The Spirit of the World ( On and Off)
Thailand/Pakistan (#12)
(Continuation of story)
When one lives in a foreign country without having permanent residency, it is a legal requirement that you must leave the country and come back in with a new tourist visa. I had to do this in Portugal and then in Thailand. With the three months quickly approaching, one of the Americans who I met around the pool at the Miami Hotel suggested that I meet him in Karachi Pakistan where he was working with an American company Now, this sounded like an adventure, I thought.
It was not easy to get a visa. I was a single American woman and Pakistan was still a very strict Muslim country. After several trips to their embassy in Bangkok, I was finally granted one right before the Pam Am plane was high jacked in Karachi. I didn’t waiver on my plans to go, even though the very intrepid folks at Lucy’s Tiger Den didn’t think it was wise. My thoughts were that terrorists usually don’t strike the same target again; at least not with in a short time frame.
In 1987, the security screening of passengers in Karachi resembled those of today. Other new sights and customs also filled my mind while I was almost blown over by the intense dry heat of Karachi. It was truly stifling and by this time I was used to temperatures in the 100’s (F). Many days I could only find strength to swim in the pool at the hotel.
The relationship between the American man and myself was not very compatible and soon I wished I had never ventured on this trip. He apparently felt the same way and said asked if had ever wanted to travel to another country in the region. I told him Sri Lanka and he gave me a ticket to go to this war torn country. I was not in the habit of taking such gifts from men, but in this case it seemed like the expedite thing to do.
Before I left Pakistan I went to the Thai embassy and asked for a new visa so I could return there. By this time, Thailand truly felt like my home. I also had my film developed and learned that Pakistan did superior work. I still cherish the few pictures I took in Pakistan.
This is a picture of the beautiful and poignant mausoleum of Muhammad Ali Jinnah, the father and founder of Pakistan.
Thailand/Pakistan (#12)
(Continuation of story)
When one lives in a foreign country without having permanent residency, it is a legal requirement that you must leave the country and come back in with a new tourist visa. I had to do this in Portugal and then in Thailand. With the three months quickly approaching, one of the Americans who I met around the pool at the Miami Hotel suggested that I meet him in Karachi Pakistan where he was working with an American company Now, this sounded like an adventure, I thought.
It was not easy to get a visa. I was a single American woman and Pakistan was still a very strict Muslim country. After several trips to their embassy in Bangkok, I was finally granted one right before the Pam Am plane was high jacked in Karachi. I didn’t waiver on my plans to go, even though the very intrepid folks at Lucy’s Tiger Den didn’t think it was wise. My thoughts were that terrorists usually don’t strike the same target again; at least not with in a short time frame.
In 1987, the security screening of passengers in Karachi resembled those of today. Other new sights and customs also filled my mind while I was almost blown over by the intense dry heat of Karachi. It was truly stifling and by this time I was used to temperatures in the 100’s (F). Many days I could only find strength to swim in the pool at the hotel.
The relationship between the American man and myself was not very compatible and soon I wished I had never ventured on this trip. He apparently felt the same way and said asked if had ever wanted to travel to another country in the region. I told him Sri Lanka and he gave me a ticket to go to this war torn country. I was not in the habit of taking such gifts from men, but in this case it seemed like the expedite thing to do.
Before I left Pakistan I went to the Thai embassy and asked for a new visa so I could return there. By this time, Thailand truly felt like my home. I also had my film developed and learned that Pakistan did superior work. I still cherish the few pictures I took in Pakistan.
This is a picture of the beautiful and poignant mausoleum of Muhammad Ali Jinnah, the father and founder of Pakistan.