I leave for Pakistan tomorrow night, 10pm. It’s about a 19 hour flight, stopping at Abu Dhabi and landing in Islamabad. I’m pretty excited – it’s been almost 8 years since I’ve last been and the first time I’m going without my sisters! Growing up, my family and I were lucky enough to go every other summer for 2-3 months at a time, so it’s always felt like home. After an almost decade gap , I’m afraid I will feel more like a tourist than anything. The tastes, smells, and feel of all things in Pakistan have sadly become a distant memory where I know I love and miss them, but can’t quite put my finger on them anymore.

Alas, that shall all change soon! I look forward to coming back with detailed reports on (1) food, (2) changes since my last visit (I know there have been plenty, (3) culture shock (I hope/expect that to be minimal, but you never know), (4) mountains (um, can I snowboard there please?), and (5) smells. Also, with this being my second time going to Pakistan in the winter, I’m excited to see how different everything is when you’re not under 120 degrees of boiling sun. And then there is FAMILY!! Woot! Can’t wait.