Mac Candee
In February 2025, I went on my fourth trip to Pakistan, exploring Lahore, Kartarpur, and Azad Kashmir. This trip focused on local culture, food, Sufi spirituality, and bridging Pakistani culture, with so many moments that deepened my appreciation for this incredible country. Before we jump in, my name is Mac Candee and known as World Nomac on social media most well-known for my motto changing perceptions of the world. I enjoy visiting countries that are often underrepresented or have reputations that mask them from what these places truly have to offer.
As I write this, I am reminded that my last trip to Pakistan coincided with the viral Onijah Andrews social media explosion. And yet, Pakistanis treated her with nothing but kindness. She received free food, free stays, medical treatment, and overwhelming love from both the public and the media, turning her into a sensation in both Pakistan and the USA.
And this isn’t an isolated incident—it’s a testament to the spirit of the people. Every time I’ve traveled to Pakistan, I have felt at home, like I truly belong. Strangers on the street offer freebies without expecting anything in return. Kids walk up just to chat, full of curiosity and warmth. Random people go out of their way to help, even in the smallest ways, simply because that’s their nature.
In my opinion—and in the words of many travel bloggers—Pakistan is the land of “Extreme Hospitality.” It’s a place where generosity isn’t just a virtue; it’s a way of life. A place where even an uninvited guest is treated with honor, respect and affection.
My latest trip, I began in Lahore aka the food capital of the country. It is no doubt that Lahore never fails to impress with the fast paced, delicious food, and culturally rich place that it is. I walked through the Walled City, explored the Lahore Fort at night, and spent some time bargaining in the bazaars. While at the Lahore Fort, me and a friend got separated from the tour group. In a dark alleyway, we found a random guy and he offered us a personal tour of the entire place. He spoke English and told us a lot of the history and showed us places that I reckon we’d have missed if we stayed in the big group.
This time around, I spent a lot of time learning about the Sufi Culture in Pakistan. You might be wondering, what is Sufism? Essentially, it’s a branch of Islam referred to as mystical. It emphasizes spiritual connection, love, and devotion to God through practices like meditation, hospitality, poetry, and music. Worshipers would describe their beliefs and views in the sense that they are promoting inner peace, tolerance, and unity. One expression of this is the famous Qawwali (devotional singing)… others are the whirling dervishes (yes, in Pakistan too) and spiritual gatherings at shrines.
I was able to experience this when I went to the Data Darbar, one of South Asia’s most significant Sufi shrines. I saw an ongoing Qawwali performance, and you best believe I got right up there and joined in the dancing. It was a special feeling to see the locals so deep in their spiritual connections from the fast pace beats of the music to some dance moves like I had never seen before. The rhythm, the chanting, and the collective devotion was something I can’t recall if I have ever seen anything like it before. But I walked away understanding that Sufism is about love, unity, and inner peace and a very beautiful moment to experience their religion and culture.
After a couple days in Lahore, I traveled to Kartarpur which is home to the Gurdwara Darbar Sahib, one of the holiest sites for Sikhs. Which has the Kartarpur Corridor that actually allows Indian pilgrims to visit without a visa. I could not believe this bridge between these two countries who seem to have so much animosity and challenges. Inside the Gurdwara, I met Sikh visitors, many visiting Pakistan for the first time. Their emotional reactions to stepping onto this sacred land were deeply moving.
Pakistani hospitality extended to everyone and anyone no matter your religion. They have the “langar” which feeds people every day for free regardless of their faith… this acceptance and inclusion for all was surreal. This was one of the many moments which reinforced a common theme I not only saw on this trip, but all my past trips as well—Pakistan is a place of connection, not division.
The journey continued up into the region of Azad Kashmir, a land of insanely beautiful mountains and landscapes. I happened to be in Kashmir during their annual Kashmir Day, where I got to experience firsthand the pride and culture of the region. I had to let go of every inhibition as I walked through the bazaar in Mirpur and kept getting invitations into people’s homes for some Kashmiri chai and snacks.
This trip reaffirmed what I’ve known since my first visit: Pakistan is nothing like the misconceptions often portrayed in the media. The hospitality, diversity, and kindness of its people make it a destination that travelers should experience for themselves.
Over six days, I witnessed the Sufism spiritual devotion in Lahore, a greater understanding of Sikhism in Kartarpur and Nankana Sahib, and landscapes like no other in Kashmir.
If there’s one takeaway, it’s this: travel is about human connections, and Pakistan is a place that will make you feel so welcomed that you feel like you are home.