Landi Kotal, Egypt and Turkey

Your first question would be "what's the link among three of these places?" and some would consider the title ridiculous too. But before you would become more judgmental, let me clarify that there is absolutely no link among these. Lemme put it more precisely, I simply long to visit these three places. Why? Well I have to dig in it why do I want so. It's not a newly built wish. It would not be wrong if I would say I have been wishing to visit these places from my childhood, OK fine, since I got consciousnesses. Fine now? Here comes the question WHY. First of all, I like travelling ALOT. Seeing new places and meeting new people are my favoritest things ever. I have a long list of places I want to visit and it keeps changing time by time. But these three places remained at the top. Let me answer one by one the WHY question:

Landi Kotal:

The main reason, why I want to visit Landi Kotal, is my nani's cherished memories about it which we used to listen like from ever. Her father was DSP before and after the creation of Pakistan. He was posted at many places in the subcontinent and he usually kept his family with him where ever he got posted. And where he couldn't be able to keep them with him, he usually brought them for a short trips. Our bedtime stories (and sometimes daytime stories as well) were and still are used to be all about the cities, people, traditions, etc of all those places he got the chance to serve at. The most exciting place I found among all is Landi Kotal. There is no serious reason for that but the places like it fascinates me like anything. He was posted in any nearby area of Landi Kotal (I dont remember right now which was the area) but he could not keep his family there, so the whole family took a train to visit the Landi Kotal.

Landi Kotal or Landikotal is situated in the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) of Pakistan. It is 1,072 meters above the sea and is the highest point on the Khyber Pass. It is also the route to Peshawar. It is the last railway station of Pakistan. From here, you can view Afghanistan on the other side of the border. Landi Kotal was used to be a tourist destination years back. I remember watching Travel Guide of Pakistan (a very famous and my fav PTV show. I used to be extremely jealous of its host that he got the chance to see the whole Pakistan free of cost, hn) about Landi Kotal which strengthened my urge to visit this place.

Khyber Train Safari is the most enthralling thing about Landi Kotal which is described as a journey into time and history. It used to be a weakly and then bimonthly service. The safari train ran between Peshawar and Landi Kotal through Khyber Pass. The train used to cover a total of 52 kilometers (32 ml) through 33 tunnels and 92 bridges and culverts and its track passed unusually through the runway of Peshawar Airport. Just imagine the thrill!!. 

The heartbreaking news is that the safari service was closed due to the washing away of railway track and bridges by flood. The security situation is not so good there these days. The roads which were beautifully built once, are completely broken now due to the heavy trucks and containers loaded with the tons of NATO supply transporting to US troops in Afghanistan. I met a woman in hospital who was from Landi Kotal. I used to ask her alot about LK. She told me that the distance between Peshawar and Landi Kotal was of approx. 2 hours but now it took 4 to 6 hrs to reach Peshawar because the trucks and containers with NATO supplies would drive very slowly and create traffic jams badly.

How unfortunate it is! I am Pakistani, living in Pakistan, want to visit another city of Pakistan but cannot for many reasons. But I still hope and pray that Landi Kotal would become tourists' destination and may its all beauty and charms come back again with no going back!!

Egypt:

The Mummy? The Mummy Returns? Indiana Jones? Well these movies happened to accelerate my enthusaism of seeing Egypt at least once in my whole life. I am a history loving person. Ancient history and remains of old civilizations mesmerize me. I found the Old Kingdom of Egypt as the most influential old civilization among all. When I read or watch any movie or documentary about these, I feel myself breathing in their age of thousands years back. I just want to ride a camel and get in to the Pyramids. It's so fun to read about their old kings, queens and princes. Mystery attracts me big time. And I found  Egyptian kingdom deadly mysterious.

There were many Egyptian students studying at my school in USA. I always wanted to make Egyptian friends so that I could arrange my Egypt tour easily. But you know when there is a motive behind any relationship, it would never get started. Darn! And the other reason was the Egyptian guys are not different from Pakistani guys. They used to stare like hell.

Another interesting incident. An Egyptian guy started taking interest in my friend. He liked her alot and then ended up proposing her. My friend was not ready at the beginning but seeing that guy's eagerness, I jumped in and finally convinced my friend to marry her. And you would catch my inside motive too ;P . My smooth trip to Egypt was not far away. They got engaged after the involvement of their families. He was very thankful to me and used to call me baji. He was a gentleman. The we returned. Wedding plans were under discussion. He visited my friend in Pakistan once. Everything was going fine. I still do not know what happened exactly but on his returned to Egypt, he broke the engagement and got married to an Egyptian girl. And left us with "Haw haye". He never contacted again, neither he received our calls. He suddenly came and got vanished from our lives. My first expression on all this was; "How would we go to Egypt now?". Yes sometimes I act mean, very mean. I am a despised person and should be loathed for all my valuable thoughts. I somehow held myself responsible for it too. I should have not insisted my friend to go for him. But khair their families were involved too. I got the punishment too. They had planned wedding in January 2013 which meant seeing pyramids very soon. I am not seeing my wish come true sooner or later. But who knows!

