Planes, deadly terrains and automobiles

SINGER SHAZ IA TOOK A MUSICAL TRIP TO PAKISTAN AND DUBAI BUT ENDED UP EXPERIENCING A WHOLE LOT MORE

TALENTED singer Shaz IA recently went on what turned out to be a memorable trip to Pakistan and Dubai, which had songs, sightseeing, sickness, swollen feet, sumptuous food, some unexpected incidents and a travel companion named Shabana. Also a trained solicitor, the Glasgow-based beauty kept a diary of her trip for Eastern Eye, which became memorable for a variety of reasons. Here is what unfolded.

Day 1

The chauffeur arrived at my home in Glasgow exactly on time and I excitedly passed him my two suitcases as he gave me a movie star moment. Check-in and going through security was swift. Thankfully no “random” body checks. The business class lounge had an endless supply of free food, but I had eaten breakfast. Note to self, don’t eat before travelling business class. I was offered more endless supplies of food in my spacious seat on the plane, which sent me into a deep sleep. After a three-hour stopover in Dubai I used all my Scottish fighting instincts to battle through rowdy passengers to get on the plane to Pakistan. I finally arrived in Islamabad and made the mistake of waiting outside for my friend Shabana. Not a good move. The airport concourse had men who shamelessly stared as if they had seen a woman for the first time. Thankfully Shabana rescued me and drove me through a beautiful city towards the Hill View Hotel, which wasn’t on a hill and had a rubbish view. That wasn’t going to ruin my trip. I said no to a “secret private party” and turned in for the night.

Day 2

Good friends took me for a delicious breakfast. I was so disappointed they stopped serving halwa poori and settled for a paratha. We took a drive to Daman E Koh, but the heavens opened and the rain came gushing down. The all-day rainfall cut short the trip. I felt like I was back in Scotland.

Day 3

I finally got my authentic Pakistani halwa poori and it was a beautiful moment. Shabana and I attended a walima before leaving for her family home in Chakwal, nearly two hours from Islamabad. Bad signs meant we ended up lost on some terrible roads. We were far too afraid to get out and ask for directions, so continued our bumpy journey with trepidation, unwittingly travelling further in the wrong direction. We found some semblance of a road and headed back the right way. Shabana weaved in and out of traffic like a racing car driver even when we were driving on the wrong side, while I clung to my seat and prayed. We reached Chakwal at 3am and hauled four suitcases up steep stairs to the second floor. We somehow managed to do it without waking up the entire neighbourhood.

Day 4

I woke up very late in my large, comfortable room to the sad news there was no Wi-Fi. I felt completely lost without it. We went sightseeing with Shabana’s father and he bought us potato fritters from a street stall, which were divine. We later had dinner at an outdoor restaurant and got home very late.

Day 5

A morning of torrential rain didn’t hamper our plans to visit the famous Khewra Salt Mines. As usual Shabana and I got lost for about half an hour before finding the right road. After another gruelling journey, we finally arrived. We decided to eat a hearty meal before catching the last train for the journey through the mines. But we got bad advice and missed the train. After much deliberation, we walked in the blistering 30 degree heat. The pain was worth it because the mines were fascinating and beautiful. We didn’t realise the parking ticket was needed to get out and were harassed by the parking attendant and armed security. They finally let us go when they realised they weren’t going to get a bribe. We made the long dangerous journey back home through narrow windy roads in the dark.

Day 6

We said goodbye to Shabana’s family and set off for Lahore. It was a very pleasant drive with great views. When we reached Lahore it suddenly changed to chaotic traffic in all directions with no one sticking to any sort of order. With a friend’s help we reached the luxury flat in Johar Town, where we would stay. We were of course hungry as usual and stopped at the Friends Cafe, which was a lovely diner dedicated to the TV series Friends. Who would have thought it, Joey, Chandler, Monica, Ross, Phoebe and Rachel in Pakistan? I finally got Wi-Fi and it was a joyous moment to communicate again. I noticed that my feet were slightly swollen. Later that night we met ace music producer Irfan Chaudhry. The main purpose of my trip to Lahore was to record some new tracks with him. The productive meeting was a great end to a tiring day.

Day 7

We had amazing fresh guavas at the roadside and made our first trip to the impressive Emporium Mall. I hadn’t seen anything like it in Pakistan on previous visits. The mall was a sign of how much Pakistan had progressed. But the street children begging outside showed a clear disparity between the rich and poor. I felt so saddened seeing them. We reached the recording studio by late afternoon and started recording my latest track Waari Waari. I noticed my feet were swollen slightly more than the day before, so phoned my sisterin-law, who is a doctor in Chicago. She was concerned and asked me to let her know if there was a change by the next day.

