'Pakistan is the best kept secret of the world'
I recently visited Pakistan for the first time in my life. My conclusion of that journey is clear: Pakistan ruined my future trips to any country of the world forever. The country has raised the bar so high for me that it will be difficult to find a place as energising and invigorating as Pakistan. I have had the opportunity to visit many countries in the world, but I had never been as stimulated as I was in Pakistan. The colours and styles of the traditional kurtas are mind-blowing. The religious devotion and spirituality of the people are heartwarming. Their passion for cricket is contagious. The rhythm and lyrics of Qawwali are so energising that I found very difficult not to dance. Pakistanis’ respect and promotion of their traditions and culture is so compelling that I came back feeling a little Pakistan myself. The humility and generosity of Pakistani people is indescribable. I felt like a king during the ten days that I spent there. I was pampered and taken care of by every Pakistani that I met. Pakistan is the best kept secret of the world. Anyone would expect to encounter hordes of tourists in this magical country. The reality, however, is still very different. I was one of the few international tourists that was sightseeing the Shahi Qila or renting a boat at Attabad Lake. For someone like me who avoids masses of tourists as much as possible, Pakistan was paradise on earth. I do not expect this lack of tourism to remain for a long time. Hence, I always tell people avid for adventure to visit Pakistan before the world learns about the beautiful secret that Pakistan is. As a proud Mexican who lives in the United States, I go around sharing with everyone my new love for Pakistan, the country that stole my heart.
Pakistan Zindabad!
Arturo Castellanos Cornell Law School
Published in The Express Tribune, August 13th, 2018.
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