TRAVERSE 23
TRAVEL - IRAN / PAKISTAN
ANTONIO FEMIA
DISCOVERIES ON THE SILK ROAD
An abstract idea , a theoretical concept , undoubtably a mythological way . Like all things whose memory is lost in time , the Silk Road became a name joined to legendary stories and characters . It ’ s a route network which brought Chinese silk and other goods to Europe through the Roman Empire ’ s capital . Winding through hostile lands it was a means to transferring information and ideas as well as goods .
The most famous route is the one covered by Marco Polo , reaching China after trespassing the Pamir range . It ’ s the southern road , more intense and interesting , among Iranian deserts and Pakistan ’ s mountains you still can live an adventure from antiquity , finding many living traces of the ancient route .
To us western people , Istanbul ’ s mosques and fish stands on the shores of the Bosphorus are the first sign that we are entering another world , it ’ s a fascination often broken by the cosmopolitan mood and western clothing of the capital .
It ’ s only when you go deep through the country , in Central Anatolia , that you realise you ’ re crossing places which saw other stories and times related to trade . On the road to Göreme , Cappadocia , every visit to a shop tells you this is a traders ’ land . You realise it by the road , winding fearlessly through sunburnt planes , climbing through mountains fully covered by conifer trees . You realise it by the many caravansaries along the road ; huge , massive , unassailable buildings with a vast central courtyard surrounded by small cells and large rooms where caravans from and to the East could take rest . Yet the thing which speaks more of the region are the traders and their ability to dump everything on you , as they offer tea , ensuring to take care of the traveller , chatting pleasantly
TRAVERSE 23