james h
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| posted on 26/5/09 at 04:46 PM |
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Should I go to Pakistan?
Hi everyone,
One of my best friend's brother is getting married in Pakistan in early August, and I have been invited to go - apparently its a five day
wedding in Karachi.
I think it would be really quite something to be there, very interesting and an opportunity that I may never get again! But having looked at the
travel advice from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office they advise to take 'extreme caution' in travelling there.
My mum and dad really aren't sure about it, me being a young white westener in an area of quite high tension, but I am really not sure now!
So what do you think? I need some extra opinions!
James
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blakep82
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| posted on 26/5/09 at 04:48 PM |
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you could get hit by a bus tomorrow. i say go for it anyway, i mean, i don't want you dead or anything, but i really believe when your
number's up thats it.
________________________
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Mr Whippy
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| posted on 26/5/09 at 04:53 PM |
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no chance would I go
good luck
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oldtimer
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| posted on 26/5/09 at 04:54 PM |
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Go! I'm sure it will be an amazing experience. I have worked in some of the worlds most awful places but don't regret it, because travel
and life experiences are what it's all about.
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cd.thomson
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| posted on 26/5/09 at 04:55 PM |
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you should be fine, I mean we even have members from SA on here!
I know from some Pakistani friends that the police are corrupt as anything though, so you may have to take cash to buy you passport back! That is
probably the worst thing that could happen (if you discount being immensely unlucky of course)
Craig
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tegwin
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| posted on 26/5/09 at 04:57 PM |
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You have an oppertunity to go and experience another culture and another country and you are thinking about saying no...
who cares about the risks... its worth it!
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Would the last person who leaves the country please switch off the lights and close the door!
www.verticalhorizonsmedia.tv
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mistergrumpy
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| posted on 26/5/09 at 04:59 PM |
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Like OldTimer and Blake said. Life experiences are what it's all about and you could be hit by a bus tomorrow. Nowt wrong with a bit of
excitment once in a while. Get gone.
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Danozeman
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| posted on 26/5/09 at 05:07 PM |
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Go for it mate. Just watch the grub and get good insurance.
The comonwealth say take extreme caution about going anywhere nowadays.
Most of them are here anyway
Just out of interest why has your mate decided to get married there? Is his wife to be of that origin??
Dan
Built the purple peril!! Let the modifications begin!!
http://www.eastangliankitcars.co.uk
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Hellfire
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| posted on 26/5/09 at 05:15 PM |
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It's probably a 'once in a lifetime' opportunity, so get the flight booked and get yourself over there. You'll regret it
forever if you don't........
Phil
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james h
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| posted on 26/5/09 at 05:16 PM |
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quote:
Originally posted by Danozeman
Go for it mate. Just watch the grub and get good insurance.
The comonwealth say take extreme caution about going anywhere nowadays.
Most of them are here anyway
Just out of interest why has your mate decided to get married there? Is his wife to be of that origin??
Yeah they are pakistani
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Jon Ison
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| posted on 26/5/09 at 05:51 PM |
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Had a few stints over there in the past, if your traveling with "natives" you should be fine.
Corruption is rife, traveling from one village to another (out in the sticks) can be daunting, don't know if its still same but you had to tell
local police you was leaving then tell local police when you had arrived at your destination, this is where for an easy passage bribes are common
place, definitely much easier for those in the know.
Go, you wont regret it, diocalm are pretty good...........
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britishtrident
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| posted on 26/5/09 at 07:31 PM |
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Meerekat says If you need to ask don't
Having been in a few of the worlds trouble spots from Iran to Liberia to the Falklands when they were just about to go into melt down I would say the
lid looks like it about to blow on Pakistan.
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froggy
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| posted on 26/5/09 at 07:36 PM |
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i worked there from 1989-1991 and had some very sticky moments leading up to the gulf war ,the buses in karachi had huge stickers saying "viva
saddam" on them and being white was not a good look a wedding is a big occasion and they have huge wedding halls on the outskirts of karachi
heading towards the airport,i went to one which was three days and had a great time.
[IMG]http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r187/froggy_0[IMG]
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omega0684
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| posted on 26/5/09 at 08:57 PM |
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we're at war with the afgan's not the pakistani's, whatever you do don't cross the border into afganistan i.e the war zone!
do it mate !!!!!!
