It was 29 May 2026, the third day of Eid. Our family planned to go somewhere for a gathering. At first, we decided to visit Pasni, but after some discussion, we changed our plan and decided to travel to Dasht to visit our relatives.

At 1:30 p.m., we departed from Gwadar in our single-cabin Dala pickup. We thought we would enjoy the journey more in an open vehicle. As our trip began, we reached Gwadar Zero Point, where we noticed a family standing by the roadside because their vehicle had broken down.

The weather was extremely hot that day, and there was no waiting area or any other facility where passengers could stay safely until their vehicle was repaired. We offered to help them. They requested that we take some of their family members, especially the children, and drop them near the Kulanch Hotel area. After dropping them off, we continued our journey.

Because of the intense heat and the open Dala pickup, we could not enjoy the trip as much as we had expected. The road from Gwadar to Kuddan was smooth, paved, and safe for travel. However, the route from Kuddan to Bushli village was unbelievable. There was no proper road—only sandy tracks that served as rough guides. It was our first time traveling on such a route. We had no idea which track led to which village, so we stopped several times to ask local villagers for directions.

By then, our faces, clothes, and even our mouths were covered with fine white sand. We could hardly recognize ourselves. Along the way, we stopped at a farm to freshen up. The children happily played and swam in a small water tank built on the farm. The entire irrigation system was powered by solar energy, which the farmers had installed themselves to supply water to their fields.

Finally, we arrived at our relatives’ home at 5:30 p.m. They had prepared lunch for us, and we enjoyed the meal together. The temperature was around 52°C, making it very challenging to stay there even for a single day.

Most of the houses in the village were built with mud and wood, resembling traditional huts. There was no proper water supply in the washrooms. Instead, water was stored in tubs, and family members carried it on their heads to refill them whenever needed. After freshening up, we had lunch and rested.

According to Balochi culture, during summer evenings, villagers gather outside their homes and sit on traditional wooden beds placed in front of their huts. They spend time together, share stories and memories, discuss their past experiences, and enjoy tea. We joined them and truly appreciated their warm hospitality. The children also enjoyed playing together in the cool evening weather.

That night, our relatives prepared a traditional Balochi dinner, including Sajji, white rice, and tandoori roti. My mother and aunt visited many homes in the village, and everyone was delighted to meet us.

The next morning, the villagers woke up early, around 6:00 a.m., and we followed their routine. After breakfast, we planned to visit their farm before the heat became unbearable. The children were excited to swim in the water tank that had been specially built for them. We all spent a wonderful time together at the farm.

Suddenly, our vehicle broke down. We became worried because there was no proper road, no shops, no mobile network, and no one nearby to call for help only a few farmers working in their fields. My uncle borrowed a farmer’s motorcycle and rode to the village, which was quite far away. We had no other choice. While he was gone, we waited under a tree to escape the scorching sun. After about an hour, he returned with a mechanic who repaired the vehicle.

Once the vehicle was fixed, we returned to the village. The villagers advised us not to leave immediately because the afternoon heat was extremely dangerous. They suggested waiting until 5:00 p.m., when the weather would be cooler and safer for travel.

Dasht is a large tehsil of Kech District, yet it still lacks many basic facilities. There is no reliable electricity, no proper road network, inadequate school buildings, and very few teachers are willing to work there.

At 5:00 p.m., we finally began our return journey to Gwadar. I kept thinking about the rough sandy tracks. Although the distance from Bushli to Kuddan was only about 11 kilometres, it took us nearly three hours to reach Kuddan because of the poor road conditions. Once we reached Kuddan, we felt relieved. From there to Gwadar, we traveled on the much better M-8 Road.

We arrived home safely in Gwadar.

This journey taught me an important lesson. It showed me how people survive despite having very limited facilities. They create practical solutions to meet their daily needs, adapt to difficult conditions, and continue living with resilience and happiness. It was more than just a family trip it was a life lesson that I will always remember.

Author: Neewag Jan is a 10-year-old Grade 6 student at Lahore Grammar School, Quetta.