Off The Wall

Ok so I've been quite busy with illness, AIESEC and other jazz so
it's been a wee while since I've updated. I've actually decided to
update this time with an e-mail I sent to a friend yesterday in part
answering some questions he had and in part just rambling on.
(Andrew hope you don't mind my sharing this with everyone...)

Hehe good questions. To be honest I think today was the first day
I've actually been quite scared here in Pakistan (I probably
shouldn't tell you this as I don't want it to scare you away but
it'll be in my blog when i get around to updating it) don't let this
scare you away from Pakistan or even reconsider, I think life is all
about the experiences and opportunities we take and what we make of
them ...the occasional scare is all part of the learning process and
hey if we're not going to live life to the fullest is it really worth
living?

Well first of all really really really watch what you eat. On Friday
I had a burger at the University about half an hour later I started
feeling really ill. On Sunday I ended up spending the day at the
hospital with a temperature of 40C (104F) horrible stomach cramps,
head ache ...the works. It turned out to be a bad case of food
poisoning but they were able to fix me up. What I learned from
this... the AIESECers do know where to take you and the place they
took me was clean, organised and safe (I called my insurance company
they put a Danish doctor in contact with the one treating me to
review everything he was doing and it was all ace). I also learned
that no matter where you eat you need to be extra careful and just
double check meat and such things before eating it. For the most part
everything is safe just have to be careful.

Today I took the bus to Islamabad, I was a wee bit worried just
because I'd read the British Embassy's warnings about busses and such
the day before and it got me thinking more then I should. I really
got a bit scared this evening when out with friends for sheesha when
we heard the news that not too far away a suicide bomb had just gone
off. I guess it's only normal to give you a bit of a scare but hey
these things aren't just happening in Pakistan these days as you're
well aware. So on from the scare, this country is so amazing and I
love being here. Definitely a great choice for you to take a year and
experience.

The Muslim state... I think you'll find (at least initially) that a
lot of the Pakistani's that you spend time with are representative of
about 2% of the population, wealthy, western oriented, open minded.
This varies from city to city and I hear Karachi is by far the most
liberal (still haven't been there). From what I've noticed in Lahore
and Islamabad with the people I've been with it hasn't been an issue.
There are many things you notice on a day to day level of living in a
conservative ruled Muslim state but nothing that extreme. Social life
works a bit differently (off to the sheesha bar instead of the pub)
but as with many less developed countries Westerners can often get
away with more so I think there's less to feel but lots to observe.
Definitely get used to being stared at, it's just one of those
things. I love the fact that I'm in a Muslim state just because for
once in my life everybody is Muslim so when we get into discussions
there is such a wide base of knowledge on something I wasn't raised
with. There is so much to learn and though some of the things we may
already know (that there are differences between extremists and the
majority of ordinary people) it's really good to hear and also
very ...not quite sure what the right word to use it... very moving
to hear peoples emotions over what is going on in the world. I've
learned so much and I can't wait to go home and discuss it with
friends, go home to Denmark and discuss it with some rather close
minded family friends because even though many of the things are
obvious it helps so much to bring them to the surface. Wow i'm
really rambling on hope you're following me and hope this isn't too
much. I'll try to wrap up. If anything though, one of the best
experiences and biggest learning experiences of my life has been
spending the time I've spent here just learning about a people and a
culture that is very much the centre of attention in our world today.

Free time... After just one evening in Islamabad it has become very
apparent to me that it really varies from group to group and city to
city. Sports, Sheesha, Ice Cream/Coffee, Movies, Music, Singing/
Playing Guitar, Eating Eating Eating - At least in Lahore. Eating is
one of my favourite past times so I definitely approve but it's
definitely a social activity here so be prepared to enjoy that.
Weddings also seem to be a happening thing at different times of
year, I've had some friends tell me that during the Christmas
holidays they had wedding plans every night for an entire month! I
think there are lots of different things and it really varies who
you're around. You'll be around several trainees and the MC (I hear
they have quite the good time in Karachi) so you'll definitely be
having an awesome time!

I hope this sort of answered your questions, sorry I got so into it,
just had lots on my mind. Hope it's helpful. I know it started off a
little bleh but I hope I was able to work up to a more exciting look
on Pakistan.

-------
So you can see, it was a bit of a ramble. Love to hear your own
opinions. Hope all is well wherever you are in the world.

Mads

Things are going great here in Pakistan. I'm having a lot of fun and am meeting so many interesting people. I feel like I'm starting to understand the differences and accept them between a lot of the people I've met (i'm sorry I couldn't do that right away, guess it's just a learning thing). I've already had to say goodbye to one really sweet person as she's on her way home to Australia (if you recall Jazz is on her winter break...weird hehe). She introduced me to the most amazing place for dessert ever, beats ben and jerry's ice cream by far!



This is ´the girls´except Reeha at the amazing place that is known as ´Hot Spot´ mmmmmmm sooo good!






So have recently heard that Andrew (AIESEC UK) is going to be doing a year long internship here in Pakistan. I think he´s going to have so much fun. It is so much different here, what a learning experience to come and live here for a year!

