Page 157 - Exile-ebook

156 AN EXILE OF THE MIND THE HIPPIE TRAIL 157

Shikaras on Dal Lake in Srinagar.

clobbered the fleeing bus with iron VISAS WILL NOT BE ISSUED TO
bars until dollar notes fluttered from PEOPLE WITH HAIR LIKE BEETLE.
the bus windows. A goat, flattened by Those of us with hair like beetle
an overland bus a week before, made wore beanies with the offending
us unpopular and now damages mane tucked out of sight.
were sought from any infidel bus that Afghanistan was laidback and
happened to stop by. friendly towards foreigners despite
“The paranoia of the oppressive abject poverty. There was a mood
control in Turkey and Iran was left of tolerance and openness in pre-
behind for a wilder but welcoming Taliban days when women were
state of anarchy in Afghanistan,” is protected and allowed to vote.
how one overlander put it. However, Hotels, cafes and hashish shops
a sign at the Afghan Consulate in sprang up along the Trail to cater for
Mashad near the border, read: peaceniks and potheads. Nicole and
I, not really into the flower people
Luxurious Kashmir houseboat. scene, steered clear of drugs and