Lindhout recounts her travels through Asia, highlighting her time in Pakistan and Afghanistan. Her journey begins when she contemplates visiting Afghanistan, a desire sparked by her encounter with other travelers who had explored the region safely. Despite her family’s worries, particularly her mother’s emotional plea not to go, Lindhout is drawn by the narrative that Western media have misunderstood and misrepresented Afghanistan.

When Lindhout learns that an Italian aid worker was kidnapped in Afghanistan, she reassesses her plans. She ultimately decides to proceed, driven by her curiosity and defiance. Upon arrival in Kabul, Lindhout is fascinated by the city’s vibrant yet war-torn environment. She describes Kabul’s unique scent, the bustling markets, and the impact of religious practices on daily life, while noting the city’s complex beauty and the palpable remnants of conflict.

Lindhout is then robbed at gunpoint in a Kabul market, a stark confrontation with the dangers she had been warned about. This incident deeply shakes her, and she contemplates the risks of her travel choices. The ordeal leads her to retreat to Pakistan and eventually return to Delhi to conclude her travels.