criplomats

Time here is flying by – one reason is that we’ve met some really nice folks!

Last weekend was a welcome three-day weekend. John and I did some shopping on Saturday for groceries and gifts – it was fun to get out because we rarely do. Saleem has us spoiled by grocery shopping for us, and any other items we need we just pick up at the commissary at work. But it’s fun to poke around in the little shops. When I say we went shopping for groceries, picture a two-story 7-11 that is cram-packed with random items. One thing I really miss is fresh milk and cream. We don’t use it that much except for coffee, but a latte just isn’t the same with the long-life shelf milk that is prevalent here. Otherwise, though, we can find pretty much whatever we need.

Monday we hosted a brunch. We started at 11AM and the last four people left at 5PM, so we think it was a success! Lots of mimosas and Bloody Mary’s were consumed, as well as some great food. Guests included our neighbor Sarah, Susan who is visiting from DC, Mike, Fred, and Mike and Carla.

Thursday night, John, Rick and I went to Des Pardes Restaurant in Said Pur Village. It’s just across from the Polo Lounge. We sat in an elaborate outdoor private tent, with day beds with pillows for seats. The food is more traditional Pakistani-Indian and was really good. They made an exception for us and let us bring our wine, but they insisted on serving it in a teapot with tea cups, so the other patrons wouldn’t know we were drinking – pretty funny.

Friday night we headed up to Rick’s office after work with Mike and Carla for a private happy hour – lots of fun and a good way to unwind after a busy week.

Today we’ve been busy around the house, getting ready for our R&R – plus we went to work for a while this morning to clear off our desks and take care of last-minute things. This afternoon we picked up Rick from the Embassy and went by a shopping exhibition in someone’s yard (pretty common here – vendors set up in a host’s yard and it’s a shopping/social event), then we headed over to Mike’s house to watch some beer pong – don’t ask! Afterward, we went over to F-7 to do a little more last-minute shopping and walked around some of the shops. Saturday night is the night when it seems that everyone is out on the road and at the shopping centers – it seemed like the social thing to do and was fun!

 

We celebrated John’s birthday this week! Last Sunday night, we went with our friend Rick to a neat restaurant called Polo Lounge. It’s partially an outdoor restaurant – it was a beautiful evening out, and we enjoyed a nice bottle of red wine with our steaks (being a Muslim country, restaurants can’t serve alcohol, but some places let you bring your own). We got tickled on our way out – a family, dressed up for a nice night out – stopped to ask to have their picture taken with me. Is it because I’m western or taller than average or sort of blonde or …? It makes me giggle.

Monday was John’s actual birthday and his staff brought in his favorite pizza for lunch. They’re a cute bunch, especially the girls who like to laugh and tease. So, I think he had a good birthday overall!

The rest of the week was pretty low-key. John took me to lunch at the French Club on Thursday, and we ate outside the other days this week at the American Club.

My partner in crime Scott has been in Thailand all week, and my other “work husband” Michael was gone Thursday and Friday, so my office hasn’t been nearly as much fun without them. I am so lucky to work with both of them. Michael is head of the Fraud Prevention Unit and Scott is the American Citizens Services chief. We see eye-to-eye on pretty much everything, and we share a sense of humor – they really make going to work fun and I sure will miss them when they leave next summer!

Speaking of friends, Rick had been away for a three week R&R and just arrived home last Sunday. We’ve missed having him around as well and it was good to catch up with him. We all sat down in John’s office Thursday after work and had a mini happy hour together. Friends are a good thing!

There are several of us here in Islamabad who worked together in Juarez (Michael included), and we found out during our meet -and-greet with our new Ambassador that his first tour was also Juarez, back in the 80s. He came down to tour the consular operations this week – he seems very personable and down to earth.

Yesterday John and I got out to do some shopping, which we rarely do. It was fun to  get out and poke around some stores.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Last night was the Marine Ball to celebrate the founding of the Marines – it’s a tradition at embassies all over the world. There is a nice ceremony with the presentation of the colors, cutting of the cake with the sword, the Ambassador speaks and there is a keynote speaker (this year an entertaining Army general). Mostly it’s fun to see everyone all dressed up! The Marines set up a huge tent in our quad, complete with oriental rugs and dance floor. We had a lot of fun! Here’s a photo of me with three of the NIV officers I work with – aren’t they handsome?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Click for more photos from the Ball.

