Before the trip/How it all began?
8a.m Monday, 17th September 2007: Montreal, Canada I woke up in the morning and i knew what i wanted. I wanted to fly out of Canada towards EAST. I went on Montreal’s airport’s website and checked which are the flights out of it today. Luckily, i found that that there is Royal Jordanian’s direct flight to Amman, Jordan. That’s it! I called the airline’s office at 9a.m and asked for the availability and price for one way ticket from Montreal to Amman. I was told that the price is 766 CAD incl. Taxes and there are seats available. I called a cab and went straight to the airport on this lovely autumn morning. The ticket agent quote the same price. I gave him my passport and the money but as soon as he tried the reconfirm the booking – he got an error – No Seats Available! I couldn’t believe it. I called the airline and got the same information. My plan to go to Israel via Jordan was busted! I was a little disappointed as i really made up my mind to go to Israel. Now i must re-plan everything starting from WHERE AM I GOING! I knew that i really want to see my parents but the problem was that i needed a visa to go to Pakistan which i didn’t have. So, i went to the information desk again and asked them about all the flights from Montreal to Europe and Middle East. The next most suitable flight according to my budget was at 10pm (which meant that i had about 14 hrs to kill – Fuck!) but it was an amazing last minute offer – Just 217 CAD/105 GBP incl. Taxes one way flight to London. I knew that from London i can fly anywhere. Moreover, i have got my room, my friends and everything there so it would be good to see them all before i embark onto another big trip. I bought the ticket to London!!!
Tuesday, 7.30 am, 18th September 2007: London, United Kingdom
Due to strong tail wind the flight to London was much faster than anyone expected it to be. It was just 5 hrs ad 45 mins. I arrived back home – Europe is what i call my home! I went to my apartment and to see my friends. After a few hours there, i noticed that there is some kind of tension in the air. What happened in last 10 days in my absence changed my flatmates attitude towards me. At night, i got to know the whole story. I WAS SHOCKED! The guy whom i helped a lot to settle in London, whom i trusted so much that i let him have my room so that he is not spending money in hostel so that he finds a place for himself and when i return, i get my room back. This unthankful New Zealander guy conspired against ME along with one of the newly arrived girls in our flat to throw me out of my own room. He totally denied the fact that i told him that he can stay for just a few days until i come back and the girl supported him too. IT WAS A NIGHTMARE!
Wednesday, 19th September 2007:
In the morning, all the flatmates got together and had a hot discussion. I told them all that he is lying but because they were in majority so i lost the battle. What hurts me the most is that why did he behave in such a way! Believe me if he would have asked me to give him my room and move somewhere else, i might would have done it!!! What a pity that he lost a trustable friend like me. I called my best friend Rolf & my ex-flatmate a Swedish girl, Yamile and requested them if they can keep my bags until i come back to London from PAKISTAN which should be somewhere in Mid-October. They rescued me and i moved my stuff to their place and flew to Zürich, Switzerland with a heavy heart.
Never c hanging Zürich welcomed me back to Switzerland. After chaotic last few days it was a huge relief to be in World’s Best City to live (according to UN Survey for 2007 & 2006 about quality of life in the major cities around the world). My ever reliable friend, Christof was there at the airport to pick me up. It is not often that someone comes to receive me on the airport but it is one of those little things that matters a lot to me. I was still going through to the jet lag so i went to bed when it was 10.30pm in Canada and slept like a stone.
Thursday, 20th September 2007:
Good old Zürich made me feel as if i am visiting my Grand ma – always there for me with its unconditional love. I wanted to stay a bit and relax so i decided against going to the Pakistani Embassy to get the Visa. I stayed in my room the whole day. Before going to bed, i thought about my parents and started missing them. I told myself that there is not more important in the world than making my parents happy and i can do that if i will be with them for the Eid-ul-Fitr/End of Ramadan, which will be around 14th October this year. I decided to go to the Pakistani Embassy tomorrow morning for the Visa.
9.30 am Friday, 21st September 2007:
I woke up later than expected but i had everything prepared last night so in 15 mins i was always at the local train station to catch the train to the Swiss Capital – Bern. It was a strange feeling to apply for the visa at the embassy of your country of birth and where i spent atleast 20 yrs of my life before becoming German (23rd April 2007). They were very kind and helpful and gave me the visa immediately (i paid 35 Euros Visa Fees for a Single Entry visa). I was happy to get the visa because now i could go anytime to Pakistan. But of course i wanted to make sure that the ticket is under my budget so i came back home and started my search online for the ticket to the EAST. There were a few options such as for 300 & 350 Euros oneway by changing flights 3 times and with longer waiting timings at the various airports. But i wanted to get a special fare, as always! Finally i saw a special offer for 69 CHF/60 USD incl. Taxes one way ticket from Zürich to Pristina, the capital of KOSOVO, which is currently a UN Administrated country after the war ended in Serbia in 2000. As soon as i saw the price, a big smile spread on my lips. The moment i saw it, i knew what i wanted to do. An old wish that was buried somewhere in the corner of my mind came to live and i purchased the ticket. Again i slept at 4.30 CET/10pm Canadian time.
Saturday, 22nd September 2007: Last day in Zürich before the trip
I woke up with the exact plan in my mind. I knew what is my next goal: The Road Trip to PAKISTAN! I told me friends that i will be flying to Kosovo tomorrow and they were in complete disbelieve but i am sure next time even if i tell them that i am going to Iraq, they won’t be surprised. I had so many things to do such as packing, reading more about Kosovo and the current situation there, organising accommodation with couchsurfing, printing out the maps and general information of travelling in Balkan states. Moreover, i also wanted the read about the neighbouring countries and as i knew that i have to make my way EAST from Kosovo. By midnight i was done with everything but as i was still suffering from Jet lag so i couldn’t sleep until 2 a.m/8pm Canadian time.
The Journey Begins!!!
4.40 am Sunday, 23rd September 2007:
I LOVE ZÜRICH for being so reliable with its transport system. No hassle, no tension – i woke up, got ready and at 5 am, i was at the local train station close to my apartment from there i took the direct speed train that arrived at the Zürich airport in less than even 10 mins. As always, i had no or very less luggage. This time it was just a small school bag weighing about 6kilos (because of my Laptop 2kg and lonely planet guide for EUROPE 1kg) Check in and security check didn’t take much time and in no time i was inside the plane. The flight was delayed for an hour due to some reasons – the pilot announced that we have not yet received permission from technical staff – whatever it means ;-) But the flight was smooth and i arrived in Pristina at 10a.m.
The immigration was easy. They saw my german passport and gave an entry stamp at the back of the last page in the passport. At that time i didn’t understand why was the UN Immgration staff was so stupid to do but later i understand the reason.
I flew with Hello airline for 55 USD incl. taxes from Zurich to Pristina, Kosovo'a Capital. Spend some hours strolling around the city before catching a bus to Kamenica (Pronounced as Kamenitza) where i was hosted by a Kosovar Couchsurfer Lavdim. We had an awesome time together! I was literally treated a celebrity there due to my travelling experiences.
