One random afternoon, as I lounged at home, a message popped up in m WhatsApp group. It was from an unfamiliar group member, sharing details about a train excursion from Peshawar to the Takht-i-Bahi relics. This historic site, located near Mardan, had been on my radar ever since I moved to Peshawar. Excited by the prospect of visiting, I immediately forwarded the details to two of my closest friends. They were just as eager to go, and soon enough, we began planning the trip.

We wasted no time getting organized. I even headed out with one of my Pakhtun friends to find the perfect frilly, laced Afghan burqas in Peshawar. After some searching, we found them in Gora Bazaar, and with that, half our preparations were done. Ever since I moved to this region, trying on a traditional Afghan burqa had been on my list—it was a must! And what better historic, picturesque spot to showcase it than the ancient ruins of Takht-i-Bahi? The contrast between the cultural heritage of the burqa and the Buddhist history of the site was intriguing, offering the perfect blend of past and present, tradition and history, all in one photo-worthy moment.

But, of course, in typical fashion, we got so caught up in our busy prep and shopping that we completely forgot to book our tickets. By the time I remembered and called the office to reserve six seats, I was told the train was fully booked. My heart sank. After a bit of pleading and explaining our situation, the kind staff at the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Culture and Tourism Authority (KPCTA) graciously adjusted their arrangements. They sent some staff members via minibuses, freeing up seats for us. With a sigh of relief, we transferred the payment and locked in our booking at the very last minute.

That evening, on my way back from work, I shared my travel plans with a family member. As expected in a typical brown family, he immediately raised concerns about the trip’s safety. He suggested we take a private car with a family driver instead, emphasizing the dangers of exploring an unfamiliar region on my own. He pointed out past incidents of terrorism and the looming risks involved. His lecture on safety was long and thorough,........

© Pakistan Observer