This is Kabul’s Number 1 Beetle Man. Zia Hassan Faqiri the mechanic said he’s been working on Volkswagens in Afghanistan for 45 years. As far as I can tell, it’s Kabul’s only (semi) authorised VW garage. There’s even a little logo at the top of his shop!  Back in the day, he said, the VW garage was the biggest in the city - servicing all the overland vehicles from Europe. He remembers Beetles, he said, with mechanical indicators (any idea when they were phased out?). There was a ‘73 model parked in front of the garage with Swiss plates underneath the Afghan licenses. Fakhri’s the man in charge of reconditioning the engine in my newly bought 1969 Beetle (which my Aussie housemate ingeniously dubbed Herbi-i-Islami). Super film maker Sam French is helping us record it for a video blog. When I told Fakhri that I thought we’d probably end up being good friends (because I expect to visit his shop almost every day from now on ever) he seemed genuinely surprised. Once every six months, he said. Thanks to all the Beetle enthusiasts, especially Desert Dingo Racing, who have already been in touch with ideas and advice. I’ve ordered this idiot’s guide book. The plan is evolving everyday, but this Beetle could just become my exit strategy. I’ve been in Afghanistan almost four years and by the time it’s ready to drive back to England, that might be just be when I leave. Inshallah!

This is Kabul’s Number 1 Beetle Man. Zia Hassan Faqiri the mechanic said he’s been working on Volkswagens in Afghanistan for 45 years. As far as I can tell, it’s Kabul’s only (semi) authorised VW garage. There’s even a little logo at the top of his shop! 

Back in the day, he said, the VW garage was the biggest in the city - servicing all the overland vehicles from Europe. He remembers Beetles, he said, with mechanical indicators (any idea when they were phased out?).

There was a ‘73 model parked in front of the garage with Swiss plates underneath the Afghan licenses.

Fakhri’s the man in charge of reconditioning the engine in my newly bought 1969 Beetle (which my Aussie housemate ingeniously dubbed Herbi-i-Islami). Super film maker Sam French is helping us record it for a video blog.

When I told Fakhri that I thought we’d probably end up being good friends (because I expect to visit his shop almost every day from now on ever) he seemed genuinely surprised. Once every six months, he said.

Thanks to all the Beetle enthusiasts, especially Desert Dingo Racing, who have already been in touch with ideas and advice. I’ve ordered this idiot’s guide book.

The plan is evolving everyday, but this Beetle could just become my exit strategy. I’ve been in Afghanistan almost four years and by the time it’s ready to drive back to England, that might be just be when I leave.

Inshallah!