Islamabad - Week Twenty-Six

Half-way! Today marks the halfway point of our tour; we've been in country exactly six months. This means that, as of tomorrow, we begin the rapid countdown to departure.

The sky from the plane, as I departed the US on my way to Pakistan six months ago.

Islamabad - Week Twenty-Five

Morning commute.

Islamabad - Week Twenty-Four

More shopping! Okay, I didn't actually buy anything, but there a so many rugs from which to choose, I know I'll buy something eventually.

The very kind and very knowledgeable owners of Chobi Carpets.

Islamabad - Week Twenty-Three

R and I had a rare opportunity to travel outside of Islamabad on Saturday and visit the Khewra Salt Mine, courtesy of the embassy's Community Liaison Office. The "CLO" organizes a lot of trips, but they are so popular and there are so many people at the embassy that want to go, that they've set up a lottery system. It works out that an employee may be able to go on two CLO trips in a year (three if they are really lucky). We jumped at the chance to travel three hours south and visit the second largest salt mine in the world.

Reminds me of Wyoming!

Through bulletproof glass - just walking along, leading a camel.

Again, in a moving vehicle - I have no idea what these are. Perhaps for making charcoal?

School children always make me smile.

Selfie! But in my defense, they approached me first. :)

There is a light behind this wall - the differing colors of the salt bricks are dependent on the content of various minerals.

A mini-mosque, made of salt!

So glittery! It looks like some nebula in the night sky to me.

Okay, THIS one looks like the night sky. :)

A salt seller.

Probably preventing spitting, but it looks cute. Poor camel.

Salt lamps! Trendy in the US (Himalayan Salt!), but pretty cheap here.

There's a goat in that window!

Fancy.

Islamabad - Week Twenty-Two

R and I went to dinner at the Marriott Hotel with friends over the weekend - really good Thai food and fun company. I had to skip the opportunity to see the new Avengers movie (because it didn't start until 9 p.m. and I tend to wilt around then), but we did make a point of having a cocktail in the "speakeasy" that's in the hotel. There are no signs, and you have to go down some sketchy steps to a sports-themed bar, but it's a bar nonetheless! (I was disappointed that I didn't have to know a special series of knocks and passwords - that would have been fun.)

Oooooh, 80s neon!

And on Sunday the 29th, R and I celebrated our 31st wedding anniversary. Coincidentally, the DCM was hosting a shindig at his residence that day, so we took advantage of the opportunity to take a photo in their pretty yard - if it appears we are glowing, it's because we love each other! Oh, and because it was nearly 100 degrees out. Welcome to a Pakistan spring!

My one and only!