Pakistan day 2: Against the all odds (part 1/2)

Karachi is inevitably HUGE.

Morning in Karachi

I woke up earlier and Muzzamil came into the room to check whether I was awake or not. I was ready to get shower and Muzzamil came into. He prepared and ensured the shower room was clear for me.

My Very first Paratha in Pakistan

We then had breakfast, my very breakfast in Pakistan. In Karachi, People are often eating out for breakfast. Just across then main road, there was a chaikhanna, a simple restaurant selling, undoubtedly, Chai, and paratha. Muzzamil treated me for this improper breakfast for me (I called it improper because I do not call these delicacies as main staple). We chose the seat next to Paratha frying pan. I just ordered chai and one paratha, but Muzzamil asked me to order fried eggs too but I refused. It was improper breakfast for me, but one paratha made my stomach all set (probably I was new here and needed to adapt) and Muzzamil ordered for 2 parathas.the chaikhanna was owned by Baloch people (people living the province of Balochistan, near I.R. Iran). Physically, they looked different with muzzamil. They looked fair like Hazara (like in the movie Kite Runner) but they do have beard like the rest of Pakistani. 

We had a nice paratha chai time, we talked about many things during chai-paratha time. It was random talk, so frankly I forgot what we had last time, but it was insightful indeed. We finished our meals in about 45minutes and Muzzamil paid for the bill. He knew that I had no cash so he owed me 900Rs for the rest of my day until I got cash in ATM. 

This Motorcycle is a must have in Pakistan. In Indonesia it is old-fashioned

We returned home and I was ready to explore the city of Karachi. Muzzamil came into room and borrowed me his kurta. He said to me that I would like a local (however it wouldn’t happen anyway). It was his purana kurta when he was young and skinny enough. However, I was not that bad with that kurta. Muzzamil prepared the magic map for me written by him. Yeah, he created simple tourist map for me to survive during my wandering in Karachi alone, also he told me the dos and don’ts. I was all set with my “armor” to roam the city and Muzzamil was off to work, before that he took me to main road to take a bus to go to downtown. He waved the right bus for me and it was fully loaded with people and their belongings, I forced myself to get in without thinking and yes I was inside and it was unbearably hot.

The small Chaikhanna for breakfast

Cups after the customers

Karachi is indeed Big City. This is the typical bus in Karachi, crowded and artistic

Bus Time

I was standing amongst the local inside the crappy bus. Fortunately my Kurta saved me from any stare from the passengers. The bus Money collector asked me for money, and I gave 20Rs and it was the flat fare. I couldn’t keep my eyes off to see what outside along the road and tried to remember all the locations and navigations written on Muzz’s Map. Halfway, I still couldn’t see what I imagined in the map. And I got seat this time after 15mins standing. 

The Clock Tower, British was here

Some people sitting around me looked at me suspiciously. I tried to not look at them in return. I kept my eyes on the bus door to make sure I wouldn’t get lost in huge Karachi. The bus passed the Saddar, he locatioan mapped by Muzzamil. I began to be excited to drop, however the bus kept running and I kept thinking where to stop. Then I saw Clock tower was nearby and many people stopped here. Although I knew I passed the stop that I was supposed, at least I knew the clock tower. I disembarked with other passengers safe and sound. As muzz and other friends in Karachi told me to not display any phone or valuable belongings, for me it was not that bad, it was okay.

Walking Under the heat

I was in Karachi’s Financial and Banking center area. Surprisingly, I couldn’t see the city alive yet although it was about 8am. Then I realized that life in Pakistan generally started later at 9am. The road was traffic-free, only few cars and rickshaws passing by. The pedestrians were few too. I was like the only pedestrian walking by.

One of Tall Buildings in Sadar

I started taking pictures of this area during morning, and I felt that this area was so peaceful not as bad as people said about. I was mesmerized by the buildings. I describe Karachi as a big city covered by the dust and doves. Karachi had plenty of corners and building full by Doves also the dust was so irresistible.