[Edited on 26/5/09 by omega0684]
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Daddylonglegs
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| posted on 26/5/09 at 09:09 PM |
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We go from work many times a year, I've been 8 times over the past 2 years to Islamabad and Lahore (I was there the other week when they
attacked the police academy 7km down the road ) and one of the guys has just come back after his 20th trip!
Karachi can be dodgy as with all cities. If you are with locals and you don't expect to be travelling all over the place you should be fine.
Just stay away from gatherings such as protests etc and keep with your friends at night and you will be fine. Enjoy it, but make sure you take plenty
of Mosquito stuff 'cos them boys ain't fussy who they munch on
It looks like the Midget is winning at the moment......
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Ninehigh
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| posted on 26/5/09 at 09:12 PM |
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Iirc Pakistan's next on the list.
Just don't wander off on your own!
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Andi
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| posted on 26/5/09 at 09:14 PM |
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Top tips....
1)Take hand alcohol gel. Always use it after handling money and after toilets etc.
2) Dont look for bad press on the internet
3) Enjoy
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james h
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| posted on 26/5/09 at 09:25 PM |
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Thanks everyone! Look like I will go now Pretty much confirms what I thought really, now or never
James
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Jasper
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| posted on 27/5/09 at 08:57 AM |
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I've spent some time in Pakistan, around Lahore and Islamabad, before heading up to the Northern Territories and I have to say I'm in
absolutely NO rush to go back. I found the cities quite heavy and threatening and it wasn't till I got up north that I felt more comfortable.
I spent some time hanging out with locals (I was 22 at the time and was visiting a mate from Uni) in Lahore and it was all rather bizarre. We would go
out in the evening with his mates, who were ALL other men, as you never saw young women out and about or anywhere actually, and all they could talk
about was how we in the west just drink whiskey all day long and shagged all the time. It was a bit sad and pathetic really, it was like hanging
around a bunch of 14 year olds here.
So, no, I wouldn't be in a hurry to go, especially to Karachi as there's not much to see there, but I did go to a Hindu wedding in India
last year and that was one of the best trips I've ever had ....
Oh yes, and in August have you any idea how hot it will be there? Save your ££££ for a nice trip to SE Asia in the winter, that's what I would
do .....
If you're not living life on the edge you're taking up too much room.
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DarrenW
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| posted on 27/5/09 at 02:37 PM |
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Id say go for it. Never been myself but if you can arrange to be collected from airport and are with locals whilst you are there then you will probs
be Ok. once in a lifetime opportunity. Ive heard weddings are an experience not to be missed out there.
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02GF74
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| posted on 27/5/09 at 08:32 PM |
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don't undertand why folks are saying it is a once in a lifetime opportunity?
save for you plane ticket, hotel and you can go there anytime.
obviously if you have an invite and someone to look after you, then that makes is less traumatic plus you get to meet the real people as opposed to
being a tourist.
I am in two minds as what to recommend but take note that muslims are very hopsitable; what we hear in the media is totally distorted and concerns a
tiny minority.
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DavidW
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| posted on 28/5/09 at 12:26 PM |
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My understnding is that as long as the foriegn office aren't advising no travel there, travel insurance remains valid.
May be worth reading the small print just in case you need it.
Surely you've got to take this once in lifetime opportunity?
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Peteff
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| posted on 28/5/09 at 01:18 PM |
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If you look on it as an adventure then go for it but if you are at all worried I'd check the situation where you are going to be staying.
Taliban retaliation against Pakistan.
[quote=Omega08?]we're at war with the afgan's not the pakistani's, whatever you do don't cross the border into afganistan i.e
the war zone!
I thought it was trying to liberate the Afghanis from the Taleban not at war with them.
[Edited on 28/5/09 by Peteff]
yours, Pete
I went into the RSPCA office the other day. It was so small you could hardly swing a cat in there.
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Hellfire
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| posted on 28/5/09 at 06:45 PM |
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quote:
Originally posted by 02GF74
don't undertand why folks are saying it is a once in a lifetime opportunity?
save for you plane ticket, hotel and you can go there anytime.
What, and gatecrash somebodys wedding celebrations for five days? 
Phil
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