Happy Monday everybody despite everything. I hope you and yours are well and if not that you find all the support you need. Is it just me, or does time run faster by the week? March is already halfway gone and I feel I am not fast enough with all tasks I set myself.

So let’s take a moment, have a cuppa of our favourite hot (or cold) beverage and rest in virtual travel to Pakistan:

1. Introduction to Pakistan

Ok, another country that astonished me a lot. But let’s check out my prejudices about the country first:

• cricket
• terrorism
• on and off war with India

Not the most flattering things that come to mind unless you are a cricket fan 😉

This is one reason, why I want to do this series of virtual travel: To unlock the marvels of countries that we usually only know from the news and we all know that the news are hardly giving us positive vibes. I also try to emphasise female creators, however, this isn’t always possible. Braby, for example, does a brilliant run down in short about countries, so I keep coming back to him.

What have I learned about Pakistan?

• they are friends with China
• You need an invitation letter to visit
• 5 of the highest mountains in the world are located in Pakistan
• A very friendly people but so so many different “tribes”
• They drive on the left
• And the country is just simply beautiful

The Mongols occupied the area at one time, the Indus river is not in India and Bangladesh was part of Pakistan until they broke away. And I thought it was India. But Pakistan and India were one once…. well …. let the creators tell us more:

sorry for the adverts but that’s how the creators get paid for their hard work

Eva has lots videos about Pakistan. Please check them out here.

TravelLight has a beautiful playlist about Pakistan. Please check it out here.

And you can also explore Pakistan with Brooke Saward here.

Please check all these brilliant vloggers out and follow if you like their content.

2. An Artist of Pakistan

Zehra Laila Javeri is a Pakistani painter who currently lives in Karachi. In 2014 she had her first exhibistion showing her work of 20 years. She paints mainly women as it feels for her more natural to express her feelings this way and the weeds around the women came about through a dream about her aunt Laila Shahzada a famous Pakistani artist who is the only Pakistani who received the Key to the City of New York.

Both are painting beautiful images and in this video you can see some Javeri’s work:

3. The Climate Crisis in Pakistan

Pakistan is one of the countries which are already heavily affected by the climate crisis. Since 2010 unusual floods and heat waves are making life for many difficult. This video explains a little more:

4. Food of Pakistan

For our Pakistani food adventure, I am going back to “Food Safari” even though not all actually happens in Pakistan. But we want an overview of the cuisine and they are doing a good job of giving that. 🙂

5. A Poetess of Pakistan

She is hot in the North of Pakistan, she wears a scarf and does poetry but mainly in Pashto. This tiny article on the German News channel DW explains a little more with a video:

Pakistan: Female poet wins over fans in patriarchal society | Asia| An in-depth look at news from across the continent | DW | 22.09.2020

6. Mental Health in Pakistan

So far we have rather seen a more positive image of Pakistan. But, of course, there are also the shadows. Find out more here in this ARTE documentary. It is in French with English subtitles

7. Music of Pakistan

Only one video from Pakistan today. I hope you enjoy it anyway 🙂

And where are we going next week?

Come Away With Me 2021 Musical Challenge Country for Monday, March 22nd, 2021

I am taking a rather random route around the world, but sometimes it makes sense. Next week we venture to a part that is claimed by Pakistan and India to which we go in two weeks time. I’ve chosen to do a post on Kashmir too. Please find out about rappers in Kashmir here at Scoll.in

As for the suggestions to take part:

1. Join in! No matter where, when and with what. You missed the first week? Don’t worry. Just jump in when it suits you.
2. Send us the link! The ping-back option does not always work so please leave a link in the comments of the post on the day you take part. Or leave it at the “Come Away With Me 2021 FB page“
3. Tag your post either with ” Come Away With Me Musical Challenge”/ #CoAwWiMeMuCh” / “Come Away with Me 2021 Musical Challenge” o/“CoAwWiMe2021MuCh” / . You can also use these as hashtags for Twitter and other Social Networks to give your post more exposure. If you add #blog and #music with your hashtags it will get you more readers.
4. No matter which music or country the prompt favours you create with it whatever you please. This is supposed to be a fun challenge and no chore.
5. I post a prompt for the next week with every “Come Away With Me 2021 post” I write.
6. If you like, use this picture for your readers to find the posts.

Just one more thing before you go: The hospital that is treating me is fundraising for a dedicated breast cancer unit which would allow some same-day diagnosis and better premises for patients and staff.

Please, if you can spare a little money hop over to their Just Giving Page and give as little or much as you can. Or share the page on your social media. So far the campaign has raised about half the amount needed: £448,215 of £800,000 (March 2021).

Your support means a lot to me! Thank you very much.

Thanks, my dears, for staying with me until the end.

I appreciate your presence.

Please stay safe, stay kind and remember that you rock!