not too bad...

I've been reading a little more about what's going on in Afghanistan and Pakistan, and while life would sure be a lot easier if some moron hadn't thought that desecrating a holy book was an acceptable way to make people "uncomfortable" under interrogation, I don't think it will be too bad. I read this on the news today:

But in the main cities of Islamabad, Lahore, Peshawar, Quetta, Multan and Karachi no more than a few hundred turned out, despite fiery rhetoric from some preachers. No violence was reported, although in Quetta, protesters burned an effigy of President Bush.

Sadique Bajrani, a cleric in Karachi, urged people to remain peaceful. "Americans did a bad thing, but you should not hurt anyone while protesting against America," he said.

So, it could be better...but it really could be worse, too. Overall, I'm feeling okay about things. The consulate in Karachi isn't worried, either - and it's their job to worry about this kind of thing. Apparently, we've just gotten a DVD player in the house, so hurrah for all those movies!

seriously...?

It appears that Newsweek released a story about how some interrogators at Guantanamo decided that it would be a good idea to flush a copy of the Koran down the toilet to motivate people to talk. Why anyone would do something so completely offensive and disrespectful is beyond me, and needless to say, people in the Islamic world are not taking this well - there have been riots and such in Afghanistan about it. So far, things remain calm and uneventful in Pakistan, and Karachi is a long way from the border, but it could potentially interfere - at least, according to my co-worker who's already there. And didn't want to do the project in the first place. So her judgement...maybe not the most unbiased? (Although, my boss said that if they've got rioting in Karachi, I shouldn't go, and he'd promise to put me on the Vietnam project, starting June 16th. I think that if I get jerked around one more time about this, my head is going to explode.)

So yeah - that's what's going on. The joke around here is that no one ever believes that they're on a project until the plane door closes. It's not all that funny anymore, to tell you the truth.

There is also speculation, however, that the majority of the problems are coming from people who are already trying to get rid of the government and US troops in Afghanistan, so they're using this as a good opportunity to stir up unrest. Musharraf seems to have a good hold on things in Pakistan (although I wouldn't trade places with him for anything), so...well, basically, I'm going to try not to think about it. But I'll check the news and such Sunday morning and see what's going on.

time flies...

...when you're leaving for Pakistan in four days. Yowza. My salwar kameez arrived today, and to say that it's "loose-fitting" is an understatement. I could fit three other people in there with me. But that's okay, it's all about blending in, being respectful of local culture, etc. Of course, the print looks vaguely African in nature, but they said it was imported from India. Whatever - I'm trying. And I can get them made there for something like $2 or $3.

I can imagine that I'll have quite the bill when I get to the pharmacy tonight - I've had a wee bit of a sore throat, so I went to get it checked out just in case. And once I said "I'm going to Pakistan for a few months", my doctor (who is AWESOME), gave me three more prescriptions for various antibiotics and girl meds, as well as her e-mail address in case anything happens and I need some advice from her. She rocks. Plus, I'm getting my prescription for my $35 per week malaria meds. I will be a one-woman pharmacy, I swear. Well, as the Boy Scouts say, "be prepared". Not that I normally quote the Boy Scouts, that's just such a darn handy phrase.

So, I was sitting outside eating lunch today with my boss, and in that one hour, I managed to turn the tops of my thighs bright red. This, perhaps, does not bode well for my time by the pool at the American School. I will be stocking up on sunblock, however. Nothing but SPF 45 for me!

Well, work is certainly keeping me busy in the meantime, so I'd best be getting back to it.

just got the office address

For any of you who would like to attempt to send me things (from my parents' memory of our time there, any box is likely to be...perused by customs folks before getting to me, and may be a bit lighter after said perusal. So don't go sending bags of diamonds or anything.), the best bet is to send things to the project office, which is at:

CTA Office Karachi: c/o ECIL, 29 Block 7/8, Sharea Faisal, Karachi 75350

(And Marie - if you write "Campistan", they're not likely to know what you're talking about...)

I'm going to get a cell phone when I get there, so I'll pass that number along once I have it.

We've got access to the facilities at the American school next door, and it looks as though life in Karachi will be pretty decent. So starting to feel better about going.

I'll be off, then.

Six days and counting...!

Well, I've finally got my ticket, got my visa, and got my malaria meds (well, the prescription) - so I'm definitely off for a few months in Pakistan! What a strange feeling. I mean, there's never a good time to go away for two months (more, if I go somewhere after that), there's really no way around it. And our Chairman of the Board mentioned the other day that he'd recommended me to someone for another project.

In Yemen.

Which will only serve to remind me of that episode of "Friends" ("I'm going to Yemen!"). But also makes me wonder if I did something to really tick someone off around here. Because first Pakistan, then Yemen? Let's see how many places on the State Department Watch List I can hit! (And hey - the travel warning has been recently updated - yee haw!)

I've heard nothing about it since then, so I think that suggestion may have been put aside. Which is fine with me.

As I've said from day one here, this job, and the traveling that comes with it, has a shelf-life, since I don't want to be away for months at a time if I have my own family. But it's an opportunity to take while I'm young and as unattached as I'm likely to be, so I will - and I'll re-evaluate in another 10 months or so - whenever I hit the two-year mark, see if I want to make it three years and go from there. But really, the up-side about living under heavy security is that I won't have much to do other than read, knit, and workout (indoors, of course - I can't exactly go jogging in the mornings). So maybe I'll come back all ripped and stuff. With scarves and hats for everyone. Or mittens. Do you guys like mittens?

All kidding aside, however, I think that it has the potential to be a great experience, and I plan to fully embrace being there. I'm just ambivalent about it in the meantime. Well, the party that we're having for Charlie's and my birthday on Saturday should be really fun, and I can't think of a better way to spend my last night at home for a while.