Random Choices

Every action has a reaction. It is a theory tested throughout time and something we live with every day, although we do not really pay attention to it. How many times have you done something "random" and suddenly your entire day changes, or week, or month or life. If we can fully grasp the importance of Random Choices, or the sudden urge to do something not within your expected routine and how it can lead to unexpected results if you get out of your own way and allow them to happen organically. With that I will introduce you to Ahad, Emmett and Sarjit.

My new buddies

My first full day in Hunza started with my breakfast of eggs, bread, tea and fresh jam, accompanied by Tony as I looked into the Hunza valley. I could actually hear the river as it was so quiet in my breakfast bar. I had spoken to the owner of the Hotel and I mentioned I wanted to walk down to visit Ganish, a 1000 year old village at the bottom of the hill. He happily showed me a shortcut that lead right into the village, saving me about a 30 minute walk. I came out into the back end of the little village at the base of the hill and found my way to the street and Ganish, an easy find.

I paid my 500 Rupees and a guide mysteriously appeared, which I was expecting from the reviews that I read. He was a stately old dude and he said he had been a guide for over 40 years but since his heart attack he now guides the settlement only. Oddly, this was confirmed by the owner of my hotel (Sorry, I keep forgetting his name) as they ran a tour company together, which the owner still had. I kept that in mind because I needed some ideas on how to accomplish my travel goals while in Hunza. Anyways, we walking through this little walled community, which is only about 10% of its original size due to earthquakes and government interference and land appropriations. It was interesting as it reaffirmed what I learned in Afghanistan about the enormity of the Ancient Silk Road influences, most notably Buddhism, which was a big part of this town's history. Islam was not a part of the community for over 500 years as it began being used to influence and scare the people into submission. Weirdly similar to what Constantine did with Christianity and The Roman Empire in about 300 AD. Using religion to control the masses, I am glad that never advanced past the middle ages.

My guide gave me a great tour, in great detail about the 4 little mosques that survived the history of the place, plus a bit of knowledge as to why the doors to all the buildings were so small. It was to control the environment. You see, such small doors kept the heat out in the summer and the cold out in the winter. I figured that I had seen these small entrance ways before so there must be something to it. Now as the tour was ending we found a bit of shade in the main courtyard and we just started chatting. It naturally let to American Politics, Pakistani Corruption and the War with India which "never goes away." I did more listening that talking for a couple of reasons. The first was I wanted to hear what he had to say and second, he seemed quite content on telling me his views. I was in a Pakistan Time Hortons without the cheap coffee. With my tour ending as there were others waiting, I gave him a 500 Rupee tip and off I went, looking for a snack to decide what to do next.

This was a busy area, mainly because it was the main exit of the Karakoram Highway that leads into Karimabad. There were a few hotels, restaurants and tuck shops, which I tend to find myself going to for a cold Pepsi or Coke. I might have mentioned this in the past, but I do not usually drink that unhealthy swill, but when I travel I can not seem to get enough of it. So with coke in hand I see two restaurants across the street, and the larger of the two, and open aired patio was busy. Lessons learned from the past, if a restaurant is busy with locals, then that is where you should east. I stepped across the street not realizing that this choice was going to change my trip.

I entered the place and asked where to sit and the unimpressed guy behind the counter just waved his hands. I notice a table with chairs (a must) and made my way. I was just about to get settled when I heard, "come sit here, join us". These tables are separated by a sitting bed so I did not notice the three young guys when I walked in. I figured why not, and joined them as milk tea suddenly appeared in front of me. 

Ahad, Emmett and Sarjit were from Lahore Ahad and Emmett each run seperate tour companies, Ahad has Rove Adventures and Emmett has Trip Holic but there were in the process of joining forces. Sarjit was on one of Rove Adventures trips and became fast friends with Ahad, so he was hired as the social media content guy. He was just referred to as "Camera Guy". His english was the weakest of the three but he was friendly just the same.

It so happens that these three had just finished a tour of the Hunza area and had some extra time before they went back to Lahore, and they were looking for a few things to do. Ahad was very keen on learning what my plans were (I was well aware that he was probably looking to sell me a tour). I was open and talked about wanting to go to The China border, Passu and maybe Gulmit. He brought up places I never would have thought about such as various lakes and glaciers, plus the two forts that were in the area. Ity was a very good conversation and since I really had no idea what to do and how to do it we actually started to make a plan. He would be my guide and we would hire a driver for 5 days, $100 for him plus $150 for the driver. He would give me a discount as long as I would help promote his company as well as Emmetts with photos, videos and commentary about their companies. I could do that.

They wanted to start right away but we agreed to start the next morning, which gave him time to find a local driver and organize tours that he was already working on. He was a high energy 25 year old and seemed to know everyone at the restaurant. Emmett was a bit younger at 21 and seemed to always be fighting on the phone with his girlfriend and Cameraman just seemed to hang out and live as stress free a life of anyone I have ever met.

We shared contact information then said our goodbyes for the day. They ended up buying my breakfast, which is very common here in Pakistan. As I wandered around the river and back through the town, constantly climbing hills, I tried not to overthink what had happened. If they showed up at my hotel in the morning as planned, cool, of not, well then I would figure it out. 

Random choices. What was a sudden choice to enter a busy restaurant could turn out to be an incredible enhancement to my Pakistan journey. We shall see.