We're back!!

I really meant to leave a post before we headed out to Murree but unfortunately it just didn't work out that way. Our phone was out for like 2 days and it honestly felt like eternity!! So needless to say, I couldn't get on the net and even if I could it was only for about 5 minutes and then the line would disconnect. So now it's back obviously. :-)

So Shakil and I decided that we were going to head out to Murree after he got off work on Sunday night which was actually early Monday morning. We take the Daewoo bus and it is very nice, well air conditioned, we're served cold drinks and a little snack pack that has a sandwich, biscuits and some nimko. Great way to travel here!! I had everything packed, ready and waiting at the door when Shakil arrived home from work at 3:45 a.m. He had a taxi driver follow him home to get us to the bus station which is only about a 5 minute drive from our house. I always get nervous at the thought of riding in a taxi here because they really aren't that clean and they drive nuts! I guess this taxi driver was feeling quite relaxed because the ride was quite nice and the taxi was even pretty darn clean. I guess anyone would be pretty relaxed when it's 4 a.m.

We got to the bus station and Shakil got our tickets for the 5 a.m. bus. I'm really surprised we made there on time but we did. The bus takes us to Rawalpindi and then we take another bus from Rawalpindi to Murree. As soon as we started to get into the mountainous region of Islamabad the clouds were moving in and it was just getting darker and darker the further north we went. Then, the rain starts and it rained the rest of our journey into Murree.

I learned from my last trip to Murree to be careful about what I eat prior to the Pindi to Murree leg of the journey because last time I puked as we were going up the mountain. The bus kind of rocks and the bumps the turning round and around the mountain just turned my stomach and this time I was more mentally prepared knowing what to expect. Good thing was since there was rain, the bus driver was taking it very slow and there was much less rocking and I kept everything down. No puking for me!! Yea me!!! Sara just loves the ride - doesn't effect her in the least.

We arrived into Murree at about noon. We didn't have hotel reservations and a lot of people don't get them prior to going there. You see, most people go check out the hotel rooms prior to booking because lemme tell ya, there are some pretty bad hotel rooms there. I mean, just down right disgusting and you wouldn't want to pay even 100 rupees to stay there. Just bad!! We get off the bus and you are immediately rushed by I guess you could call them "porters" but they are just men that want to carry your luggage, escort you around and most of these guys are getting a commission from the hotel if you stay at the one they get you to. We brought one big piece of luggage and I swear it was well over 30 kg and this guy just put it on top of his head and carried it. He wasn't young either and I really felt bad but this man just insisted. They need the money and I was going to make sure that Shakil compensated him well. Plus, it was drizzling rain on and off.

There is a big ol' hill you have to go up to get to Mall Road. Mall Road is where all the action is and that is where we like to stay. Oh my god, I thought I was going to pass out going up the hill and all the damn stairs. The elevation just gets to you. It's like I couldn't even catch my breath. Really lets ya know how out 'a shape you are!!! ha ha!! We must of looked at over 10 hotels and we finally found one - a really nice one. It is like the 2nd highest hotel in Murree and we were up on the 4th floor. The view was fabulous - that is when it was clear which wasn't so often. You'd have to look pretty quickly if you wanted to see the view because it would vanish in the clouds. We'd keep our window open with the screen and parts of clouds would literally come into our room. It was just so neat.

Shopping and eating is really all there is to do in Murree and we did plenty of it. We'd go out during the day in between rain showers and just shop around and it was so much fun. At night we'd dine out at restaurant and just relax. The food is pretty good. It's just typical Pakistani and Chinese cuisine around there - nothing special. Murree is famous for their chappli kababs and they are a must to try! So good!! Lots of cappuccino/chai vendors hanging around and I'd enjoy a nice cappuccino every evening. It was chilly everynight. Sara had to wear winter clothing but Shakil and I just loved the cold. In our room, we'd have to bundle up in blankets.

God knows we didn't want to leave that wonderfully cool weather to come back here to the heat. We got back last night and boy oh boy was it hot when I hopped off the bus. First thing I said was "back to sweating". Shakil agreed. Overall, we had such a great time and it was nice to do something as a family before I head back to the states.

When we arrived back home we saw some mail that had been slid under the door and one of which was from The Department of Homeland Security addressed to Shakil. Shakil opens it up and it was notice that his waiver - the final one he needed has been approved!!! In short, what this means is that there is nothing holding him back now from getting the visa. The Embassy had already contacted him right before we left calling him to visit them and bring his passport and a new medical report and 2 police clearances. This is the last of it folks. It has been 2 1/2 long years waiting on this and there is finally an end to it. There is a good chance that Shakil could be back in the states by the end of the year!!! We appreciate all your prayers.

Until later...

Bye for now.