My first mission was to find International chain Bank, and I found it IN Standard Chartered in Saddar. The ATM was escorted by security guard. He paid me a smile as he knew that I was foreigner and we played quiz as he guessed my country of origin was from China or Korea or Japan (again). I told him I was from Indonesia and he just smiled back to me. I withdrew 20,000Rs for the rest of my life in Pakistan.

I continued walking roaming Saddar and tried to navigate myself following the maps. I realized my weakness here that I was not that good in navigating through maps. I just walked and walked and walked under the heat and I didn’t find any place I wanted to see. The heat stroked me more hotly now. I couldn’t stand more and I bought a cold coca cola to beat the sweat. Actually I brought mineral water with me but it was heated by the sun so I just threw it in trash bin. I decided to see the Atrium Mall. I tried to follow the map again and I passed the same road again, what a waste! I sort of lost my energy due to sweats flowing out from my skin. Then I asked traffic police to show me the Atrium Mall, and it was very near and I just walked in opposite direction. I was so happy to see the place I knew in Karachi (actually I had no any idea about other places in Karachi as I didn’t research about the city). I passed the market and I needed Local sim card. So I saw one of telephone provider shop and I proceeded in. it was AC room and I felt like I didn’t want to leave this office. Few minutes later my turn is to the teller. I told him my request but he couldn’t help as he told me to get sim card for foreigner only available in Center office, not branch. I left the office disappointedly. I walked and walked again. My mission now changed, I needed to get SIM Card as soon as possible. 

Morning is the most peaceful time here. Birds, human, and modernity live peacefully

I kept on walking through busy traditional market. People seemed to be scared with long beard and strong look. I knew that it might be not good for me to walk in that area, suddenly an old man walking from front came to me and grabbed my chin saying something urdu. I was so shocked and immediately responded by defensing myself and run away from that place. It seemed to not attract people and nobody cared or reacted about this. 

I run away from that point until I found plenty of Rickshaws waiting for costumers. I decided to take a rickshaw to go somewhere safer than this. Actually I had no idea the place in Karachi and it was not possible for me to go back to Muzz’s House as it was very far. In that time, I remembered about place called Clifton because I that area Mobilink (another Pakistan leading cell phone operator) had the center office. Okay I told him to go to Clifton (which I was no idea where it was and how far from Atrium Mall). He asked which part of Clifton to me, and I frankly had no idea where to stop, the I just said to him to drop me to Clifton as I would guide and navigate him. 

When Karachiites start working, Road becomes packed and stuffed

My first Rickshaw in Pakistan taking me to Clifton

“400 Rupees!” Asked the Rickshaw driver

“No, it is very near, 200 Rupees?” I told him I knew the place confidently

“It is far bhai ! okay, 300 Rupees special. ” He tried to lose

I was still thinking that was too much, so I just said “250 Rupees ji?”

“Okay, chalo!” He asked me to get in the rickshaw and shook his head.

I started leaving the area to place I didn’t know. I took several pictures while inside the rickshaw. The life in Karachi wasn’t easy I realized. People were living in street underneath the heat and dust, pollution, and the noisy city.

Rickshaw was getting nearer to Clifton after about 20 minutes, he asked me whether to go through underpass or not.

“Just go through underpass!” I said and pointed to the underpass. 

City of Birds, KARACHI

Actually I was very afraid and worried. Then we were somewhere in housing area. Damn, it was housing area and no office here. I asked the driver to keep on driving and he told me it was Clifton already and he asked me which part of it he should drop me. 

“Just go straight, and then turn left!” I said. Frankly I couldn’t think of anything.

Then I asked the driver to stop nearby intersection. I surrendered him 250Rs.

to be continued

an Residential Apartment in Karachi.

First Walking through busy Karachi

Home away From Home (Pakistan Trip day-1 part 2-end)

In Pakistan, they do follow the Islam instruction, one of them is to look after the Mosafer or A guest or pilgrimage. Here in Pakistan I am considered as Musafer although I am not doing for spiritual journey. Pakistani do respect and take care of their guest. They will not give the guest up to their enemies. And they will give their best to satisfy the guest.

