super-tourist

wednesday 1:20 am Islamabad

alhamdolillah, i'm basically in the middle of a day of tourism. it
started this afternoon with lunch at a restaurant/scenic overlook of
Islamabad. that was most of the way up the major hill in the range
that cradles the city.

then after my friend went back to his office, i went the rest of the
up the hill all the way to the summit marker (pictured), which
happened to also be at the border of Islamabad with the Northwest
Frontier Province (border marker also pictured).

it was idyllic and much less commercialized than the lunch spot.
great for a cup of chai. while drinking my chai, a cow walked by and
i thought to myself that this cow was as home here as if it were in
india, but here it would not be the victim of veneration. yes, i took
a picture, no i did not send it.

from there i made it in time for maghrib at Islamabad's most famous
landmark, Faisal Masjid built as a gift to the nation by the Saudi
Royal family, alhamdolillah.

after salat, i was looking for this pizza place that was recommended
by another friend, and i happened upon a great thai restaurant. yes,
that's the restaurant owner in the picture. the service really was
royal, too, alhamdolillah.

then i checked out the offices of my friend, because it's a local
office of a US company and they literally work on a US schedule -- so
he works nights normally.

and now i'm home, alhamdolillah.

tomorrow inshaAllah we will go into the lower mountain ranges in the
Punjab, as opposed to the really massive ranges a bit further north.
it should be a beautiful day, inshaAllah.

--
Whether you hide what you want to say, or speak out loud, without
doubt He knows what is in your heart. Would He not know Who Created
everything? He is the Most Subtle, the Most Aware. (The Holy Qur'an,
Surah Al-Mulk, v13-14)

Perfect all aspects of your behavior. Why? Find out in Islam. How can
you strengthen the bonds of brotherhood? Fill the gaps: stand close to
your brother in prayer.