Family and I are visiting Pakistan in a couple of weeks. We are getting all sorts of advise. The things we are being advised about and have to worry about so far:
I am not asking for advise here
-Malaria pills for the kids that must be taken before, during and after the visit.
-Some people are advising us to get additional shots.
-Strong advise not to eat uncooked food in restaurants (salads and stuff). Street vendors are an absolutely no go area.
-Bottled water only.
-Don’t take expensive cell phone outside in malls. Keep that at home.
-Don’t carry too much cash
-Don’t stay too late outside.
-Bring everything kids will need with you.
-Still unsure how am I supposed to take spending money there.
-Some people are telling us to not even go to ATMs when we are Karachi.
-Power situation is critical and expect several hours of no power daily. Generators can only power a few things.
-Be completely aware of your surroundings at all times.
-Doesn’t apply to us, but another family who is also going is rather “modern” was advised to dress modestly.
-And various other what ifs and what happens. Visiting Karachi and Lahore seems next to impossible if you don’t have a strong network of relatives there.
And this is all while visiting the nicer parts of Karachi and Lahore.
And here is my Pakistani friend in US whose in-laws live in Dubai. He buy tickets for his family, grabs passports, luggage and leaves. No worrying about getting shots, eating outside, drinking water, carrying cash, being outside, or anything. It’s like going to UK or Australia or something. Completely chill and worry free trip.
Re: Reasons like these are why it must be awesome to live in Dubai, or UAE in general
Lol, yes, that is true. You don't have to bother with all that while coming to Dubai. It's usually easy breezy...sans the ridiculous weather of course.
Re: Reasons like these are why it must be awesome to live in Dubai, or UAE in general
Family and I are visiting Pakistan in a couple of weeks. We are getting all sorts of advise. The things we are being advised about and have to worry about so far:
I am not asking for advise here
-Malaria pills for the kids that must be taken before, during and after the visit.
-Some people are advising us to get additional shots.
-Strong advise not to eat uncooked food in restaurants (salads and stuff). Street vendors are an absolutely no go area.
-Bottled water only.
-Don't take expensive cell phone outside in malls. Keep that at home.
-Don't carry too much cash
-Don't stay too late outside.
-Bring everything kids will need with you.
-Still unsure how am I supposed to take spending money there.
-Some people are telling us to not even go to ATMs when we are Karachi.
-Power situation is critical and expect several hours of no power daily. Generators can only power a few things.
-Be completely aware of your surroundings at all times.
-Doesn't apply to us, but another family who is also going is rather "modern" was advised to dress modestly.
-And various other what ifs and what happens. Visiting Karachi and Lahore seems next to impossible if you don't have a strong network of relatives there.
And this is all while visiting the nicer parts of Karachi and Lahore.
And here is my Pakistani friend in US whose in-laws live in Dubai. He buy tickets for his family, grabs passports, luggage and leaves. No worrying about getting shots, eating outside, drinking water, carrying cash, being outside, or anything. It's like going to UK or Australia or something. Completely chill and worry free trip.
Agree with everything!!!
I find going to Pakistan so so stressful, I always get sick there and since I have got married and now have my kids it's even more stressful. The preparations before going and the whole stay there has me on tenterhooks.
And what's worse is that since Dubai is my favourite holiday destination, when we go there we have to go to Pakistan since it is so close to Dubai. So I can't even relax n enjoy my holiday. We go to dubai first then pakistan, friends have said do it the other way round so I can enjoy my holiday in dubai but have heard of so many people being ill in Pakistan and on their way back that they don't get a holiday. Even my son got really sick last time because of the dust n it took him months to recover when we got back so i was glad we stopped in dubai on the way otherwise there wouldn't have been a holiday.
Re: Reasons like these are why it must be awesome to live in Dubai, or UAE in general
People tend to go overboard when giving advice in anything about living in/ visiting Pakistan.
We moved here in 2008 when suicide bombings were almost a norm. One could imagine the warnings and advice we received. But seven years on,we are living here alhamdulillah as happy and content as we were back in Europe.
I wouldn't dismiss all things mentioned, but seriously it's not a scary place. I have been a visitor for a decade almost and now a resident for seven years, so trust me it's nothing as bad.