Turkey:

We all read alot about Turkey in our text books. Who can forget about the splendid  Ottoman Empire and then the Khilafat Movement. Turkey remained significantly important in Muslim world for centuries. I would be writing a separate post about Turkey in near future. It deserves it. The way Turkey has preserved their ancient history is very captivating. Their ancient majids, splendid gardens, old huge libraries, beaches, beautiful weather, newly built infrastructure, I wanna see the signs from my eyes how they once ruled the world, then faced the decline and now again at the take off position. And I also want to the Pamukkale, the aka Cotton Castle :)

Sophi's Relatable Post # 379

Those who do not know me think I am a reticent and a very reserved person, but those who know me wish I were!!

And this ......

These days when I am very excited celebrating first birthday of my driving with all the appreciation of my rapidly developing driving skills, I got this accident that has jolted my soul like with the 1000 watt electric shock. I felt so helpless at that moment. I wish I could have learned few ninja shots to lesson these jerks.

So I was passing through the Canal Bank Road. This road is a pretty long road with 6 flyovers and usually remains busy at all times of the day. I was in the middle lane with I think 70s speed. The car in front of me slowed down suddenly, gave the left indicator and started moving sharply but stopped because of the heavy traffic on the other lane. When I saw it slowing down and stopping, I slowed down my car and eventually stopped behind it. Three to 4 seconds passed and the car behind me hit my car with its full speed that made my car push ahead but I managed to save the car in front of me. The seat belt saved my head from hitting the wind screen but my neck received a sudden jerk and is still hurting. Who is at the mistake in such accidents? Of course the car that hit the other car from behind. It took few seconds that I realized what had happened. I came out and found a broken and hanging bumper with a small dent as well. The car that hit my car was driven by the chauffeur and the other man, who looked his master, was sitting in the passenger seat and his wife at the back seat. The man started on me why I did stopped in the middle of the road and that it was my mistake. I could stop my car with this speed and couldn't he. Arguments started and he started yelling. I asked him to pay for my loss because he hit my car. He said that I should pay him. The chauffeur started begging in front of my saying “baji meri galti hai muaf kar dein” but his master was very rude and started misbehaving. I would have forgiven if it was the only driver. I did it many times. When I tried to take his cars key from chauffeur’s hand, the man pushed me away. That flared me up. I asked him to behave and his wife from the back seat started abusing me and calling me with the bad names. The man and his wife were in their sixties and looked educated but look at their behavior!

I noted down his car’s number and stood in front of his car saying that I would not leave them without paying for my loss. The man said to the chauffeur; “Gari chalao mai dekhta hon is badmashan”. That was unbearable. He came out, pushed me to the other lane which was still running. I balanced myself by holding his door. He was sitting inside the car and pushing me away. They were leaving and there was nothing I could do. Giving it a climax, I held his hair but I was wearing gloves (which I wear during driving) so I could not pull his hair tightly. They speeded up and left. End of the drama!

The immediate thought that struck me was that he misbehaved because he saw me alone. Is there any respect of a woman in this society, specially when they are travelling alone? Could have he left like this if he would have hit a man’s car? Absolutely not!

And what was the attitude of the people standing around? (though they were 4 or 5 but they were there). Were they not seeing what he was doing with a woman? At that moment, I just wished to be in USA again for obvious reasons. On my return journey, I kept complaining Allah why He put me in such situation where I felt so helpless. 

It reminded me of another incident. It’s been few months I started driving. It was a narrow two way street and I was crawling at a snail’s pace because some kids were playing cricket there. Suddenly a car came from the other lane with the speed and our cars’ sides touched. There were no dent on both of the cars but just few lines. The guys came out and started yelling. My mother threatened them from calling the police. They flared up and punched at the back of my car which created a big bump. I was literally stunned. What did he really do? He left saying my mother; “Ja kar lay ju kar sakti hai” and few cheap abuses. I was scared like hell. My legs were shivering and finding no energy to move. An uncle who was watching all this, came to me and said; “Beta rona nahi. Aisay kharab log bhi isi duniya mai maujood hein lekin iska matlab ye nahi hai k achay log duniya se khatam ho gaye. Himat karo aur ab is incident k baad kahein driving karna chor mat dena dar k maray. Chalo shabash ghar jao”. I desperately needed that unknown uncle in the recent incident.

I was not interested to compensate my loss but these jerks need a lesson. So I handed over his car’s number to my uncle who is DSP traffic police these days. Within an hour he informed that they found the car at some signal and sacked it.

Fine but am I satisfied? My broken self esteem cannot be compensated. It reminded me all of those experiences where I felt myself so helpless, vulnerable and feeble. Such incidents tell me what’s my position in this society. As always, at the end of such experiences, I pray Allah Almighty not to put me in such situations again. I am praying same again. I can't take it anymore. So please Allah listen my prayers and accept them!

Thanking in anticipation!

