Is-scam-abad calling........: Photos 21 to 27

OK, hands up all those who thought we were joking about coming to Is-scam-abad?

Well, we're here and have survived our first day although if we have to cross too many more roads, our chances of a long life are looking pretty slim.

However, before we give you the sordid details about our journey to, and arrival in, Pakistan, we are going to recap the last couple of weeks before we left the U.K.

Apart from our film clubs annual ramble which we very much enjoyed (especially the pub lunch bit), much of the time was spent shopping for last minute essentials such as lavatory paper, toilet tissue and bog roll.

We also had all of the family round at various times to look at the new flat. We finally completed on the sale two days before we left; just enough time to meet the neighbours and join the other inmates, sorry residents, for their coffee half hour which they hold every morning at 10am. They seem a very friendly bunch and although we won't be seeing them again for quite some time, they all wished us luck and some of them related their own travel experiences

Full Text Entry: Is-scam-abad calling........

I thought you were going to say Jafar turned out to be an undercover policeman ensuring you got around safely!! Is it worth us flying out to eat cheaply. H&M.XX

Hi MikeJo R&A here to say how much we enjoyed your superbly written and laid out first blog from Iscam. The pix are great, so colourful. It made for a smashing read. Those taxis make ours so gloomy looking! Jafar looks like one you'd rather have with you than agin you. We, and rest of intending UK travellers watching TV as all our airports facing massive delays, due to a security situation. A total no-hand-baggage ban imposed causing huge Q's at check-ins. Only allowed passport, tickets, essential medicine, to be carried in plastic bag. Next ten days should be interesting. You just got out in time, it seems! Many flights cancelled yesterday, though better today. Keep smiling, Love R&A PS. CUJimmy, see our slums? Biggest 'n' best in whole wurrld, OK Pal? And we got deep fried Mars bars!

It seems you have had an adventure even before leaving Heathrow airport. You are certainly a brave couple. Imagine if it had been Len and me, the peopole would have thought we were giants - as they did on Tiennamen Square in Beijing. I read your travelog with great interest and can't wait for the next instalment. Love Barbara

Love the blog, seems you're just getting in to your stride and already I'm on the floor laughing. Keep it up and I look forward the next one in anticipation.x

No tie dye and loons yet? Come on, how much did it cost you to pay off Jafar?

I was truly shocked at your blatant lies about Islamabad. While I do not live in Pakistan, I have been to Pakistan. You said "there were thousands of people on the streets walking, bathing, praying, eating and defacating, mostly defacating" in the center Islamabad. Islamabad is sparsely populated, and anyone who has been to Islamabad can attest to that. There is no place there where you would find a gathering of "thousands" of people. And "bathing and defecating"? Did you have no shame spewing out such utter falsehood? Islamabad is hardly a place to see people defecating. For that matter, defecating in public is quite uncommon in Pakistan, even in the real slums. As for shabiness, yes Pindi is shabby but I wouldnt say that for Islamabad. If you really want to see shabiness, just travel to Hackney. It is much closer to London and a lot more shabbier than Islamabad. It seems you chose to travel to an improverished country just for the sake of bashing it for its poverty. You went there with certain preconceived notions and, unlike an experience travel, seemed interested only in proving those notions rather than seeing beyond them.

I apologise for any upset I may have caused you as it was certainly not my intention to cause offence to anyone. It was meant as a very tongue in cheek report as you will see if you had read my other blogs. They are all of a similar tone. Whilst they may be a little exaggerated, we frequently saw people defacating by the side of the road although that wasn't only in Pakistan. Indeed, Pakistan and particularly Islamabad was one of our favourite destinations on our travels and we enjoyed our time there very much. We found the people exceptionally friendly and very honest. I'm afraid you have taken our words out of context. Incidentally, I am well aware of what Hackney is like having been born in Stratford and spending the first 5 years of my life in Hackney. Once again, my apologies for any offence caused.

I thought you were going to say Jafar turned out to be an undercover policeman ensuring you got around safely!! Is it worth us flying out to eat cheaply. H&M.XX

Hi MikeJo R&A here to say how much we enjoyed your superbly written and laid out first blog from Iscam. The pix are great, so colourful. It made for a smashing read. Those taxis make ours so gloomy looking! Jafar looks like one you'd rather have with you than agin you. We, and rest of intending UK travellers watching TV as all our airports facing massive delays, due to a security situation. A total no-hand-baggage ban imposed causing huge Q's at check-ins. Only allowed passport, tickets, essential medicine, to be carried in plastic bag. Next ten days should be interesting. You just got out in time, it seems! Many flights cancelled yesterday, though better today. Keep smiling, Love R&A PS. CUJimmy, see our slums? Biggest 'n' best in whole wurrld, OK Pal? And we got deep fried Mars bars!

It seems you have had an adventure even before leaving Heathrow airport. You are certainly a brave couple. Imagine if it had been Len and me, the peopole would have thought we were giants - as they did on Tiennamen Square in Beijing. I read your travelog with great interest and can't wait for the next instalment. Love Barbara

Love the blog, seems you're just getting in to your stride and already I'm on the floor laughing. Keep it up and I look forward the next one in anticipation.x

No tie dye and loons yet? Come on, how much did it cost you to pay off Jafar?

I was truly shocked at your blatant lies about Islamabad. While I do not live in Pakistan, I have been to Pakistan. You said "there were thousands of people on the streets walking, bathing, praying, eating and defacating, mostly defacating" in the center Islamabad. Islamabad is sparsely populated, and anyone who has been to Islamabad can attest to that. There is no place there where you would find a gathering of "thousands" of people. And "bathing and defecating"? Did you have no shame spewing out such utter falsehood? Islamabad is hardly a place to see people defecating. For that matter, defecating in public is quite uncommon in Pakistan, even in the real slums. As for shabiness, yes Pindi is shabby but I wouldnt say that for Islamabad. If you really want to see shabiness, just travel to Hackney. It is much closer to London and a lot more shabbier than Islamabad. It seems you chose to travel to an improverished country just for the sake of bashing it for its poverty. You went there with certain preconceived notions and, unlike an experience travel, seemed interested only in proving those notions rather than seeing beyond them.

I apologise for any upset I may have caused you as it was certainly not my intention to cause offence to anyone. It was meant as a very tongue in cheek report as you will see if you had read my other blogs. They are all of a similar tone. Whilst they may be a little exaggerated, we frequently saw people defacating by the side of the road although that wasn't only in Pakistan. Indeed, Pakistan and particularly Islamabad was one of our favourite destinations on our travels and we enjoyed our time there very much. We found the people exceptionally friendly and very honest. I'm afraid you have taken our words out of context. Incidentally, I am well aware of what Hackney is like having been born in Stratford and spending the first 5 years of my life in Hackney. Once again, my apologies for any offence caused.