I think it´s interesting how many people know each other. This may be a pretty big city but word seems to get around. I think because the people I spend a lot of time with are of the wealthier classes here they kind of form a small community. So some of them have to be careful with what they do because everywhere they go there´s someone they know and word will get back to their friends or family about what they have been doing. It´s like suburban America or being back home in Denmark where you can go to the local barber (specifically the one in Guderup), when my grandfather goes he always comes back with all the town gossip. Hehe gossip is such a driver! We all secretly love it even if we say we don´t. AIESEC is the same way, so much gossip about everyone! Also back in Edinburgh. It's always kind of funny when gossip gets back to you about yourself and you're like "huh, I don't remember doing/saying that" or "what? i'm pregnant with an alien?" yeah gossip is fun though sometimes a wee bit depressing. It certainly exists everywhere; I'm sure it's in all cultures and societies!

A warm evening, a gentle breeze brushes the face gently as we sit at the top of one very special, well known restaurant in Lahore. The sun has set leaving an amazing view over the oldest part of the city. The rooftop is right up against one of the most beautiful city sights in Pakistan; a lit up mosque, an amazing fortress and some other very beautiful, very ancient building. Surprisingly, we’re in the centre of the city’s red light district. Sitting at the top of the roof, the scenery is so different from the streets bellow; at the street level (I didn’t notice but was told) that there are apparently many women in each doorway selling their ‘services’ to the many men that come looking.

The group I went with are so sweet. Many, I’d met on the first night out with Farrukh. They ordered many different traditional dishes, the food was so delicious! Afterwards we went out for ice cream to probably the best ice cream shop in Pakistan, if not in Asia and maybe even the world! And that’s saying a lot coming from me, the worlds biggest ice cream snob!

I went out with ‘the girls’ and bought contact lenses (year long ones) and glasses for 2600 rupees so a bit less then £25! I trust the place because it’s where some of the girls go and I doubt they’re going to shit places for their eyes.

Work is going all right, I’ve been helping out a group of people organising a conference at the end of July. We’ve been going to some company meetings and what not. I’ve also been working on some planning for the AIESEC expansion into Islamabad. I’m planning on going there on Monday (a week from today) if everything stays calm though I’m not too worried, all the things we’ve heard about that have been going on are very much in a small part of Pakistan, nothing to worry about.

On Sunday we went out for an awesome breakfast. While we were there I was reading the newspaper and thought I’d quote a small piece of it, as I found it quite amusing. I should note this isn’t an opinion I’ve come up against very often amongst the people I know here…
“ What a great day for peace enthusiasts. A new envoy to the Middle East has been appointed for the Quartet, and it is no other than the former British PM, Tony Blair. Mr Blair, the man who gave the Israelis the green light to flatten Beirut. He is the man who started an illegal war in Iraq; a man who according to the Geneva Conventions, is to be held personally responsible for more than 700,000 dead in Iraq for failing to ‘protect civilian populations against certain consequences of war’; a man who is supposed to be charged with genocide at The Hague. A man who should spend his life behind bars is now becoming a peace envoy.” –S. Kazim Shah Kazmi
A wee bit harsh in my opinion but it did certainly catch my attention.

I started off my morning with a 4 kilometre run. I’m really enjoying my running/tanning session. I certainly haven’t been sun burnt so I am being careful…and yes dad I’m using sun cream.

Now I finally have internet again so I can post this update (this post has been built upon over a couple days now, just haven't had a chance to post it). I just got home from and absolutely wonderful time out with the girls. I realise I haven't actually explained who 'the girls' are so going into detail...
Anam, Jasmyn, Natasha and Reeha. They are absolutely the most amazing (and absolutely eye stunningly gorgeous) girls. They've shown me such a good time here in Lahore and have taken me to so many great places. We have one very very very important passion in common...food/dessert! They all live here in Lahore. Reeha studies here at LUMS. Jasmyn studies in Australia (so she's here on her winter break and is going back way too soon!) and Natasha is studying on the East Coast (USA) and Anam is in the UK. Such cool girls. They've all promissed to come visit me in Edinburgh where I will definitely be returning the favour of the amazing food and good times (of course I'll cook for them... so much better than going out)!

That's it for this time!!!

Right and the photos are in!!!

Check them out at...

Pakist - Week 1

Well it's been a couple days since I've updated the blog (probably a good thing) but now there's a bit of catching up to do, I'm hoping to keep it short and sweet as I have a meeting in a little bit.

On Monday I Farrukh, a Lahori that went to Cornell and was involved with AIESEC there. His driver came and picked me up in the evening and took me over to his house. His house was amazing, like many houses here, so much thought is put into their design. We went out to dinner with a group of his friends, we went to this place called Tiramisu which had the most amazing dessert ever! Like baked camembert, when you cut into it, the insides come flowing out which is a perfect mix with the surrounding ice cream. We went out for sheesha afterwards, good times, met lots of really interesting people.

