Hospital

Went to a local government hospital. Is for those who can't afford to go to a private hospital, the preference of everyone.

The hospital was large, overcrowded and basic but cleaner than some I saw in South Africa.

I was meeting staff in the Psychiatric Ward. There was no privacy, people were in therapy and others continually walked in and interrupted with no regard to what was happening.

But was an interesting slice of society that I see very little of - women in very traditional garb, completely covered with only their eyes showing. There were a couple of women whose eyes could not be seen either as they were behind a mesh panel.

Driver

I now am the proud employer of a driver for my little 1100cc Suzuki. Being boss is not fun as there are lots of hidden extras e.g. I have to provide him with lunch and drinks. He takes me to work in the morning and then waits outside in the car all day until I finish work and then he takes me home or where ever I need to go. He must be so bored but I have nothing else for him to do. He wants to improve his English so I am going to look at buying him some English language CDs so as to give him something useful to do with his time.

The other morning on the way to work he told me "My brother motorcucle accident. he died" I was shocked and tried to be supportive but then it turned out the "he" that died was the motorcycle, his brother had a fractured elbow.

Halloween

The International Club (you need a foreign passport to join & is one of few places you can easily get alcohol) had a Halloween party. I went as a co-joined twin. Had a mannequin attached to my back and wore a 4 armed, 2 necked kaftan. Won a bottle of wine as a Highly Commended entry. It was fun although I got rid of Ethel (my twin) quickly as she was very uncomfortable. Ethel went home that night with a Dutch guy and the winner of the costume competition got 2 tickets to Thailand as a prize (sigh).

Imran Khan

I have spent the last month explaining to everyone that I am going to marry Imran Khan. This backfired a bit last week. My driver misunderstood and decided to facilitate a meeting. He said he could take me to Imran's house - I imagined having my photo taken outside the gates of his house and then running back to the car and being chased by his security guards. However Imran does not close the gates of his Lahore house and has no real security here. So my driver drove up the driveway all the way to the house and got out to speak to the staff. I was told that Imran was away but I could come back to see him the following day and then I was invited in to meet his family! I made my mumbled incoherent excuses and left quickly and gracelessly. (May pop back another day though, especially if I feel like a cup of tea)