I Have Random Thoughts
The media has given us a warped view of the world, from Hollywood movies and endless news coverage of what journalists want us to see. We are often blinded by what they portray on our screen. I'm going through pictures of my trip to Pakistan, I decided to give an insight perception of a westerner with an open mind.
Before I traveled there, the lingering stereotype playing tricks in my head. My first cousin who happen to be my best friend is married to a Pakistani woman, highly educated and one of the most pleasant woman I've ever come across. I was fortunate and had the privilege of travelling there last year accompanying them.
Although the village area is bountiful with poverty. The rest of the country had malls and restaurants that we can only imagine exist in the movies. We traveled to a 5 star restaurant on top of a mountain with mind blowing amazing views. I felt like I was dining with Zeus sitting on a cloud. Inside was immaculate and you can easily eat off the floor. The toilet had a patrons handing you soap and tissue to wash and dry your hands.
Another eye opening moment was a mall in Lahore, the whole floor was a food court with restaurant quality food. From European cuisine to Eastern delicacy.
The young men and women were extremely trendy and wore labels galore. There was no hijab or burka within sight, which is what we expect since it's drilled into us Westerners by journalists and mainstream media personalities. I was blown away and all my stereotypical garb melt into oblivious. The women were beautiful, they make Hollywood actresses look like ugly duckling. Having the right figure is as important as having coffee in the morning. I didn't pack much clothing, a few dresses and a pair of jeans. My cousins inlaws quickly ushered me to the nearest boutique and hairdresser. They couldn't fathom that I was travelling looking like plain Jane, with no makeup and clothes they wouldn't wear at home.
We attended weddings and dinners at different relatives. Everywhere we went there was an invitation. Pakistanis are generous people, they would offer you their last meal because hosting and welcoming people is in their nature. If it's a wedding, it's lavish with every women in the room covered in gold and expensive tailor made suits/dresses or specially ordered expensive labels from abroad.
I will definitely visit Pakistan again in the near future.
If anyone ask me to describe Pakistan, I would say it's like going into the twilight zone. You drive through a dirt road for an hour and all of a sudden you hit gold plated pavements.
Before I traveled there, the lingering stereotype playing tricks in my head. My first cousin who happen to be my best friend is married to a Pakistani woman, highly educated and one of the most pleasant woman I've ever come across. I was fortunate and had the privilege of travelling there last year accompanying them.
Although the village area is bountiful with poverty. The rest of the country had malls and restaurants that we can only imagine exist in the movies. We traveled to a 5 star restaurant on top of a mountain with mind blowing amazing views. I felt like I was dining with Zeus sitting on a cloud. Inside was immaculate and you can easily eat off the floor. The toilet had a patrons handing you soap and tissue to wash and dry your hands.
Another eye opening moment was a mall in Lahore, the whole floor was a food court with restaurant quality food. From European cuisine to Eastern delicacy.
The young men and women were extremely trendy and wore labels galore. There was no hijab or burka within sight, which is what we expect since it's drilled into us Westerners by journalists and mainstream media personalities. I was blown away and all my stereotypical garb melt into oblivious. The women were beautiful, they make Hollywood actresses look like ugly duckling. Having the right figure is as important as having coffee in the morning. I didn't pack much clothing, a few dresses and a pair of jeans. My cousins inlaws quickly ushered me to the nearest boutique and hairdresser. They couldn't fathom that I was travelling looking like plain Jane, with no makeup and clothes they wouldn't wear at home.
We attended weddings and dinners at different relatives. Everywhere we went there was an invitation. Pakistanis are generous people, they would offer you their last meal because hosting and welcoming people is in their nature. If it's a wedding, it's lavish with every women in the room covered in gold and expensive tailor made suits/dresses or specially ordered expensive labels from abroad.
I will definitely visit Pakistan again in the near future.
If anyone ask me to describe Pakistan, I would say it's like going into the twilight zone. You drive through a dirt road for an hour and all of a sudden you hit gold plated pavements.
