Islamabad - Week Seventeen

It's starting to heat up here in Islamabad - inching into the 90s. It's a taste of what's to come, I'm told, when it's too hot to venture outside much, especially in a country where shorts and short-sleeved shirts are definitely not the clothing of choice.

But the flowers are in bloom!

And there's shopping to be done.

Islamabad - Week Sixteen

I had a wonderful opportunity last week to stand in for the ambassador at the 100 year anniversary of the Restoration of Independence at the Lithuanian Consulate. Entry level officers are sometimes given the chance to represent the United States in this way.

I met a woman there who told me that she was a child when then Vice-President Lyndon Johnson visited Karachi and made friends with a camel driver - read about it here. I had a lengthy conversation with a man who was working to protect the rights of Pakistani workers worldwide. I talked with several individuals from different backgrounds who expressed their eagerness to work with the United States to establish stability in the region and opportunities for Pakistani people. It really was a memorable evening.

I was captivated by this needlework art - it was gorgeous!

Islamabad - Week Fifteen

Attending the wedding of a colleague.

Islamabad - Week Fourteen

Across the street from the market where we do most of our shopping. The wall extends several blocks and is segmented into these murals. Love them!

The vegetable market is wonderful - lots of fresh veggies, including red and black carrots, which I love.

I kid you not - red and black carrots are the bomb diggity, as the kids say.