Herb-i-Islami in the Kabul knocking shop: Video Blog (Part 1) by DevPix

Journalist Jerome Starkey introduces Herb-i-Islami, his 1969 Volkswagen Beetle in Kabul, in this debut video blog courtesy of expert film maker Sam French (www.developmentpictures.com). This is Part 1 of a journey, to repair, restore and eventually drive the car to England.

The decrepit old girl is being expertly and lovingly restored by Afghan workmen. Zia Hassan Faqiri, the lead mechanic, has been working on Beetles (known as Folooks in Kabul) for 45 years.

We are negotiating with some of Kabul's best artists to try and get funky paint job once she's got a fresh coat of classic cream.

Bugs (and their Combi-van cousins) flooded Afghanistan in the 1960s and 70s as hippy travellers plied overland routes from Europe to India and Nepal, in search of free-love, weed, enlightenment and whatnot. A few of them were left behind.

A handful of Jerome's friends - journalists Jeremy Kelly, Ash Sweeting, Shoib Najafizada and aid worker Jess Stober - are dragged along for second opinions, encouragement and advice.

When the car is strong enough, Jerome hopes to drive it back to Britain - but not before it has had a thorough mechanical makeover. For the latest on the car's progress visit www.jeromestarkey.com and for more films by Sam and information on his epic new projects, visit www.developmentpictures.com.

Category:

People & Blogs

Tags:

• KABUL
• AFGHANISTAN
• AFG
• ASIA
• HIPPY
• HIPPIES
• TRAIL
• OVERLAND
• HERBIE
• BEETLE
• VOLKSWAGEN
• VW
• RESTORE
• REPAIR
• REBUILD
• KABUL TO LONDON
• HERB-I-ISLAMI
• THE TIMES
• DEVPIX
• DEVELOPMENT PICTURES
• SAM FRENCH
• 119298924
• BUG
• LOVE BUG
• COMBI
• KOMBI

[mmarx11]

is there part 2 and 3 also. It is realy nice and intresting.I wish you've filmed the rest of this nice story and upload it.

thank you

[kimbanyc]

very compelling and interesting video. glad you took the 5 minutes off from work to do it.

[awsamusic]

Maybe you could take Dickon's car to Afghanistan and do the same.