Last Monday was the last day of the Eid celebration. John and I got a lot done around the house, moving furniture, decluttering, unpacking, etc. The house is looking great and feels very comfortable.

I hosted the Consular section heads and senior local staff last Friday for a day-long offsite meeting. We had a long agenda of items to discuss, and it was so nice to be away from the hustle and bustle of the office so we could concentrate and brainstorm.

Our A-100 classmate Joe arrived at Post this week, so we had him over for dinner Friday night. It’s fun to see familiar faces here! We now have five of us from our class. Here’s our photo from the Ball last night.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Our new ambassador arrived this week, and he held a town hall meeting to greet everyone. It will be interesting to see how or if the personality of the Embassy changes with his arrival.

 

We’ve really been enjoying watching the birds in our fig tree this week. This shot of the blue-throated barbet was my favorite – love the camera! We have rose-ringed parakeets who come with the barbets to eat the figs – they love them! Click to see  more birds in our yard.

Last Sunday, we went with a group from the Embassy to Taxila, just outside of Islamabad. Taxila is a small town with several ruin sites around it – it’s interesting because the ruins are of Buddhist temples, monasteries, etc. There’s a lovely museum that was built by the British after they began excavations.

It was interesting being in this little town – they definitely aren’t used to a lot of Westerners. We were the objects of much curiosity!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

They do a lot of marble work there, and a big business is making coffins (mausoleums?) by the side of the road, and other pots, etc. I enjoyed poking around and taking some photos. Click to see more photos from Taxila.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We also were fascinated by the drive through Islamabad and out to this small town. It was the week before “bloody Eid” when Muslims make an animal sacrifice to Allah, so we saw lots of goats, water buffalo and even some camels for sale in ad hoc markets along the way.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We’re reaping the benefits of Eid this weekend, enjoying four days off thanks to the lunar calendar that governs when it is celebrated. I made it a point to stay in today, so I wouldn’t see any of the animal sacrifice. Basically each family buys a goat or cow and they kill it and butcher it in the yard sometimes with the help of a roving butcher. John saw part of it going on from our upper-level balcony in our neighbor’s yard (it did look like the butcher truck had come to them – not sure, as I ran back inside as soon as I realized what was happening). Anyway, I’ll take a pass and continue to buy my meat pre-packaged.

Thursday night we went to a nice dinner party with John’s co-workers to welcome a new human resources officer. We met a young fellow there who graduated from the Air Force Academy with James’s step-son Jason – they also went to flight school together. What a small world, hm? It was funny thinking that I had been at this young man’s graduation back in 1999 and was now having dinner with him in Pakistan!

Friday morning, I went to work for just a little bit to check on some visas, then John and I went to a yummy brunch at Joseph and Sunera’s. It’s was a nice group and folks and a great way to kick off the Eid holiday.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Our mini-vacation in Bangkok was just what the doctor ordered, especially for John. John arrived in Pakistan back in April, and had not really had a break since then, so it was great to get away, if only for the weekend.

Our last day there, we took a taxi over to the Jim Thompson House, the former home of the man who revived the Thai silk trade. (The really interesting thing is that he went for a walk one day in Malaysia and never came back.) The home/museum is a lovely oasis in the middle of the city, and we loved walking barefoot on the smooth-as-silk floors (teak?) and enjoying the gardens and ponds.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Afterwards, I enjoyed a massage and a cup of tea, then it was off to the airport to fly home. Click for more photos from Bangkok.

Thursday, my land shipment arrived, so I came home mid-afternoon to take the delivery and start unpacking. The house is really starting to look like a comfortable home: maintenance has hung all of our art and now the shelves are filled with books. The upstairs is still a bit of a mess, but it will come together soon enough. Flavie is certainly happy. And the geckos.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Friday night we watched an excellent Iranian movie, “A Separation” – some of the best acting I’ve seen and a wonderful multi-layered story.

Saturday was a vendor bazaar at work – lots and lots of vendors set up booths on the quad, so Michael and I spent time wandering around and checking things out. We had lunch on the Club patio where they had set up a buffet with burgers and BBQ chicken – it was actually a bit chilly and overcast (even some drizzle this morning). Very nice.

Tonight we went to a shrimp boil at Frank and Lita’s – these guys really know how to throw a party. We especially enjoyed the fire pit in the yard. Afterwards, we stopped by another party on the way home – lots going on this weekend.