Apnakarachi Submissions

I am from India and I have great memories of Karachi. Just wanted to share.

Owner: jiya1
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Created: 2007-08-22 14:57:29

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Hi friends, I am Atul Walankikar. I live in Pune, India and work for Nokia in India. I would like to share my wonderful memories of Karachi which I visited in 2004 (spent 3 days).
2004 was the year when after long long time Indian cricket team was on tour to Pakistan. I was one of the luckiest guys who got selected by my company to visit Karachi and see 1 day international cricket match live in National Stadium Karachi. I still remember the day when I got a call from my national HR head congratulating me on being selected by my company as exceptional contributor and reward is to spend 3 days in Karachi and see cricket match live. i was stunned and could not beleive it for many hours later.
Just to share, I have seen 28 countries and had worked in UK (London) for BT for 3 years. I still have very fond memories of my Pakistani friends and neighbours while I was living in wembley. However never before I was such thrilled after I got the news of opportunity to visit Pakistan.
I couldnot beleive it. Handed over my passport for visa and other processes to Samsung (official sponser of match then ). I was not too sure whether visa would be granted or not ( I had multiple entry visass of Israel stamped on passport so was scared ). Finally just 3 days before the day of departure, got confirmation that I got Visa. My wife and friends were worried as Karachi was a very unknown destination for me and was all the time in bad news here in India. I packed my bags and joined the hotel in Mumbai from where we were to catch special PIA flight to Karachi. I couldnot beleive it friends. It indeed is difficult to express my state of mind on the day of departure.
Finally, got onto PIA flight. I met several journalists, very well known faces ( about 15/20 from politics,films,press etc.. ) on the special flight. I remember to have landed in Karachi at around 5.30 pm just the day before the cricket match.
We were put up in Avari Towers. Journey from airport to Avari was memorable. I was scared to see some small tanks on the road and army guys with weapons on the road. I had never before seen that anywhere. However on the other side, there were bannnes welcoming Indian team and indians who came to visit the place. Every person we met greeted us with a very broad smile. All fears gone. What a reception we had in Avari!! We were little afraid but people around us made us extremly comfortable. we were instructed by Samsung guys to deposit passport and asked us not to step out of hotel at any cost. I checked in the room. The service was excellent and eveyone at hotel reception was greeting us with very warm smile trying to talk and interact. After checking the room, I came down to lobby. it was 8.30 pm. I remember to have met Mr. Afridi there ( forgot his first name ). we interacted and had a small talk on who is best, who is going to win the match etc.. After finishing the dinner, I was just spending time at the lobby. Then same gentleman came to me and said, lets go out and have a small walk around. I could not react at all. honestly it took me a while to respond as i was wondering whether I should say yes.
I would like to stop here for now and write what happened next if I get a feel that I am not boring anyone of wonderful people of Karchi. Do let me know if you are interested to know on my experience in Karchi. Look forward friends. Thx

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