 Muzzamil (red t-shirt). this is the only picture i have about him.

So, the one who is “lucky” enough to receive mosafer is Hafizh Muzzamil, a young father from Karachi. And the even luckier guest is ME, Indonesian scum bag just flying to Karachi. So I know Muzzamil from Couchsurfing. He is active member of couchsurfing and he has hosted many mosafer like me before. He loves traveling. He has been doing traveling to Europe, some South and Southeast Asia countries, also Middle East. He is father of two cute kids, Misha and Mikael. Until I wrote this post, I even do not know what Muzzamil actually does there in Karachi.

So muzzamil lives in joint family, as common in Pakistan. So In Pakistan, people tend to live in the same building with other family members. The joint family is very common in Pakistan, so I can feel the close relationship amongst others. He is living with his wife, two kids, his parents, his brother, and his sister. It is quite a big family. Everybody there can speak English, as the education medium in Pakistan is in English. I am very surprised even his father can speak English very good, because you can expect this if you come to Indonesia.

Okay, I arrive in his home right from airport. The building has security guard, he is quite old to be security guard. I have no idea many houses in Pakistan I saw that they hire not-so-young people to be security guard. I think it’s the kindness of Pakistani to share their prosperity with others who are not able to work hard probably. He opens the gate for us and Muzzamil guide me to enter his house. I put off my shoes (still with short pants) and venture inside the house. He directs me to see my room that I will stay for few days here. I am so thankful for this. The house is quite big for me. Then his Wife comes to greet me. His wife wears black long Hijab covering her hair with long dress; this is like Iranian hijab style, not burqa. Muzzamil’s family is quite modern (modern here is not that conservative as other places in Pakistan). Suddenly, his kids, Misha and Mikael come to greet me too. They are very cute and smart as their father. Misha, the elder one, once was in Bali with her parents during Nyepi. Masha has curly hair with fair skin and adorable smile. Mikael, the younger, is very active. He has no hair and he looks alike to his mother favor. 

It was really hot, muzzamil turns on the ceiling fan. However, it can’t combat the heat so he puts one more standing fan into the room. I am drinking waters, one of the best time I have of drinking water, I never value water like this before. I finish 3 glasses of water in a row. Then he receives his best friend, Nadeem, who is later is my savior. So nadeem comes to this house to borrow muzzamil’s backpack as he and his family will go for vacation to Azad Kashmir. Muzzamil introduces me to Nadeem and yeah everybody seems super nice for my standard. I found srilankan people are very nice, and I call it now that Pakistani is super very nice.

Muzzamil informs his brother in law, Usama-ji (ji is polite word to address usually to older people or respected one. Usama is couchsurfer too and he loves traveling. So I am feeling like home already. It is Like home away from home. We talk a lot about many things from traveling to politics, from economics to word issue.

Usama is a bit older than Muzzamil (I think) He has beard (as other Pakistanis) with very heavy voice and nice smile. He comes along with his kids too, he just comes to say hello to me. It is very nice of them.

the bazaar

The day ends in Pakistan during summer late. it is 7.30 pm and the sky starts getting dark usually in Jakarta it is at 6pm). I am about jet lag because of this and 2 hours difference. Furthermore, it is time to have dinner for me (at 6pm). Unfortunately, the Pakistan dinner time is not 6 or around, but 10 or late.

Muzzamil asks me to to join him to go to Bazaar for buying Nan for dinner and he needs to laundry his belongings. As I walk along the street, it is dark, there are limited street lights, dust everywhere too. The bazaar is just walking distance from muzzamil’s house. The bazaar is very crowded although it is about to 8pm (it won’t be happening in Indonesia). Once he’s done with laundy, he takes me to see and witness the very first time myself for Nan bread original one.

