Canadian motorcyclist shares experience of riding as a 'single woman' across Pakistan

Canadian motorcyclist Rosie Gabrielle, who has been riding solo across the world, is currently visiting Pakistan and shared that it is "an amazing and a safe country".

The motorcyclist, who quit her job two years ago to live her dream of riding solo, has been documenting her Pakistan visit on her social media pages.

A day earlier, Rosie posted on Instagram saying, "Everyone told me it was too dangerous to come to Pakistan as a single female, let alone ride a motorcycle across the country. Now 1,500kms into my tour I can tell you first hand what it’s like to travel Pakistan as a solo female and what I’ve experienced so far."

"Countless smiles and cheers of joy as I pass people and they realize it’s a female riding. Numerous offers to stay in locals homes wherever I stop, families are always inviting me to stay with them. When I stop for chai or snacks at a store, most often someone will buy it for me, or the owner will not let me pay, saying I’m a guest in their country and they would love to gift this to me. Food food and more food! wherever I go, I’m offered to eat wonderful home cooked food or offered gifts of food from street vendors as I pass by. Everyone wants to say hello and ask where I’m from and are curious what I think about Pakistan," she added.

Rosie continued, "They want me to know that Islam is [about] peace and love and that I am accepted just the way I am. I’ve been gifted many things now by the people and families I stay with and been given the highest attention and hospitality, even if they don’t have much to give, they make sure I’m happy. And they give with their whole hearts. So many beautiful connections & heart felt moments, I have truly fallen in love with the people here.

"This is Pakistan. This is the country of peace and love. And this is my unedited experience so far. As a solo female traveling by motorcycle."

The Canadian motorcycle continued, "Pakistan has suffered greatly in past years due to the continuous negative image the media portrays. Since many years now, they aren’t used to seeing tourists. So they’re overjoyed to see a foreigner. Not because I‘m anyone special, but because it gives them hope. Hope that Pakistan will once again be recognised for the beautiful country it is and the true heart of the people will be seen. People have labeled Pakistan as dangerous or that the people aren’t good. And I’ve seen how that personally affects the people here, it brings them to tears to have such accusations, and it breaks my heart to know what is said and how they’re treated abroad having experienced the culture first hand and how they’ve treated me."

Here are some of Rosie's other posts from her Pakistan trip: