I was preaching this morning at the Cathedral.
I set of for the Cathedral and when I got to the bridge, I found it closed. So I turned right and found a second bridge closed. At this point I was thinking that I might not make it in time. I turn round and thankfully found the third bridge open. I am not sure what's going on but there is a large police presence in the city, lets hope its just precautionary.
When I finally arrived, just before 8am to find that there was just myself, the Rector and the lady reading the lesson in the congregation! By the time we reached the communion two more people had joined us.
There more people there for the 9.15 am service which was being led my Viranga who is from Sri Lanka. The Bishop and Rector were away at another church taking a Confirmation service which left us in charge. The sermon was well received even thoough the power went off in the middle and I had to keep going, apparantly everyone could still hear me!!! Strange that!! Normally, Dixon the Verger would switch on the generator, this took a little longer than normally as he had dropped off in the porch!! Viranga had to nip out and wake him up.
I have spent the rest of the day napping to catch up on my sleep, as I am a very tired little bunny after my busy week...
I am loving my life here and I know this is the the best thing that I have ever done. I am happy in my home and my work, I am starting to make new friends and experience all sorts of new things. I also think about the UK and apart from all my friends and family there, there is nothing I miss. I think about it getting darker and colder over there and the fact that things are so expensive, the kids in so many schools that don't want to be there and don't want to be taught and then I look at life here and you know, I may never come back...
Sunday, 28 October 2007
Saturday, 27 October 2007
No rest for the wicked
It's been another busy week here in Karachi.
After the bombings last week the city has been very quiet and thankfully there has been no more trouble. We still have the elections in January to come, and there is ever chance that there will be more trouble. All that being said, I still feel very much at home and hope and pray that the situation doesn't become so difficult that I will have to leave.
There has been much to do this week, I was leading the house group Bible study on Monday, we were looking at the character of Hannah from 1 Samuel. We had a very interesting discussion, including at one point where or not polygamy is part of God's plan!!(Answers on a postcard).
Tuesday was the day that rehearsals started for BOS's Production of An Inspector Calls. We had a read through with the main cast. We are putting this on in February and there is a lot of work to do. The students have suggested that we need to rehearse more than once a week, so that is encouraging.
Wednesday involved returning to school to give a presentation to the parents regarding teh trip to Egypt. This went well and the parents were excited about the trip. Thee were one or two strange questions, including whether or not it was safe to travel to Egypt!!!! I went onto the FCO the following day and could find no specific advice on travelling to Egypt. Whereas, they were still advising against all but essential travel to Karachi!
After school on Thursday I went first to the Dentist to have a fitting for my crown, and then on to a meeting with Ivan Minhas, who is Pricipal of the YMCA Polytechnic. I have been asked to join the Board of the Polytechnic, which I have agreed to do.
Friday is our short day and as my friend Andrew said to me, it always comes as a nice surprise to finish at 12.15. In the evening one of my colleagues came round for something to eat and a game of Trivial Pursuits, which he won. Just as I was startign tot cook the power went off, not an unusual event in these parts, so I ended up cooking by torchlight. Thankfully, the power was back on by the time Stewart arrived.
Today I have been into school so that I could sort out my sermon for tomorrow and then use the printer. I have to go back there this evening for the PTA Meet and Greet, where all the parents are there to meet all the teachers. There is food and games and fun!! I can't wait!
After the bombings last week the city has been very quiet and thankfully there has been no more trouble. We still have the elections in January to come, and there is ever chance that there will be more trouble. All that being said, I still feel very much at home and hope and pray that the situation doesn't become so difficult that I will have to leave.
There has been much to do this week, I was leading the house group Bible study on Monday, we were looking at the character of Hannah from 1 Samuel. We had a very interesting discussion, including at one point where or not polygamy is part of God's plan!!(Answers on a postcard).
Tuesday was the day that rehearsals started for BOS's Production of An Inspector Calls. We had a read through with the main cast. We are putting this on in February and there is a lot of work to do. The students have suggested that we need to rehearse more than once a week, so that is encouraging.