It is close to main bazaar and Main Street. There is one restaurant (or I don’t know what it is called) for selling nan bread. There is long queue for this nan, people are buying for take away mostly. Muzzamil told me before that one nan cost about 4Rs before, and now the price is hike. We have to pay first for the nan in the counter. And here in Pakistan, there is ladies lane and gents line, they are separated. Once he is done paying, he takes me to go to the Tandoor or Tanoor (which one is correct?) to see the making of nan. I am short of jaw-dropping for witnessing the chain of makin nan in this place. So one people prepare the dough, very fast, then one people will pt it into tandoor or furnace (it is very hot). He uses sticks to put the dough inside the tandoor and take it very fast and throw it to another me who is ready to pack it to the costumer. This supply chain system is amazing for me. It takes very fast even many costumers wait for the nan even my camera can’t snap the process well as it moves very fast. 

Nans are ready to bring home

put into the tanoor

Then we walk to super market to buy something then go to ATM nearby as I need money. It is local Bank and I just insert my debit card. However, the ATM can’t dispense money from my card. I am in trouble, I don’t have USD or other foreign currencies all I have is just this debit card and I am cashless. Then muzzamil calms me down as he knows that some his mosafer faced the same problem before. So I can withdarw money from international Bank, like HSBC, Standard Chartered, and CitiBank which are spread a lot in Karachi and other big cities.

Nan Bread

We are now home and muzzamil’s wife prepares for dinner for me. She made a curry, chicken curry and it must be eaten with nan that we bought before. My very first heavy meal in Pakistan and t is AMAZING. The nan is good and the curry is very good. I can only eat nan up to one and half slices and it is too much for me although i want to eat more but my tummy is not that big to receive all.   So it is the time of power shut down, and fortunately muzzamil has power generator to support the energy supply during blackout. It takes about 5 minutes to start again the electricity. And I am very tired ad ready to sleep with ceiling fan on. And I see that muzzamil and family have dinner very late for my standard, at 10pm and after that they start taking rest.

This is Falsa, summer fruit who is best for summer drink

We continue talking and he tells me that the power shut down will happen three times a day for 2hours each. Karachi experiences the power outage as other cities experience worse than Karachi. Pakistan finds problem in providing enough energy.

My very first night in Pakistan goes very well, more than I expected before. As I am inside the room, I start opening my internet, and I see many facebook messages about asking my condition in Pakistan. I do not reply all since I am a bit tired so I just update that I am safe and sound in Karachi for the first day.

And I am ready for the next day

Hotter Than Fire (Pakistan Trip Day-1)

"One who is free to sin, sins less; the very power weakens the seeds of sin"

Pakistani Proverb

My Srilankan Airlines flight from Bangkok finally arrives in Karachi’s Quaid-E-Azam Airport. Having connecting flight in Colombo before reaching Karachi makes my flight a bit longer, 3 hours 50 minutes. On my Karachi flight, not surprisingly, is occupied by all Pakistanis but me at the first time I see into the aircraft, I am feeling I am the only non-Pakistani onboard. In aircraft, the announcement is made in both Sinhala and English, not Urdu. 

Above the cloud, I see the area where is like desert area, very dry and covered with dusts with typical desert houses I saw in the movies and book. I am feeling that I am in the dream to see this to happen to me. The distant view from the cloud is so fascinating to me. The houses with flat rooftop is so different with I have in Indonesia. 

Enjoying Bollywood Movie onboard

The aircraft is about to arrive. The flight attendant announces that taking picture and video in the airport is prohibited because there was terrorist attack in airport a week before done by Taliban in this airport with more than 20 death tolls including the terrorists. This accident was about to scare me to come to Pakistan. The news broadcasted that the attack was very bad, however it is not that bad as the news said I think. 

