What is it to Return Home after 6 Months of Travel?

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No wonder why the term 'Home Sweet Home' is termed as it is! A sensation that makes you feel at heaven. Thank God for homes, food on the table and a roof over our heads and people who love us – our families.

So what it is like to be home? I have been back in Islamabad less than a week and that's what everyone is asking me. And, it is quite difficult to answer.

Well, to sum up the feeling, all I can say that it's a rollercoaster of emotions and sometimes it's difficult. Since I love travelling, it is sometimes hard to stay at home, but yes, I love it. Everything is so relaxed. It's a tiny world where I can get cosy.

My European tour was spellbinding. I had been working with an NGO in some rural areas. Needed to head Canada from where I finally fly back home. Got best deals for Islamabad flights and hence, didn't waste time in packing and boarding right for home.

Not all is ever great. It feels that it's only me who has left home for a long period, but life did continue for everyone else. When I left home, life moved on without me, and I return back to see things differently.

Being brought up in the capital city of Pakistan, I have grown to love my home-town. Finished my studies, graduation, the city gave me new hope to live life with whatever comes your way. God has been gracious, frankly speaking.

I'm basically a backpacker, solidly on the road for 6 months, spanning 5 countries and several bottles of beer. A lot of travellers that I know are fearful about leaving home, but once your trip starts, you'll soon understand that you're only worried about getting back home sooner and adjusting to the normal life. For some, once they're on the road, it's ecstatic.

Undoubtedly, one of the best things about being home is encountering familiar faces again and catching up. After all, family is family.
Other than your siblings, meeting your parents and grandparents is like catching your breath again. It's good to know that there are people who care, who are there for you.

At times when I miss home, I thank technology for keeping friends and families in touch. Even my dad bought an iPad so he could be in touch. But that physical contact is much more inspiring and enlivening. The best time to search for cheap flights to Islamabad is at any time between October and May to avoid the summer and monsoon seasons.

Catching up with my long-term friends has been amazing. One of the things I missed most about home was not able to hangout with them. When we catch up with each other, you would always catch us at one of the food vendors in the city. Islamabad street food is lip-smacking. Let me take you to the best street food items in this city:

  • Chelo Kebab from Omer Khayyam
  • Mantus from Mantu Gul Kitchen
  • Cheese Naans from Monal
  • Roll Parantha from The Corner Pan Shop @ Gol Market F-7 and Gulshan in F-10
  • Chinioti Handi from Mr. Chips
  • Brownie Skillet from Tuscany Courtyard
  • Garlic Mushroom Toast from Chaaye Khana
  • Steak from Porterhouse, Kohsar
  • Rasmalai Cheesecake from the Warehouse
  • Nutella Parantha from Parantha Party

One strange thing about homecoming is, everything is familiar. Well, it's an odd experience that I find hard to describe. You easily fit into the slot from where you left. It's one of those feelings when you wake from a dream and find yourself in your old cot.

The strange sounds and the unique sites are gone. The new experiences are gone. The other strangers and backpackers that you meet with, you party with and explore with are all gone. The mysterious and thrill are gone, replaced with old faces, familiar niches and corners of the real world.


Flights to Islamabad land at Benazir Bhutto International Airport (ISB) in Punjab and it takes 30 minutes to reach the city centre. One thing stood out when I came back to my home city - I had changed a lot. I don't mean to be egoistic or a pessimist but travel did change me. We friends met and visited a few of the famous places in the city:

  • Shah Faisal Masjid
  • Margalla Hills
  • Daman-e-Koh
  • The Parliament House
  • Shakarparian
  • The Centaurus
  • Islamabad Zoo
  • Rawal Lake
  • Japanese Park
  • Simly Dam


These are the top attractions of Islamabad that invite frequent cheap flights to Pakistan from all over the globe. For cheapest flights to Islamabad try booking in the months of January to March.


As I conclude, I feel bad for those who aren't able to step out of their home. The world is beautiful and I want them to explore and experience what I have seen. But on the other hand, the question is what do we expect from life? We want to happy, satisfied and see our family and friends happy.

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