don't claim to know the situation at all, we are certain the picture is incredibly complicated and desperate for many. We just felt it was important to share what these guys said.

[@YummyFoodLahore]

❤❤🇵🇰

[@MattandJulia]

❤️🤗

[@katerinazervata]

It was nice to see you go in to Afghanistan .I held my breath the whole time 🥴🥴but it was better than I thought it will be ❤️be careful please 😘

[@MattandJulia]

Thank you Katerina, we will 😊

[@duke9974]

"So klose, no mather how far..." -Media : its terible in Afganistan, its dangeras, bla, bla, bla ... -Matt and Julia : hold our tea ...

[@MattandJulia]

Haha, as Brits we would never give anyone our tea!! 😉☕

[@duke9974]

@@MattandJulia hahahaha I should have known that. SRY my bad .

[@Ahmad-sq7dd]

I am from Afghanistan I give an advise please don't try to go Afghanistan after the Talibans took over Afghanistan there is not safe be careful.

[@hypatiatv1]

This is the best Uzbek city so far by my taste. I LIKE woman clode there, this is typical woman clode for Central Asia, i like it, womans look very feminine in it. I am the man with female nick. Your girlfriend is also cute girl, i wish you all the best in future. I anct belive one of you is russian, both. typical 100% british victorian accent, almost perfect victorian british accent.

[@rusmoscow1971]

14:11 - Ahahah. camels and Zemläne

[@MattandJulia]

Summed up Central Asia pretty well for us 😁

[@anaevf18]

Although you guys are a cute couple and got my like, i am ashamed that during your reflections about Afghanistan you never ever thought about the fact you only spoke to MEN, that had only a POV from their side. The fact that you hadn't seen women working as taxis to the border already tells you much. I bet if you had the opp to speak to an afghan woman you would have a different POV. That you never reflected about the gender disparity is a shame and i think it speaks loads about the privilege people from Russia or england have..

[@joebidet2050]

You answered your own question You know its Islamic culture And women taxi drivers ? Get an afghan tourist visa and fight with the women of Afghanistan against oppressive taliban How can they cant subjugate women Women out number men by 1 or 2 %

[@kittykatz3518]

Definitely not a good time in Afghanistan for the female part of the population.

[@MattandJulia]

We totally agree, it is heartbreaking! Especially those younger women, from the towns and cities, like Kabul, who have tasted a different way of living, and many who have only known life since 2002. To play devil's advocate though, Afghanistan overall has an incredibly rural population and it would be very insightful to have the opportunity to know what women in the villages and remote communities 'really' feel. Whether they would want change or yearn for the more 'traditional' way of living.