It's funny, just the other day my son who is into cycling was mentioning how it's so nice to park your bike across the road and fetch something from grocers without even locking the bike, as opposed to parking it in Amsterdam and losing the bike to thieves in a minute. :)
Re: Reasons like these are why it must be awesome to live in Dubai, or UAE in general
Never been to dubai in detail but while travelling to Pak last time stayed at Doha airport for 7 hours and ate lamb chops from there. My stomach got upset so badly same as it did later in Pak. So no i would be cautious at either destination
Re: Reasons like these are why it must be awesome to live in Dubai, or UAE in general
Whether I'm travelling from UK or Gulf to Pakistan I don't do any of the above you mention Teendabby....except the expensive phone part.
Me neither. Pakistan is nice to visit as we live in a naturally beautiful area.
Dubai - the weather is too hot to do anything outdoors, don't see the point of going on holiday to go to shopping centres. There are phillipino hookers on literally every corner. Arabs are rude. And pollution is off the scale.
Re: Reasons like these are why it must be awesome to live in Dubai, or UAE in general
Lol, yes, that is true. You don't have to bother with all that while coming to Dubai. It's usually easy breezy...sans the ridiculous weather of course.
Oh my....first thing you feel after the landing when you step out the plane...THE HEAT.
Re: Reasons like these are why it must be awesome to live in Dubai, or UAE in general
Me neither. Pakistan is nice to visit as we live in a naturally beautiful area.
Dubai - the weather is too hot to do anything outdoors, don't see the point of going on holiday to go to shopping centres. There are phillipino hookers on literally every corner. Arabs are rude. And pollution is off the scale.
I don't know man...too much far right hatred going on in UK. I'd take the first chance to go and live in Dubai or Qatar. And the lifestyle is much more comfy and relaxing. There are so many indoor activities to do you don't really miss the outdoors.
I know everyone says Arabs are rude but I think they are nice. They'll go out of their way to help you.
Re: Reasons like these are why it must be awesome to live in Dubai, or UAE in general
Well you are comparing an essentially first world country to a third world country. You have to take more precautions and organise more things because it's not like you will necessarily easily find the things you need. The stuff about food is particularly true, I am very careful and Alhumdulillah only ever been unwell once (my first trip as an adult). My brothers on the other hand (and even husband who was born up in Pakistan) get tummy problems whenever they go because they are not that careful about eating and drinking. The comments about safety you will find are undertaken by the locals too. And it's amazing what a difference having connections makes on your travel and stay.
Re: Reasons like these are why it must be awesome to live in Dubai, or UAE in general
I don't know man...too much far right hatred going on in UK. I'd take the first chance to go and live in Dubai or Qatar. And the lifestyle is much more comfy and relaxing. There are so many indoor activities to do you don't really miss the outdoors.
I know everyone says Arabs are rude but I think they are nice. They'll go out of their way to help you.
I've never experienced any far right hatred personally but have lots of experience of rude Arabs in UAE and Saudi.
But what's stopping you moving if you don't like it here. Go for it you, you only have one life.
I like the outdoors - climbing, football etc etc.
Re: Reasons like these are why it must be awesome to live in Dubai, or UAE in general
^my intention wasnt to offend you....I guess we all have our opinions based on our experiences. Yes I do miss the green woods of UK when I'm in middle-East minus the dog poop.
Re: Reasons like these are why it must be awesome to live in Dubai, or UAE in general
^my intention wasnt to offend you....I guess we all have our opinions based on our experiences. Yes I do miss the green woods of UK when I'm in middle-East minus the dog poop.
I wasn't offended. I was being serious, you only have one life. If you think you'd be happier in another country you should go for it.
Re: Reasons like these are why it must be awesome to live in Dubai, or UAE in general
I don't know man...too much far right hatred going on in UK. I'd take the first chance to go and live in Dubai or Qatar. And the lifestyle is much more comfy and relaxing. There are so many indoor activities to do you don't really miss the outdoors.
I know everyone says Arabs are rude but I think they are nice. They'll go out of their way to help you.
Re: Reasons like these are why it must be awesome to live in Dubai, or UAE in general
I always think to give it a shot and try living in UAE for once atleast.. but i think the liberty that i've got used to here might not be available over there so i give up. May be some day..
Re: Reasons like these are why it must be awesome to live in Dubai, or UAE in general
How does the heat in ME compare to the heat in Pak?
Specificially thinking of Punjab/Lahore area.
Qatar's weather is milder than Saudi and UAE but still feels like living inside an oven during the summer months....during winter months the nights get quite cold. It's hard to step outside even for a minute but because everywhere is air conditioned and electricity never goes out so compare to Pakistan you don't feel you're living in one of the most hottest countries. Jordan, on the other hand, has even milder weather than Qatar.