Rawalpindi

Rawalpindi - think it was one of the most demoralising days in Pakistan, the twin city of Islamabad (capital of Pakistan) which was just 5km away. Both cities were commonly viewed as one although neither city is a major tourist spot at all. Taxila was the purpose to visit here, which was about 30km away.

After reaching Rawalpindi from the Khewra salt mine in the evening, i got so sick i thought i was dying :(

Took a taxi from Pir Wadhai bus station to the Saddar Bazaar, where all the cheapest guest houses were gathered. The taxi ride cost 120 rupees.

Upon reaching there, the guest house we wanted to stay was closed down. And coincidentally all the cheap guesthouses in the vicinity were strangely full as well. No one could take us. At this point, i just wanted a freaking bed to lie down.

Didn't see any foreigners around at all but strangely there were just no rooms available?
Was left with no choice but to approach the more expensive hotels, and fortunately, got a positive answer.


But for just 5 minutes. what's unfortunate was upon checking our passports, we were told that we couldn't be taken in by the hotel because there was a fine print on our visa that says ”Not valid for restricted/ prohibited areas”! We did not even noticed that such a clause exists, much less that we were in a prohibited area! Holy shit. Despite requesting to stay for just one night, the guy was rather adamant that we leave.

Waited for about 30 minutes before we managed to get a taxi for 100 rupees to Rajah Bazaar, another area with more cheap guesthouses. A huge rip off, but i was dying soon anyway so i really couldn't care less.

We went into the first hotel called Seven Brothers Hotel but was told straight in the face that they were full as well. Such big hotel with all rooms filled?

And after what seemed like eternity, we had to sit there and act all pitiful and fill in some forms (for foreigners only) which the manager took ages to find because apparently they havent used it for decades. Somehow, they could come up with a free room just like that. It was crap. They had the rooms, they just didn't want to admit any foreigners.

Thank Allah!


Finally.

Nothing much to shout about this city, i was't feeling that great most of the time to appreciate the place and really, it was just another city.

The city

Typical attire for men in Pakistan. Not sure what the women wore, hadn't come across any on the streets

Not sure if you need a spanner, hammer or gun? Fret not. This shop caters to all your needs. If  this shop is not enough, you can find a whole load of similar shops in the same street just by the Seven Brothers Hotel

And finally, sleep!

A typical Pakistan meal