PAKGHAN SERIES, DAY 9 – 12
MULTAN – LAHORE
Transgenders of Pakistan. I have never been so glad to leave a city in all my life.
SORRY YOU CAN’T LEAVE MULTAN
It’s a real shame for this city as I am sure it offers heaps but it’s just not worth the hassle.
MORE ISSUES IN MULTAN
Finally glad to leave this city I couldn’t believe it when the hotel manager said we couldn’t. Apparently the roads were closed due to some protests by Imran Khan supporters. However I told the manager if I have to walk I will do if there isn’t an escort here in 30minutes then I’m away.
Lo and behold an escort arrived, albeit its late but I didn’t care at this point, we wanted out.
Transgenders of Pakistan
DAILY INFO….
- HOTEL – RAMADA 9/10
LAHORE
Eventually we arrived in Lahore and checked into the Ramada, a proper hotel that I could confidently say my dad was able to properly enjoy and recover. In fairness, he would stay anywhere but when he’s effectively backpacking through one of the most insane countries in the world I want to make sure he has some form of balance.
Transgenders of Pakistan
BORDER CEREMONY
The final offering for dad was the famous Wahga border ceremony that takes place at the Pakistani Indian border. It’s a daily event of an intense, choreographed display of patriotism, with soldiers from both sides marching, high-stepping, and eventually lowering their national flags at sunset.
Transgenders of Pakistan
DAY 10
Today was a non event besides dropping my dad off at the airport and then getting caught up on emails. Long trips now required a full day here and there to get fully caught up.
RELATED READ: THE MOST STRESSFUL TRAVEL DAY EVER
DAY 11, CHAI AND EROTIC BOOKS
Today was as wild as it gets. This morning I met Kausar who I have had dealings with for years. He had originally helped me with visiting Afghanistan and now my trip in Pakistan.
After getting a bite to eat we headed outside of the city and to a local fair, but this is no ordinary fair. First we watched the Wall of death, where a fella on a motorbike drives at speed on a circular wall with no hands. The risk here is wild because for sure the wall is hardly maintained and all it takes is one thing to go wrong.
FACTS ABOUT LAHORE:
- Lahore’s old city, known as the “Walled City,” has 13 historic gates, many dating back to the Mughal era, with secret underground tunnels and ancient bazaars hidden within its walls.
- Lahore is considered the “Lollywood” of Pakistan, being the country’s hub for film production and a major center for art, music, and theater.
- Lahore hosts the annual Shandur Polo Festival, where polo is played on the world’s highest polo ground, set at 12,200 feet above sea level.
TRANSGENDERS OF LAHORE
What most of you will be shocked about is that there is a large community of transgenders in Lahore and some of which travel around Pakistan with the fair. Often before some of the events starts they come out and dance for tips. It’s wild because I didn’t expect them to get provocative but no one else thought anything of it when they started to clutch their t*ts.
ABOUT LAHORE:
- LANGUAGE: Urdu and Punjabi (Punjabi is widely spoken, while Urdu is the national language)
- HELLO: “Assalam-o-Alaikum” (a common greeting meaning “Peace be upon you”)
- HOW TO CHEERS: “Jashn Manao!” or simply raise a glass and say “Mubarak Ho!” (meaning “Celebrate!” or “Congratulations!”)
- BEVERAGE OF CHOICE: Lassi (a traditional yogurt-based drink, often sweet or salty)
- POPULAR SPORT: Cricket (it’s a national obsession, but field hockey and kabaddi are also popular)
- STAPLE DIET: Roti or Naan with a variety of curries (such as Chicken Karahi, Nihari, and Biryani)
KABBADI
Wrestling is famous throughout Pakistan, they have created some of the world’s best and although Kabbadi is more of a slap fest, there’s still a bit of throwing about.
There were an incredible amount of people here to watch and I was lucky enough to get close access to the competitors, so much so I almost got taken out by a ruckus.
The rules aren’t easy to understand but players slap and throw each other until one withdraws and is forced backwards.
BRAVADO
There’s a ton of bravado which adds to the atmosphere and also a prize giving at the end of each round. There were two village leaders who would gift money to both winners which basically turned into a d*ck swinging competition as to who could award the most amount of money. I even got gifted 700rupees.
DAY 12, MUD WRESTLING
After visiting the local fish market in the morning we then headed to the mud wrestling school to watch a few bouts. The name of the game is to flip your opponent over and put them on their back. Locals of all ages and sizes come here to learn the game that has been around for centuries.
STREET DOCTOR, DENTIST & BONE SETTER
I’ve seen one or two things that shock me but this afternoon was definitely up there. As many of the Pakistani population are relatively low paid the costs of what we would consider basic needs can often be out of reach. So as a result many unqualified health care professionals have setup stalls at the side of the road to meet the growing need for medical work from locals. This includes dentists who do fillings and tooth removal, doctors who fix broken bones and Orthodontist’s who straighten teeth with wire. It was hard not to feel the pain of each patient we seen.
STREET SHAVE
Having grown considerable bumfluff on my face it was time to get the famous Pakistan street shave, all for the modest price of 20 cents! As you would probably imagine from someone who owns this little, the fella who owns the stall eats, works and sleeps right here on the street. Probably one of my best shaves, unbelievable for someone who earns so little.
MY ATTEMPT AT MUD WRESTLING
I thought the guys at this mornings wrestling school were big, they have nothing on these lot. But anyway I was invited to take part in preparing the ring, warming up and then eventually have a few bouts with some of the wrestlers who no doubt went easy on me.
Finally the day and my time in Lahore ended in Haveli restaurant, without doubt the best food of the trip so far.
FINAL THOUGHTS
What an incredible few days in Lahore. Yes it had pollution issues but this is so far my favourite city in Pakistan or maybe even the sub continent.
NEXT UP
Islamabad and Osama Bin Laden’s old compound in Abbotabad!! Click to read.
SAFE TRAVELS, DS x
172/229
This post is part of the Pakghan Series, for the entire series click here or for episode 1, click here.
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