A mother worried about her daughter backpacking through Iran, Pakistan and Afghanistan?

[Aj Gunn]

My girlfriend and I plan to train and backpack a route to India through Azerbaijan, Iran, Pakistan and Afghanistan. Her mother is out of her mind with worry about what might happen. I need to find some material or human support to relieve her of her worries. THIS TRIP WILL NOT BE TORN UP BY THE FEARS OF OTHERS. The media has made slaves of us all, and we would prefer to break free from these fearmongers and enjoy the trip of a lifetime. Unfortunately, my girlfriend's mother is in agony right now as we lay our plans into the unknown. My gf is Swedish and I am English. I would like to hear anything from anyone, but specifically from Persians and Arabs. I appreciate all feedback. Thanks.

 

[J Mac]

the media does not report bad things that happen over there because they want to scare you. bad things happen there so you should research each place you want to go and know the culture and customs so that you can try and blend in and not stand out. good luck. you might consider taking a few guys with you, you would be less likely to be attacked or hassled if you did.

 

[kadel]

As far as the men there are concerned, two women without men traveling are traveling prostitutes, there to be raped. I suggest you do a little research about the areas you plan to go through. Read books written by women from those areas. This is not Europe, these are areas where women are chattel and have no rights, particularly in Iran and Afghanistan. If they arrest and stone their own women because they showed an ankle while covered from head to foot and the face covered, what do you think they will do to you? If you are lucky, you will just be thrown into jail, and I suggest you find out about the jails in those countries. It sure will be the trip of a lifetime, the last trip you may ever be able to make.