I arrive in Quaid-E-Azam Airport. The occupancy of the aircraft is almost full. As the only flight from Colombo with extensive network especially from East and Southeast Asia, Srilankan Airlines makes big profit I think. I proceed to the immigration check, and I am in the foreigner line. There are two lines for foreigner and two or three For Pakistani. My flight is the only flight arriving in that time, so the queue is not that long. As I expected, there are about six foreign passport holders, and physically five of them are Pakistani and I am the only Asian look.  Although it is not many people to check, the immigration staffs work very slowly, I don’t mind about it actually. It takes about 5-10 minutes to clear the immigration for each (in foreigner line, I don’t think it happens in local line). Finally my turn, as I am the last, I am proceeding to the immigration staff, he opens my passport back and forth and also still he interviews me about what I will do, what I am doing in Indonesia, Who is my father, my friends, many things. However, I can feel the warmth and friendliness from him although he has moustache, big moustache as in the Bollywood movie, with big body, very intimidated. In another lane, there is two middle age ladies from UK, who is originally from Karachi, are interviewed too. But they two chill out answering the questions, but I am a bit stressed and sweating, and I am pretending it is hot although it is air-conditioned.

As I am done with Immigration clearance, I decide to go to washroom. They strictly separate the gender washroom, a bit further to each other. The washroom is not that good for international airport. It is clean but smells a bit bad. Along the way to the baggage claim, there are hundreds of soldiers in the airport. I think they are here for securing the airport after the attack, eventually I find out that they will be sent to North Waziristan for Militant Operation to combat the terrorist living in that tribal province. Oh I am feeling the condition of Pakistan is getting hotter, not only the temperature but also the security issue. I am stressed more and more.

I claim my baggage and give the tag to the staff asking for this. I venture to exit gate. The heat strikes me right away. I am feeling this is super hot. Many people waiting for their relatives brings the name of the respective people, but I am waiting for my friend from couchsurfing to come bringing the name, as I do want to have somebody brought my name in airport. 

As nobody brings my name tag, I go to ATM to withdraw money. I am cashless, rupee-less and I need money. Along the way to reach ATM, Many taxi drivers offer me the ride to go to city.

“Chinese? Korean? Japanese?” Asked by the drivers

I just reply smiling, I am busy with the heat as I am not customized yet. I found the ATM in the corner, another surprised thing, the ATM doesn’t work, and it is out of cash. Suddenly two guys come to me.

“the ATM doesn’t work, dude! You have no cash, no? you know, this is Pakistan” said by one of them with very cool English, copying as American rapper accent.

Another smile for me.

“are you Chinese?” asked by him again

“Indonesian, dude!” I replied

“Oh Muslim Brother, welcome to Pakistan! Are you working here?”

“Syukriya, thank you! No I am traveling.” I leave the conversation as I need to find Muzzamil, my Cuchsurfing host. I am kind of dressing uncomfortably. I wear short pants, very shot above my knee, I am feeling I misfit with the condition there. As some young guys stare at me and come approaching, trying to ask me if I need help. I see the friendliness again here. However I still need to contact Muzzamil as I am lost in this airport. I see from distance the guy waiting for somebody and busy using phone. I immediately come approaching him and ask for help to use for texting Muzzamil. He just gives his phone to me with no auspicious as his relatives come and he needs to greet them, he just tells me to use the phone and he will take it later. I am super happy and can’t believe people so this nice. I use it and know that Muzzamil is on the parking lot to come to arrival hall, as I finish using the phone, I surrender it to its owner and he just gives smile to me as I thank to him.

During my await to muzzamil, I wait next to airlines counter. I am waiting about 5 minutes then muzzamil arrives and we just introduce each other.

So I know Muzzamil from Couchsurfing and we keep in touch since about two weeks before my departure to Karachi. He is about 30 years old but he looks young as he looks more Indonesian than Pakistani. He doesn’t have firm look and straight sight as Pakistanis have. He is very nice and helpful.

