By nothing short of a miracle, with the crazy weather (storms) trying to get to the Istanbul Airport, we are actually on board the plane. ✈️, and awaiting lift off. We are two very happy travelers!

We are on a huge plane, with monitors at our seat with Hollywood movie 🎥 🍿 options! Oh m gosh, its been too long! I planned on trying to sleep, (it’s a night flight) but “I’m going to the movies,” instead! We’ve only flown small planes for the last year or so. (Lucky if we got a glass of water)! 🤪

Sometimes it’s the little things!
Remember, no news is good news. We will also be losing two hours on this trip, (time zones) and we will make contact as soon as we are able. We are touched by the care and concern from many, as we journey to Pakistan 🇵🇰. We promise we will be careful.
We Have Arrived in Pakistan!
Our plane left on time, and we arrived on time in Lahore, to be greeted by our friend and host. Everything went smooth and no issues.
Getting checked into our guesthouse was great, then a nap was in order. After our coffee, upon waking, we left again, to get a SIM card, ATM cash, and do some shopping for appropriate clothing for me. My summer clothes I’ve been wearing, since we left the states, are “illegal” in some countries 😜 Pakistan is one of those countries. If the weather was cold, my leggings and long sleeve sweater would be find, but its too hot for sweaters in Pakistan. Zaje drove us to store for some shopping; bless his heart. Daryl and he were a bit bored, for obvious reasons, as I tried to find an outfit. I do not care for shopping, either! Size was the issue, since my shoulders alone are wider than most men’s shoulder, here; let alone the women’s shoulders. The pants are so big, they fall off, so finding a smaller pair of pants and a bigger top was tricky. Because of my curvy shape, the dress set had to be broken up (a color coordinated a-tri set are: pants, dress and scarf) I had to settle on my third choice, really, since the top was in a size that would fit. The traditional Pakistani dress is called Shalwar Kameez, but the version of this dress is an evolution of that style, rather than a deviation. Mission accomplished. In my new outfit, I have no shape, and am fully covered. I do love the scarf, though.
We are very use to seeing women wearing traditional garments of a particular culture and country around the world, and we love it. Whereas the men have gone more westernized over time. Here, as most men, right along with the women are in traditional wear. It’s very cool!
The lack of photos is because it was dark, with the early morning arrival. We are in a nice guest house and we were warmly welcomed! I will post photos on a later blog post.
The weather is good; hot, but dry and sunny. Tomorrow we begin exploring. It feels perfectly safe, and Pakistan does remind us of India, as we thought we would
We already received a random check, in the car, outside the airport. showing ID, Visa, and PCR negative test. Daryl had to be the one interviewed. I sat in the car, which was fine. Women are invisible here.

Time for coffee!

