Going to Pakistan with American Wife: Ongoing Updates

[Meengla]

I didn't read the entire thread will do later but did you and your wife move to Pakistan on perma-basis if so that is awesome something i have always wanted to try out

No, no plan to move to Pakistan although it makes perfect sense--to me at least.

A brotherly tip: DO NOT VISIT MURREE!
The people of Murree are horrible and have ZERO respect towards tourists!!!

The temp in Murree when we went there in early December was 27 F--yes, I am now used to American ways of F versus Celsius! Hahaha! Murree was pretty quiet and nice. I think that was because it was off-season. Here in America, we have seen as low as 5 F but Murree felt really cold. It was actually a great experience but I hear you: Summer time in Murree would be awful from what I have seen. We also went to a Catholic church on the Mall Road in Murree. There was a police vehicle outside its entrance. But they let us in even though it was late afternoon/evening. Obviously we looked 'non suspicious'. The priest was very happy to see a fellow Christian; he wouldn't let us take a pic of him. Later, someone explained, that the threat to the church was greatly exaggerated. I don't know. But we did contribute some $$ to the church--the priest pointed out about the donation part. Hahahaha!! But we were grateful to him anyway!

If you will come to Lahore, restrict yourself to Defence, Gulberg, Cavalry ground, Cantt, Model Town or Bahria Town. Rest of the Lahore is a crowded mess, no one goes there in right mind, specially for a vacation/fun. Unfortunately Minar e Pakistan, Shahi Qila, Badshahi mosque area is the old - congested Lahore. Only go there if you have immense interest and knowledge about architecture.

Being a Karachiite myself and wife never been to Lahore before, we found Lahore to be far better than Karachi. Safer at least. After we went back to Karachi, someone there said that, no, Karachi is a mess right now because of the 'Green Line' Metro Bus Service work. That guy said come back in a few years--Karachi will be better than. Ahh, the age old Karachi vs Lahore!

 

[Big_bud]

No, no plan to move to Pakistan although it makes perfect sense--to me at least.


The temp in Murree when we went there in early December was 27 F--yes, I am now used to American ways of F versus Celsius! Hahaha! Murree was pretty quiet and nice. I think that was because it was off-season. Here in America, we have seen as low as 5 F but Murree felt really cold. It was actually a great experience but I hear you: Summer time in Murree would be awful from what I have seen. We also went to a Catholic church on the Mall Road in Murree. There was a police vehicle outside its entrance. But they let us in even though it was late afternoon/evening. Obviously we looked 'non suspicious'. The priest was very happy to see a fellow Christian; he wouldn't let us take a pic of him. Later, someone explained, that the threat to the church was greatly exaggerated. I don't know. But we did contribute some $$ to the church--the priest pointed out about the donation part. Hahahaha!! But we were grateful to him anyway!



Being a Karachiite myself and wife never been to Lahore before, we found Lahore to be far better than Karachi. Safer at least. After we went back to Karachi, someone there said that, no, Karachi is a mess right now because of the 'Green Line' Metro Bus Service work. That guy said come back in a few years--Karachi will be better than. Ahh, the age old Karachi vs Lahore!

Lahore is definitely better than Karachi by a long shot in cleanliness, safety and peacefulness. However some parts of Lahore are a no go if you want a "pleasant" day.

 

[Meengla]

A very diplomatic way of putting it:-"The only irritants might have been that wife/I were pressed for time and so the 'Pakistan Standard Time"

It's annoying to wait and wait and wait... Not only these great hosts but also family members wondered: What the hell is wrong with you two about pushing for punctuality?? I tried to say that in winter, even in Karachi, days are SHORT! No point going to a scenic place after dark!! You know: You can expect an hour or so late because of traffic--but not 3-4 hours!

 

[Maula Jatt]

If you will come to Lahore, restrict yourself to Defence, Gulberg, Cavalry ground, Cantt, Model Town or Bahria Town. Rest of the Lahore is a crowded mess, no one goes there in right mind, specially for a vacation/fun. Unfortunately Minar e Pakistan, Shahi Qila, Badshahi mosque area is the old - congested Lahore. Only go there if you have immense interest and knowledge about architecture.

There's no point in going to Lahore if you are not going there, just stay at home and do nothing

Like seriously this is a bad suggestion on so many levels

 

[Meengla]

There's no point in going to Lahore if you are not going there, just stay at home and do nothing

Like seriously this is a bad suggestion on so many levels

Lahore felt safer to us than Karachi. Our hotel was in Gulberg. Didn't seem like an appealing area outside the hotel though--I thought Gulberg was nice but I know little about Gulberg. It was a cheap hotel though. Dusty and crowded outside.
But Lahore felt safer than Karachi! We stayed at the Beach Luxury Hotel in Karachi. The Port Grand area was nearby--I think a few minutes walk. But the hotel guard said wife's safety was questionable if we walked. In hindsight, it was exaggerated threat. But we took a Rikshaw anyway.

 

[khansaheeb]

It's annoying to wait and wait and wait... Not only these great hosts but also family members wondered: What the hell is wrong with you two about pushing for punctuality?? I tried to say that in winter, even in Karachi, days are SHORT! No point going to a scenic place after dark!! You know: You can expect an hour or so late because of traffic--but not 3-4 hours!

The art is to give a time of an hour or two earlier than the time you want them to come at.

 

[Meengla]

Speaking of Gulberg, we stayed at the Rose Palace Hotel. Cost us $17 total for the night. Plenty of hot water, a blessing in Lahore in December! Not impressive neighborhood but still felt safer than most places in Karachi. Friendly staff. Delicious included buffet breakfast. All for only $17 total!!

RosePalaceHotel - Google Search

 

[khansaheeb]

Speaking of Gulberg, we stayed at the Rose Palace Hotel. Cost us $17 total for the night. Plenty of hot water, a blessing in Lahore in December! Not impressive neighborhood but still felt safer than most places in Karachi. Friendly staff. Delicious included buffet breakfast. All for only $17 total!!

RosePalaceHotel - Google Search

Wow, seems like you really did enjoy yourself. Nothing like home sweet home eh (I mean Pakistan not USA!) ?

 

[Meengla]

The following video was done as humor! In our brief stay in Pakistan, we found new friends at the Karachi Press Club. One day we were having Chai at KPC and made this short video. BTW, Karachi feels wonderful between December and March. Just like Americans and Canadians flock to southern Florida in winter, Karachi also attracts the 'snow geese' of Pakistan.