:D

Rejections Overloaded

There was nothing to do and nothing to think upon, so I started counting on the rejections I have received so far. I left it when I reached to 27th, thinking who would give me a medal for the total number I have tried on. It might make me sad and tired to realize how many places I have applied at so far. It's been now more than a year I am unemployed with a foreign degree in my hand and a stamp of a scholar on my forehead. It doesn't mean I regret leaving my previous job and going to USA for studies. It was the best time of my life and I am truly thankful to Allah SWT for granting me the opportunity. Though I worked for few months but it was just a part time work and most of the requiters give a damn to part time work and shockingly many refused to include it in the work experience. But what I can do or say. Everyone has one's own perspectives which have been built over years. It is useless to convince anyone in meeting or two. If you try, it would be considered an argument which is not acceptable. So it is better to remain silent and leave quietly. 

I was teaching as a visiting lecturer at a 'renowned' university. As far as teaching is concerned, it was an overwhelming experience. But when you talk about the departmental politics and so-called professionalism (which I called dualism), I have never been a good player where ever I worked as I stayed miles away from the dirty professional politics. And if it is the penalty for not being a thespian, I accept it with an open heart and do not regret it over.

I was not a Ustani (teacher)-type person. I never thought I would join academia. Honestly, I didn't have the stamina to deal with grownup kids and secondly I always believe I do not have guts to convince people about any thing, be it a lesson or a matter of life. I was forced to join academia and when joined, I thoroughly enjoyed it. I tried to give it my best. Secretly in my heart, I always wanted to be a debater. But my shyness and laziness never allowed me to do so. Then I got a chance to speak up in front of a class of at least hundred students and it was awesomely amazing. I did not know my students literally understood my lecturers or not, but they told they did. Lolz. I have to believe them. But I realized later that I were sorta popular teacher at the department due to my interesting presentation of lecturers and liveliness in the class (according to my students, though I do not believe it wholeheartedly, it might be their attempt to score a good grade :) ). The saddest part is, this all has gone and only become a part of my memory stick. Reminds me of a song: 

All has gone 
Can't you see 
Lights slipped on 
Out of me 
Never could see the spring time 
Only believe in winter

But believe me or not, winters also rock. Though rejections make you sad, lonely and disappointed and at sometimes being cursed and abandoned  but you will pass it calmly if you strongly believe that nothing lasts forever, be it the good time or the bad one (though bad times seems longer). We have to face it whether we cry over it or keep quiet. So better be patient and believe that this too shall pass! 

Rejections are not only the ones that you apply for some vacancy and get rejected. Rejections also consist of the negative responses and denials of the people around you, who use to claim to be your best friends, understanding your unsaids but prove to be the firsts leaving you in the time of distress, thinking you would never be able to overcome your failures. These are the real rejections when people refuse to include you in your lives for whatever false presumptions they have in their heads for you. You do not really know what they think, but these rejections get overloaded and more painful when add up together and make you more depressed. 

The most crucial question is why do people leave you alone? There might be many reasons.  Firstly, they might think you would ask for some help from them. You would ask them to adjust you at the place where they work. Secondly, you might ask for financial help. Thirdly, they might want to save their perfectly running family and professional lives from your evil eye *evil wink*. And lastly, they are tired of listening your problems and your lifelessness. So they keep their shoulder safe from bending as you have cried over it alot and tell you it's the time to go find some other shoulder or use your knees to cry over. But these are the times when true friends are found for lifetime. And you learn to differentiate between donkeys and horses :) To say it is easy, but to experience it in your real life is goddamn difficult. That's why I disagree with 'sharing is caring'. Keep yourself with you. Everyone is busy in one's own life. You are the only one who has lifelong time for yourself. Accept your weaknesses and failures and make yourself your best friend so that you do not need to wait for someone to come and share your heart. But keep your doors open for sincere friends not for spectators!

My fav pic of the day! Remember you are a stomie, bas let these rejections pass once ;P!

To keep myself composed in depression, I try to do different things. More I get depressed, more I write and sleep. When I am not sleeping, I am writing. When I am sleeping, I am dreaming about writing something. So you will be seeing many posts in coming days and I ve postponed the idea of deleting my blog for the time being. What else am I doing these days? Hmmm yes stitching clothes. I love sewing. I am not expert in that but never mind I keep trying to become expert on day. I collected or abondoned clothes and stitched many cushion covers, dusters and table covers. I also tried few new dishes, would be writing on that too. That's all what I have to say for today. Bye till the next post :) 

Untitled

Suddenly I am getting extremely bored of my blog. It sucks, literally sucks. I just want to delete it right away. Wait a minute, is this blog really boring? are my writings tedious? or actually my life is numbing? I think the last one suffices my situation (though dont deny the first two options too). I want to erase everything I have done, spoken and listened in my whole life. I want to be a new born baby. A cuddling baby, who has no worries and pains. A baby who just starts walking and needs someone to be always with. If all this is not possible, then please someone could teach me the magic to disappear from the public! I want to be in people, but unnoticed and unseen. Is there any art to live in this world without being seen? You could see yourself, I already have so many questions to others and to myself, how could I answer your millions of questions? No one is giving me answers, then why should I answer you? And people insist on answers. To question is your right, but to answer is my right. I respect their right by listening their questions, why don't people respect my right by not asking for definite answers? If a life can be in black and white, why can't a mere answer be in b&w?

Next time when (if) you stop by, you might not see this blog. I am a moody person and who knows what mood I would be in next time!