Wednesday morning the groom's and bride's mates all piled together to head up to Nathia Gali. This is north into the green mountains of Pakistan. Upon arrival at the Green Resort we hired a horseback guided tour of the mountain side. What a phenomenal experience. For four hours we were on horseback through some of the most beautiful and magnificent mountains. Just before reaching the peak we came across some cows appearing out of the fog and once we reached the peak, nothing but clear skies and sunshine. Our kismut was good that day for this is a rare occurence. We could see the Neelam river and into Kashmir from the top. The experience left me sore and in wonderment. The phrase "top of the world, ma" kept playing over and over in my head. To have shared it with such an amazing group of people made the experience all the more memorable.
After working up an appetite we ventured to the hotel restaurant only to find that we could only order off of the snacks menu. To say the least, the snacks weren't the most wonderful - i'll be honest, it was shit. After not having one meal that day all I wanted was to have some nourishment to fuel my depleted body. Later that evening Paul, Ben and I wandered back to the restaurant to enjoy what was the best meal we've had in Pakistan.
The fullness of the moon graced the mountainside with it's brilliance as we heard the bizar down below going off with song and dance. Every full and new moon I experience, I send to the stars a message to deliver to those I love. I hope they all arrived safe and sound.
On Monday the bride's side went to the groom's town, this is called the Valima and took place in Abbottobad. It was a segregated event where the ladies had their tent and the gentlemen had theirs. We were treated to a magnificent singer accompanied by tabla and harmonium. The venue was a place called Shimla Resort which is on the top of Abbottobad. The view was tremendous and you could see all the homes scattered on the hillsides. The moon was almost full and lit up the sky. The night would not have been complete if there wasn't an amazing lightning show to fill the mountainous sky.
Tuesday was a day of relaxing. It involved me being in bed all day and watching Amelie and Modigliani. I relished in not doing a thing. I was also very lucky to have been able to hang out with family in Abbottobad including my khalla-jan (aunt on my mother's side) and her family.
It's been a while since I have been able to access the information superhighway so these posts will have lots of pictures attached to it to illustrate the past few days.
The Nika ceremony was a wonderful experience. This is the day where everyone brings out their best evening wear complete with excessive jewellery. It is the official union of the two parties into holy matrimony. The ceremony took place at the Pearl Continental in Lahore. There is a tradition perfomed by the bride and the groom that involves removing the gana from each other's wrist. The quicker you can untie the knot shows the other that you love them more. In addition to this there was another tradition that requires the bride and groom to search at the bottom of a bowl of milk for each other's rings, again, the quicker you can find it the more you love the other. And to top it all off there is another tradition called 'joota chupaye' where the bride's side steals the shoes of the groom. A tremendous time was had by all ;)
I woke up at two this afternoon to my surprise. I must have needed the rest. I called up Safwan to see what the programme would be. He was at Fortress Bazar with Reid and his fiance Darci. So I quickly had some breakfast and rushed over. It was a nice experience to have Saskatoon rolling through Lahore and representing well.
This evening was the Mehndi ceremony. This was somewhat new to me (since I've been referred to as a coconut ;) and arrived early. I waited for the groom's side to arrive and meanwhile was adorned a yellow scarve representing the bride's side. It is quite the honor to know both sides of the marriage. I saw Safwan's mom outside so I joined her. Shortly after that the groom and his mates arrived and I joined them. I traded in my yellow scarf for the green and yellow of the groom. It was quite the scene. All the groom's side gathers outside while dola players (traditional percussion wedding group) introduced us. Flowers were thrown at us as our procession entered the venue. Shortly after that the bride's side rolls on through with the exception of carrying the bride in a carriage of sorts. She is hauled to the front where they unveil her and she joins her groom. Then the competition begins. I was completely unaware of it, but the groom's side competes with the bride's side in dance and song. Quite the scenario.
I saw Safwan's mother and father in middle of all the chaos dancing away. Then it hit me. My father will never be able to see my wedding and it brought tears to me. I know he'll witness it, but it was still the fact that he could not join in the song, the dance and the love. I ran into my khalla Nahid from Saskatoon at this moment and she just hugged me with such motherly love that I was really missing. I wish my mother was here with me to enjoy in this but she will at least get to welcome Erum and Safwan in Saskatoon.
It was then that youth came to the rescue - kids always bring out the best in us, and tonight was no different. It was Safwan's nephew who wanted to dance/challenge me, so I did. I finally let go and enjoyed myself. It was an odd combination of desi styles and mine. Afterwards, Nayyar aunty's side all came up to me with praise and love. I was adorned a wreath of flowers from Nayyar's cousin which was a great honor.
The night came to a close with a ride back with Safwan and his two nephews that woke me up out of my shyness. Upon arriving at the house, my mom called and I got to share the two evenings with her. With the exception of my feelings and sadness in regards to my father. I wouldn't be there to hold her, hug her or let her know how much I loved her after sharing it, so I kept those feelings to myself.
