How was Lahore?

The Institute of Architects Pakistan, Lahore Chapter held the IAPEX 2013 along with Student Jamboree on February 8th, 9th and 10th. This was the second time for me to be supervising students for a Student Jamboree, last one was during the ARCASIA Congress in Bali, Indonesia.

Expo center extension inspired resembling Louis Kahn's work

Entrance to the extension

Interior scattered with posters about Engro Annual Sales Conference

The program started with a long, and excruciatingly slow train journey starting February 6th and ending 8 o'clock in the morning on February 7th, at least 7 hours late than expected arrival time.

Engine developed within 2 hrs of leaving of Karachi, 5 hr delay

Hyderabad train station if am not mistaken

Stall to charge cell, while hawkers also sold solar/disposable cellphone chargers

If I had to say how was Lahore? In short, Lahore was dusty. The new metrobus idea is stupid to say the least. The new food street is too expensive and I wish I could just bring all the historical buildings to Karachi. Not to say the buildings would be safe here, but I won't have to go to Lahore to visit and document at least.

Near the Badshahi Mosque

Badshahi Mosque, built by Aurangzeb during 1670s

Extreme right dome Gurdwara Dera Sahib Panjvin Patshahi built by Ranjit Singh 

This is the mosque and the dome you see on right is of Gurdwara Dera Sahib Panjvin Patshahi built by Maharaja Ranjit Singh who is also buried here. Right next to the Mosque is the red light district of old Lahore.

Fort entrance facing the mosuq

Apparently the Mughals kept their observation decks made in such a way that they could keep an eye on the activities going on at the mosque, where they feared conspiracies to overthrow them might be cooked by the mullahs.

Door exiting right onto the red light area

The new and very expensive food street

This food street was originally the commercial street of the red light district where vendors used to sell musical instruments etc. All in all the trip to Lahore wasn't bad. Including the return journey by train without any delays.