Highest Rated Comments


greymethod10 karma

A few things -- questions first:

1) Tell us more specifically about your encounters with the people when you were in Northern Pakistan

2) You said you were expecting AK47-toting mullahs at every corner -- why then did you still make the decision to go through with the trip? Before getting to those places (Pakistan, Afghanistan, etc.), was there a nagging fear at the back of your mind that something bad might happen?

3) Did you have any interactions with women in Islamic countries? Say more about that please.

Comments:

1) Oh my goodness, I envy you so much I cannot even put it in words. I was born and raised in Pakistan but got out of there early -- I never got to see Northern Pakistan. My father keeps telling me it's "heaven on earth!" and "the most beautiful place" -- and I used to give him an eyeroll and would smugly say "nu huh, Swiss alpines, x, y, z..." -- but for whatever reason when I see pictures he's taken in old albums, and pictures I see online (including yours right now), they sort of evoke some longing to be there and feel the place for myself once, for some reason it feels more 'home' -- a place I really would like to be at, more than I had ever I imagine I would have liked to.

2) I'm so, so happy that you found Pakistani people to be friendly and welcoming. Because they are -- I recall when I was little we'd see foreigners (people who looked different from us) roaming on the street, and we'd never skip a chance to invite them and give them a meal. Sure there's the occasional riling up over petty differences, and I'm rather conflicted in what to feel about it -- on the one hand I almost feel for them -- they feel oppressed by Americans, they do think Israel's actions are in some sense 'evil' -- it's the same tribal thinking you find in any human being, but on the other hand I lived and grew up with them, when they see you face-to-face they'll invite you to a cup of tea, no matter your religion/color. Really, they would -- my dad sure as hell invited Jews, Christians, whatnot over when he got the chance to. I'm just really happy you found them to be friendly. I'm glad you had a safe & enjoyable trip, thank you so much for sharing. :)