Welcome to Truckistan

Every now and then, driving in the UAE gives you the gift of pulling up at a set of traffic lights, looking out your window and seeing a beaten-up truck that’s been given some creative love by its owner. You’ll admire a splash of color or some metalwork dangling from the fender, some floral patterns or colorful fabric. Unfortunately, it’s always a diet version, you never get the full spectacular show, and you’re always left wondering what the real deal truck art is like where there is no limit on the creative license.

Apparently, this filmmaker wondered the same and hitchhiked from Afghanistan to Bangladesh, across Pakistan, to capture the moving artwork for himself.
Alongside the visual elements, he also managed to document the fascinating Truckistan subculture of karak teas, macgyver mechanics, roadside hotels and the driving community.

“In case of a breakdown, every single engine part can be found in the close surroundings. If not, they will manage to make it from scratch. Everything is possible in Truckistan.”

Dive into the video and for some extra interest check out the website with a full breakdown of the trip.

(Also interesting is where the suffix “stan” from Afghanistan, Pakistan, Truckistan etc, comes from. We learned about it here.)