At Home AROUND THE WORLD

IN THE LATTER HALF OF 2019, Ugandan-American travel blogger Jessica Nabongo was wrapping up her trip to Pakistan.

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As she prepared to board her flight from Lahore to Doha, she encountered a surprising obstacle. While passing her luggage through security, Nabongo, who is the first Black woman to have documented her journeys to every country in the world, noticed a heightened level of scrutiny.

"Security officers began examining my belongings closely," she recalled, "initially appearing to follow routine procedures. But things escalated as they inspected every item in my luggage."

"They pulled me aside, a police officer arrived and started inquiring about my passport. The questioning intensified, asking why I was flying out of Lahore instead of returning to Islamabad, where I had initially entered the country," she added. What followed soon after was even weirder—they placed Nabongo in a medical X-ray machine, suggesting concerns about drugs. "It was a distressing experience, considering I was alone, in a foreign country, and facing intense scrutiny. Although I knew I didn't have drugs, the ordeal was traumatising."

Nevertheless, Jessica harbours no bitterness about Pakistan or her nightmarish experience at the airport. "Despite the awful incident, my perception of Pakistan remains positive. I had an incredible experience interacting with people and exploring its beauty. While the event was challenging, it hasn't discouraged me from considering a return to the country. I felt perfectly safe during my stay. For instance, when I arrived in Islamabad from Muscat, I was one of the few women on the plane, and the men were very considerate and helpful."