I don't miss home, I miss my mom. As I wrote that I started laughing... quite the momma's boy I am ;)
My first few days in Lahore have been hectic to say the least. I went to the music party for Safwan and Erum's wedding. The groom's side was still in Muzzaffarabad and on their way to Lahore. I got to meet Erum's friends who are from all over the world - fantastic group of individuals. They say that you can tell a lot from the company you keep, so I have discovered such tenderness, loving and devotion from her mates. The singer at the music party was so moving that she brought me to tears during a Faiz Ahmed Faiz poem. It brought about memories of my father and Faiz Ahmed Faiz's visit to our home when I was just a young lad. A tear or two had been shed that evening because I never got to share in this beauty which my father lived for - poetry. I've only got to experience this love after his passing. I can't tell you how sad that makes me not to have shared a common interest with my father as beautiful as this.
I am in Pakistan. I arrived after a grueling thirteen hours of flight at an altitude of 35,000 feet and land speed of approximately 960 km/h. I only slept for an hour so currently have been awake for more than a couple of days.
Upon arriving at my baji (sister) Naheed's house I ventured over to Fortress Bazar where I had the most interesting interations with people. The security guard was baffled as to how my hair stayed in a pony tail, shopkeepers complemented my on my unique style and the rest just laughed at the funniest thing they've ever seen.
I came back to the house to have a little rest only to go to Ichra Bazar. This is where I was fully entertained and where I fully entertained. Shopkeepers couldn't help but smile or laugh hysterically at my appearance. It was received with a big smile from me. The most memorable comment was given by a young boy riding by on a bike, the translation goes "It looks like a bomb went off in your hair". That made my night. ;)
Till next time. Same blog channel, same blog time.
The day of departure has come and gone. The best I can do is paint a picture for you.
Saturday was filled with a garage sale. You have to be willing to let things go in order for anything else to come in to your life or a more familiar saying would be close one door another one will open.
Making the list and checking it twice was the motto. It was a peaceful chaos preparing everything for my departure. Friends continued to pour in sharing their love with my mother and me. It was quite amazing how many of my friends offered their love, support, company and even children with my mother in lieu of my absence. Gifted to me were books for my journey that will be recycled in my journey to those that need them. So thank you to those that know.
My mother by my side at the airport, exuding strength I have never experienced before provided me to go on this excursion with confidence that my family and I are well supported in this universe. She poured out all of her love with that amazing smile that can make you feel like you are excellence. Can't help but have an ear-to-ear grin on your face.
That left me warm and cutting beads of sweat down each temple (possibly a foreshadowing of a haircut?! ;) and then the text message appeared on my phone. Look outx.
I looked out only to experience that feeling of excellence once again. The most stunning soul that I've known for ever came racing in to take me in for a moment. It was just that moment that I could live a lifetime in. In that moment I finally accepted that Love is My Religion.
I bear the flame that enlightens the world. I fire the imagination. I give might to the dreams and wings to the aspirations of men.
I create all that is good, stalwart, and long-lasting. I build for the future by making my every effort superior today.
I do not believe in "can't" or "might have been."
When society draws a circle that will shut me out, I will design my own circle that will draw me in.
I am parent of progress, the creator of creativity, the designer of opportunity, and the molder of human destiny.
Because of me, man hold dominion over himself, his home, his community, and his world. I leash the lightning and plumb the ether.
From out of the shadows of the past I come wearing the scars of mistakes made by others. Yet I wear wisdom and the contributions of all ages. I dispel yesterday's myths and find today's facts. I am ageless and timeless.
I have no time for vice, crime, and destruction. I banish mediocrity and discourage being average. I can function in pleasure or pain. I can steel the will to do what must be done. Fortunate are the individuals, communities, and nations that know me.
Men and the world are my workshops. Here I stir ambition, forge ideals, and cre- ate the keys that open the door to worlds never dreamed of. Earth awakes unfolding to me. Life is always calling me. My greatest success is yet to be discovered.
I am the source of creation, the outlet of inspiration, the dream of aspiration. I am excellence. Won't you, too, light my candle? Don't let me flicker away!
I just realized I had a blogger still in existence. So here I will document my journey as frequently as I can.
I recently was in Pakistan and snapped many a picture which are available for viewing here. To the left is just one of the many beautiful pictures of Pakistan and my family.
I am Khayyam and I do not eat green eggs n' ham. Khayyam I am ;)
About me?! I live by the way, that's it! Or perhaps a new way to finding a different way to arrive at the way. But then that would be many ways and if it's your way that's the way it was always supposed to be, furthermore, there are many ways in which to arrive at the way and your way which also means that there was never really a choice to find your way to this way. This way or that way, it all weighs the same ;)
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Wednesday morning the groom's and bride's mates all piled together to head up to Nathia Gali. This is north into the green mountains of Pakistan. Upon arrival at the Green Resort we hired a horseback guided tour of the mountain side. What a phenomenal experience. For four hours we were on horseback through some of the most beautiful and magnificent mountains. Just before reaching the peak we came across some cows appearing out of the fog and once we reached the peak, nothing but clear skies and sunshine. Our kismut was good that day for this is a rare occurence. We could see the Neelam river and into Kashmir from the top. The experience left me sore and in wonderment. The phrase "top of the world, ma" kept playing over and over in my head. To have shared it with such an amazing group of people made the experience all the more memorable. 
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