Life Through A Celebrity's Eye

We all hear about the life of celebrities and how the paparazzi continuously try to sneak pictures and interrupt the private lives of these people.

My parents have been visiting for the past week and we took them traveling through Islamabad, Nathia Gali and Taxila. On the way there we stopped at the Salt Mine which I have been to before. Of course it is the week of Eid Azha, which is one of the busiest times of year. Smart move to go there, but this is my holiday too.  Of course immediately when we get out of the car, a crowd appears. And I don’t where the women are.  But the crowds that appear around us are 98% men. There were some families out with small children, but most of them were younger men. Men that don’t have anything better to do than to hang out at the salt mine with their buddies and follow the only foreigners that are touring through. Men that walk beside you and scream and holler inside the tunnel. Men that take their phone out and either record or take pictures right in front of your face. Men that say things under their breath in Urdu when they walk past you. Who knows if it’s appropriate or not because obviously I can’t understand. But there are men that come up to Ryan and shake his hand to say ‘welcome to Pakistan.’ There are men that ask politely if they can take a photo with you. Some times we say ‘not today’ and sometimes we say ‘only one.’ Well the phrase ‘only one’ does not work because as soon as one person sees a Pakistani taking a photo of Westerner, they all rush over to do the same. They just didn’t have the guts to ask before. Before you know it, there is another crowd around you. We call these the paparazzi, as they have their camera’s out taking photos of us posing with Pakistani men. And of course as this is happening, I think to myself ‘why do men want these photos and where are these photos going to end up?’

I have had students come up to me in school and say ‘I saw you in a magazine?’ My response in my head is,  ‘Honto ni?’ (Japanese term meaning: For real!?) I look at them and they carry on. ‘Yah you were at the polo match!’ Oh yes! I remember now. That weekend we had paparazzi all over us again. Why?  Because we one of the few Westerners who actually attended the polo match. So we must be important people! Where will my picture end up next?

In Nathia Gali, north from Islamabad

From the top of Marinjani mountain

There were sheep/goats up there with weird butts

Since my parents have been in the country, they have experienced the life of a celebrity, which doesn’t just include getting pictures taken. They have experienced a personal driver driving them around Pakistan. They have dined in a beautiful restaurant on the hills of Islamabad over looking the city. While I am at school they hang out at the private pool with lawn chairs in my compound. Obviously everyone is at work so they get the pool to themselves. When we come home from work, they enjoy a tasty meal provided by our cook. I took them to school one day and they had so many people coming up to them saying ‘You are Kim’s parents? It is so nice to meet you!’ The word spread fast that they were arriving. I mean, they do stand out when there are only 22 foreign teachers on campus. Hard life eh? At one time they were thinking about considering positions at the school. Haha!

Beautiful restaurant in the Margalla hills

The Hindu Kush is somewhere in the polluted background

The family!

My life here is swarmed by people staring and taking pictures of me. It does get frustrating and at times, I really hate it. I just want to enjoy the beauties of Pakistan without the paparazzi following me. However, when I see some of the local people working in their shops or pulling donkey carts, I also want to take pictures. I can understand that some people don’t want a camera in their face. I respect that. But I usually ask and I doubt they get many people taking pictures of them. 

Many Pakistanis I have befriended. I have a vegetable man on the street that I go to. He is always so thankful every time I buy from him and gives me chili peppers on the side.

Fabric being sold on the side of the road

The things people do in cars, especially on windy roads through mountains. I don't understand

I just recently visited a school where it only costs $10 a child each month for education. Our school has donated many things to HUF (Hope Uplift Foundation). These children were so engaged and singing songs for us. They spoke so politely in English answering questions. They shook my hand with smiles and confidence. As soon as we entered the classroom, the whole room stood up and sang a Welcome song. In a tiny classroom with only one fan blowing, they were happy to be there learning. Education for them is not taken for granted and they understand that at such a young age. The school is located in a slum area of town. In a way it is great because the students do not have to walk very far to get to school. Earlier they started with as few as 40 children and now they have 1,000. It is amazing to see Pakistan educating their children. Even teachers were calling them 'angels.' I don't know if I can say the same for our spoiled students. These people have so little in life but they are happy, whether it is the vegetable man or poor Pakistani children living in slums. They don’t harass or rip me off. I hope that there is a shift in the generation soon so that foreigners can enjoy more of this beautiful country.

Huff children

Singing us a welcome song

Waving to us as they were dismissed

They painted their faces for us!

High fives on the street! Right on!

We recently toured through the old city with my parents. It was quite the expedition. We entered the Badshahi Mosque as well as the Lahore Fort. Both were pretty amazing. We weren't the only ones that were amazed. While we were getting tickets for the Fort, a whole family managed to have a picture with Ryan.  Inside the Fort, a group of school girls saw us from afar, raced through the maze of the fort and ran up to me asking for pictures. After a few I said I had to go but of course not all the school girls had their individual pictures yet and started grabbing my arm and yelling at the other girls in Urdu. I am assuming they were saying 'no it's my turn now! I have been waiting. Someone take my phone and take a picture!'

Life as a celebrity (Faisal Mosque Islamabad)

Lahore Fort 

Lahore Fort

I can say from living here that I do sympathize with celebrities around the world. It is a tough life at times.