Re: question for islooo ppl
thanks guys
I am not sure of the area, its supposed to be walking distance from the convention center. its for a visa interview at the US embassy for my folks who are not familiar with the area.
among the options are a relative picking them up, and dropping them at the resthouse, and they walk to convention center, or take a cab etc and then go get their interviews done.
My other option is to have them stay at the home of a fairly senior military officer, I wm not sure which area he is in.
I have recommended that they pursue option #2 but needed tog ive them an honsest assessment of the area and why option 2 is better. They usually dont like accepting favours from others, and in this case I am asking them to make an exception for the sake of their own safety.
There are a few weeks until they get have to go so we still have time to plan.
If they would feel more comfortable on their own, then I would suggest staying at the Serena--that is the hotel that a lot of diplomats use and it is very close to the convention center from where your parents will have to take a bus into the diplomatic enclave as you can't drive up to the embassies anymore. I think the Serena hotel can arrange for a van or pick/drop service for your parents. The other safe option would be staying at the Islamabad Club. It is a little bit further away from the convention center.
Tell them to take a phone card (Telecard preferably) with them (I think you can get one for 200 Rs.) as cell phones even car key fobs aren't allowed (my experience at the US embassy in the Summer of 2005) and the guy selling phonecards outside the embassy is a thief.
As for the safety bit, Islamabad is fairly safe but one has to keep in mind that if one appears to be "Pardesi" or scared or overtly concerned about safety in public, one will be taken advantage off even robbed because of the type of the people milling around in public places. The appearance of confidence/aggressiveness does seem to help in public places. Hope that helps.