hi all - just returned back to the states yesterday from my trip (going to need a few weeks to download all those pictures i took, though!!!) ... i ended up going thru lahore (spending quite a bit of time at the regale internet inn - a lovely guest house), islamabad, rawalpindi, gilgit, then to china, the back through karimabad. my highlights were definitely sufi night at a mosque in lahore (i went on two different thursdays i enjoyed it so much), the chaman ice cream parlor's peach sundae, hiking over a glacier about an hour outside of karimabad, and generally speaking the friendliness of everyone there. though i was a little hesitant going at first, mostly because of what the media has to say about it, as well as the US state dept, but i can now tell my fellow americans it's definitely a fine place to visit. i was in lahore for the 3 recent bombings - the govt bldg and the mosque, and even with those death tolls calculated, statistically speaking i believe there are more murders here in my home city over the same time span. it's all in how the media reports things, and i suppose talking about your country, sadly, sells our papers. anyway. i had an AMAzing time - it was my favorite country on my trip, and lahore my favorite city (it earns the rep of the city that never sleeps better than NYC...)... just don't tell india that!! :) many thanks for your advice along the way. i'll post back when my pictures are ready!
At a time when not only the US-media, but media all over the world reports negatively on anything Pakistan-related, it feels really good to read about your experiences. I'm very much looking forward to see pics of your trip.
I'm going to Lahore in late August, can you tell me how much was the hotel you stayed in? how did you book it?
It's my first vsit to lahore, even though i speak the language, i'm pretty scared and confused, i hope peole there treat me just as nice as they treated you.
...still working on pictures and a blog of the whole experience...! it'll take me a while. the pictures are taking FOREVER to download!!
the guest house in lahore was the regal internet inn, owned by a former journalist and music aficionado, so non-pakistanis can get a great taste of the pakistani culture. he takes groups to the thursday sufi nights which you must not miss if traveling to lahore. he'll also arrange for musicians to occasionally play on the rooftop deck of the guest house. he knows some really talented people. i also linked up with a group to travel down to the wagah border to watch the closing ceremony, which is just fabulous to watch. i found the locals a passionate and patriotic group. it was amazing. the guest house dormitory beds go for rs.195 a night, and it's located on a small alleyway behind a large department store right on regal chowk. enjoy your trip!!