Wednesday involved returning to school to give a presentation to the parents regarding teh trip to Egypt. This went well and the parents were excited about the trip. Thee were one or two strange questions, including whether or not it was safe to travel to Egypt!!!! I went onto the FCO the following day and could find no specific advice on travelling to Egypt. Whereas, they were still advising against all but essential travel to Karachi!
After school on Thursday I went first to the Dentist to have a fitting for my crown, and then on to a meeting with Ivan Minhas, who is Pricipal of the YMCA Polytechnic. I have been asked to join the Board of the Polytechnic, which I have agreed to do.
Friday is our short day and as my friend Andrew said to me, it always comes as a nice surprise to finish at 12.15. In the evening one of my colleagues came round for something to eat and a game of Trivial Pursuits, which he won. Just as I was startign tot cook the power went off, not an unusual event in these parts, so I ended up cooking by torchlight. Thankfully, the power was back on by the time Stewart arrived.
Today I have been into school so that I could sort out my sermon for tomorrow and then use the printer. I have to go back there this evening for the PTA Meet and Greet, where all the parents are there to meet all the teachers. There is food and games and fun!! I can't wait!
Sunday, 21 October 2007
All by myself...
After two weeks of hosting my friend Andrew, I am once again 'all by myself'. Andrew left this morning for his flight back to the UK and I was left with the washing up (Naseem has Malaria at the moment, so I am 'doing' for myself) and time to get ready for my return to active duty tomorrow!!
Having Andrew here was great, we got on really well even though we have very different views on housekeeping!! I allow things to stay where the
y land, whereas his OCD(!) means that he is for ever tidying and sorting. I have benefited from this as we have moved some of the furniture around and made the place a lot more 'mine'. I have even been able to put a cloth on my dining table(a gift from the Guthrie's and finally get to use my table runner, bought in Kenya in 2004).
We had a great couple of days in Lahore, if somewhat marred by watching the events unfolding back in Karachi. As my mum said when I phone her to let her know I was ok, 'why can't they just moan about it, like we do'!
Lahore was amazing and very different to Karachi. The journey didn't get off to the best start however, as the driver scheduled to collect us at 6.30am didn't arrive, and his stand in, didn't get to us until 7.15am. Our flight was due to depart at 8.00am and despite Zubair's best efforts and speeds in excess of 100kph, the flight had closed by the time we arrived which left us with the only option of transfering onto the 3pm flight and returning back to the apartment for a few hours.
When we finally arrived in Lahore we had a wonderful time looking round all the different sights there. Many of them date back to the 1630's and 40's and whilst the English were busy executing their King, the Mughals were building some of the most amazing buildings you have ever seen.
We also went out to Wagha, which is the only land border between Pakistan and India, and is were they have an elaborate flag lower ceremony every evening. There are stands on both sides of the border which fill up with more than a thousand people all there to watch the ceremony. It is very theatrical, with lots of stamping and stomping and generally posturing at the other side of the gates. We were lead in chants of 'Pakistan is the Best' on our side and I can only imagine that the shouting coming from the other side was claiming that honour for India. It was all very good natured and the guards do also shake hands at one point in the 'dance'. I have to say that the Pakistani Army is the only one that I have ever seen to stand with their hands on their hips, duing a milatary display!
I thoroughly enjoyed it and Andrew said afterwards that I had been smiling like a little school boy all the way through!!
He had done his grinning back at the hotel when he realised that we were sharing breakfast with the South African and Pakistani Cricket teams, who were in Lahore for a One Day International, I thought he was going to 'pop', when we ended up sharing a lift up to our room with Shaun Pollock, who is apparantly some big name in cricket, a fact that went straight over my head!
Andrew's sleep was somewhat disturbed on the first night by the herd of Rhino's in the room, or at least that was the simile he used to describe my snoring! I was awared that I snored but apparantly it is quite bad!!! The cotton wool from the make up kit came to his rescue the following evening!! Now those involved with SU will realise why I have a room to myself at camp, if you ask Andrew I am sure he will give you the low down.