Muzzamil wears Srilankan shirt as he just went there and he knows I was in sri lanka before. He is a bit taller than me and obviously physically bigger than me. He wears long pants, I think it is jeans if I am not mistaken. We walk to parking lot to reach his car. I just realized this is Pakistan. The cars here are mostly low maintained. Muzzamil brings his small car, it is a bit dirty and it seems like the dust of the city makes muzzamil not to wash it as it will be no use because it is going to be dirty again right away. I sit in the front with him. He drives smoothly against the airport and he asks me to snap some pictures of airport from distance as I can’t click inside. 

We talk a lot during our way home. I tell about the pre-journey to reach Pakistan, the sticks and stones. He tells me about his family and the place that I will stay for few days later. 

Karachi from above

We pass the road, and IT IS HOT even for Muzzamil. The road looks very dry, it is like there is no rain for years. The dusts cover the street and the trees. Along the street people wear shalwar qamiz,traditional dress for Pakistan, North India, and Afghanistan. All covers their face from the dust. Fortunately muzzamil’s car is installed with air condition. 

I am so surprised with the lives along the way back home. And I see the chonsa, Pakistan mango which is very famous for its amazing taste and I am in the right season, because summer means mango season in Pakistan. The road is empty with cars, only few cars and CNG Rickshaw pass by. I think that it is not Karachi as I heard before. Actually is it sort of out of the city. Few buildings and houses along the way make me so surprise at first. 

Exit From Airport

It takes about 30 minutes to reach Muzzamil’s home. And the journey starts from here.

Pre Trip ke Pakistan (Tiket dan Visa)

Dan Akhirnya gue kembali blog......

Alkisah, gue berselancar di internet mau liburan kemana bulan juni ini (macem kaum jetset anak menteri gue). Tiba-tiba gue mengetik lah di google pakistan. Amboyyyy Negara ini indah juga ya! Terlepas dari pemberitaan negatifnya ini, gue beranikan diri untuk pergi ke Pakistan. Gue hubungilah temen-temen gue yang ada di Pakistan, mulai dari karachi, lahore, rawalpindi, hingga Islamabad (Gue anak AIESEC coy temen-temennya global semua heheheh). Setelah mendapat kepastian gue akhirnya memuali memburu tiket.

1. Tiket Pesawat

Berburu tiket pesawat laksana berburu kucing di samudra atlantik, ga nemu-nemu. Gue carilah penerbangan termurah yang bisa gue jangkau (secara backpacker gayanya). Karena gue sudah berpengalaman (tsaaahhhhhh) gue ga mungkin cari pesawat dari Jakarta terbang ke pakistan karena harganya pasti mencekik mata gue karena harganya sama kayak gue terbang ke yurop aka Eropa. Lihat-lihat dan membandingkan harga dan servis yang ditawarkan munculah pilihan untuk terbang dari Singapura, Kuala Lumpur, atau Bangkok.

Gue akhirnya menggunakan situs pencari tiket pesawat terdashyat, skyscanner.co.id. Gue berhasil mengumpulkan data dan harga termurah yang ditawarkan bulan juni adalah sebagai berikut

1. KL-Karachi paling mure gue dikasih 3.9 juta naik Sri Lankan Airlines transit di Kolombo

2. Singapura- Karachi ditaksir 3.7juta sama srilankan airlines, transit sehari di kolombo (ini gue sebenarnya pengen banget, secara gue udah cinta mati 2.0 sama Sri Lanka heheh)

3. Bangkok-Karachi 2.1 juta dengan maskapai yang sama juga, transit di kolombo cuma 2 jam (gue nyari yg transit hingga berhari-hari ga nemu, atau emang gue yang ga tau).

Tau kan hasilnya pilih yang mana? Yaph gue pilihlah penerbangan dari Bangkok terbang dari Suvarnabhumi ke Karachi transit di Bandaranaike di Kolombo. Kemudian gue bingung beli tiket Jakarta ke Bangkok naik apa, dan gue akhirnya berhasil mendapatkan harga 612ribu pakai Thai LionAir dan membuat gue bisa jalan-jalan di Bangkok seharuian penuh + bermalam di bangkok di rumah temen gue (sukanya cari gratisan).

