This is going to be the longest description given to any photo on Gupshup. Technically the photo is not something to be proud of (as I didn’t have the right film in my camera for the situation), but this photo does have a story in it and I thought it was necessary to tell that story:
This photo is from a trip that we took two years ago. We drove from Lahore to Kalaam. It was a rather adventures journey, to say the least. This photo was taken near Sawaat. Scenery was angelic. Beautiful blue sky, snow filled peaks in the horizon, green fields covering the immediate surroundings,
a river running through (I am not sure if you can see the river in this picture).
As we were driving we came across a road block. Some rocks had slid down the mountain, blocking the traffic from both sides. We got out of the car to evaluate the situation.
There were few villagers with hammers breaking the huge rocks into smaller pieces so that they could be rolled over the edge into the valley bellow. Despite all of their efforts, they weren’t being very successful. Then I heard someone approaching the scene, as he came closer, people paused and moved to the sides. He was one of the villagers (the guy in the middle). He grabbed a sledge hammer,positioned himself in front of a huge rock, raised the hammer above his head, and said out load “Allah O Akbar” and smack, broke the rock into two with just one blow (you can see the rock in front of him). Everyone stood there in awe, then he grabbed an iron bar moved it under one of the pieces and started to roll it over the edge.
Needless to say that it lifted everyone’s spirits, and people who were stressed before were showing signs of relief on their faces. They all started to work harder (for those of you wondering, yes, I did put my camera away and participated in the clean-up). In about half an hour, enough portion of the road was cleared to let one car pass at a time. We all got back into the car and went on our way to Kalaam.
http://www.gupistan.com/gallery/3/sawat2.jpg
Northern Pakistan has a lot of natural beauty to offer. Certainly as much as any other part of the world, i.e.; Yosemite, Sequoia Canyon etc. but one thing that sets Northen Pakistan apart, is it’s people. Never have I come across a group of people who are so welcoming, hospitable and kind to strangers as there. Every time I want to feel good, I reflect back on that trip for memories filled with joy. Pakistan Zindabad.
[This message has been edited by Pungay_Baaz (edited January 22, 2001).]
[This message has been edited by Pungay_Baaz (edited January 22, 2001).]