It's been now more than a week since I arrived in Pakistan. Things are going well, despite the tension (due to recent terrorist attacks) and the workload. You must all have heard of how the UN has been a target of the Taliban both in Pakistan and Afghanistan, and this has made us become extra cautious (therefore I cannot discuss the location where I'm living, nor the new office location). What I can say is that we are relatively safe (nowhere is 100% foolproof), and that life goes on in this country. The worse part for me, I would say, is how much I miss my girls! At least I've been able to hear and se them through Skype every day.
For the people here, the worse is having their country so unstable in every way: economically, socially and politically. Islamabad is a city that does not represent the reality of this country: the avenues are wide and well paved (photo), the government buildings are colossal and so are most houses, exaggeratedly huge (would say many are actually beautiful) - for the ones who know Sao Paulo, picture that the whole city is a Morumbi. The city was built to be the capital in the 60s, just as Brasilia. On the other hand, misery reigns in the rest of the country, with millions of people displaced because of conflicts along the border with Afghanistan, and also in misery aggravated with the high food prices.
For a foreigner, life here in Islamabad is cheap, and you can find most of what one might need in the bazaars. The hygiene, though, is not adequate just about everywhere here, I would say. But people are quite nice and welcoming (as long as you are not American).
Despite the long hours at work, I've managed to explore a few places: a park, some shops, a couple of restaurants, and two swimming-pools (so far, because there are more) - one is an Olympic size, but the water was so chlorinated that the next day my swimming suit disintegrated... Today is Saturday, but as usual there is work to do - and later will go buy some fruits (they are great here, specially the persimmons - caqui) and go for a walk.

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You are so right about the uncertainty that lies ahead, Marina. When we thought that things should settle and we could prepare to head back to Guatemala, I received a call from the United Nations World Food Programme asking me to be in Pakistan as soon as possible and help deal with the media burst there following the deadly terrorist bombing of our office and other major military and humanitarian actions in the country. What a tough decision: leave my family behind for two months - especially now that each day Martina is coming up with new tricks - and be in such a difficult duty station. But we prayed, discussed the issue, and agreed that I must go. I leave this Monday on a two-day sequence of flights to Islamabad, and shall return to Pittsburgh just before Christmas. In the meantime, Marina and Martina will be in Sweden, my mom in Brazil, and we will all meet up again here in a couple of months. It won't be easy, but it seems that sometimes there is a storm before the calm days of a new season. So, MarMar, be a bit more patient and keep waiting for us.

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Autumn leaves are starting to fall in Pittsburgh, and in the Caribbean sailing season is about to begin with MarMar patiently waiting for our return. As in nature, so our lives also change...at times dark and cold and then suddenly full of sunshine. Bob has now passed on to be with God in eternal peace, but Martina has brought us spring in the form of a new life beginning on Earth. Our family is now at a crossroad with big decisions to make and uncertainty about what lies ahead. We shall try to face these changes without fear and know that they mark the beginning of a new season in our lives.

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