Ian - I found your account on Monday and am in a complete parasocial relationship by Sunday. This Afghanistan chapter really stressed me out and I’m wondering if our relationship can survive you going to Russia 😂😜 in all seriousness I’ve absolutely love this disruption to my young kids - mom - 30s something -themed feed. Reminds me of the vastness of our world.
How did people react to seeing you film? Especially while at checkpoints.
How are you able to navigate seamlessly without knowing the language (I’m in awe).
Were you able to speak to any women in Afghanistan about their experience?
Anyways, I’m glad you made it through the border safely. Keep going! Myself, and I’m sure others, are invested in your journey. It’s inspiring. I’m grateful for a raw and colorful look into other parts of the world.
It’s a curtain I never thought I’d get to see behind. You have such a way of sparking up curiosity. It’s also so wild to have a perspective that challenges some of the deepest rooted messages that surrounded me as a kid. Regardless of how progressive I pride myself in being today, your stories have shown me that maybe I still have some residual biases that took root far too young. Love learning through your experience, Ian!
Ian. Son, you had me stressed those last few days in there. I was fretting and checking IG hourly to watch for your updates to see if you got out alive and before the Visa expired. It’s amazing what you are doing. I know others have said it, but I’m really proud of you. It’s no easy task what you’re trying to accomplish. What a gift though, the things you’ve been sharing with all of us. There’s no better education than travel. You’re bringing a whole different layer to travel though and I’m really enjoying seeing the world through your lens. Stay safe and peace be with you on the next leg of your journey.
You are the only person in the entire world that reminds me of Anthony Bordaine. Except….”in tents.” INTENSE!! I’ve been watching you on IG (happy bday!) and came over here per your request. I’ll never miss a written dispatch again. 🙏🏼 May you continue to travel true.
Mad respect for the detailed take on what you came away from this place with. Too many people want to give a broad generalization so they feel like they know so much, but the details you share reveal the humility of how much you know you don’t know.
“Afghanistan is a contradiction”… so beautifully written. I’ve experienced this feeling on many visits to the Middle East volunteering in refugee camps. The warmth and hospitality of the 99% is what stays with you. Glad you’ve made it to the next part of your journey safely.
Just discovered your IG, and your 10k journey. I'm certain your experiences will most definitely develop and refine you as a story teller. Youre well on your way!
Thank you for stating the obvious, that most want to ignore, about young boys, girls, women and jihad (also, missing sharia). Like you said, they do well enough minding their "business" and practices, in their own countries. Their worldview/religion is totally incompatible with the USA and the rest of the civilized western world. But, they do want to spread their "worldview"... to the world 🌎☪️🕌🗡🔪
Peace and safety on the remainder of your journey. I look forward to seeing your updates along the way. God be with you! 🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼
But he actually said it the other way around, not Afghanistan but the US wanted to spread their worldview on the country for 30 years, Afghanistan just wants to be left alone.
Thank you for being willing to share your experience in videos and a newsletter. I look forward to them daily and find them very knowledgeable. Please don’t stop, and I hope mother luck helps out w/ those lottery tickets! lol
As Americans, we don't know the half of it. Traveling in Europe, I saw racism for the first time, both ways. I also heard first-hand stories of the kind of violence, terror, and rape that's being imported into the nations. I even witnessed it. Ireland, the UK, Germany, it all feels like the middle-east now. European women can't leave their house without a hijab. Young boys are being kidnapped and sold by these same gangs that do it in Afghanistan.
Wow… I’m honestly in awe reading this. The way you describe Afghanistan—the beauty, the contradictions, the hospitality alongside the harsh realities—feels so raw and human. I’m so glad I came across your page. Your journey gives such a rare perspective, one that goes beyond headlines, and it’s powerful to see the nuance you’ve experienced. Thank you for sharing it with such honesty.
I am a recently new follower and love your writing style, candor, wits and strength. One of the hard things for me watching (IG) and reading this was knowing right now, this is an experience I would not be able to have/live through as a woman. While this selfishly frustrates me, on a larger scale the more recent withdrawal of the rights of women in Afghanistan is more disheartening. I say this with an open understanding, but yet not acceptance, of the cultures and rights for others to exist and govern as they will in their own country.
On top of that, now that I’m fully committed to following your journey I’m glad you made it through! You have wonderful writing, and provide an honest, open picture of what you are experiencing and seeing.
Ian - I found your account on Monday and am in a complete parasocial relationship by Sunday. This Afghanistan chapter really stressed me out and I’m wondering if our relationship can survive you going to Russia 😂😜 in all seriousness I’ve absolutely love this disruption to my young kids - mom - 30s something -themed feed. Reminds me of the vastness of our world.
same girl
Came to here to say similar! Thank you for expanding my worldview- it’s a breath of fresh air from the back to school nonsense taking over instagram
Yep same here
this!❤️
You leave me with more questions:
How did people react to seeing you film? Especially while at checkpoints.
