I woke up this dreary Saturday morning to a flurry of phone calls and emails. Friends, family and co-workers wanted to tell me Pakistani President Gen. Pervez Musharraf declared a state of emergency and martial law in the country. A country that I am visiting in a couple of days.
Even though I was born and raised in Queens my mother use to send me to Pakistan alot as a child. It was important to her that I knew the culture and the language, that I knew my family. I have fond childhood memories of the country and the people. I remember playing with other children and realizing they were just like me. In fact, there were times I was so sad to leave, it meant my summer adventure was coming to an end. All those experiences now seem like a distant memory. Next week I am going for the first time in years, on my own, as an adult.
A few people have urged me to postpone my trip or cancel it completely. I would be lying if I said the thought hasn’t cross my mind, but the truth is, I would be disappointed in myself if I don’t go. This may be the best opportunity and time. All of us have been hearing so much about my parents native country in the news. I want to know whats going on first hand. I want to talk to people and hear about their experiences. Is it the journalist in me? Probably. Will the country resemble the morbid pictures and chaos I see on television or will I see a glimpse of the country I use to love spending my summers in? Only time will tell as my new adventure begins next week.
Please do a report when you get back. We in this country need to hear about other parts of the world from regular people like us not politicians and newspeople who hype everything
they under use your talents, keep up the good work