Akhirnya sudah tercapai gue mandapatkan tiket pesawat menuju Pakistan dan gue langsung bayar saja tuh tiket (tanpa basa-basi ga tau kalo bisa jadi visa gue ditolak). Setelah pesan tiket (itu pesennya sekitar 3 minggu sebelum berangkat), gue bingunglah ngurus Visa. Karena gue ngelihat tidak mudah juga mengurus visa ke pakistan (berasa gue ikutan Indonesian Idol), dan juga pasti ga ada info mengenai pelamaran visa pakistan.

2. VISA PAKISTAN

 Inilah hal yang membuat gue setres (tapi ga se-setres gue mikirin skripsi gue yang ga jadi-jadi). Cari ke seluruh google mengenai lamaran visa ke pakistan, baik bahasa Indonesia, inggris, jawa, russia, tiongkok, thai, bahkan bahasa kalbu geu cari tidak juga mampu menjelaskan bagaimana cara membuat visa pakistan (Atau mungkin otak gue ga mampu menerjemahkan informasi-informasi tersebut).

Beranilah gue telpon kedutaan pakistan. Secara umum ini dia hasil pembicaraan gue dengan pihak kedutaan pakistan. Telepon terjadi sekitar pukul 2 siang di kosan gue di depok.

(G) gue, (E) kedutaan
tuttt... tuttttt... tuttt (telepon berdering)
E: Pakistan embassy, what can I help?
G: Mbak saya mau nanya tentang visa (langsung gue tembak pake bahasa Indonesia, enak aja tinggal di jakarta pakai bahasa inggris)
E: Oh sebentar saya sambungkan ke bagian Konsular ya! (Eh ternyata mbaknya orang Indonesia)
E: Haloo....
G: Hello sir. I want to apply visa to pakistan. What the documents I need to submit
E: JEBFWBCJWBCCBAKJBCOWUFGJACB (Pake bahasa inggris yang cepet banget dengan aksen Pakistan yang kental yang ga gue paham, inggris amerika aja yang sering gue denger masih ha ha he he, apalagi kayak gini)
G: Sorry sir?
................................................. end

Pokoknya tuh percakapan pakai bahasa inggris panjang. Intinya ini nih yang dibutuhkan buat apply visa ke pakistan

1. FC Kartu Keluarga
2. Foto 4X6 latar belakang putih 2 lembar saja (kalo mau kasih foto 4R juga boleh kayaknya)

3. SKCK (pas gue telpon ga dikasih tau, tapi pas datang ke kedutaan suruh melampirkan tapi gue tolak karena gue telpon ga disuruh ngasih, terus gue bilang gue ngeyel ga bisa ngasih, akhirnya mas-mas resepsionis ngalah)

4. Rekening koran kalau kita yang membiayai perjalanan kita sendiri (Gue sih cuma pake rekening tabungan, ga tau berapa nominalnya, tapi yg ada di tabungan gue itu 10juta, duit umat alias pinjem banyak temen biarr ngendap banyak pas diprint buku tabungan)

5. Ini nih yang paling penting SURAT UNDANGAN. Surat Undangan bisa diperoleh melalui PTDC (Pakistan Tourism Development Center, kalo ga salah singkatannya itu), Jadi kita harus kontak mereka pesen hotel dan tour dari mereka (itu yang direkomendasiin sama kedutaan), atau kalau kita punya teman kita bisa minta buatin surat Undangan (tapi harus bener-bener detail dan bakal ditanya banyak banget). Kalau ga punya temen orang sana dan ga mau pake tur, bisa pake pihak ketiga buat ngirim surat undangan. gue emails alah satu agen trekking terkemuka pakistan dan dibalas bahwa gue bisa dpat surat undangan seharga 75 USD (whadddd/?? mahal bener) gue email ke LOST HORIZON Trek, langsung dibalas dan katanya surat udangan bakal dikirim 2x24jam setelah transfer, dan ini reliable kok berdasarkan lonely planet sih.

