After four nights at the Rising Millet, I moved hotels because I was going to be in Islamabad longer than I wanted so why not change it up a bit. I packed up and walked the 30 minutes to the Lexus Lodge, which was on the same street as Timmies. My walk was still about 20 minutes but down a main road with wide sidewalks. The room was a bit cheaper, 5 nights cost me $84 Canadian. It was clean, safe and the owners were incredibly helpful. The WIFI was solid but I just did not have any hot water so to speak, so my showers were fast and furious. They would also food delivery for me if I wanted which I did a few times. I do not have much of an appetite in this heat which is fine because I am still trying to get rid of the "Travelers 20" that I have gained since I jump on that plane in Toronto.
I wanted to get out a bit after just hanging around my area so I jumped in a cab and went to the Pakistan National Monument and Museum. It is an impressive place and the design is outstanding, giving credence to the History of Pakistan. The best part was the cab ride back. I negotiated a price of 450 Rupees, about 2.25 and jumped in a beat up old car with a sketchy driver. He immediately laughed as he left the parking lot and drove down a sidewalk / walking path through the bush towards the main road. "We take a shortcut he laughed." I gave im a 100 Rupee Tip (.50 cents).
Today was going to be a very exciting day. I discovered that the Canadian Embassy has a bar/restaurant that is supposedly open to Canadian citizens. Could a cold beer be in my immediate future? This is how we survived in Bangladesh, with access to the Australian, British and US Embassies. The Canadian was not open to the public but I did go half a dozen times to play ball hockey on the tennis courts there, which was weird, but we had access to the bar and pool afterwards. The reviews were positive and there was nothing about it being closed to the general public. The "I am dying for a beer optimist" jumped in a cab and off I went. Once we entered the Diplomatic zone of Islamabad you find yourself in the Islamabad that is advertised as having wide tree lined roads, lots of green space and a modern infrastructure. I was on a mission and the first clue should have been when I was stopped at the Main Gate of the Embassy Enclave by security asking if I had a Diplomatic Passport. After a bit of back and forth they told me I could enter but I had to walk. Once inside it was another world. Most of the embassy of the world were in this bubble that was surrounded by huge white walls that were topped with the standard barbed wire. There were bored looking security guards everywhere and nobody paid me no never mind. I passed Malaysia, Yemen, Italy, Spain and Korea. The streets were filled with embassy employees out walking or jogging, living their embassy lives inside the bubble of the enclave.
To make the long story boring, I walked the 20 minutes to the Canadian Embassy and they guards thought I was insane trying to enter without a club membership. They took my passport and returned it about 5 minute later, DENIED. I needed a membership and in order to get one, I needed to know someone inside the embassy. Basically diplomats only. I could have pushed the issue but I was in Pakistan in a highly secure embassy zone so I just, smiled, turn and retraced my steps out, muttering under my breathe. Nothing ventured nothing gained I guess.
I jumped in a cab and figured I needed a win, so off to the Shah Faisal Masjid Mosque, which claims to be the 6th largest mosque in the world.
The Faisal Mosque is the national mosque of Pakistan, located in the capital city, Islamabad. It is the sixth-largest mosque in the world, the largest mosque outside the Middle East, and the largest within South Asia, located on the foothills of Margalla Hills. It is named after the late King Faisal of Saudi Arabia. It has a capacity to accommodate approximately 300,000 worshippers. It was once the largest mosque in the world but is now the fifth largest based on capacity, according to Madain Project. The mosque's main prayer hall can hold 10,000, the porticoes 24,000, and the courtyard 40,000. Additionally, the adjoining grounds can accommodate another 200,000 worshippers.- Wiki
I did have a nice moment here. It was a huge complex and very busy, mostly with locals taking photos. The mosque itself was closed for whatever reason. I peeked inside and one of the guys inside waved at me and pointed towards the door along the side. Off I went to see what was up. He had the security guard open unlock the door and told me I could go in for 10 minutes to look around and take some photos. He pointed to the stairs and I did not need to be asked twice. Looking at the beautify red carpeted prayer room I wondered how beautiful it must be to see up to 10,000 worshippers kneeling in prayer at the same time. The guy came up the stairs and took a few photos of me, obviously a sigh that my 10 minutes was up. I thanked him, then wandered around taking photos of the grounds. A few locals started talking to me, offered to take photos then immediately asked for my Facebook. They were messaging me all day long and into the next day. I deleted them, sorry Allah.
I then took another cab to Saidpur, one of the oldest districts in Islamabad. The entire place smelt like sewage. It was the day before EID and the entire main strip was loaded with Goats and Cows being prepped for slaughter. There was shit, piss and garbage everywhere. I walked the main street and into a few of the side streets, but I could not escape the smell. I took my photos and head out, stopping for a drink hoping that would take the taste of this nasty place out of my mouth. It didn't.
I need to walk, even for a short while. It was 43 degrees Celsius and you just do not get used to that heat. I needed water, shade and AC. Google maps told me that I was about 30 minutes from a few western style restaurants which were on the edge of the Embassy Enclave. Well done Google. I found the little side street and yes, it was a full on Western style crescent. There were a few restaurants, whose patios were closed because of the heat, but there was a Gloria Jeans Coffee Shop. I entered and the AC felt like christmas morning. It was filled with internationals, which I assumed were embassy staff. I found a seat and settled in. Grilled chicken Sandwich with fries, a large Iced Latte, a can of Pepsi and a decent size slice of carrot cake and it set me back about $13, no tip required. Now this is an Islamabad I could get used to.
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