Day 8

I had an interview at popular station FM91 radio in Gulberg, but didn’t anticipate horrendous traffic, parking too far away and bad directions.We finally arrived 30 minutes late, sweating profusely, but the interview went well. We returned to Irfan’s studio and spent the evening jamming with talented musicians, singers and lyricists. We left around 3am and I couldn’t get my feet into my sandals as they had swollen up massively. Shabana took me to the Jinnah Hospital, which was possibly the busiest hospital I had ever been to. There were harrowing sites like a dead child getting stretchered away. A doctor finally sauntered over and asked what was wrong. I explained my symptoms. She left without saying a word and came back to take my blood pressure, which was sky high. She offered me a tablet and wanted a blood sample. I declined and wanted to know what caused the swelling, but she had no idea. We finally left for home none the wiser.

Day 9

My frantic sister-in-law phoned and ordered me to get to a private hospital. The doctor there examined me and after 10 minutes advised me to get numerous tests done, which would take two hours. I told him I didn’t have two hours as I was due in the recording studio. He didn’t particularly care. We paid his fee and scurried out. On the way back Shabana pulled over so I could vomit at the side of the road. I slept for a couple of hours. My sister-in-law angrily phoned and told me to get back to the hospital to get tests done. I hoped the doctor I had seen earlier had left, but unfortunately he hadn’t and smugly welcomed me back. Four hours later I was given the results (with a large bill). I wasn’t amused as they still didn’t know the cause of my feet swelling, but my heart, kidneys and liver were perfect. By the time we got to the recording studio, it was around 10pm. We recorded my second track and finished at 2.30am. My feet were still swollen.

Day 10

We met friends at the Emporium Mall for lunch. Then we then drove back to Chakwal and stopped at some services for more food. Compared to the food at the services here in the UK, the food was excellent. We ordered a vegetable biryani each with salad and couldn’t finish it as the portions were huge. We arrived really late in Chakwal.

Day 11

I woke up at 3pm and had something to eat. I went back to sleep and woke up around 9pm. I had dinner and tried to watch a movie, but the electricity went off so I went back to bed. I have never been so exhausted in my life, but my feet swelling subsided. I still don’t know why they got swollen so badly.

Day 12

After a hearty breakfast we packed our luggage and set off for Islamabad. We headed to the Emirates office as Shabana had lost her ticket. It was one impressive building with so much security that you would think someone was going to steal the actual plane. We then met various friends for more food (yes I came back heavier). We finally got back to the flat. At 4am we decided to get some sleep, as we had a flight to catch in a few hours.

Day 13

We woke up an hour later to get ready for the airport. I discovered mosquito bites on my limbs and some places they shouldn’t be. The taxi driver had difficulty staying in lane even though there was no traffic. Once past the heavy security we entered the airport. There was no order or system and everyone was just pushing trollies everywhere. After endless security checks and battling through hoards we finally sat down to wait for our flight. The breakfast options were limited so we settled for rock hard doughnuts and juice. Once on board the flight we fell asleep until we landed in Dubai, where a chauffeur took us to our hotel. Our friend Salman arrived to give us a grand tour of the very impressive city, pointing out all the main attractions. Shabana slept through the entire episode.

Day 14

We didn’t manage to wake up for breakfast. I had a rehearsal at midday, which went very well. The rest of the day was spent stuffing our faces in the hotel restaurant. We got ready and headed down for the event. I met the other singers and was asked to host as well as sing at the event, which was fine. The crowd were very warm and got up to dance. We left with a group of friends to hit the town and then headed back to the hotel.

Day 15

We missed breakfast again. We went to meet Salman and his family at Dubai Mall. Lunch took place at the famous Cheesecake Factory. We ordered a steak each and the portions were so huge that I regretted it instantly. I really wanted to save room for cheesecake, but unfortunately was so full up that we decided to share one. I was determined to enjoy it, but I simply couldn’t. Note to self, always save room for cheesecake. We then shopped and returned to the hotel. We met with our friend at the marina and went out, returning in the early hours

Day 16

We didn’t manage to wake up for breakfast, yet again. We went on a desert safari with friends, including quad biking in 48 degrees heat. I could feel my ankles burn and have never been so hot in my life. We then went on the dunes and it was like being on a mad rollercoaster. We then had dinner at a belly dance and fire eating show. Most of the men were mesmerised by the wiggling bellys. I found the whole thing very inappropriate and hypocritical for such an ‘Islamic’ country. After watching the fire-eating gent we left without dinner. We were far too tired to continue watching.

Day 17

As always we missed breakfast. We went to the airport to head home to sunny Scotland. I arrived to a rainy grey day, but felt I could breathe the outside air again