Multanate

I woke up yesterday and wasn't sure what to do with myself. There was nothing to do in Rawalpindi, and I decided against going back to Islamabad because the newspaper said there were 4 suicide bombers loose in the city. That really makes it sound much worse, Islamabad was fine. I had no problems and it was very safe.

My train to Multan wasn't until 4:45pm, and with little to do, I decided to cancel my train and take an earlier bus. I made a reservation for a 12:30pm bus, and got back 75% of my train ticket (I lost 60 r, $1). At least on the bus, I could watch a movie, and the scenery. Nice idea in theory, but the bus arrived two hours late- I have no idea why. I got in late, and didn't want to disturb Sa'ad's family (who had invited me to stay with them, and I called from the bus station), so I tried to get a cheap hotel room. I took the rickshaw to the first place, but they said they were full. As did the next 3 places. Strange, I haven't seen any other tourists. Finally at the last place, they leveled with me. They said they had rooms, but wouldn't rent to me as a foreigner. Too many problems associated with it. They said they would have to alert the security services, who would want backsheesh, etc. They simply refused. A bit stuck, I called the family, bothering them even later than if I had just called upon arrival. Ugh. Anyway, they were up and more than willing to come get me.

Today I went shrine-hopping. Multan is famous for its beautiful blue-tiled shrines. I also met all the family. It was very funny. Even auntie said I was like a son, and gave me a little monetary present that comes in handy later in the story. After a nice lunch at the fancy Pizza Hut, where I had tikka pizza, I napped and went to get my train ticket to Karachi.

As usual, that wasn't easy. Ashad, a servant, came with me to help. We went from one office and one counter after another. Finally we got the right counter, but there were no second-class tickets (550 rs~$9). All that was left were first-class (1,560rs~$25), and I was short on the fare. After wrangling about other arrangements, I realized I really needed to get that ticket. I was planning to go to the bank, when Ashad offered to spot me. He covered the difference, and I am now bona-fide first class. As we were heading over to the bank, I reached in my back pocket and pulled out auntie's gift, thereby paying back Ashad and heading home.

Tomorrow, we are going to Uch Sharif (High, holy place) to see a beautiful shrine. For now, I am fighting getting sick as the change in weather is leaving me ill and with chills. Either the change in weather or dengue fever- take your pick.