Religion Week: Pakistan

Continuing on with religion week, and our second day of learning about Islam, we moved on to Pakistan, the place where Indian and Asia culture meets. 

Sadly, Pakistan is ravaged with terrorism, and their government continues to enforce blasphemy laws. The State Department warns against all non-essential travel to Pakistan. According to the Institute for Economics & Peace annual index, Pakistan is identified as one of the five worst countries for terrorism, along with Iraq, Afghanistan, Syria, and Nigeria. ISIS and the Pakistani Taliban have caused much unrest. So why might Pakistan not be on the last list of  countries who need 'extreme vetting'? Well, they are a nuclear power, and even with a rocky relationship (we have launched some uni-lateral actions, like the operation to kill Osama Bin Laden), Pakistan is considered an important ally in an area where we really need one. But, if India wants to be that ally, things could change with Pakistan and America relations. 

Someday maybe Pakistan will be safe to visit once again, and then tourists can once again relish in all the country has to offer. 

And Pakistan does have a lot to offer with all of it's  fascinating tribal cultures, old ruined cities, and gorgeous Himalayan scenery. It's also home to the second tallest mountain in the world, K2. 

Mohenjo Daro might just be an archaeological site now, but 4,000 years ago it was home to one of the largest human populations of the time. It's the first example of a city built in a grid pattern that is used all over the world today. 

Cricket is a popular sport in Pakistan, but don't let that take away from Polo! The name itself was invented in Pakistan; it translates to 'ball'. Pakistan is also home to the worlds highest polo field! Located up in the Hindu Kush mountains, you can only play at 'Shander Top'  if you get chosen by a panel of judges to take part in the local polo match of the year. 

Pakistan's national animal is one I can get behind, the goat! Markhor's have two corkscrew horns and a massive beard, making them one sweet looking goat. 

Our landmark in Pakistan is a famous road, the Karakoram Highway, known informally as the KKH. It's said to be the highest paved international road in the world. (Though to be fair at it's peak at the China-Pakistan border, it is only paved on the Chinese side). 

The KKH, and all of it's 800 miles offers awesome views, especially of  K2, and has a rich history as it traces one of the many paths of the Silk Road. 

But, it's also kind of crazy, and dangerous. It's known as one of the scariest jeep trips in the world, and is one of the hardest alpine climbs. Avalanches, heavy snowfalls, and landslides can occur at any time and block the road. At over 15,000 feet above sea level, it's a nightmare for people with altitude sickness. The road has absolutely no barrier on one side, and a rock wall on the other. The margin of driver error is slim to none. 

It's not just dangerous to drive on, but building it was no easy feat either. Nearly 900 workers lost their lives during the construction of it, in landslides and in falls. In total it took them 27 years to complete the highway. 

I want no part in the KKH, but I wouldn't mind checking out the jingle trucks and buses that drive around Pakistan. These vehicles are decked out with bright patterns, portraits and depictions of historical scenes. Chains are attached to make them 'jingle'. The more the truck jingles, the wealthier the owner. The custom was born out of drivers bringing reminders of home with them on long journeys. 

We finished up talking about Islam with some celebrations, some notable people, and places, and some things to know about life as a Muslim. 

Ramadan is the 9th month of the Muslim year and a time when Muslims fast from dawn until dusk (One of the five pillars of Islam; fasting).  Kids aren't expected to fast- you just go a little bit longer between eating each year until you are an adult and observe the dawn until dusk rule. It's believed that the Quran was first reveled to Muhammad (the greatest of all prophets in Islam) during the month of Ramadan. It ends with the Festival of Fast Breaking, complete with prayers, gifts, and giving to the poor. 

Lanterns have become a symbol of Ramadan, and in some countries they are hung on city streets, so we made some lanterns of our own with a little mod podge, tissue paper and a glass jar. 

We put a candle in them and lit them  for dinner. 

Ok, so dinner... We've been having a lot of food that is sort of similar. And that wasn't the point of this project at all, so I'm going to try my best to mix it up more. 

I present to you, a popular street food, the Pakistani Bun Kabab. We might refer to it as a burger, but bun kabab is way more fun to say, and the patty wasn't just lamb- it had lentils and all kinds of crazy stuff pureed into it. We also had some lentil puffs from Trader Joes, Pakistani fruit Chaat (salad), and Pakistani Spicy Chickpeas. 

Now the bun kababs call for this date chutney type stuff, but we couldn't find that, and I wasn't so sure about it anyway (given how much people here are not a fan of dates and raisins). But, we did come across this ginger mango chutney at the Publix on Collier (which as the BEST international section of any Publix ever). The bun kabab called for ginger on top anyway, and I know mangoes fit in, since the fruit salad called for them. And let me tell you, it was a good choice. 

This meal earned five spoons up.

After the disaster that was Indonesia's dinner, this was needed. We all loved it (Ok, mostly, Peyton did make me swap out his top bun with a plain one as he hated the chutney), but it was so good. I would eat this again, and again. The chickpeas were also surprisingly awesome. Hayden was the only one who didn't eat all of those. 

But besides a few stray lentil puffs, and a little bun left at the end of burgers, we had clean plates at the end of this one. 

Oh, and the boy's postcards were kind of awesome. Peyton's (in the middle there), is probably my favorite postcard I've seen so far. I voted for his, but everyone got at least one quarter (if the boys all do a REALLY good job, we've been giving out quarters instead of dimes.) 

We scratched off Pakistan, and colored it in right there next to Afghanistan. 

28 countries down, 165 to go! 

Next Up: We're on to Hinduism and Nepal!