Chapter 10

The Khyber Pass


"Traveling the Khyber Pass is something overland travelers hold in high regard. It’s not about the view, there’s much better out there. It’s not about the culture, it’s a border. It’s about history, Alexander the great, Genghis Khan, Britain, Russia, the U.S.A; they all tried to conquer Afghanistan through through this route. And all failed. Yes, the Khyber Pass is about adventure from the past and today, just for the sake of it."

The Khyber Pass, (altitude: 1,070 m) is mountain pass that links Afghanistan and Pakistan.

Chapter 10

Hosseini is really gifted in telling stories. I really like his sensitive (and in a way brutal) point of view : every move, every act is telled in a honest way. You have the impression to live with the story and you identify with the hero(es).

Chapter 10

Vocabular

a black shawl - a black shawl wrapped tightly around her face (p.96)

n. A square or oblong piece of cloth worn as a covering for the head, neck, and shoulders.

tr.v. shawled, shawl·ing, shawls

To cover with or as if with such a piece of cloth.

the tarpaulin cover - the man lifted his corner of the tarpaulin cover (p. 96)

n.1. Material, such as waterproofed canvas, used to cover and protect things from moisture.

2. A sheet of this material.

his livelihood - his vehicle, the instrument of his livelihood (p. 97)

n. Means of support; subsistence

our elopement - the signs of our elopement were subtle (p. 98)

intr. v. 1. To run away with a lover, especially with the intention of getting married.

2. To run away; abscond.

muzzle - staring at the muzzle end of a Kalashnikov (p. 98)

n. 1. The forward, projecting part of the head of certain animals, such as dogs, including the mouth, nose, and jaws; the snout.

2. The forward, discharging end of the barrel of a firearm.

dangling - a cigarette dangling from the side of his mouth (p. 99)

(n.) the act of suspending something (hanging it from above so it moves freely)

tailgate - drumming his finger on the edge of the tailgate (p. 100)

n. A hinged board or closure at the rear of a vehicle, such as a pick-up truck, that can be lowered during loading and unloading. Also called tailboard.

flicked - the soldier flicked his unfinished cigarette (p. 101)

v. tr. To remove with a light quick blow

tattered - Karim locked the front door, pulled tattered sheets that passed for curtains (p. 102)

adj. Torn into shreds; ragged.

idling - we mounted the idling truck's rear deck (p. 105)

1. A state of idling. Used of a motor vehicle: an engine running quietly at idle.

2. A mechanism for regulating the speed at which an engine runs at rest:

wailing - Someone was screaming- No, not screaming. Wailing. (p.108)

v. intr. To grieve or protest loudly and bitterly; lament.