In a series of short articles, I will attempt to share some moments of my time being spent in Lahore for my on-going vacation. Enjoy!
**Kiya Faraq Parta Hai
**“Oye Hazrat, aap yahan kidher?”, a familiar voice boomed right behind as I was making my way through the melee on the departure gate at Dubai Airport to board my flight for Lahore.
I turned around and a very close friend from a prior life was tapping me on the shoulder. An unexpected and pleasant surprise. Unlike most international flight boardings where passengers board the aircraft in an orderly single line, being called through groups or seat numbering, at Dubai Airport, passengers for Emirates flight boarding for Lahore were behaving in typical desi fashion. As soon as the announcement was made about the flight being ready, all passengers jumped up and jammed the small door leading to the aircraft.
While in Rome, do as Romans do, I was in the forefront of this desi free-for-all and enjoying every bit of it. The dude who tapped me on the shoulder was also coming from the US and we had met after a gap of few years. Once in the aircraft, he managed to switch his seat with the one next to mine, and we spent 2.5 hours of utterly boring and uneventful flight by catching up and general gup shup. Amongst other things, we shared amusing stories of differences in life between US and Pakistan. We talked about what we should expect when we land in Lahore and how people bypass rules and that jaan-pehchaan can save you so much time at long immigration lines.
I had the window seat and the first sight of Lahore from hundreds of feet above ground was enough to bring a huge dose of nostalgia. An intriguing combination of dust and lush green parks, this city evoked many fond emotions.
Lahore’s new Airport is absolutely beautiful. Its designed to complement the rich history and culture of my city. This was my first time landing at the new airport. We came out of the jetway, and entered the immigration hall. There were six counters open and orderly lines were already formed in front of each counter.
Me and my friend joined the line for the counter that was for Pakistani passport holders. There were about 15 people in front of us. Counter was manned by a very efficient lady and everything was moving as fast as it could. The only down side was looking at the couter marked “For unaccompanied ladies and serior citizens”. The line was completely dominated by hattay kattay men packed as tight as sardines. There was no possibility for any self-respecting lady to even think about going to that counter. Otherwise, we didn’t see anyone going through the sides or to the top of the line. I am sure they have a whole other VIP lounge for those shenanigans.
Right after our flight, another crowded international flight also arrived and the line behind me grew manifold. As I was getting closer to the counter with, may be, 6 people in front of me, suddenly two gentlemen cut behind me as if moving to the line next to us. I turned around and surpringly the two gentlemen had firmly plastered themselves behind me. I was incredulous as I was continuously chatting with my friend and now these two guys were suddenly between us.
“Who are you and why are you here?”, I asked them politely in urdu.
They didn’t respond. My friend was also looking at them with surprise. I realized that these two are just trying to be smartasses.
“Please get out of here, as I am talking to my friend here. How the hell did you get behind me?”, I told them firmly. My friend also tapped them on the shoulder looking mildly amused. Realizing that they had in fact got between two guys of the same group, they did, what they thought was a smart thing. They moved one step back to allow my friend to rejoin me.
Looking at that, I started laughing. More impressed at their guts for blantantly cutting the line. I spoke to my friend talking a bit loudly “The gall of these guys. I am surprised no one behind us has any problem with this!”. Clearly this was a message to people behind us.
Sure enough a young guy behind us, who probably came from a place where there is still sanctity of line, stepped up and challenged the two trespassers. “Go back!”.
Now, one of the two trespassers turned around and meekly countered “kiya faraq parta hai?”, as if that should justify his behavior.
The dude who had challenged them starting rolling his sleeves and replied “jaatay ho ya lagao’N aik”.
Seeing that this wantom display of desi streetsmartness may get them an unwanted visit to a medical facility, the two gentlemen quietly disappeared to god knows where. Most likely to cut into another line with slightly more indifferent attendees.
Me and my friend laughed about this incident for many more seconds and commended the two dudes for their nerve to cut into the line so blantantly. In any case, in due course I was at the top of the line. Presented my passport and got it stamped in less then a minute. By this time, my luggage had already arrived on the belt and was sitting on the side. I picked it up and put it in customs x-ray machine. The whole process was completely fuss-free.
It took me 35 minutes in the immigration line, however after that in less than five minutes I was walking out of the arrival hall in to the loving arms of my family who were out there to receive me in full force.
Yes, in yet another spectactular display of true desi customs a total of 15 people had arrived at the airport to receive single me. And then some people wonder why airports in Pakistan are always so crowded. 
Welcome to Pakistan!
More later.
