I foolishly joined a Dutch - Pakistani tour operator/company for a visit to Attock going through the Seven Sisters tunnels. I was screamed at and had fingers wagged at me by the Dutch woman because I was slower than others due to a twisted foot. This happened twice during the day and was never resolved. The woman never apologised and blamed me for being slow. To date this group is blaming me for being slow by 11 minutes when I expressed indignation. No other Pakistanis came to my rescue , not even words of solidarity during or after the day. When I complained and pointed problematic behaviour, it was silence. Instead the Pakistanis fawned over the white Dutch woman, how much she loved Pakistan, stating how she had traveled more than any Pakistani, how she sacrificed to be here, etc. I got my refund but am sharing this experience. Moreover the Dutch woman was taking photos of locals without consent. She was taking photos with security personnel who shamelessly agreed to, something she could never do in Europe. She shoved off local passengers in the train to make space for the group and, when stopped, said “they are nice people”. Foreigners, UN international staff, in the group took photos of working class folks serving food without consent. There was no real history provided of the tunnels or railway station. I have experienced enough white woman phenomenon /tears/fragility/racism/imperialism/superiority/saviour complex too many times to count but to experience it again in extractive tourism is something. I am more disgusted with Pakistanis who chose to fawn over her and, ignore the problematic behaviour.
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