The flight back was uneventful and we returned to a very quiet city as three days of mourning had been declared for those who died on Thursday night. The weekend has also been days of mourning and yesterday some of Benazir's party were out making sure that shops and businesses stayed shut. This following on from Eid last week means that many shops will have taken very little in the last 14 days which is an added burden for them. I am hoping that things will now calm down, but with an election coming up early next year I suspect that there is more trouble to follow. Your prayers will be much appreciated.
Having Andrew here was great, we got on really well even though we have very different views on housekeeping!! I allow things to stay where the
y land, whereas his OCD(!) means that he is for ever tidying and sorting. I have benefited from this as we have moved some of the furniture around and made the place a lot more 'mine'. I have even been able to put a cloth on my dining table(a gift from the Guthrie's and finally get to use my table runner, bought in Kenya in 2004).We had a great couple of days in Lahore, if somewhat marred by watching the events unfolding back in Karachi. As my mum said when I phone her to let her know I was ok, 'why can't they just moan about it, like we do'!
Lahore was amazing and very different to Karachi. The journey didn't get off to the best start however, as the driver scheduled to collect us at 6.30am didn't arrive, and his stand in, didn't get to us until 7.15am. Our flight was due to depart at 8.00am and despite Zubair's best efforts and speeds in excess of 100kph, the flight had closed by the time we arrived which left us with the only option of transfering onto the 3pm flight and returning back to the apartment for a few hours.
When we finally arrived in Lahore we had a wonderful time looking round all the different sights there. Many of them date back to the 1630's and 40's and whilst the English were busy executing their King, the Mughals were building some of the most amazing buildings you have ever seen.
We also went out to Wagha, which is the only land border between Pakistan and India, and is were they have an elaborate flag lower ceremony every evening. There are stands on both sides of the border which fill up with more than a thousand people all there to watch the ceremony. It is very theatrical, with lots of stamping and stomping and generally posturing at the other side of the gates. We were lead in chants of 'Pakistan is the Best' on our side and I can only imagine that the shouting coming from the other side was claiming that honour for India. It was all very good natured and the guards do also shake hands at one point in the 'dance'. I have to say that the Pakistani Army is the only one that I have ever seen to stand with their hands on their hips, duing a milatary display!
I thoroughly enjoyed it and Andrew said afterwards that I had been smiling like a little school boy all the way through!!
He had done his grinning back at the hotel when he realised that we were sharing breakfast with the South African and Pakistani Cricket teams, who were in Lahore for a One Day International, I thought he was going to 'pop', when we ended up sharing a lift up to our room with Shaun Pollock, who is apparantly some big name in cricket, a fact that went straight over my head!
Andrew's sleep was somewhat disturbed on the first night by the herd of Rhino's in the room, or at least that was the simile he used to describe my snoring! I was awared that I snored but apparantly it is quite bad!!! The cotton wool from the make up kit came to his rescue the following evening!! Now those involved with SU will realise why I have a room to myself at camp, if you ask Andrew I am sure he will give you the low down.
The flight back was uneventful and we returned to a very quiet city as three days of mourning had been declared for those who died on Thursday night. The weekend has also been days of mourning and yesterday some of Benazir's party were out making sure that shops and businesses stayed shut. This following on from Eid last week means that many shops will have taken very little in the last 14 days which is an added burden for them. I am hoping that things will now calm down, but with an election coming up early next year I suspect that there is more trouble to follow. Your prayers will be much appreciated.
Monday, 15 October 2007
On a clear Day you can see Antartica!
Yesterday was one of the most pleasant and relaxing I have spent here in Karachi.After church at 9.15, which was good as ever, Andrew and I set of to the beach to meet up with Dan and Ruth Bavington, veterans of Karachi (they have been here 42 years), Anne de Rebeykill (Scripture Union Worker plus other support type things), Dave and Jenny Watson (newly arrived from the UK, 3 months ago) and their two boys Ben 2 and Joel 1.
