Work finished early today – not something I should get used to – and I returned to the house and then went off on foot to the F-10 Markaz. F-10 is the sector of Islamabad that I am staying in. It’s a highly planned city so all the numbering makes sense, and there is a […]
Flames along the motorway
I have arrived in Islamabad. I took the Daewoo bus, opting for the luxury version where you can get a seat to yourself and are served a meal that I didn’t eat, having had a very large breakfast of paratha with some very tasty qeema with simla mirch. Delicious but enough to keep one going […]
Long walk into town
This morning we repeated the walk, except underground and on the subway, emerging in the pleasant neighbourhood of Roncesvalle where we ensconced ourselves in a cafe with outstanding frittata and worked for a bit. My work has definitely fallen behind and I am worried that I will not be able to complete it before our […]
The old capital
Kingston is, apparently, the old capital, and we found some rather unsuccessful efforts at nationalist mythmaking as we walked along the north bank of the St Lawrence river, just where it opens out to (or from) Lake Ontario. It’s hard being a less excitable and important country than your neighbour, just ask Pakistan. We took […]
Desperately sad
I am feeling really cast down about Brexit, really genuinely sad. Not that I have much affection for the country, but the dream of integration, open borders, cooperation, is one that I can care for. The other country which I care far more for, Pakistan, stabs me in the heart so often that I can […]
Working days
Yesterday morning we went straight to what turned out to be the best meal of its type that i’ve had in months. It was a small plates places, which I suppose I must forgive (I dislike them as I find it impossible not cater to my companions’ preferences instead of my own), and everything was […]
Up the hill
We went first to a Jewish deli for breakfast, where I had superb French toast with a veal pancetta, then we went up Mont Royal Parc. I hate to admit it, but during my 9 months or so living in Montreal I never actually went to the park, it felt too difficult even though the […]
On the Plateau
I arrived in Montreal early yesterday morning. It was all fairly smooth despite the long journey and an unexpectedly rude immigration official – maybe they learn from the Americans? Anyway, I took a taxi to the Plateau to wake up the Gentleman Friend to be let in, and here I am. We’re staying in a […]
Old hat
The poor Gentleman Friend landed in Montreal to learn, at immigration, that someone with his passport has to have applied for travel authorisation before entering the country. All the countries seem to be doing this now, following the US lead, and while it’s pleasing that those breezed through immigration while the rest watched them, clutching […]
Howling in the night
I slept badly last night, and have done so for a few nights past. There was first the anxiety about the land, and whether or not we should buy it, which manifested in dreams. Last night for some reason my feet felt very cold, as though we were back in London in our poorly heated […]