Re: Going to Pakistan in December
pretty well explained. things have changed a lot. ppl r more materialistic..rich keeps on getting richer. TOO MUCH TRAFFIC. it will take forever to get from one spot to another. (and this is from last yr's experiecne, i heard it got even worse) ppl will try to rip u off like anything once they know u r not 'local'. lahore (since thats where i went) is much more developed in terms of buildings/malls/stores etc etc. God, I can go on and on but gotta get back to work =)
Welcome to your country---the beautiful and exciting, rising, jubiliating PAKISTAN
Eight years gap---will make you see;
AT KARACHI;
**Increase number of FLYOVERS and Complexes. A few high profile eat outs like; GUNSMOKE, PAPA SA'ALIS, CLIFTON GRILL & ROASTERS etc. With cinemas almost gone--a jampacked CINEPLEX at Seaview Clifton---still going strong on KHUDA K LEEAY! ** AT LAHORE;
The beauty of DECEMBER's chilly nights--and visits to the FOOD STREETS at Gowalmandi and ANARKALI areas. The never ending high fly Fashion Shows at ROYAL PALMS passing through Imran Khan's Zaman Park Residence. The PLAZA Cinema still stands tall with two cowboys standing at each corner! The memorable picnics at CHANGA MANGA forest named after two brothers. The eat outs at M.M.Alam Road....from "DHAABA" to FREDDYs to KOOKOOs....and of course the ANDAROON-E-LAHORE's famous KHALIFA BAKERS.. which has World Class "KHATAIEE" (matching the description which Amibath as Dasrath...gave to Abhishek at that bar in the famous movie "Bunty Aur Bubbly" on the women he met on bus....and her giving him WORLD CLASS 'PASTRIES" before informing him that "mer shaadi fixxx ho gayee hai") and......not to forget the genuine PAYAs of PHAJJA....! plus a merry ride to RAVI bridge totally infested with traffic--for Motorway & GT Road....!! You'll find Atchison College and Lawrence Gardens untouched...and standing aglore. AT ISLAMABAD:
**The beautiful MARGALLA EAT OUT on DAMAN-E-KOH....which would make you take decision to spend the whole night there--staring at the panoramic view of Islamabad at night (hiding the ugly politics aglore down there). **
A visit to PIR SOHAWA would take you to ICE LAND in Pakistan...just about 40 minutes ride through hilly road--passing through DAMAN E KOH and possibly crossing paths with the only TIGER-CAT remaining in the hills with quite a large number of Monkeys literally begging or looking upon you for food.
Visit to nearby beauties like BHURBUN & NATHIAGALI should be a must to match what SWITZERLAND doesn't possess....and dont forget to visit that famous CHURCH of 1898 built by Miss Potts who later had a small motel in Murree hills also. No...you dont need to bring anything....just yourself and your heart & soul to enjoy what PAKISTAN has for you and the guests/tourists.
Khush Rahein...and BON VOYAGE from where-ever you are to the land of hospitality---often misinterpreted on International front!
-Raju Jamil (Karachi)