Not your typical mail

Old empty buildings with lonely neglected hallways even more sullen by unlit high-roofed interiors, deserted by the throngs that once made their pilgrimage to these sites day after day, seem like an unlikely to place to find yourself halfway across the world in the fastest time possible. But when its Friday and express couriers only include weekdays in delivery time, Pakistan Post's Express Mail Service (EMS) doesn't sound so bad when they tell you take it'll take four to five days or sooner, and on being questioned, respond that doesn't exclude weekends even when you know they're lying to you. But you're willing to give it a try, especially since you are saving almost a whole big blue note off the price of the regular local courier services and leading three letter companies which charge even more. The typical male staff, talking through a stuffed mouthful, or sneering away at you resentfully take your package and do the favor of processing it, then give you back your typically misspelled receipt to take and get lost. You don't really expect to ever be able to actually track that package, rather you settle back to hope it reaches its destination in one piece within a fortnight. But surprises abound when the website actually gives you a tab on your package, and once more when you realize its now in the hands of the Australian Post, enroute to final destination by Tuesday. Of course, no one ever picks up the phone on the given customer service number, though I would have just loved to have been able to thank them.

With Flying Colors

My God, sometimes I just reflect my true colors all over again, and that really gets my juices flowing. I could have given myself a migraine had I been the travel agent who booked my itinerary over the course of close to four grueling hours yesterday evening.

But Mustafa Bhai at Tahiri Travels, a small but successful agency right behind every head office on I. I Chundrigar road, showed plenty of patience, resilience and commitment to satisfying my every whim.

As usual, I was after eating my cake and having it too – juggling event dates, seasonal fares, airline schedules, and office leaves – till I finally managed a tentative date with a complicated timetable and told him to take my documents home incase I just decide to take my life by storm and fly out that very night.

(Note to self: don’t even consider any airline that’s not Emirates if a broad range of flight options, i.e. precious time and flexibility, is more valuable than x amount more airfare).

A midnight call to tell him tonight’s off didn’t have him bothered him either. No wonder he has a ‘Best Supportive Agency’ on his wall. Mustafa Bhai at Tahiri Travels also certifies my personal Tough Customer Approved rating – which is about as difficult to get these days as a nomination for a Nobel Peace Prize.