Please Help

I have had a couple of people ask how to leave a comment on this blog, but I couldn't help as I couldn't work it out either. Can anyone give easy to follow instructions please (Stephen or Leah)????

Thank you.

Kashmir

Over night several extremely large banners have appeared on the route to work. All the banners are in reference to "freeing" Kashmir from Indian "opression".

I haven't spoken to people about Kashmir yet but the banners did make me feel uncomfortable. Who put them up and what is their plan to gain this 'freedom'???

Transport Adventure

Had a bit of an adventure tonight that I'll probably have to keep quiet about to anyone in Pakistan.

Due to a mixture of circumstances & my own stubborness I ended up at a shopping mall in a place I didn't know (and didn't know where it was in relation to my home) with night falling and no transport. So I decided to catch a rickshaw (which I had been warned about. BUT taxis are very expensive and require a minimum hour's wait), I managed to wave a rickshaw (covered in masking tape, possibly aesthetic reasons but probably to hold it together) down but knew language and haggling over the price would be a difficulty. There was a car stopped next to me so I asked the guy in there for translating help. Turns out he was an Aussie who was more interested in asking me out, which may have been flattering if he wasn't so creepy and desperate. I did manage to get a (cute) local man to help, I jumped in the rickshaw and took off into the setting sun leaving the Aussie in my wake. But after about 1/2 hour I started to wonder if the driver knew where he was going, I was becoming a bit tense - solo foreign woman in the dark, wouldn't make happy newspaper headlines. Through a prolonged series of mimes it turned out neither of us knew which way to go. The only option was to ask people on the way, including aiming for another rickshaw so as to collide so that he would stop and talk!! The directions weren't very helpful but after awhile I thought I saw a familiar landmark (although it was dark & I wasn't wearing my glasses so it was more hope than certainty). Anyway the result is I managed to lead us back home. I don't know who was more relieved, but I don't think he'll be picking up any more foreigners in a hurry :) Also think I'll stick to my driver from now on.

Bed Hopper

Two gecko's often hang out on my bedroom ceiling. I was fine with this, & even thought it was quite endearing, until one fell onto my bed and seemed inclined to stay. My antics to move it on must have looked like a Charlie Chaplin movie! But the upshot was that we have agreed to keep our distance from each other.

Temperature

Am loving autumn. The day temperatures have dropped to the early 30 degrees celsius. Lovely.

Gora

Went back to the old fort and the main mosque today with a local. He managed to finesse our way into several locked, barricaded areas. This included going below the main palace area where, at basement level, is a complete summer palace. This is where the royals would go in summer to keep cool below ground. It was absolutely beautiful, with high curved ceilings and arches, all inlaid with incredibly intricate mosaics that have kept their rich colours because they are under ground and protected from the elements.

I had quite a few people coming up just wanting to shake hands because I am a 'gora' (pakeha). Pakistan does not get tourists and so white faces are very rare. The people are all very warm and welcoming but I had to be quick on my feet to avoid all the iphone cameras trying to get a pic of me. Those who know me well know how I detest having my photo taken!!

On the topic of gora. I saw a guy the other day and pointed him out to my driver saying "Gora". He looked, shook his head and said "Pakistani". So the only thing I can surmise is that the man was an albino. That was when I realised how seeing an albino in Sth Africa was not unusual, but this was my first instance over here. Are some races more prone to albinoism???

I had a meeting today with the Deputy Director of the Pakistan Secret Service. And believe it or not I was the one in control as he was the one who needed something :) :)

Familiarity

Am starting to notice some familiar faces on my drive to work everyday. There is the woman in the bright orange clothing, with her hand-made straw broom sweeping the sides of the 6 lane highway (she's very nimble when avoiding the traffic); the old man with great posture who is riding a bicycle that is probably as old as he is, he either has skin cancer of his scalp or some strange pimentation problem; the man who dyes his hair and beard a bright, garish orange; school children (a boy and 2 girls) who walk sedately to school in their traditional attire with the girls heads and legs covered; the soldiers who stand at attention staring ahead with their guns at their sides.

Speaking of guns ...... there are lots of guns on view. There is the police and security outside every school, bank, and public building, plus some armed home security guards. Yet strangely the few guns I saw in South Africa worried me as where over here the many guns feel non-threatening, almost as if it is all a film set. It may be because over here I do not feel an underlying anger or tension. I don't know - suggestions anyone?

Makeover

TNS Beaconhouse is like working at a Miss Universe pageant - all the staff are depressingly beautiful. So this week I joined a fitness programme at the school for staff members and am looking at also starting yoga classes. If all else fails there are leaflets everywhere advertising plastic surgeons. I see myself as a wannabe Halle Berry, so may need to go tracking down a surgeon! Please feel free to contribute financially to my cause :)

Independence

Have been feeling a bit constricted. I am not allowed to walk anywhere or even wait outside for my driver - I have to wait safely & modestly inside. But the other day the man who most looks out for me was away & so I bullied the security guard into letting me go out for a walk ( was a sunny day & still light, 4pm). Was such a relief to wander off on my own but I did elict many curious looks. Probably in the future I will need to be accompanied on my walks but it was great to get 40 mins of 'normality'.

Rugby

Went to the International Club to watch the ABs game against Argentina. The club is for non-Pakistanis only and has a bar (& a swimming pool & tennis courts - but the bar is more important). Watching the rugby was a real UN affair but there were about 6 Kiwis. We were relieved but not, unfortunately, confident.

Friends in high places

Had dinner the other night at the home of a very wealthy family. Sat with a Pakistani ex-Foreign Affairs Minister discussing Pakistani politics. The circles I am now moving in !!!!

Beggars

The old gnarly issue concerning beggars has cropped up here. In South Africa I decided not to give money to beggars but to offer food (if I had some with me) or to give money to a reputable charity. However this was hard to keep in mind today when I had a boy of about 8 years begging. He had what I assumed was elephantitis - his left leg and foot were about 10 times bigger than his right side. Also was approached by a man, with no legs, who was propped on a piece of board with wheels. Saying "No" was hard. Reality and intentions do not always co-exist comforsably.

Power ToTthe People

Power shedding is a constant reality. At least 12 times a day the power goes off. If you are lucky, like I am, then your workplace and home have a generator so disruption is minimal. BUT without a generator lights, air conditioning and every appliance imaginable konks out. No air conditioning in this climate would be intolerable. I am concerned that if it's this bad during the cooler months of the year then how tough is it going to be during summer when consumption demands increase!

Traffic 02.10.11

Absolutely love the traffic system over here - or to be more accurate, what appears to be the lack of a system. The roads have: cars, motorbikes, bicycles, trucks, buses, donkey driven carts and pedestrians (even seen 2 camels). There are lanes painted on the roads but these are ignored, as is the idea of staying on the left hand side of the road! Vehicles wind through each other on any side of the road going in any direction. Have seen 5 people on one motorbike and was told that you can squeeze up to 7!!! Everything is chaotic but works, admidst lots of horn honking - everyone is so relaxed that their attitude is contagious.