Pakistan

Mister Daniels

We arrive at the SOS-Lahore village in the afternoon after crossing the border with Pakistan. We are immediately greeted by the children and the staff. All are very delighted to see us again and we must say it felt great to be back and being surrounded by all the warm people of the village.

We have one task for the day left which meant checking the car for the necessary repairs. We have no idea what the roads are like in China but know we have great test ahead of us in terms of the Pakistani Himalaya and the Karakoram Highway. Miss Rabia, one of the staff members knows a Volkswagen mechanic. When we bring the car there, mister Daniels appears to be a friendly old chap. He is working with a friend on a beetle but drops the tools immediately when he sees ‘Hippie’. We tell him about our journey and what we think needs to be done.

When I start to explain about the non working handbrake I cannot even finish the sentence. Mister Daniels jumps up, grabs a jack and lifts the back of the car. Then he takes the wheel of and checks the brakes. Ooohooooh very bad… the brakepads are completely worn out! That requires a replacement mister daniels explains, especially for the Himalaya. At this time his friend is lifting the other side of the car and starts working on the other side.

I also explain that a rubber of the overflow system of the petroltank has been broken. Ooohoooh very dangerous… needs replacement as well. okay this guy knows his business!! Then I ask him to look at the steeringbolt rubbers. I had seen a minor leakage on one just after we entered India. Mister Daniels decides to crawl under the bus and then we hear ooooh very bad again. My god what now? He explains that 3 out of 4 rubbers are completely torn and are full of dirt and dust! You would not have made it to China with these rubbers, mister Daniels adds. Bummer… this could cost us a fortune.. but its for our own safety I keep telling myself…

As we have seen some very rough road I ask him to look at the shockabsorbers. The car still has the original 1976 shockies which are supported by the MAD springs. Luckily we had the support springs as we hear again.. oooh very bad…. and hear that all shokies are in a bad conditions. Ching ching… some more roepies please!!!! I am doubt to ask for an approximate price for all this….. without remorse mister daniels answers that it will take a full two days work, replacement of all the parts and travelling to and from the city…

Eeuuuh yeah…and this could add up to, I ask again…

175 euro’s!! I am stunned…. A complete revision of the breaks, 4 new steering bolts, 4 new heavy duty shockabsorbers, new wiperblades and fuel line revision which adds to 2 full days work for only 175 euro’s!! What a country!! China… here we come!!!