Amazing Pakistan...

We have come to the end of our first week in Pakistan.   Unexpectedly my fondness of this surreal land is only enhancing as we journey deeper.  Mohammad's Qur'an states that Muslims must be kind to all travellers, but this genuine warmth and incredible human spirit I am sure is more than any ancient teaching could bestow.  On only my second day of being in Lahore when we were still adjusting to our new found location, we strolled through the local bazaar and I clumsily tripped and stumbled forward regrettably tossing an entire street merchants display of sunglasses into the air.  Cheap, designer copies were splatted over the path in front of me and I instantly felt a moment of fear as I looked at Aj and he shamefully shook his head.  To my surprise in moments I was surrounded my locals offering me their gentle hands in support and kind smiles.  The merchant refused any money even as I scanned the scene and spotted glasses that had been shattered.  This was incredible to see and for my first time in Pakistan I was able to experience their beautiful human spirit, soon to be one of many.

Several days later we find ourselves in Peshawar, where we have been faced with busy streets and constant stares.  It would seem we are the only foreigners in the entire region and our presence appears to be appreciated. 

Today we went to our first Afghan Refugee Village with local journalist and humanitarian worker Prince Mahir Ullah Khan.  On the drive out of town we made a short stop at a sacred location named Phandu where a holy sufi saint lays to rest.  As we made our way through hundreds of randomly positioned graves covered with individually placed stones, we reached the centre mausoleum where he now sleeps.  It is believed by the locals that diseases including Hepatitis C and Jaundice can be magically cured in 3 weeks if they journey here to pray, completing their visit by placing a simple necklace purchased from the entrance on a nearby tree.  There were literally thousands.

Our time at the refugee village was well spent documenting and taking photos, we were once again overwhelmed with the warmth and kindness of these beautiful people.   A short film of the camp is currently being edited and will be on our site soon.