INDIA-PAKISTAN BORDER
Another interesting site near the Golden Temple is the border
between India and Pakistan. Apparently, most of the punjab state is trapped in
the Pakistan side of the border (no, I'm not bias :P). The cab driver (another
long story about that one) said he always feels sad whenever he travels to the
border. Even I felt sad, but then again, most of my friends and family know that
I have a soft-heart. I would feel sorry for the obnoxious guy in a night club
that got rejected by the lady he was trying to hit on, even if he wore ten
pounds of gold and referred to himself in the third person. Anyways, back to the
border. It seems that both the Pakistan border guards and the Indian border
guards lower the flags at the same time and sing their country songs at the top
of their lungs (those hidden speakers help significantly). Its like a daily
competition between the sides. They even have an audience each day, with stands
for them to sit in and enjoy the event. Weird!
Never did get the chance to step on Pakistan soil, but then again, that's
probably a good thing. The captain of the guards was tending to the refreshment
stand and actually gave us a personal tour of the place, all the way till the
main gate on the Indian side. Pretty cool, although I have to send him colour
printouts of the pictures I took. Didn't see any female solders though. I wonder
if the Indian army allows female recruits. Mmmmm....women in uniform....hey,
guys can drool too...at least we get to mentally unwrap something
pretty...wouldn't want to piss of a girl with a gun though. :)
There's my dad with the ceremonial guards of the border. I call them
ceremonial cause I seriously doubt those 40 year old muskets are going to stop
any invasion from across the border. I shouldn't complain though. It's still
highly advanced weaponry compared to the slingshot and rocks that the Canadian
military uses to protect its citizens. :P
That's me in front of the main gateway. Behind me, to my right, is the
spectator stands that goes up multiple levels. We got there early and had to
leave prior to the official ceremonies, so the captain of the guards offered to
take us on a personal tour of the area. Neat! As payment, I have to send
him colour printouts of these pictures. Pretty good trade! He even bought us
drinks (non-C2H5OH) after the tour.
This pic is of me with guards closer to the gate. Yet again, the weaponry
doesn't appear too fearsome. There hasn't been a border conflict in this area
ever, so I guess the military is pretty complacent. According to the captain of
the guards, the worst offenses are smuggling of restricted goods across the
border. Seems very much like our border with the US. Too bad the best we smuggle
across is a full tank of gas. Gawd, aren't we the most passive creatures? :(
Close-up of the Pakistan border. I guess they went through a series of
cost-cutting measures, cause they're response to the spectator stands are the
lawn chairs you see on the right side. Finally, something the Pakistan and
Canadian army have in common. :)
I thought this picture was really funny. This is an Indian one-man bunker
and observation tower. Ouch! I wonder how much worse it gets during an actual
conflict? That tower does not look too stable. Then again, who would want to
stay in the bunker in 40+ degrees heat (Celsius)?