How are you able to navigate seamlessly without knowing the language (I’m in awe).
Were you able to speak to any women in Afghanistan about their experience?
Anyways, I’m glad you made it through the border safely. Keep going! Myself, and I’m sure others, are invested in your journey. It’s inspiring. I’m grateful for a raw and colorful look into other parts of the world.
I’m turning 43 next month. Spent my 19th birthday there. Your stories honestly hit me pretty hard; It is a lot to digest emotionally.
Either way, thank you for what you’re doing. Your stories are more important for some people than you could ever understand. Travel safely!
If you’re open to share, I’d love to know what you’re taking away from his experiences as someone who’s been there before.
Thank you for the honest and raw description of this place. Your take is refreshing amongst a sea of news and influencers visiting
It’s a curtain I never thought I’d get to see behind. You have such a way of sparking up curiosity. It’s also so wild to have a perspective that challenges some of the deepest rooted messages that surrounded me as a kid. Regardless of how progressive I pride myself in being today, your stories have shown me that maybe I still have some residual biases that took root far too young. Love learning through your experience, Ian!
Ian. Son, you had me stressed those last few days in there. I was fretting and checking IG hourly to watch for your updates to see if you got out alive and before the Visa expired. It’s amazing what you are doing. I know others have said it, but I’m really proud of you. It’s no easy task what you’re trying to accomplish. What a gift though, the things you’ve been sharing with all of us. There’s no better education than travel. You’re bringing a whole different layer to travel though and I’m really enjoying seeing the world through your lens. Stay safe and peace be with you on the next leg of your journey.
You are the only person in the entire world that reminds me of Anthony Bordaine. Except….”in tents.” INTENSE!! I’ve been watching you on IG (happy bday!) and came over here per your request. I’ll never miss a written dispatch again. 🙏🏼 May you continue to travel true.
Thinking the same. If Anthony Bourdain biked.....
Mad respect for the detailed take on what you came away from this place with. Too many people want to give a broad generalization so they feel like they know so much, but the details you share reveal the humility of how much you know you don’t know.
“Afghanistan is a contradiction”… so beautifully written. I’ve experienced this feeling on many visits to the Middle East volunteering in refugee camps. The warmth and hospitality of the 99% is what stays with you. Glad you’ve made it to the next part of your journey safely.
Just discovered your IG, and your 10k journey. I'm certain your experiences will most definitely develop and refine you as a story teller. Youre well on your way!
Thank you for stating the obvious, that most want to ignore, about young boys, girls, women and jihad (also, missing sharia). Like you said, they do well enough minding their "business" and practices, in their own countries. Their worldview/religion is totally incompatible with the USA and the rest of the civilized western world. But, they do want to spread their "worldview"... to the world 🌎☪️🕌🗡🔪
Peace and safety on the remainder of your journey. I look forward to seeing your updates along the way. God be with you! 🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼
But he actually said it the other way around, not Afghanistan but the US wanted to spread their worldview on the country for 30 years, Afghanistan just wants to be left alone.
Seems like you read without reading.
P.S. Happiest of Birthdays!!
🥳🎁🎂🎈🎈🎈
I can't help but think you were spending some amount of time wondering if you'd make it to today, I'm excited to say happy birthday Ian
We'll be the wind in your back... See what we cannot - keep going!!
Thank you for being willing to share your experience in videos and a newsletter. I look forward to them daily and find them very knowledgeable. Please don’t stop, and I hope mother luck helps out w/ those lottery tickets! lol
As Americans, we don't know the half of it. Traveling in Europe, I saw racism for the first time, both ways. I also heard first-hand stories of the kind of violence, terror, and rape that's being imported into the nations. I even witnessed it. Ireland, the UK, Germany, it all feels like the middle-east now. European women can't leave their house without a hijab. Young boys are being kidnapped and sold by these same gangs that do it in Afghanistan.
Wow… I’m honestly in awe reading this. The way you describe Afghanistan—the beauty, the contradictions, the hospitality alongside the harsh realities—feels so raw and human. I’m so glad I came across your page. Your journey gives such a rare perspective, one that goes beyond headlines, and it’s powerful to see the nuance you’ve experienced. Thank you for sharing it with such honesty.
Happy birthday, Ian!
I am a recently new follower and love your writing style, candor, wits and strength. One of the hard things for me watching (IG) and reading this was knowing right now, this is an experience I would not be able to have/live through as a woman. While this selfishly frustrates me, on a larger scale the more recent withdrawal of the rights of women in Afghanistan is more disheartening. I say this with an open understanding, but yet not acceptance, of the cultures and rights for others to exist and govern as they will in their own country.
On top of that, now that I’m fully committed to following your journey I’m glad you made it through! You have wonderful writing, and provide an honest, open picture of what you are experiencing and seeing.
Thank you, and safe travels.