An experience of an Hindu on visit to Lahore (Pakistan):
We took the train from Attari near Amritsar to cross the Wagah border. Now the trains coming from India arrive at a separate platform in Lahore. As soon as we reached, we were swarmed by journalists to take our interviews. More than being excited to be on TV I was amazed to see the warmth we received at the station. There was a commotion at the platform and everyone was scrambling chairs for us to sit while we waited for the immigration to clear. They brought us food and drinks. This was totally unexpected. They went out of their way to make us feel comfortable.
Another incident happened which has been etched in my memory. We stopped at a traffic signal while driving to the cricket stadium. A teenage boy comes next to our car's widow selling flowers among other things. Now we all were wearing blue jerseys as it was the day of the match. He said:
"Arre aap India se aaye ho na. Aapke liye ye phool free hain." meaning "Oh you are from India! These flowers are free for you." We kept on resisting him, but he was determined to give us flowers. We eventually took the flowers but he never accepted the payment for them and just moved on to the next car.
I've been to over 20 countries but never received that kind of warmth. As Neha Jhasaid cities like Lahore are very much like Indian metros especially Delhi. The common people there do not have any animosity against other religions. It is surprising to see how media and politicians make us believe otherwise.
If you do travel to Lahore, there are 2 things you should definitely do. Visit the food street - the kababs there are to die for. Also watch one of the standup comedy shows. These used to be aired on Indian cable years ago but they still have them there.
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