Peshawar Gift
Never I had imagined I could make it to Peshawar. The possibility to visit this incredible city was totally unexpected for me and it was a marvellous gift.
And like with all unexpected gifts, I am even more grateful and happy to have received it.
Since the very first moment I reached Peshawar, I was literally embraced in a gentle hug of generosity, hospitality, readiness to help and warmth. These are in fact for me the main traits of all the Pakistanis I have been meeting so far. I believe a country, a place, is its people, the very people who struggle everyday, live, work, love and dream. And I have been meeting marvellous people.
[In old Peshawar - photocredits: Amir Khan @KPtourism]
I come from Milan, where I support “The Citizens Foundation” (TCF), which is the reason why I am in Pakistan, actually. Thanks to this amazing organisation, I was given the chance to get to know this country, little by little, to discover its true face with its many different nuances and complexities, and its special beauty. It’s not just about external beauty. Alongside the wonderful palaces, mosques and walled cities and landscapes I am visiting, I am struck more and more by the beauty which originates from the hearts of the local people. The beauty of giving for the pleasure of giving. And this is a rare pearl which makes this country so special for me. I was gifted with this rare pearl in Peshawar too, and here even more precious.
We (my travel mate and I) have had the opportunity to visit the city according to two different perspectives, and both so great. First with some local friends, who picked us up from the bus station and took us to a wonderful rooftop terrace to view the city at sun set. Then, with the great Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Tourism Corporation team who led us in a wonderful tour of the old city, its main markets, Meena Bazaar, the archaeological site of Gor Khatri, Sethi Street and Sethi House, and then they also arranged for us a visit to the Takht-i-Bhai Buddhist Complex site in Mardan on the following day.
To walk through Peshawar's old streets and its shops is like jumping back to the past, yet all of it is relevant and functional in the present day. Its vibrant economic activities with, among the others, handicrafts, food outlets, jewellery shops, shoe makers, convey a peculiar and unique vitality. Often, during our walk, I had to look up at the facades of the houses, and I could find out that a sort of hidden, silent beauty, revealed itself little by little.
[In old Peshawar - photocredits: Amir Khan @KPtourism]
Peshawar reveals itself through contemplation and vibrant liveliness, I believe. Contemplation for the ancient inner beauty, its history and precious past, while sitting down for a moment, taking the time for tasting delicious green tea in local qehwa khana (tea place) in Namak Mandi (Salt Market). Vibrant liveliness while observing the economic and business activities which take place at every corner, street, road.
I wish to thank Atif Khan and his marvellous team for this great, unexpected gift and also all the people from Peshawar and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa whom we met during this journey.
I hope I will be able to give back such great a gift too, one day.
Peshawar is a city like no other city I have seen in Pakistan. It is said to be the oldest living city in South Asia and you can feel its historical character as you walk around the bazaar and discover hidden gems like ancient and beautiful Sethi House.
[details of inner courtyard of Sethi House - photo by Laura Notaro]
It was a pleasure to hang out with the Pekhawriyaan, or Peshawarites. Human relations were definitely an important part of my trip. I understood what people mean when they talk about the famous heart-warming hospitality of this area.
Here are a few things that Peshawar gave me: masheer machli, the best pulao, qehwa tea, or green tea, the smell of spices at Peepal Mandi, the wonders of the Gor Khatri archaeological site, good laughs (especially at my attempts at learning some words in Pashto), and the feeling that there will always be someone to welcome me when I come back (and feed me also!).
[ tasting delicious green tea in local kawa khana (tea place) in Namak Mandi (Salt Market). Photocredits D.B.]
The visit to Takht-I- Bhai was also something special. It was like being in a painting: ancient Buddhist monastery ruins in the beautiful mountains near Mardan.
[Buddhist Monastery ruins of Takht-I-Bhai - photo by Laura Notaro]
Can't wait to see more of Peshawar and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
So long, dear new friends, so long.
Photocredits: Amir Khan @KPtourism; @LauraNotaro; D.B.
