Hidden Treasures: Islamabad

Asma Mirza

Flickring through Islamabad MB group on Flickr, I ended up looking at the serene beauty of Golra's century old Banyans (aka bargad ~ century old is purely my own assumption).

Have you been to Golra Railway Station ever? If no ~ wake up, pack up and get going. Its a MUST visit. The picture above seems familiar? If you closely watched vital Signs singing their tunes in early 90's ... you can recognize it :) Remember Islamabad's 5th gift to world?

The News published a fine article almost an year back on Golra Railways station and it's heritage museum ... citing:

... All said and done, it is a gem of a museum and well worth a visit, especially if you remember the good old days when traveling by train was an exciting prospect -- something to look forward to as you packed your bags; a hamper with food and books and magazines to read when it became too dark to look outside. A paratha and an omelet never tasted as good as when you had them cold with a nice hot cup of tea bought from the vendor on the platform. The strident voices of other vendors as they called out their wares -- most of these to titillate pangs of hunger that are somehow intensified during travel -- each trying to outdo the other so he could be heard and be the one to make the first sale, the thrill of travelling on a 'choo-choo'; or 'chook chook', as we say in this part of the world; the clouds of hissing steam coming out of the wood and coal fired engine; the hustle bustle of passengers and porters and the "All aboard", call of the guard as he waved his green flag, are all part of childhood memories a visit to Golra Station brings back -- a nostalgic hour or two well spent!

Image Courtesy: PBase

Cross Posted from Islamabad Metblogs