A Sacred Arrival: The Spirit of a New Season
Every new travel season begins with a spark—a quiet anticipation that soon turns into movement. This season’s spark came from across the seas: a group of spiritually curious travellers from Spain, arriving in the heart of Ramadan.
On March 22nd, Muhammad Zahid set off from Islamabad in the well-worn saloon coaster TX 747. Their destination: Karachi to receive Emmy and Anna—two travelers whose journey would be more about meaning than monuments.
Karachi: Where Questions Begin and Curiosity Roams
Emmy, a successful lawyer with a lens for life, and Anna, her soft-spoken companion, arrived early. Each night, driven by passion and photographic intuition, they roamed the neon-lit alleys of Empress Market. It wasn’t just about capturing frames—it was about capturing essence.
On March 27th, the rest of the group—Marina, Louis, Dollo, Patricia, and Sara—joined them. Garlands were exchanged, laughter filled the van, and the real journey began.
Karachi’s Raw Canvas: Markets, Margins & Mausoleums
Led by Emmy’s vision, the itinerary turned poetic. They explored Karachi’s slums with reverence, not pity. They met the Khanabadosh—the nomadic souls of the city—and stood in silence at Mazar-e-Quaid, the final resting place of Muhammad Ali Jinnah.
At Chor Bazaar, they mingled with ethnic traders. In Kemari, they sailed among fishing boats, watching the sea speak to the skyline. And in Sehwan Sharif, they felt the ancient spiritual vibrations of saints and mystics.
Thatta, Manchar, Multan: Of Saints, Water & Stories
At Manchar Lake, the Mohana fishermen shared tales of river life and centuries-old wisdom. In Thatta, roadside tea stalls became places of laughter and learning. By the time they reached Multan, their minds were open—and their hearts, wide.
Rather than ticking off tourist sights, they chose the bazaars. There, artisans told them stories with hands instead of words.
Lahore: The City of Mystics, Wrestlers & Market Rhythms
The Blue Hour at the Badshahi Mosque
In Lahore, they skipped Gawalmandi and instead dined at Haveli Restaurant, overlooking the Badshahi Mosque during Emmy’s beloved “Blue Hour”—the brief, magical twilight that photographers chase like a sacred ritual.
“It feels like prayer,” Emmy whispered as the domes turned blue, then gold.
But the day was far from over
Desi Kushti & A Silent Pilgrimage
That same day, they witnessed a Desi Kushti Akhara—a traditional wrestling pit near the mosque. Covered in clay, the Pehlwans fought not for fame, but for heritage. The group watched in stunned silence, fascinated by the raw strength and discipline.
Early the next morning, Dollo slipped away on her own pilgrimage. She returned quietly to Badshahi Mosque—not just to relive the moment, but to photograph the soldier she had admired the day before. She stood at Allama Iqbal’s tomb, her camera lowered, her head bowed.
She captured more than an image. She captured a feeling.
Markets of the Morning: Where Lahore Breathes
That same day began in the hidden underbelly of Lahore: the fish, meat, and vegetable markets. Vendors shouted prices, cats weaved through crates, and the morning air was alive with aroma and honesty. For this group, these moments were more moving than any museum.
The Dance of Devotion at Shah Jamal
That evening, they stood in a spiritual storm: the Sufi Dhamal at Shah Jamal’s tomb. Drums thundered. Dervishes spun. The beat seemed to pierce through layers of identity and time.
“This is what connection feels like,” said Sara, her eyes closed, palms open.
From Ichra to Achara: Where Heritage Lives in Hands
The next day, they explored Ichra Bazaar—a world of handwoven fabrics, spice-laden corners, and threads of tradition stitched into daily life. Here, Emmy captured portraits of old shopkeepers beneath centuries-old wooden signs.
Truck Parts & Technicolor Dreams
In the afternoon, they ventured into the Truck Parts Market—a maze of color, chrome, and creativity. Emmy was fascinated by the painted rims, calling them “wheels of poetry.” A local painter even let her try a stroke of paint—her first in Pakistan.
Nearby, they visited the legendary Shahi Pehalwan Achara, where generations of wrestlers train in silence and pride. The air smelled of liniment and earth, and every crack in the walls seemed to echo with stories.
From Lahore to the Tribal Frontier: Stories on the Edge
Skipping the Wagah Border, they instead traveled to Peshawar, exploring the legendary Qissa Khwani Bazaar, where traders’ voices mingle like ancient tales.
They even made their way to Darra Adam Khel, where handcrafted guns and tribal traditions tell a different kind of story—one not found in guidebooks.
A Departure, Not an End
On April 8th, they left from Peshawar. The farewells were warm but quiet. They weren’t saying goodbye to a country—but to a version of themselves that only exists on journeys like this.
Final Reflections: The Spirit of Pakistan
This was not a tour—it was a spiritual awakening.
From Ramadan’s rhythm to the wrestling pits of Lahore, from shrines in Sindh to street stalls in Peshawar, this Spanish group discovered a Pakistan few ever see—and even fewer ever feel.