We combined swimming in the sea, lots to eat and a board game called Accquire with sun and a cooling sea breeze, very pleasant company and had a most enjoyable time. The drive up takes about 45-50 minutes and would be much quicker if the roads were in better condition. Andrew conceeded that although the roads in Karachi have their faults compared to the roads around Mauripur and up to Hawks Bay, the roads here are superb!
Today's title comes from a point made by Dan. As you look out into the Arabian Sea (as I am doing in the photo), the next land mass you reach is Antartica!All in all a very pleasant day, with a very straight forward drive back into the city, even though the road surface had not improved any!!
After a rest, a shower and a slight panic as to the location of my wallet! (it was in the car, I had taken it out to pay the toll, on the beach road) we ventured out to find Cafe Flo, which is at the French Cultural Centre, Alliance Francais. We also tried to withdraw money from the Cash Machine, but HSBC was unable to contact my branch!!! Thankfully, Mastercard was ready to take the strain at the restuarant.
The problem at the bank, and my inability to find said Alliance, caused me to get a little stressed and anxious in the car, the first time in a long time.
Fortunately, Andrew was able to remain calm and we did eventually find the resturant, and we enjoyed a most delicious meal. I had Prawns in lemon and garlic, followed Creme Brulee and Andrew had a Steak, followed by Chocolate Mousse. All that was followed by coffee or green tea and it came in at around 20 pounds for us both, an expensive meal out here in Karachi!! but most definitely worth it, Bon Apetit!
Sunday, 14 October 2007
It's finally here
After expecting Eid on Saturday, there was some disappointment that the Moon was not sighted Friday evening and so Ramzan continued for another day. However, at sundown on Saturday the Moon as definitely there and so many fireworks, and possibly some firearms, were set off in celebration.
We went out during the day and collected my new trousers, made to measure for under 20 pounds! Then after a final shop to ensure we survive Eid we returned to the apartment.
Andrew is an order loving creature and he can only survive my level of chaos for so long. So when I got up yesterday morning all my bits and pieces on the dining table had be tidied and the desktop on my computer has been ordered also!! He also set up the surround sound on the TV for me. This had been left in order by my other friend Andrew before he left, but had all been moved when the painters were in.
The alarm has just gone off in Andrew's room which means it must be 8am, so I need to go and get a shower so that we are ready to level in 45 minutes. We are of to church and then driving up the coast to meet some friends at their beach house, so that we can speand the day on the beach, and swimming in the clean bit of the Arabian Sea!
We went out during the day and collected my new trousers, made to measure for under 20 pounds! Then after a final shop to ensure we survive Eid we returned to the apartment.
Andrew is an order loving creature and he can only survive my level of chaos for so long. So when I got up yesterday morning all my bits and pieces on the dining table had be tidied and the desktop on my computer has been ordered also!! He also set up the surround sound on the TV for me. This had been left in order by my other friend Andrew before he left, but had all been moved when the painters were in.
The alarm has just gone off in Andrew's room which means it must be 8am, so I need to go and get a shower so that we are ready to level in 45 minutes. We are of to church and then driving up the coast to meet some friends at their beach house, so that we can speand the day on the beach, and swimming in the clean bit of the Arabian Sea!
Friday, 12 October 2007
Aren't School Holidays great!!!
Today is the first day of our school Half Term, and so the alarm didn't go off at 6.30am as normal. However, as my body hates me, I was wide awake by 7.15 and sat at the computer catching up with emails and writing this by 7.30am. Of course my friend Andrew is still fast asleep though I have been up for nearly two hours now!!
Anyhow, great excitement was evident at the end of school yesterday, not only because of the break and Eid being sometime this weekend (Eid is the end of Ramzan, the month in which Muslims fast, and also marked by family celebrations and gifts for the children), but also because I have finally annonce the location of the school holiday for 2008. If you haven't already guessed we are off to Egypt, to spend some time in Cairo, Luxor and Hurgahda(Red Sea). The great thing as far as I am concerned is that we leave on the 14th March which is Tom's 21st birthday, so all things being equal I will get to see him then, which will be fantastic.