5. Itinerary (ini sih gue yang bikin biar kedutaan tau kemana aja gue bakal pergi, gue tulis kota-kota yang ama aja, walaupun belum tentu gue kesana, yang penting bikin aja)

bagaimana dengan TIKET PESAWAT?? Dan MEREKA TIDAK MENANYAKAN ITU , tetapi gue lampirkan. Gue Apply Visa-nya 2 minggu sebelum pesawat gue. DAN MEREKA BILANG GA JANJI BAKAL ISSUE VISA GUE. dan gue dengan ga tau malunya bilang "pliss grant me a visa before my flight, my ticket is confirmed already). Mungkin karena gue sudah punya tiket pesawat jadi mereka kasihan kali ya ga mau kasih visa ke gue.


selesai dong masalah? Oh tidakkkk, masalah kembali muncul sodara-sodara!!!!!

SURAT UNDANGAN GUE DITOLAK SAMA PETUGAS NAMANYA M. NAVEED. Itu pihak kedutaan Pakistan ya (sorry i mentioned your name). Beliau bilang ga bisa nerima sembarang Surat undangan kalo dia ga jelas punya rumah apa enggak (secara temen gue adalah mahasiswa yang masih punya orang tua) dan mereka bilang suruh orang tuanya yang bikin. JREEEENGGGGG Keringat dingin gueeeee! seperti lagunya Demi Lovato gue, FROZEN HEART ATTACK! Terus gue juga ditanya-tanyai ga penting, mulai dari kenapa gue punya duit lah, mahasiswa kok jalan-jalan mulu, passport gue yang udah banyak cap-nya lah, hampir 45 menit gue ditanya-tanya ga jelas. Akhirnya si Bang Naveed tadi ngasih emailnya ke gue suruh ngirim Surat Undangan ke email beliau. Gue sih OK2 aja. Pulang lah gue dari kedutaan pakistan dengan wajah merenung.

Langsung gue hubungin temen gue dan jelasin masalah ini, dan DIA GA BISA BANTU BIKIN DARI BOKAPNYA. Langsung kalap gue ga tau lagi mau gimana, gue akhirnya email si Lost Horizon trek tadi buat bikin suratnya. Gue ada teman yang lain di Pakistan yang ude kerja, gue suruhlah dia bikin. dan akhirnya mau deh. 

Gue 2 hari kemudian ke kedutaan, nyampe kedutaan jam 11.50 dan kedutaan akan tutup jam 12. gue kasihlah itu surat undangan (ga lewat email males gue), ada mas-mas resepsionis kedutaan gue kasih lah itu. Langsung dia bikin kertas secarik tulisan harus bayar senilai 625rb untuk visa (whattt MAHAL BENERRR) dan harus dibayar hari itu juga di BANK DANAMON THE EAST PLAZA Mega Kuningan. Gue larilah ke ke EAST Plaza karena takur keburu tutup. Gue sampe di sana pukul 11.28 dan untung masih buka, gue nulis semua bayar deh kesana. gue dapat bukti terima gue lari lagi ke kedutaan sampe kedutaan pukul 12.09 dan sudah istirahat. gue titip ke pak satpamnya dan gue pulang (di suruh ambil 3 hari kerja kemudian, oiya hari libur kedutaan pakistan 3 HARI LOH, JUMAT SABTU MINGGU  enak bener)

OIYA KALO UDAH SURUH BAYAR BERARTI VIS AKITA 100% BAKAL DITERIMA.

Gue kesana lagi, visa diambil pukul 4.30-5 sore saja, dan gue langsung denh dikasih tanpa basa-basi.

YEAYYY AKHIRNYA VISA PAKISTAN NEMPEL DI PASPORT GUE.

Pokoknya kalau kesana lo semua harus yakin jawabannya terserah ngasal atau apa, jangan kelihatan bo'ong. tenang dan senyum saja kalo ditanya macam-macam.

kalau ada pertanya, bisa langsung kesini.