Regrettably Malaysian nationals are still required to apply for a visa before visiting the two countries - forcing me to do what I despise most: dealing with a bureaucracy.
The Indian visa was applied through a private company near Pasar Seni. The process was smooth, systematic, friendly and very assuring. Compared to my experience applying visas to the UK or America, the Indian visa was so hassle free and friendly it beggars belief. (Did I hear someone hail privatisation?). For that special customer service, it cost me about RM180 incl photos. It's bloody expensive!
The Pakistani visa however was handled by the High Commission itself, and it was short of a mayhem. The process was confusing. I was given the symptomatic "go to next counter" only to find out I was not supposed to be there! Lucky that I packed my sense of humour when I went there so my first taste of everyday Pakistan was dealt with a gentle smile. Being educated briefly in the global leader of kiasu culture (Universiti Malaya) I was however unmatched in getting right in front of the counter drawing bewildered stunned looks from Pakistanis who had never seen such atrocious behaviour. The trick is to gently push everyone aside, give gentle sinister smile and say "excuse me" in an authoritative manner. It worked, just like in UM! It's awful but there was absolutely no queue so unless I do something I'd be standing at the same place for hours. However, upon receiving my visa I realised that the duration approved was half of what I require so it looks like I'm back at replanning my itinerary. Good news was that it was really inexpensive & you get it the next day (also without having to queue).
And did I tell you the Pakistan High Commission in KL is an architectural gem?
#Feeling excited
Wednesday, 24 July 2013
Main Hindustan aur Pakistan ja raha hun!
I'm obsessed about civilisations and cities. These two nations Pakistan and India are inheritors of an exceedingly brilliant subcontinental culture which don't just produce ancient architectural gems or great conquerors but also modern thinkers in the likes of Mahatma Gandhi, Arundhati Roy, Amartya Sen, Satyajit Ray, Pankaj Mishra, Tariq Ali, Rabindranath Tagore, Faiz Ahmed Faiz and the list never ends!
I am hoping to traverse through the contradicting & sublime landscapes and cities that have long been drawing invaders, pilgrims and immigrants, and people like me who are just simply curious. I've been told it's also a deeply flawed and frustrating place - its terrifying wealth gap can be haunting to the conscientious. But a useful advice from a good friend of mine, a frequent traveller to India, is what I'll to hold on to throughout the journey - pack a healthy dose of sense of humour. Without it, I may risk descending into either rage or the abyss of depression.
That said, I struggle to shake off some of the romanticism I have built up over the years - the grand histories of its kingdoms, the architecture, the literary language of Urdu. This trip may be the way to humanise my view of the subcontinent, and deconstruct the epic history into small personal narratives of everyday India and Pakistan.
Cities I'm really looking forward to are Lahore, Jaipur, Delhi and Srinagar. On the shopping list are several tailormade salwaar kameez (to wear to work) and a blue azure necklace similar to the one I bought in Inner Mongolia many years before (lost this in Shanghai).
May I find what I seek for in my journey.
I am hoping to traverse through the contradicting & sublime landscapes and cities that have long been drawing invaders, pilgrims and immigrants, and people like me who are just simply curious. I've been told it's also a deeply flawed and frustrating place - its terrifying wealth gap can be haunting to the conscientious. But a useful advice from a good friend of mine, a frequent traveller to India, is what I'll to hold on to throughout the journey - pack a healthy dose of sense of humour. Without it, I may risk descending into either rage or the abyss of depression.
That said, I struggle to shake off some of the romanticism I have built up over the years - the grand histories of its kingdoms, the architecture, the literary language of Urdu. This trip may be the way to humanise my view of the subcontinent, and deconstruct the epic history into small personal narratives of everyday India and Pakistan.
Cities I'm really looking forward to are Lahore, Jaipur, Delhi and Srinagar. On the shopping list are several tailormade salwaar kameez (to wear to work) and a blue azure necklace similar to the one I bought in Inner Mongolia many years before (lost this in Shanghai).
May I find what I seek for in my journey.
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