Things could be way worse...

My friend, Alina, posted note today about her recent move. Her comments make me think that this small town isn't as big of an adjustment as I thought. And I thought it was fun to hear from her.


Alina got married a while back, but her husband lived in Pakistan and had several years of school left. They decided to get married anyway and live apart. You can guess how fun that was. It stunk, in case you thought otherwise. So she moved to Pakistan in November to be with him.

A month ago she moved to a city called Lahore. That is pronounced just like you think it would be and, yes, it does sound like THAT word. There is a whole line of jokes and inappropriate comments that can be made about that, but I won't go there. She was happy for the move because Lahore is a bigger more liberal city. The girl that grew up in Santa Clara, CA and use to shop at Banana Republic doesn't have to wear a full burqa in public anymore.

Alina has lived in Pakistan before, but not as an adult with her own household. I liked her comments on some of the challenges. She hopes to get a car soon because the traffic is really dangerous for a motorcycle and the rickshaws can give you a headache. I don't think I ever actually seen a rickshaw, let alone have it be regular transportation. Once you get to the bazaar you were headed off to, you better have a lot of energy left because bargaining is required for every purchase. Doesn't sound like there is anyplace with price tags and a cash register, which could be fun. Also, she really misses dustpans and vacuums. Pakistan is a dusty place. You would think someone would make a dustpan.

As far as food, I assume she likes the food since she grew up with much of it. Eating at her house was always delicious. But, she didn't grow up with the specific set of bacteria that come with the meat and veggies she cooks with. The way she wrote about it, it is just expected to have a few trips to the hospital until your digestive track adjusts. That sounds very uncomfortable. Despite that, she is still cooking and trying to collect recipes. When she asks for a recipe, people give the quantities with their hands... this much oil, this much water, this many onions (holds up fingers), a pinch of masala... That's really funny to me.  Was that handful of water equivalent to a half cup?
Well... I'm headed off to a friend's for dinner. We are having the fondue left overs from the luncheon we put on earlier today. Our men folk are happy the women left some for them to have. Good times here in Blanding!