Last day in Pakistan-Islamabad

I skip my Karachi event, as it was more or less the same. Meeting meeting and meeting. Then to airport. No shopping, no lunch, no dinner. The flight to Islamabad was a 7pm. The driver took us to the airport at 5:30pm.

We reached Islamabad at around 9:30pm. The airport was also crowded. The states is peacefull. Security check is everywhere at every corner. Its was so secure that I got irritated by many-many security stops that we had to abide.

The Serena Hotel where we put up that night is a grand 6-star hotel and full of handsome gentlemen with best hospitality. But my migraine was still on then, so I let my friend, Gina had her pleasant conversation with those friendly people.

Islamabad is a clean town. Huge buildings are seen standing grand along the main road. It remind me of PutraJaya.

We had 2 meetings at Islamabad but my camera battery decided to run out that I could not snap photos of all of them. They were pleasant meeting. The people in Pakistan are friendly and helpful. A lady offered to bring us shopping, but too bad, we could not make it, as we had to rush for another meeting in another state, Rawalpindi, the twin city if Islamabad. It is about 45 minutes drive away.

I enjoyed the scenery along the way to/from Rawalpindi. I took many pictures of the public transportation. They are similar to jeepney in Philippines.

At last, it was time to leave for the airport. But wait! I haven't got a chance to shop. My father-inlaw wanted a Bryani spice and I wanted a dress to wear to a wedding which I was supposed to attend on the day I arrive in KL.

So, we did a quick stop at one store. I got my Punjab costume and nearby, we found a store where curry was available, but limited. I bought 2 small boxes of Bryani curry. That was all. We had to rush to the airport. Where again security checks was at every corner. We had to pass through 5 security checks to get into the boarding area. I was so busy loading and unloading my bags that I didn't have a chance to snap any photos.

half an hour free time while waiting for our flight, I noticed a small store selling leather key chain. I bought a few as a souvenir to bring home.

Home sweet home..... After a 2hours transit in Bangkok, I arrived Kuala Lumpur International Airport at 12:30 noon on the following day. I only had 2 hours sleep. Migraine again....

Pakistan: Day 2

My view of Lahore, my most favorable state in Pakistan.

I made a visit to Lahore University of Management & Science (LUMS), our first client in Pakistan. The Chief Librarian is such a good host that he insisted for us to stopby his house to meet up with the member of his family. We did. LUMS remind me of my University, Indiana State University, USA. Nostalgic place.

From LUMS, we directed to another customer of ours, Forman Christian College Library. The library is old and all the antique furnitures are still in place. I love those antiques she has. That was a very pleasant meeting we had. I found one of her staff also having the same name like mine. Faida, meet Faida. We had photograph together.

Then Dinner time at Salt & Pepper Restaurant. I enjoyed the music and the food, of course.

I took a risk to try the sweet 'Pann' , with beetlenut among the ingredient. I chewed and chewed following the locals, until it went tasteless, and time for it to be spitted out.

After a long day occupied with meetings, lunches and dinner, we flew back from Lahore to Karachi. I was having a BIG headache.

My client took us to a dinner. I ate too much of 'Mutton Paya' at dinner , last night. Its a stew of goat's legs, including the hooves. What yew??!! Thats my favorite and I've decided that I will not leave Lahore without eating it. I am now wondering what caused the bad migraine. Was it the 'Paya' or the cheese or the 'Briyani' or the Beef Nihari or because I ate too much?

My migraine was so bad that I almost puke in the van, on the way to the airport. All the passengers in the Van were so concern. One rushed searched for a plastic bag, one gave me antiacid pill, one let me used her 'magic bracelet' for nausea, one offered to take me to the airport clinic. "I'll be ok, thank you sir, you are very kind"

My vision was blur, cold sweat soaked my face. Thank God, I felt better about hour after taking the medicine.

Flight to Karachi was smooth, no delay and no turbulence. It took about 1 hour and 45 minutes. Again, we were shocked by the crowd at the airport.

It was quite a bad jam on the way to the hotel, adding bigger burden to my head for another half hour.

We reached Sheraton Hotel at around 10pm Pakistan time. Somehow, our hectic journey soothed by the welcoming feeling as we walked in to Sheraton Hotel with its perfect deco, cosy room arrangement and beautiful paintings by a local artis, Moazzam Ali.

I did some emailing and Facebook-ing. I miss my kids.

Time to rest. Tomorrow is another long day, before boarding another flight to Islamabad. To be continued........