Comments on: I Have Some Tough Travel Choices Ahead

By: Baby England Kit

Baby England Kit — Tue, 04 May 2010 16:01:10 +0000

was wondering where did you go…. silly me. I just read your latest post and saw that you went to haiti

By: trophy shop

trophy shop — Thu, 08 Apr 2010 05:59:06 +0000

The Tommy Cooper Rescue Plan indeed. He would have cut off his trouser leg and sent it to Alistair Darling with a note saying: “Here’s a turn-up for the books.”

By: executive training

executive training — Fri, 12 Feb 2010 09:41:52 +0000

Haiti surely needs all hands that are willing to help, but witch such low lever of organization any help could be very difficult. Going there must mean something to you and to those people who are in need, so I hope that it will succeed.

By: Kirsty

Kirsty — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 11:49:46 +0000

@lissie Thanks for the heads up. I continually hear that people in Pakistan are super friendly. There are rape or near-rape stories from everywhere, unfortunately. My friend has a lot of women friends who live and work there so I’m not worried.

@workingnomad The more worrisome thing is the security situation and I am aware of that but not totally educated on what is going on right now. I will size up the situation in March when I am about to decide what to do.

I do know that Islamabad is rarely a target, at least not compared to the rest of the country.

I’ve bought a ticket to London for March 1st. I will try for the visa and if that doesn’t happen then I will go to Haiti. I am still up in the air if I want to head to Haiti and forget Pakistan for now or if I want to go to Pakistan. If I go to Haiti in March I will only get 2.5 months in before the World Cup in June. If I go after that, I can stay as long as I want.

The choice has been made tougher since http://www.hodr.org announced a project and a bunch of my friends are heading there now or soon.

By: Cancer Hospital

Cancer Hospital — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 08:38:54 +0000

Yes care must needed if you’ll go for Pakistan, but Haiti might be good option for you if you can do help them.

By: used tires

used tires — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 05:21:32 +0000

If you do go to Pakistan, just be careful. With the current fighting against insurgents going on there, you can never tell where there might be trouble.

Till then,

Jean

By: Working Nomad

Working Nomad — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 00:52:26 +0000

Isn’t the security situation in Pakistan a bit dodgy at the moment too or is that confined to just one area?

I would still tread carefully but I suspect the more people tell you not to go, the more you’ll want to go…

By: Table Tennis Cover

Table Tennis Cover — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 00:38:49 +0000

Kirtsy it seems like you have quite a few choices on what to do with the next 3 months of your life. Go with your gut instinct and what you think is best. I wish you all the best.

By: Court Reporters

Court Reporters — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 10:57:28 +0000

Yes, it’s really tough travel choices, I think haiti is good option for you.

By: Lissie

Lissie — Sun, 31 Jan 2010 19:49:44 +0000

Kirsty- you called your friend in Pakistan “he” – that’s not trivial. I’ve travelled a lot of places (but not Pakistan) solo – Syria was one of my favourites. But I met a Medeicnes Sans Fronteires (sp) nurse in India who had been working in Pakistan (not travelling working) – she was late 40′s dressed modesty – looked like someone’s grandmother basically. She had come very,very close to being raped and had to leave the country in a hurry. Basically she had travelled the world with MSF for most of her life and she had never come across the level of hostility to her as a woman as she got in Pakistan – and she was an emergency nurse – that didn’t count – she was a woman first!

The comment above re not living iwth a man who is not a relative is relevant too. I have Pakistan on a very short list of places i probably wouldn’t go to – its not a muslim thing – as I said Syria was a delight, and I had more hassel in Italy than Egypt – it seems to be a Pakistan thing for WOMEN. Suggest you try to connect with a woman who has been there recently to get the real insight

By: Kirsty

Kirsty — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 14:50:10 +0000

Thanks for all of the advice everyone.

My gut says Pakistan but unfortunately it’s the most expensive, risky and complicated option. I’m considering heading to the UK to apply there. I’ve got a cheap flight but the flight onwards to Islamabad is pricey and then I need to get from there to South Africa which is surprisingly cheap. I’m not totally sure if I will be able to get a visa in the UK since the application process is fairly involved but it seems like my best chance.

But London is not a bad place to be stuck in if the visa doesn’t happen. I have family and friends in the UK, some tax loose ends to tie up, and I will still be able to consider a trip to Haiti from there or I can just shoot right down to South Africa.

I’m looking at the end of February so I will still get another month in of house building and I won’t feel like I’m jumping ship.

I have lots to consider but I think I will have something decided in a week or so. I will keep you posted! Thanks again for all your comments.

By: Working Nomad

Working Nomad — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 14:38:04 +0000

Good advice from the poster above.

I would have thought it would be quite a while before Hands On would be able to deploy in Haiti looking at the severity of the situation there.

I can see you ending up working for some kind of disaster charity or NGO, you definitely seem to have found your heart and passion lies. Good on you for that.

By: Andy Hayes | Sharing Travel Experiences

Andy Hayes | Sharing Travel Experiences — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 17:18:25 +0000

Kirsty, while there has been some excellent advice shared, I can only offer you one thing: what does your gut tell you to do?

Go for a long walk or sit and relax with a cup of tea in a quiet space and ask yourself that question.

You’ll find the answer. I have a little faith.

By: UK Festivals

UK Festivals — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 12:04:41 +0000

If you choose Pakistan then do your research well re: dress code, local customs and the security situation. You say ignore it for now but I think it should be a factor in your decision. If you go to areas such as Peshawar that Western governments advise against visiting, be aware that you also may not be covered by your insurance.

Is the friend of your friend you’d be thinking of sharing with female? Strictly, unmarried “couples” co-habiting is illegal in Pakistan. Whether it’s detectable or enforced for foreigners is another matter, but it’s an example of needing to do the legwork before you rock up for a visa.

By: Boris

Boris — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 09:58:25 +0000

I’d head to Pakistan. Islamabad wasn’t one of my favorite places, basically cause it’s just a planned city, not so much going on, but if you have a friend there already, then you’ve got a winner there.

Also, you can get to Lahore from Islamabad within 4 hours and maybe 6 hours (or so, can’t really remember) to Peshawar. Both cities are amazing, but you’d have to be a bit careful in Peshawar. Bombs go off there quite regularly. They’re not targeted at foreigners, but it pays to watch your back.

You also won’t be far away from the Karakorum Highway, which is an amazing (and sometimes agonizing) experience. Along the way there’s loads of hidden gems, like Skardu and the Hunza Valley.

I could get a one-month visa without any problems in India. Had to go for an interview at the embassy and it took 4 days or so, but altogether I got it without a hitch. Once you’re in the country you can generally extend it for free for up to 6 months, I think.