Tuesday night, we had the local AIESEC meeting where the big thing was welcoming back Asima. She has just returned from a years internship in non other than San Jose! She did a big picture slide show of all her experiences there and told so many stories of all the things she'd done. It made me slightly homesick and really made me miss loads of people. There were so many pictures of some really close friends; Patricia, Anh, Alex… there was even a photo of me (from the night of my sisters wedding back in August when they were having a bonfire on 'my' beach). Wow I miss those guys. Though I'm so proud of AIESEC Bay Area and how they continue to make trainees and new members feel so welcome!!!

On another note…something for the near future… I'm going to Dubai! Yes ladies and gentlemen I'm going to go visit Kenny a friend from Denmark for like four days. I'll be spending my birthday in Dubai and fully enjoying the many many things that Dubai has to offer. Kenny will have to deal with me for an extending weekend…what a lucky guy!

 

 

Having a hard time figuring out how to upload photos outside of facebook so here's a start...

Went to a concert at night, it was pretty cool. Well… There were like four different acts and it started from shite and got progressively better. The main act was actually really good, most of it was in Urdu but rock can be enjoyed in any language me thinks. The glow of the moon over the sticky hot amphitheatre was pretty amazing, it reminded me a bit of the time we went to see Jimmy Buffet, sitting out on the grass in the warm California summer night.

 

I definitely have realised that there's been some culture shock. I'm actually very surprised that I feel it's hit me more then I feel it did in China. Maybe it's because I'm more aware of it but I think it has a lot to do with the male/female interaction. It's weird having two such split social groups (girls and guys not being allowed to come anywhere close to the opposite sex' dorms…).

 

Oooo I almost forgot, shopping! Mariko (Japanese intern here) and I went out to explore the city yesterday and did a bit of shopping. I bought the COOLEST belt in the world! Yes, in the world! It has a flask for a belt buckle, doesn't get cooler then that! I also bought four DVDs. Here in Lahore DVD's are about 100 rupees (so a little less then £1/$2). Let me know if you want any!

 

Learnings of the day…

Ballywood… my first real experience with it. The colours, the singing and I’m not sure if this is a common theme but at least with this movie, the extreme cheesiness! This was a uni event in which they’d set up one of the lecture theatres into a proper little cinema, what’s not allowed at a uni event? Kissing on screen apparently, they blacked out every scene where the main characters kissed! I couldn’t believe it, the closest thing I’ve ever experienced to that is the bleeping of certain words on American television. Seriously though, blocking out kissing scenes when the average age of the crowd is 20ish?

This country does certainly confuse me. There are many things that are surprisingly liberal and I wouldn’t have imagined I’d see here and then there are other things I never thought about (the blacking out during a film). The western like nakedness on TV and the western like ‘sex on the dance floor (grinding) also on TV. Though alcohol and drugs are illegal in this country, almost everyone here has told me that they’re quite accessible. …I suppose most things are accessible with enough money.

Learnings of the day...


*Outside views are outside views and just that...

And so day three has arrived... Woosh woosh woosh, the best way to describe the sound of the ceiling fan. I wake up after a little less then seven hours of sleep, adequate for a mid-summers day. Today is going to be quite exciting. I have three meetings with three very different companies; a pharmaceutical company, a sweets company and a telecommunications company. The goal? To create a business relationship with AIESEC whether that be through the creation of internship programmes or fundraising for the up and coming national conference at the end of July.

I meet up with Sheharyar (call him Shery) and Anum and we drive off to the first meeting. The nice cool office building is a very comfortable break from the sticky heat that is everywhere outside. We meet the senior manager of human resources and pitch AIESEC. So much fun! I love going to these meetings. I think the three of us did really well and hopefully this will go somewhere. On a cultural point when we greeted the man both Shery and I shook his hands and said hello though he (in my perception) barely acknowledged Anum. When we discussed this later in the car we came to realise how differently we saw the situation. I had realised it was a cultural difference but was also a little shocked… had he completely ignored Anum in a more western country he would have been assumed a complete sexest, unacceptable. Shery and Anum had seen the situation as being polite. He didn't quite make eye contact with her and was in fact showing her respect as a woman. Wow how cultures will never cease to amaze me.

 

I observed something very similar in the following two meetings, once we actually started the meetings Anum was very much involved and spoke a lot, it was just the initial greeting in which she wasn't so much heard as 'respected'. A strong reminder of how easy it is to misunderstand each other and how we must constantly remember that different cultures teach very different types of socialisation.

 

At the sweets company we were given a type of ice cream and several sweets. I'll admit they weren't exactly my choice for sweets but I ate them anyway (afterwards I was happy to get some food and something to drink to wash the taste out of my mouth). I don't think Anum and Shery could understand why I ate them if I didn't like them but in my mind it seemed rude not to.

 

The darkness seemed to spring over the sky tonight but it came with something special, a very impressive storm. The heat finally at a comfortable level it was quite nice to sit outside and observe this storm, there were no rain drops just lots and lots of lightning. I've never seen the sky light up so much from lightning, there was most definitely 30-40 flashes per minute and sometimes much more then that. Definitely the most impressed I've ever been with the visual effects natures weather department!

 

Learnings of the day: