PakistannnnNO thanks?

Post date: 2019-11-20 04:07:21

I've been asked to attend a 3-day meeting in Karachi, Pakistan. While it would be cool to be included in this and I'd be helping my client out my family are not so thrilled. Is it worth it?

I, an American female, love adventure and have traveled alone all over the world, including 2.5 months in India. I also travel for business 2-3 weeks per month mainly in the US but a few international trips a year. I'm not worried about the culture shock but my family really doesn't want me to go because of the current security situation in that part of the world. Granted they all say this resigned to the fact that it's hard for me to pass up a good travel adventure.

I would be staying and working at an international chain hotel, but as a contractor I would not be covered by my client's client's security and medical team. Assume an expense account, airport transfer by the hotel, and an experienced NGO handling/rushing my visa in time.

PROS:

Interesting to work in a different, non-Western country
Never been to Pakistan
Part of my client's team who gets choice international assignments (a lot potentially coming up next year)
Great topic and doing good work that I want to be doing

CONS:

Being a woman in Pakistan, working as a woman in Pakistan with male government-types
I like to wander alone and I don't know that I could do that here, might not get to do any touristy things, go shopping, or have someone to go with (my usual co-workers all turned it down)
Potential (less harrowing) international trip the following week so no exploring the region
Long flight—4 days of travel for 3 days of work (took another 30 hour flight last month so I'm kinda over it)
If I stick to Star Alliance, where I have status, I'm flying Turkish Air the entire way from the US right over the current Turkish Russian border mess or taking 3 flights 36+ hours around
We fly economy class, so I try to fly United because at least I get a good seat with more legroom and free lounge access (makes a difference waiting in a foreign airport)
Worrying my family more than usual

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