It's been a bit of a rough week for me here. Coming into this, I really had no expectations and came in with an open mind, having no idea what it would be like here. Since I moved to Holland by myself, I figured that this would be a walk in the park. I have my man, we'll get to travel again, no big deal. I was sadly mistaken. With Pakistan being not only a Muslim country, but a third world country, it's been a lot harder for me to adjust. All the rules, the extreme culture shock, not having a job and sitting in the house all day because I can't go anywhere, it's beginning to drive me crazy. And I hate to say it, but I think this will be the first night in about a week where I won't be crying myself to sleep. I hate to show weakness, but it's true, and I might as well be honest. After all, I want to look back on these journal entries years down the line and remember exactly what it was like.
Some of you may know that I adopted a little kitten. He was wandering around here one day so we picked him up and took him home. We named him Lynx, I figured it was appropriate as my other cats were named after animals as well, Fawkes, Cougar and Finch. Unfortunately he went outside a week ago, and hasn't returned. So that has had me pretty heartbroken as well, and isn't helping with my settling in situation. There are plenty of other kittens here, and a pregnant cat that I feed everyday, but I don't think I want another one. I just want him to come back.
This past weekend was a busy one for us. Everyone gets out of work at noon each Friday, something to do with Muslim prayers, but hey, it's a short day so who's complaining? We spent the afternoon at the Czech's house. Most of the other diplomats live off the enclave, and have these big enormous houses. This particular one was no different, big, beautiful, gorgeous wood carvings throughout. It would be nice to live off the diplomatic enclave, however, it's not as safe. And most countries are beginning to build residences and move their people onto the enclave, just because it's so much safer. Anyway, as soon as we got there he started feeding us homemade apricot brandy and Carlsberg. I'm not a liquor drinker myself, so opted for the beer, but eventually he talked me in to taking just one shot. I had to, just to be polite, but boy was it ever gross. It was only military members that were invited to this particular lunch, and I got to meet a few Americans and a British fellow who I was particularly fond of. The lunch was delicious and I left there quite tipsy.
From the Czech's house, we made our way back to the Canada Club, and then on to the German Club where there was a pool party going on. It was late, so it wasn't really a pool party by this point. We didn't stay there for very long because it had been a long day, and we were exhausted.
On Saturday we slept in late, and then went out shopping with Tahira, our new domestic helper. Then we met up with two of the Americans, and Rod's three coworkers, at a place called Nirvana. It's basically a spa, hair salon, restaurant, hookah bar, shop, all rolled into one. Apparently they like to specialize in more than one thing in this country. I got a manicure and pedicure with the other two women, while Rod and the three guys got massages. The mani/pedi only cost me $20 including tip, and Rod's was $50 including tip. Definitely affordable and I hope to go there a lot more often. It's a nice way to feel good in this place. Once everyone was done, we had dinner and it was so tasty! Oh my goodness. I told Rod that we should go there for date night once a month. We don't do a "date night" but might as well start now.
And then we went to the movies. And ya'll know how that went.
Some of you may know that I adopted a little kitten. He was wandering around here one day so we picked him up and took him home. We named him Lynx, I figured it was appropriate as my other cats were named after animals as well, Fawkes, Cougar and Finch. Unfortunately he went outside a week ago, and hasn't returned. So that has had me pretty heartbroken as well, and isn't helping with my settling in situation. There are plenty of other kittens here, and a pregnant cat that I feed everyday, but I don't think I want another one. I just want him to come back.
This past weekend was a busy one for us. Everyone gets out of work at noon each Friday, something to do with Muslim prayers, but hey, it's a short day so who's complaining? We spent the afternoon at the Czech's house. Most of the other diplomats live off the enclave, and have these big enormous houses. This particular one was no different, big, beautiful, gorgeous wood carvings throughout. It would be nice to live off the diplomatic enclave, however, it's not as safe. And most countries are beginning to build residences and move their people onto the enclave, just because it's so much safer. Anyway, as soon as we got there he started feeding us homemade apricot brandy and Carlsberg. I'm not a liquor drinker myself, so opted for the beer, but eventually he talked me in to taking just one shot. I had to, just to be polite, but boy was it ever gross. It was only military members that were invited to this particular lunch, and I got to meet a few Americans and a British fellow who I was particularly fond of. The lunch was delicious and I left there quite tipsy.
From the Czech's house, we made our way back to the Canada Club, and then on to the German Club where there was a pool party going on. It was late, so it wasn't really a pool party by this point. We didn't stay there for very long because it had been a long day, and we were exhausted.
On Saturday we slept in late, and then went out shopping with Tahira, our new domestic helper. Then we met up with two of the Americans, and Rod's three coworkers, at a place called Nirvana. It's basically a spa, hair salon, restaurant, hookah bar, shop, all rolled into one. Apparently they like to specialize in more than one thing in this country. I got a manicure and pedicure with the other two women, while Rod and the three guys got massages. The mani/pedi only cost me $20 including tip, and Rod's was $50 including tip. Definitely affordable and I hope to go there a lot more often. It's a nice way to feel good in this place. Once everyone was done, we had dinner and it was so tasty! Oh my goodness. I told Rod that we should go there for date night once a month. We don't do a "date night" but might as well start now.
And then we went to the movies. And ya'll know how that went.
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