Galib & I adventured out into the city of Islamabad...spontaneously accepting the taxi driver's suggestion that we visit Rawalpindi. Though, Salim didn't describe it to us like that, he only said it would be a "nice" place to visit on the outskirts of Islamabad and it was a convenient 20 minute drive. The charge: $35, over-priced, but we couldn't be bothered with bartering for $10 and Salim's English skills were significantly better than most other drivers...bonus! We scooted around the Margalla Hills in our yellow taxi. Margalla Hills is where you can observe the entire city of Islamaba [View Full Entry]

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TWO roads diverged in a yellow wood, And sorry I could not travel both And be one traveler, long I stood And looked down one as far as I could To where it bent in the undergrowth; Then took the other, as just as fair, And having perhaps the better claim, Because it was grassy and wanted wear; Though as for that, the passing there Had worn them really about the same, And both that morning equally lay In leaves no step had trodden black. Oh, I kept the first for another day! Yet knowing how way leads to way, I [View Full Entry]

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Hello our Canadian Friends & Family!!! We are happy to report that we are safe, sound and fully showered! This past week Galib and I volunteered our time to assist at Camp Chitta Batta, an earthquake affectee relief camp due to the earthquake that occurred for 20 minutes and killed over 240,000 people on October 8, 2005. 7.5 million people were displaced. These past 5 days have been an unbelievable adventure for the both of us to say the very least. Galib & I have seen the unthinkable, the unimaginable, the unmentionable...we have many stories to tell you. I will attempt [View Full Entry]

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During our short Pakistan International Ailrine Flight to Islamabad, an announcement came over the speakers..."Paging Mr. & Mrs. Ghalib...paging Mr. & Mrs. Ghalib"...Galib & I looked at each other in our seats, did we hear that right??? I don't think so. I continued to read my book, "The Time Traveller's Wife", and Galib toyed with the TV screen in front of him. Then a few moments passed by and we heard, "Excuse me, Mr. Ghalib, the captain would like to see you and Madame". We both looked at each other and said ok. We knew our request had been granted from [View Full Entry]

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Galib & I decided to adventure outside of Karachi...about 2 hours away to another city called Hyderabad. Ramzan Uncle offered to drive us there on the Super Highway and return on the National Highway. Well, thank god Suzuki makes good cars. Ramzan Uncle ensured he tuned her up before our big adventure on the major road way. We were to take the Super Highway there and the National Highway upon return. The Super Highway was quite a bumpy ride, pot holes every few feet, Ramzan Uncle swerving to avoid oncoming traffic as there are no lines on the highway or dodging [View Full Entry]

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Even though I describe the streets as full of desperation, I am fascinated every time we drive through the streets. Most of the photos that you’ll see are taken from inside the car. Our favorite driver, Saleh Mohammed, is from an area called Mansehra. Most of his relatives lost their homes in the earthquake. Sali Mohammed gets us from point A to B in a hurry. Weaving in and out of traffic as the lines on the roads don’t apply here in Karachi. Saleh Mohammed uses the horn to notify vehicles ahead that we are coming up behind. We’ve noticed that [View Full Entry]

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Whew! ~ After 20 hours of flying over the past 2 days, Galib & I have arrived safely in Karachi, Pakistan. We both enjoyed flying with Emirates Air. One of the unique things we discovered were the video cams on the front of the plane and at the belly. You can have the pilot's view at the click of a button. Very cool when we were landing! We stayed in Dubai for 8 hours while in transit to Karachi. One could shop all day at the airport alone!!! Wow, the duty-free shops were amazing. Instead, we opted for fluffy pillows and [View Full Entry]

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The Air Canada leg was great. With 8 hours in London, Galib & I decided to make the most of it! So we popped on the Heathrow Express to Paddington Station, then hopped on a bus to Central London. We didn't realize how chilly it was until it started snowing big flakes!!! What a meal at the local Spread Eagle pub: fish & chips, steak pie, downed with some tasty ale while watching a football game. You can't get more British than that! We completed our whirlwind tour with a stop at the local HMV for some tunes and then hopped [View Full Entry]

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A big thank you to all of the very special students at WJ Mouatt as well as the teachers that raised 4 boxes of supplies for the Pakistani earthquake victims. Galib & I visited the highschool in Abbotsford today and picked up the supplies. We are touched by all of the items that were donated: mittens, gloves, scarves, socks, tomato paste and vitamin C. These items will help so many people at the Camp as one cannot readily purchase these things in town. The current temperature at night in Camp Chitta Batta lowers to -5 degrees. Another big thank you goes [View Full Entry]

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Yes, it's true, my dearest Galib planned a very romantic evening on Saturday, February 25th, 2006. He proposed in his apartment and of course I said yes!!! Galib then surprised me with a private table at the Macaroni Grill, one of our favorite restaurants. Bring out the bubbly! We could not be happier. Yesterday, both of our families celebrated the engagement together in Burnaby. And...we are also pleased to announce the engagement of my little sister Samantha and her main squeeze, Dan. Coincidentally, Samantha and Dan were engaged on the same evening! One can imagine our parents wai [View Full Entry]

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