Pakistan Country Overview
Define Pakistan from a
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Country Overview
Pakistan is a country of splendour with scenery that changes from coastal beaches and lagoons to deserts of burning sand, and snow covered mountains peaks. The site of some of the earliest human habitation on earth, and home of an ancient people, Pakistan is today also the scene of fighting and violence and several of its provinces should be avoided.
For the rest it is a country of phenomenal beauty and mixed cultures, and people who are warm and hospitable.
Daily Budget
US$10-15 a day should see you right in Pakistan if you are prepared to stay in hostels and eat from vendors stalls, but for an outlay of $30-40 a day life takes on a more excellent aspect with all sorts of va-va-voom, such as satellite TV in a spotlessly clean room with private bath. Pakistan is also home to the time-honoured baksheesh system, a sort of 'you grease my palm and I'll make it happen' affair where a little extra cash in the right direction can bring you all sorts of welcome surprises. Oh yes, and don't forget the ancient art of bargaining, a friendly eye-rolling, heavy-sighing, mutually beneficial way of bringing the price of just about everything into perspective. Just remember to stay in the spirit and don't get nasty.
When to Go!
The southern area of Pakistan is cooler between November and April, and the Northern parts are best visited May to October, just before the bitter winter gets an icy grip on everything including brass monkeys. Ramadan, a time of fasting, voluntary or otherwise with food difficult to find, happens all the year round, being the 9th month of the Islamic calendar (Hijri), (which is 10 days shorter than the Gregorian Calendar), and isn't really the best time to drop by.
If however, you check in at the end of it when Eid-ul-Fitr is in full swing with people celebrating in three days of feasting and goodwill, your timing good not be more perfect. In May another great celebration takes place in remembrance of Prophet Mohammad's (P.B.U.H) birthday. (P.B.U.H. means, Peace be upon him).
For the rest it is a country of phenomenal beauty and mixed cultures, and people who are warm and hospitable.
Daily Budget
US$10-15 a day should see you right in Pakistan if you are prepared to stay in hostels and eat from vendors stalls, but for an outlay of $30-40 a day life takes on a more excellent aspect with all sorts of va-va-voom, such as satellite TV in a spotlessly clean room with private bath. Pakistan is also home to the time-honoured baksheesh system, a sort of 'you grease my palm and I'll make it happen' affair where a little extra cash in the right direction can bring you all sorts of welcome surprises. Oh yes, and don't forget the ancient art of bargaining, a friendly eye-rolling, heavy-sighing, mutually beneficial way of bringing the price of just about everything into perspective. Just remember to stay in the spirit and don't get nasty.
When to Go!
The southern area of Pakistan is cooler between November and April, and the Northern parts are best visited May to October, just before the bitter winter gets an icy grip on everything including brass monkeys. Ramadan, a time of fasting, voluntary or otherwise with food difficult to find, happens all the year round, being the 9th month of the Islamic calendar (Hijri), (which is 10 days shorter than the Gregorian Calendar), and isn't really the best time to drop by.
If however, you check in at the end of it when Eid-ul-Fitr is in full swing with people celebrating in three days of feasting and goodwill, your timing good not be more perfect. In May another great celebration takes place in remembrance of Prophet Mohammad's (P.B.U.H) birthday. (P.B.U.H. means, Peace be upon him).
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