Nana's 1993 Adventure: A Detour Through a Civil War Zone
In an extraordinary adventure, my grandfather, Sohail Rabbani, known to us as Nana, recently shared tales of his 1993 vacation. Despite facing a cancelled flight, he braved a detour through a civil war zone, encountering challenges that would daunt even the most seasoned travellers.
Nana's journey began when he met up with an American friend, Ann, and a cousin, Mehmooda, during a family visit to Karachi. Their initial plan was to fly to Chitral, a city in the extreme northwest of Pakistan. However, inclement weather led to flight cancellations, prompting Nana to seek alternative routes.
He reached out to an old teacher, Major Geoffrey Langlands, residing in Chitral. The major advised a daring detour through Afghanistan with a smuggler's caravan. Undeterred, Nana and his companions embarked on this perilous journey at 4 a.m., cramming into the back of a van with 11 others for an 18-hour trek.
The group navigated narrow mountain roads, with no guardrails, and encountered Mujahideen, an Afghan militant group. They also had to cross the treacherous Kunar River, with Nana and the backseat passengers wading through knee-height water. Despite these harrowing experiences, Nana remained unfazed, echoing his philosophy, 'There's no sense in being afraid of things you can't control. You have to do the things you want to do.'
Upon reaching Chitral, they met with Major Langlands and explored the area. Their courage and resilience in the face of adversity made this vacation an unforgettable experience.
Nana's 1993 adventure serves as a testament to his indomitable spirit and fearless approach to life. Despite the challenges posed by a cancelled flight and a journey through a civil war zone, he turned a potential setback into an unforgettable vacation. His words, 'There's no sense in being afraid of things you can't control. You have to do the things you want to do,' encapsulate his philosophy and inspire us to embrace life's adventures with courage and determination.