Andrew and I are planning to do the tourist bit over the next few days. There will be some shopping today and a drive round the city. The on Sunday after Church, we have been invited up to the beach by Dan and Ruth from church. They have a beach hut up at Hawkesbay, and by beach hut, you should think, less Skegness and more Miami!! This is a three bedroom house on the beach. Not as glamourous as Miami, but very comfortable and a place to stay. I have been invited to join the group that owns it, the membership fee is Rs1000/- ( about 8 quid) and it costs Rs500/- per day to use it!!
Then on Wednesday we are off up to Lahore for two nights of luxury at the 5* Pearl Continental and some sight seeing. This will include the Wagha boarder crossing, where the Indian and Pakistani border police do there version of the Changing of the Guard every night when the crossing is closed. Both sets of guards Stamp the Retreat as an exact mirror image of each other, although they never rehearse together!
Tomorrow, In'Shallah Eid will begin and the whole city will be closed for the day. Sunday is also a holiday and then slowly over Monday and Tuesday everything will wake up again.
Andrew and I played Scrabble last night and I bet him both times!!! Not bad as he is an English Graduate, from Oxford!! When he reads this he will bleat out some excuse about his degree being totally irrelevant, which is something I have been saying fo rth elast three years!!
Eid Mubarak
Anyhow, great excitement was evident at the end of school yesterday, not only because of the break and Eid being sometime this weekend (Eid is the end of Ramzan, the month in which Muslims fast, and also marked by family celebrations and gifts for the children), but also because I have finally annonce the location of the school holiday for 2008. If you haven't already guessed we are off to Egypt, to spend some time in Cairo, Luxor and Hurgahda(Red Sea). The great thing as far as I am concerned is that we leave on the 14th March which is Tom's 21st birthday, so all things being equal I will get to see him then, which will be fantastic.
Andrew and I are planning to do the tourist bit over the next few days. There will be some shopping today and a drive round the city. The on Sunday after Church, we have been invited up to the beach by Dan and Ruth from church. They have a beach hut up at Hawkesbay, and by beach hut, you should think, less Skegness and more Miami!! This is a three bedroom house on the beach. Not as glamourous as Miami, but very comfortable and a place to stay. I have been invited to join the group that owns it, the membership fee is Rs1000/- ( about 8 quid) and it costs Rs500/- per day to use it!!
Then on Wednesday we are off up to Lahore for two nights of luxury at the 5* Pearl Continental and some sight seeing. This will include the Wagha boarder crossing, where the Indian and Pakistani border police do there version of the Changing of the Guard every night when the crossing is closed. Both sets of guards Stamp the Retreat as an exact mirror image of each other, although they never rehearse together!
Tomorrow, In'Shallah Eid will begin and the whole city will be closed for the day. Sunday is also a holiday and then slowly over Monday and Tuesday everything will wake up again.
Andrew and I played Scrabble last night and I bet him both times!!! Not bad as he is an English Graduate, from Oxford!! When he reads this he will bleat out some excuse about his degree being totally irrelevant, which is something I have been saying fo rth elast three years!!
Eid Mubarak
Saturday, 6 October 2007
Another busy week in Karachi
I have now been here 6 weeeks already and I feel very much at home. I am thoroughly enjoying myself and have got into the routine of living here very quickly. There are still some new tings to experience as most of the time I have been here it has be Ramzan so all the eateries are closed during the day until sunset. this means you can't just pop out fo rcoffee after school, which apparently is a pleasant thing to do! Well, Eid will be sometime this weekend, so all will return to normal after that.
Lots of fun things ar ekicking in at school. GCSE geography is going well, and some of the Year 11's have been giving reports to the Head about my lessons, which is very encouraging. Though, I have fallen out with one of the Year 7 parents because I shouted at her little precious bundle, but she'll get over it!!
Plans are well under way for this first Secondary School Production, in BOS's history, which is very exciting. BOS is actually 50 years old this year but the Secondary Department has only been open for 5 years, so there are still lots of new things happening. The choice of play for this year is 'An Inspector Calls' by JB Priestley. We have chosen this not only becuase it is an excellent play, but the students also study it as part of English Literature GCSE. I am particularly pleased as it is one of my most favourite plays of all time, and I have wanted to direct it for years.
