Postcard from Rawalpindi - Raja Bazaar - chaotic, colourful, with candy floss

Australian Photographer in Pakistan

Instagram @gaynor.shaw.photography

On a glorious winter’s day a group of us headed off to Rawalpindi to visit the Raja Bazaar. Pindi (as the locals call it) is a short 30 minute drive, on good roads, from Islamabad. Islamabad and Pindi could not be more different. Pindi is noisy, busy and very colourful - a photographers paradise. There are so many shops, taxis, rickshaws, buses, carts, motorbikes, and people, lots of people. Pindi has a population of over 2 million and it seemed that everyone single one of them was at the Bazaar with us!

Raja Bazaar is the oldest bazaar in Pindi and covers many smaller bazaars. Areas within the bazaar cover everything from clothing to electronics to food to car parts. We visited the clothing district and walked along narrow alleys that became even narrower, that twisted and turned, up stairs and down stairs. It was good going with someone who knew their way around as it would have been very easy to get lost. It would also be very easy to lose track of time as you admire all that’s on offer, look for bargains and talk to the friendly store holders.

Go early in the morning to avoid the crowds, wear comfortable shoes and get ready to haggle for a bargain.