Visiting Lahore  

Lahore was the Capital of Pakistan for a brief period when Pakistan became an Independent country in 1947.

There is a saying in Pakistan 'Jina Lahore nahi Deka Duniya nahi Dehki,'  or 'One who has not seen Lahore One has not seen the ways of the World.'

The city now has motorways, dual carrageways and traffic jams like any western city. The new airport is modern and efficient. When staying at the PC Continental, try skipping the restuarant and taking meals outside in the GOL market where the food is reasonable and delicous.

Sites to visit are the Lahore Fort with it mughal architecture, the Badshai Mosque which was belieived to be the largest in Asia at one time and the Monument of Yaadghar Pakistan. You might also want to visit the Sikh Gurudawara next to the Mosque and pay respects to the inhabitants and the 'imam'. In addition, consider visiting the shrine of Data Ganj Baksh. Of course one can pray anywhere in any mosque but its a privilage to offer them behind the Imam of the Badshahi Mosque.

If you do decide to visit these sites you should walk between them and when on the main roads avoid taking a taxi or rikshaw and consider taking a horse drawn carriage instead as the gentle pace will enable you to see the sites at a more leisurely pace and will allow you to take pictures or camcord your experience.

Hera Mundi has a bad name in Pakistan but the majority of people living in this district are hard working and law abiding a stroll through this district will show you the real Pakistan and the real Lahore. The people are friendly, generous  and hospitable. Lahore has a its Train station and its a wonder in it self as you enter you think you are entering a Victorian palace until you enter and realalize its a train station. You can take a train to almost any part of Pakistan(Karachi, Peshawar, Rawalpindi, Quetta Multan and off course my home town Faisalabad). 

Another entertaining event is the border at wah. The theater put up by the Pakistan Rangers and the Indian Security Forces brings the crowds up to such a level of euphoria that one thinks that at any moment the will cross over each others borders and embrace or fight but it all in good fun. This is trip worth taking, but be sure to take a packed luunch and dont miss the last mini bus or bus back as at services.

There are no hotels or guest houses at the border, so a good idea might be to take a guide with you who knows the area well and pay him a generous tip which is well deserved.

When traveling on a relatively long distance in the city by rickhaw or taxi, make it a point to agree the fare beforehand, as some unscrupalous drivers tend to overcharge. Always make it a point to tip the honest drivers.

Once in the Airport you can expect to be treated with some respect by the staff, but don't be late as you will not be allowed on the flight even if it has not left.  On your nexrt visit to Lahore try to spend some time in the poorer districts, spend some of your money in these districts as the locals have more need of it for their daily lives then the posher districts.  

Enjoy your trip for whatever purpose you are visiting Pakistan and Lahore in particular.