There wasn’t much time to visit anyone or any place. I saw maybe a fraction of Lahore, and that maybe on two trips. Even if I had time, I had little inclination to go places. I am a nostalgic guy but I hate nostalgia. You feel me? Not to mention that Lahore was cordoned off under the bomb threats.
I did partake in a tiny bit of nostalgia. I went by my high school, Cathedral High School.
I gazed forlornly at the ground where I played my very first cricket match (I was posted at third man boundary. I let the ball go between my legs. I was ridiculed, mercilessly, by my classmates for the next 6 years.)
While I was taking pictures, a chaprasi (attendant) came by and said that some teacher was angrily demanding that I explain myself and my shutterbugging habits. I told him I am an alumni but that didn’t seem to placate anyone. Casually, trying not to run, I retreated to the car.
We drove to Mall Road to visit Ferozsons Ltd. I had wanted to find these adventures of Hatim Tai that I used to read – but they only seemed to have the kid’s tales version, which was not what I had in mind. Fun, though.
Then, I walked down the Mall (followed by two C.I.D. guys, I think, who grew concerned when I started snapping pictures of an anti-Danish rally on the mall) and looked at the General Post Office, where I used to spend ungodly amounts of time.
and, thought about mailing some postcards but couldn’t find any … postcards. Sorry, everyone, whom I promised a mailing from Lahore. I suck.
I was distracted, briefly, by the sight of headgear – it being hot and muggy that day. And I really needed some shade for my eyes. Nothing really appealed, though.
Then, I was distracted by The Mummy in Urdu.
But only momentarily. Soon, the A/C car was there, and we could jet back home.
But, not before we caught this exquisite, and routine, street kabuki theater.
I _love_ the bored slouches of the two public servants on the left.
Previously: Lahore Snaps VI: How We Roll, Lahore Snaps V: Signs, Lahore Snaps IV: We Eat, Lahore Snaps III: Marks it Bears, Lahore Snaps II: Where We Lived, Lahore Snaps I: Games We Play …
Also, FYI: There are additional snaps on Flickr that I am not posting in these posts here…
{ 13 comments… read them below or add one }
wow awsome shoots….
i have been to lahore couple of times but never got a chance to actually go out n luk @ da place…but it is definitely in my Places-to-visit list….
showing some paki love n respect…
cheers
Really wonderful pics, like all of the previous posts.
I Love Jesus?
Much delayed comment but your Lahore snaps are killing me. I want to visit so much.
Thanks, everyone. Esp. to Szerlem who does far superior photo-essays than I can.
So how much do you think they finally settled for (in the last photo)?
Hmm, 2-300? I can’t imagine inflation being that over the top, and back in me days, it was about 50-100.
Thought, it is 3 of them. So, 500 just to be safe.
When I first looked at it I thought – the citizen, after having invoked the law, principles of civics, and basic decency, has just switched to one precious uncleji in a powerful position. The leader of the pack is still trying, but the others have realised that kuchh nahin hone waala, sab time waste saala, jaane do isko.
Aww..that’s very kind. Thank you :)
Beautiful pics……..especially of school. I am a cathedralite as well an dplayed in the same ground….thanx for reminding me all this.
Mohsin
Great shots i also went to cathedral school for a couple of years and now in australia i miss lahoreeeeeeeeeee
I am also a Cathedralite class of 1974 (senior cambridge). not sure if there is someone from that year around?
Well, just come across this site today. I was at Cathedral from 1959-1962 (long time ago!!). Anyone here from that time? I was back on a short visit in 2005, going to the school again brought tears to my eyes — the place has meant a lot to me over the years.