It’s about 1:30P right now and a prayer call echoes outside.  There are five formal prayers every day that Muslims observe: when the sun rises, when the sun sets, two in between that time frame and the last one around 9:00P.  It’s a constant reminder of God and to seek his His guidance.  The call sounds like a gentle song on a loud speaker.  I’ll try and record it next time.  I haven’t seen it first hand, but a local told me before prayer, you have to wash your hands and face three times (maybe the feet, too?).  If you’re not near water, you can cleanse yourself using dirt instead.    

The weather has been sunny and humid the last couple of days here in Islamabad.  I feel very lucky to be in an area that is not devastated by the floods happening in other parts of the country.  On the news, they show rivers of muddy water rushing through the streets while families stand on the sidelines watching their homes wash away.  See, destruction happens by nature, not just by man.  What’s worse?  I find myself constantly asking that question.  

SATURDAY 7/31: Yesterday, I awoke to a lovely sound of jackhammering right outside the window.  Actually it wasn’t jackhammering because that would be too efficient. It was guys pounding the concrete with a metal shovel and hammer trying to break up the cement.  Might I mention, this was a 6:00A.  This went on for the most of the day.  I figure they started early because of the heat, but not sure.  And someone was vacuuming outside the room around 7:00A.  Can they vacuum and mop this tile floor in my room, too, please?  Glad I brought two tubs of Lysol disinfectant wipes because I’m cleaning the room myself!  

For lunch, Luke and I ate fish and chips in the dining hall at our hotel. Surprisingly, it was delicious!  And we had cheese pizza delivered for dinner.  The cheese was kind of gooey though - somewhat like uncooked dough.  But, the crust tasted amazing.  We went out for ice cream at Marble Stone Creamery - like Coldstone back in the States.  It was good, the cones were much more brittle.  And the taste tester “spoons” are actually thin pieces of wood - almost got a splinter in my tongue.

Not sure how many people know this, but Pakistan has the BEST MANGOS IN THE WORLD.  OMG.  Luke says there is cocaine in it - not that he knows what it tastes like. But, man - “Yummo!”  They send subliminal messages because when you walk by, that sweet, juicy scent enters your nose and tells your brain, EAT ME!!  And I listen.

In between all of this eating, we pretty much stayed in the hotel room.  Luke taught me a card game called, Thirteen.  I dealt him a winning hand for the first ten rounds, but luck soon found me and I finally got the gist of the game.  We have fun together, even if we’re stuck inside all day.  

FRIDAY 7/30: We went to Citibank with someone from the Production Company. While we sat in the bank office, a servant brought us mango juice in fancy glasses. The banker and person from the production company were very accommodating.  ”These two are very special to us.”  ”Anything you need, let me know.”  Of course that makes me feel much better (and important) when I’m treated respectfully. Before we entered the bank, there was a security doorway machine you walk through.  It didn’t seem really secure, but there were a bunch of guards outside.     

Earlier Friday we had a major meeting at headquarters.  It was exciting to be there and get the ball moving forward for this production.  We have ten days to give them a schedule and breakdowns.  I’m just waiting for a final script to work from.  Cross your fingers for progress.   

Later that day, Luke and I walked down the street to Cosco - not Costco.  It’s three floors of food, appliances, luggage, toiletries, etc.  One salesman tried to sell a laptop bag for over $100 USD.  Ridiculous!  Of course, Luke didn’t buy it.  But, we did buy toilet paper and a ton of cookies!  There wasn’t a produce section.  I really miss vegetables.  Broccoli, lettuce, asparagus, I love you…where are you?  

Finally, one last thing to mention is the size of the ants here - they are on steroids. It’s crazy.  I can’t stop looking at them.  And I can’t stop thinking about those mangos.  Off to get my fix! 

b.e.d.