Adil Najam
Massachusetts – where I currently live – takes its Fall (Autumn) season very seriously. The main attraction is ‘Fall Foliage’; the changing of leaf colors as autumn sets in. The official Massachusetts website proudly proclaims that, “Fall is a glorious time to visit Massachusetts. The trees wear magical coats of crimson, gold, and scarlet leaves; hillsides glisten under a pale pink glaze; dry leaves crunch underfoot; and every farm stand boasts piles of fat orange pumpkins.”
Indeed, the spectacular colors that the leaves and forests assume as the cold suddenly creeps in are breathtaking. This is the peak of the tourist season here and people from all over the country and the world converge here to ‘look at the leaves.’ Fall Foliage happens in many places around the world, but in this area (called ‘New England’) it is especially special.
In the beginning, I used to think this rather quaint, even funny. But now I have come to appreciate the glory of the season. Over the last many weeks as I have sat on my desk writing this blog, all too often I have looked up to enjoy the wonderful hues of yellows and oranges and reds and browns that the leaves in my yard have assumed. By now the leaves are all on the ground, the snows are around the corner, but it is still quite beautiful.Over the years, I have taken many photographs of Fall Foliage in Massachusetts. The photograph featured here is not one of them. Indeed, what makes this photograph special is that it is not of Massachusetts at all; even though the foliage connoisseurs of New England would have been quite proud of it. It is, in fact, from Hunza. The snow packed Himalayas in the background make the picture all the more spectacular.
I found this picture on the web (here) the other day and wondered why people seem to enjoy and appreciate Fall colors so much more here than they do in Pakistan. Indeed, as so many of Shirazi’s posts highlight, we tend to enjoy and appreciate the natural wealth of our country so much less than we should. Of course, the daily struggles for survival have much to do with our lack of ability to do so. But even those who can seem to be far more interested in catching a weekend in glitzy Dubai than catching their breath in beholding the natural beauty that is all around us.
Deeda-i-Beena thanks for giving a good point, it reminded me of our people going for Haj and buying lots of gold during their stay. And sure Dubai offers more for shopping than Saudiarabia.
wow Sadia Khan & Adil Najam, Kya baat hai ap doono ki,Adil achakzai here from Pishin Manzari Mekhanzai.
Greatly appreciate and agree with Adil Najam’s “Hunza Surprise” and Saadia Khan’s nostalgic appreciation of ATPs. It is not a matter expenses BUT one of attitudes. To vit a Luxury Cruise ship sailed from Karachi on the 7th November on its maiden voyage of 4 days and a 12 hour (shopping) stay in Dubai. Cost: Rs. 35000. People have money. Hunza and other areas provide no shopping. Mogul Emperor Humayun said: AGAR FIRDOUS BER ROUYE ZAMIN AST
HAMIEN ASTO HAMIEN ASTO HAMIEN AST
that pic looks great,
biggest downfall for us brits is our ‘wonderful’ weather :)
But when I walk down the street the tress look pretty with the leaves falling off, what I love the most is stepping on the fallen crispy leaves!
Cant wait till it snows!…..all those snow fights yay!!
All I see mostly people travel to Murree, Ayubia or some extend to Naran& Kaghan. In Germany people always travel some city of their country. They explore the beauty and culture of these neighbor cities. One can argue that they have money and resources but in reality I know many young germans who work and save money for this. Meanwhile we Pakistanis only visit to Murree, Ayubia or Kaghan and Naran. I do not say that Karachi walas should fly to Gilgit and Lahoris to Swat and Baluchis Multan, as it can be too expensive. Pakistan is a country which offers alot, all we need to explore around us. Only in Abbottabad I discovered those places which one never imagined could exist in Abbottabad. If one wants one can enjoy the Kino farms in Sargodha and city center of Faisalabad. Its not the landscape of Northern Pakistan so fasinating, the Punjab, Sind and Baluchistan do offer much to explore.
I also know many Pakistanis who fly to Europe to enjoy the beauty of it. Even the Pakistanis in abroad fly from their country of resident to another by saying “we live here so why to look another of city as all will be same”. When we will take out this concept that “all will be same” then we can really explore alot and enjoy the real beauty plus learn something new and better.