Although not a very likely vacation destination, nonetheless, my trip to Pakistan provided countless opportunities for a first hand exposure to life in a culture vastly different than that of the USA. For starters, it was striking to behold the diverse means of transportation that the local rural citizens used in their everyday lives. Buses, scooters, donkey carts and three wheel motorbikes were prevalent and popular.
In rural Pakistan modern conveniences are rare and the locals have resorted to ingenious ways to maximize the use of what few buses they have. Look closely.
Another example of how the local people get the most of what little they have for transportation.
Donkey carts are still a very common form of transportation in rural Pakistan.
Considering the ever deteriorating political climate in Pakistan, I don’t know if I will ever get the chance to go back, but if I do, it will be because of the warmth and friendliness I felt from so many of the locals that took me in as a colleague, a brother and a friend.
Pakistani people take great pride in their traditions and culture including the form of dress and excellent manners from which we Americans could all take a lesson.
In rural Pakistan a lone American can sometimes feel out of place, however, my experience was the opposite as the local men at the Sahiwal Power Plant felt like family within just a few weeks.