Well hello strangers! Yes, I've been absent. Sorry....I will attempt to post pictures from last years trips to France and Thailand at some point, but I figured you would be more interested in my new home.
Last winter, Chris and I accepted new jobs at an American school in Pakistan. We had heard nothing but fabulous things about the school, the country, and the people. Our friends did not lead us astray!
I know that many of you who knew we were coming are concerned for our safety. Let me try to assuage some of your fears. We are not any of the really dangerous places. That being said, yes, there is a level of danger here, but we look at it like it's just another big city. The school takes our safety and security very seriously. There are armed guard at both our (gated) home and at school. The emergency handbook of the school is the most extensive document of its type that I've ever come across. There's a plan for everything! Also, there is a (very competent) security advisor at the school. He lets the superintendent know if school needs to be cancelled, if we should stay home on the weekend, or, if we want to travel around the country, we need to check with him first.
Okay? Okay.
Our trip here was uneventful. We ran into some Pakistani people in both the Minneapolis airport (who were all smiles and welcomed us to Pakistan) and in Doha, Qatar. We were sitting in the airport in Qatar when a man approached us and asked if we were going to Pakistan (there weren't that many options at that time of night). He was very pleased we were going and wished us a wonderful time. The people have been exceptionally friendly and helpful.
A couple of stories:
We were advised not to go to the Western-style grocery store on Friday's, as that's when many people go. Our domestic engineer stopped by late our 2nd Friday here to see if we wanted to go. Of course we said yes! We needed more coffee, and hadn't been anywhere other than school all week.
Well. We were the main attraction. Everyone stared (but with smiles). A man asked Chris if he was Chinese (Chris is 6'4" to start...). We said no, and told the man and his wife we were American. Their response, "Oh! We go soon to America." I wished them well on their journey and we parted ways. A short while later we ran into them again. This time it was my turn, and the woman told me I was, "very beautiful." I thanked her and we again went on our way. (My biggest faux pas so far has been walking through the men's line at the security screening area at the grocery store. Oops. Don't worry. Chris was the only one who mocked me for it. Everyone else just stared.)
Our grocery trip is a pretty typical experience here. When we go out, we get stared at (we're quite the novelty), and people approach us because they want to practice their English. The most interesting time so far was the security guard the night we arrived. We were stopped at a security checkpoint right outside of the airport. Our driver had to take Chris' passport and go talk to them. Another security guard walked up to Chris' window and knocked. He rolled it down to see a large automatic rifle just hanging across the guy's front. His purpose? To practice his English and welcome us to Pakistan.
Our overall first impressions:
1. The people are really friendly.
2. We have felt welcomed since the moment we walked out of the airport and our superintendent was waiting for us.
3. It's hot. I don't go outside if I can help it, because I feel like I'm melting. (Hot and humid are a pretty nasty combination!)
4. We like it!
Updates to Come (so I don't forget what to write about):
1. Our domestic engineer.
2. Our house (with pictures!)
3. Rolling blackouts
4. Other experiences (beggars, tuk-tuks, donkey carts)
5. Upcoming travels!
6. Oh, any questions? I'll take them from the peanut gallery.
Last winter, Chris and I accepted new jobs at an American school in Pakistan. We had heard nothing but fabulous things about the school, the country, and the people. Our friends did not lead us astray!
I know that many of you who knew we were coming are concerned for our safety. Let me try to assuage some of your fears. We are not any of the really dangerous places. That being said, yes, there is a level of danger here, but we look at it like it's just another big city. The school takes our safety and security very seriously. There are armed guard at both our (gated) home and at school. The emergency handbook of the school is the most extensive document of its type that I've ever come across. There's a plan for everything! Also, there is a (very competent) security advisor at the school. He lets the superintendent know if school needs to be cancelled, if we should stay home on the weekend, or, if we want to travel around the country, we need to check with him first.
Okay? Okay.
Our trip here was uneventful. We ran into some Pakistani people in both the Minneapolis airport (who were all smiles and welcomed us to Pakistan) and in Doha, Qatar. We were sitting in the airport in Qatar when a man approached us and asked if we were going to Pakistan (there weren't that many options at that time of night). He was very pleased we were going and wished us a wonderful time. The people have been exceptionally friendly and helpful.
A couple of stories:
We were advised not to go to the Western-style grocery store on Friday's, as that's when many people go. Our domestic engineer stopped by late our 2nd Friday here to see if we wanted to go. Of course we said yes! We needed more coffee, and hadn't been anywhere other than school all week.
Well. We were the main attraction. Everyone stared (but with smiles). A man asked Chris if he was Chinese (Chris is 6'4" to start...). We said no, and told the man and his wife we were American. Their response, "Oh! We go soon to America." I wished them well on their journey and we parted ways. A short while later we ran into them again. This time it was my turn, and the woman told me I was, "very beautiful." I thanked her and we again went on our way. (My biggest faux pas so far has been walking through the men's line at the security screening area at the grocery store. Oops. Don't worry. Chris was the only one who mocked me for it. Everyone else just stared.)
Our grocery trip is a pretty typical experience here. When we go out, we get stared at (we're quite the novelty), and people approach us because they want to practice their English. The most interesting time so far was the security guard the night we arrived. We were stopped at a security checkpoint right outside of the airport. Our driver had to take Chris' passport and go talk to them. Another security guard walked up to Chris' window and knocked. He rolled it down to see a large automatic rifle just hanging across the guy's front. His purpose? To practice his English and welcome us to Pakistan.
Our overall first impressions:
1. The people are really friendly.
2. We have felt welcomed since the moment we walked out of the airport and our superintendent was waiting for us.
3. It's hot. I don't go outside if I can help it, because I feel like I'm melting. (Hot and humid are a pretty nasty combination!)
4. We like it!
Updates to Come (so I don't forget what to write about):
1. Our domestic engineer.
2. Our house (with pictures!)
3. Rolling blackouts
4. Other experiences (beggars, tuk-tuks, donkey carts)
5. Upcoming travels!
6. Oh, any questions? I'll take them from the peanut gallery.
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