First leg of the journey

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After 31 grueling hours of travel Seattle to JFK in New York to Dubai to Islamabad (delayed flights, only had one check-in bag and it didn’t get to Islamabad - wonder where it DID go???) I am literally half-way around the world, with a 12-hour time difference. It’s not Kansas!

Random thoughts: the young taxi driver told me this am: he’s highly educated, but lost his good-paying job 1 ½ years ago. Now works driving a cab for 2500 Pakistani rupees a month (about US $ 41-42), says it takes about R 4000 a month to maintain a family of 3 (him, his young wife and 1 yr-old baby) but they live with his parents, also. So my $1 tip (since I didn’t even have time to change money) is about half again more than he makes in a day.
He said the incredibly bright-colored trucks going by that are all sided with tin, pressed and painted in intricate patterns with bright enamel paints are just the customary way of decorating one’s truck. My naïve question (after I'd seen only 3 going along the same way we were) was whether the trucks were part of a circus, which made him smile.
English is the official language, but Urdu is the language spoken by most people in Islamabad and elsewhere, although there are a plethora of languages and dialects in Pakistan. Apparently British English is the official language, though. I seem to be having trouble making myself understood to the guest house staff who apparently speak English. But every time I say something, they just nod and agree without answering the question I have asked. I'm going to have to work on the ol’ British accent and cadence, eh, what? Of course, I watched a Brit this am very carefully instructing the desk clerk on a message to deliver to someone coming to pick him up and the nodding was disturbingly familiar. Found myself wondering just how much the clerk really did understand…. Guess I’ll find out more as I go along. More to follow. Limiting factor may be internet access. N

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Photos

You Can Travel Surrounded by Art, Too
2 sizes of public transports

Comments

[Janet Shaw]

Thanks
Thanks for including me in your blog.

[Janay Thorne]

WOW!
Hey Beautiful!!! And... I thought my journey last year was an ADVENTURE. You, my dear, are just enlightening. Hugs to you, 12 hours away... sent Express UPS! Janay

[Ed Patton]

You are brave Nancy
So glad to hear from you Nancy. Please keep me informed about your travels. Love Ya Ed P.S. Had neck surgery at the U.O.Wa. two weeks ago. I'm doing well.

[sandyc]

Hey Dorothy!!
Agree, definitely not KS. So GREAT to hear from you and where and what you are doing. Stay safe and in touch. Always our Best!!! SandyC