My journey to Pakistan Part 1: Getting there – airport and first impressions

Few years back Pakistan was an abstract name for me, a name that I would hear in the news, but never pay attention to. I never took time to read about the country’s history, about its traditions and people as never in my wildest dreams I thought of getting there.

And then it happened. Cupid stoked and my life turned 180 degrees and I started to read about this far away land. If there’s anything that working in the media has taught me, it is that the least relevant information about the actual life in a country can be obtained from TV or newspapers news.

Sure reading and understanding historical, economic and political facts helped to get an idea about where this country is and what is going on in there, but to be honest nothing really prepared me for what I was about to experience on my own.

The visa procedure went surprisingly well and quick. The counselor and the ambassador of Pakistan in Romania were extremely kind and helpful.

It was interesting to observe people’s reactions to the news that I am going to Pakistan for a vacation. I guess it is not a country on the top of traveling destinations or must see places. My dad asked me to be extra careful there as he doesn’t have enough money for ransom :)

For a girl who had traveled only in Europe, the information about what to expect in Pakistan was so complex that I decided to neglect it completely. The other option was to freak out and I couldn’t let that happen.

I have to say that it was the biggest thing I have ever done: going willingly to a country listed by the ministry of foreign affairs as a war zone.

The flight was comfortable and it took less than going by train from Bucharest to Cluj (my fav city in Romania).

My first surprise was that although alcohol is forbidden in Pakistan, there were a lot of intoxicated people coming out of the plane. Sure, I can’t assume that they were locals. They could have been of other nationalities and just enjoying the last contact with Bacchus’ nectar before they reach the forbidden land. But still it was a little strange.

I reached Karachi in the night and went through passport control quite fast. They have special queues for unaccompanied ladies and people were very polite. Sure, there were questions, but nothing unexpected.

I have to admit that it was strange to see all around me people that looked different, dressed different and spoke a language that I couldn’t understand a word of.

I was advised to pick my luggage quickly and walk without talking to anyone. Before landing that seemed absurd. After landing I understood that in a foreign land you have to rely first of all on what you know and what is familiar to you and there is no reason to be brave. I picked my stuff and walked as fast as I could with a 25 kg luggage :)

And there it was: my first contact with the real thing. No spooky monster like the news were announcing all the time. Just people. Different people, but nonetheless people. Sure, for a minute or two I was the center of attention. I guess there is not every day you see a young, blonde, unaccompanied lady walking around.

The first real shock was the weather. It was the end of June and I was told that monsoon season started or was about to start (don’t really remember). But for me monsoon season and high humidity were as abstract notions as moon atmosphere. Getting out of the airport, which, by the way, was nicely air conditioned, was like walking directly into a hot air blow dryer. Although it was around 1 AM, it seemed like there were 50 degrees there. I sweated instantly in what I thought were my comfortable jeans and I have to admit I looked with high envy at the local’s shalwar kameez which seemed like a much more appropriate option.

Driving from airport to home didn’t offer me the time to see much in the 40 minutes ride because it was late in night, but I enjoyed seeing palm trees everywhere and many outdoor billboards with smiling faces and slogans I couldn’t read.

First conclusions:

• hot weather means sauna hot and humid weather means steam bath humid – like it would make your nicely straightened hair curl back to mother nature :)

• jeans are not the best option for summer in Pakistan

• people look different, talk different, dress different, but they are welcoming and polite