All the parts are cast and we have a very keen crew to cover set design, costume, make up and front of house. The set builders were even in school on Saturday morning measuring up and making a plan of the stage.
I will also be taking a group to Kuwait in November to be part of the British Schools of the Middle East (BSME) Performing Arts convention, 300 pupils from all over the Middle East getting together for a weekend of Music, Drama and Dance. The kids are really excited about it, and it means that I get to add another country to my list!
Plans are also almost complete for the Secondary School Overseas Trip next Easter. After a false start thinking we were goign to Berlin, we have decided on another destiation, which is still confidential from the kids, for no other reason than I like winding them up!! Just a little clue, if it all comes together I might just be able to be with my older Godson on his 21st birthday, which would be fantastic!!
I also have my first visitor arriving from the UK on Monday, when Andrew Frost arrives for a two week visit. I am in school for the first three days and then we are on half term, a little earlier than normal, but it means we are off for Eid. We are planning to the sights here in Karachi, and ahve two days booked up in Lahore. Thankfully, this Andrew (unlike his namesake, who is responsible for me being here) agrees with me when it comes to travelling, proper bed, proper toilet and proper shower! And when it comes to seeing the sights, a fully air conditioned car and a knowledgable guide!!
Lots of fun things ar ekicking in at school. GCSE geography is going well, and some of the Year 11's have been giving reports to the Head about my lessons, which is very encouraging. Though, I have fallen out with one of the Year 7 parents because I shouted at her little precious bundle, but she'll get over it!!
Plans are well under way for this first Secondary School Production, in BOS's history, which is very exciting. BOS is actually 50 years old this year but the Secondary Department has only been open for 5 years, so there are still lots of new things happening. The choice of play for this year is 'An Inspector Calls' by JB Priestley. We have chosen this not only becuase it is an excellent play, but the students also study it as part of English Literature GCSE. I am particularly pleased as it is one of my most favourite plays of all time, and I have wanted to direct it for years.
All the parts are cast and we have a very keen crew to cover set design, costume, make up and front of house. The set builders were even in school on Saturday morning measuring up and making a plan of the stage.
I will also be taking a group to Kuwait in November to be part of the British Schools of the Middle East (BSME) Performing Arts convention, 300 pupils from all over the Middle East getting together for a weekend of Music, Drama and Dance. The kids are really excited about it, and it means that I get to add another country to my list!
Plans are also almost complete for the Secondary School Overseas Trip next Easter. After a false start thinking we were goign to Berlin, we have decided on another destiation, which is still confidential from the kids, for no other reason than I like winding them up!! Just a little clue, if it all comes together I might just be able to be with my older Godson on his 21st birthday, which would be fantastic!!
I also have my first visitor arriving from the UK on Monday, when Andrew Frost arrives for a two week visit. I am in school for the first three days and then we are on half term, a little earlier than normal, but it means we are off for Eid. We are planning to the sights here in Karachi, and ahve two days booked up in Lahore. Thankfully, this Andrew (unlike his namesake, who is responsible for me being here) agrees with me when it comes to travelling, proper bed, proper toilet and proper shower! And when it comes to seeing the sights, a fully air conditioned car and a knowledgable guide!!
Thursday, 4 October 2007
My new Church
This is the outside of my new church building. This is Holy Trinity Cathedral, Karachi and where I worship on a Sunday.It was built in the 1800 and is surrounded a lot of open land.
If you look under the tree, you will see a little black car which is mine, it is also parked in the prime parking place, as there is very little shade in the Cathedral Compound, finally my obsession with being early has paid off!!
The congregation is mainly Pakistani, with a smattering of ex pats from the UK, Korea, Germany and Philipines. It is great to be popart of such an international mixture of people. There are 3 services ever Sunday morning, a communion sevice at 8 am and then another at 9.15 which alternates betweeen communion and Family Service. Both these services are in English. They are followed at 11am with a Communion Service in Urdu.
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