Hi there.. Over the last two weeks, there have been so many remarkably interesting things happening. I met other AIESEC people from local universities and on this occasion they arranged a hang out which was really cool. All of them are very kind and friendly; I feel like meeting them a long time ago, some of them are on the same wavelength, which makes all the conversation and hanging out as such so pleasant. I have to say that there are heaps of so beautiful girls in Pakistan; you Pakistani guys are so fortunate!! Anyway, AIESEC people are really cool, no doubts!!
How is my work going? There was a bit of progress last week, all the duties and responsibilities have been clarified by my line manager, however, the final clarity is going to be done by the country director who is coming the day after tomorrow. He is my manager to whom I have to report etc., so he has the right knowledge and picture of my job. That's a pity he had not been around when I arrived; things could have been quicker. He is still on his business trip in UK and France. I know that I have mentioned that before and it is kinda trite, but again, people in the office where I work are really nice and kind. It will never stop pleasing me. The week before the last week, we often went out to lunch combined with shisha, not surprisingly, my afternoon work was not quite efficient being influenced by smoking shisha J. There was one remarkable moment last week, I and Abia (my coworker) were invited to the local TV studio to discuss some issues related to the World Disability Day internationally celebrated on the 3rd of December. Since Handicap International operates in this field, its relevant shot on TV was inevitable. So, we went to the local TV studio, me with roughly zero knowledge of disability as such and Abia with her wide breadth of disability, the entire TV shot lasted for approximately 30 min. The entire discussion concerned matters such as accessibility, employability and financial support for disabled people in Pakistan. There were a number of people from Canada, UK and surely Pakistan. After this TV shot, we moved to Islamabad Hotel for another discussion concerning this internationally recognized day of disability, it was a 50-min discussion with other organizations operating in the same field, by this event the entire day and its event-parade was concluded. It was really nice to be part of it. Since then, I have been working on some random stuff in the office.
So back to social life, I am very obliged to one of my coworkers who invited me for my so far biggest and most exciting event in Pakistan, her friend's wedding. I was announced as a friend of hers from Canada (i don't know why she said that :), I got traditional Pakistani dress that I have never seen nor worn before and then we were ready to set off for the wedding. One interesting fact about Pakistani weddings, the whole ceremony and wedding itself is celebrated separately for men and women. It was for the first time when I have experienced something like that. The evening party; the entire room was divided by the wall for men and women. In men's part, men were just sitting, chatting, and the same was happening in the women's part. Women wore beautiful, eye-catching and absolutely gorgeously decorative dresses, i was so amazed!! I don't have to mention, that there was no alcohol, as opposed to European or Aussie weddings, where almost everyone gets hammered without any traditional habits. Well, frankly speaking, I like Pakistani way much more! There is no comparison to be precise; within the entire Pakistani wedding you can feel respect and honour. People were really nice, at the beginning they were a bit suspicious towards me as a white person wearing their traditional dress, but after a moment they started talking to me, asking where I am from, what I am doing in Pakistan etc. Everything went well until i met a guy who asked me a question where I am from, i said (according to my friend's announcement) that I was from Canada, Vancouver and he said, wow.. me too.. crap, I had to change the topic immediately.. :) Anyways, everything was cool!
Just two days ago, AIESEC people contacted me to hang out with them. I was surely more than happy to do so! So, we went to the area called "modern area" that was built just 6 months ago. And, honestly, it is the most beautiful place in Islamabad I have seen so far. Very clean and beautiful; buildings built in such a historical way looking like small castles. All this area is situated in the valley, where you can find many restaurants (very good ones), many pathways for walking around, one Indian temple depicting some historical moments etc. It looks spectacular, particularly at night because the entire are is lit by many spotlights placed on the top of trees, roofs of surrounding buildings and other spots. It is a must in Islamabad!!
Well, one more thing that is worth mentioning, just yesterday, we got two new housemates and guess what, one of them is from Australia, from Sydney! We had a long chat... till late at night! The other one is from the South African Republic. So, now we live in five people, Australia, Russia, the Czech Republic, France and the South African Republic, how cool is that!!
And that's pretty much all about the last two weeks.. Tomorrow I am going to another wedding!! yee!! Our driver is getting married! One interesting fact, if anyone intends to travel to Pakistan, don't be surprised if you are asked 50 times a day whether you are married :) Local people get married at an early age and the majority of couples are arranged beforehand. This is rapidly changing though with the young generation…
Ok, I will be in touch as soon as I have enough to write about... next weekend hopefully…
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