Merry Christmas from The 'Bad! Sent, 23rd December

Dear All,

Tears were shed today. It is the beginning of the end of the trip, the cricket has finished, the English team has left, and today Edward, traveling companion of our trio left. There is a definite feeling of winter in the air and the frivolity of a city hosting the cricket and winning has gone now the players are out of town. It’s very misty here at night and none to warm either! Good news is that Susan is back so The Girls Are Back in Town!

Today we spent five hours in a silk shop getting fabrics and tailors to sort out our Christmas outfits. I rang the Australian High Commission to see if there were any Christmas activities planned, and this afternoon got a call from Sam - the secretary to the Commissioner. There isn't anything planned as most people have left town, but his mate Darren who works for the commission too has bought a turkey, so did we want to go around to his place? So we are having Christmas dinner at the Australian High Commission with Sam and Dazza, and then onto the British Club for drinks! I have a lovely pink silk embroidered number, still in the Pakistani style, but a little more tailoring to the pants, and Susan is going for silk stripes! We have even found a supermarket that sells Quality Street Chocolates, so that will be our contribution to Sam and Daz.

Have been spending a bit of time in the relief camps in Islamabad. Its been brilliant, everyone is just so cheery, but a definite current underneath as many people didn't want to enter building as they are still in shock, families are split up a lot, and many injuries still. However, schools are being set up and made a bit more permanent with the arrival of new tents on Tuesday. Books and pencils and toothbrushes and undies receive the biggest welcome. I went to the camp with Steve and Edward who were immediately taken off to play cricket, while I got to sit inside tents and drink tea and meet children and chat with the girls about my beads and shawls and the apparent 90% divorce rate in the west. It must have gotten a lot worse in the past month!

Are off up the mountains on Monday. All a bit nervous about the cold, but very anxious to get up there and start doing stuff. Apparently there has been a class waiting for me for a week! Ooops! Susan and Steve are looking to do some work Winter-izing tents for United Pakistan who are doing a lot of work and who we have had great reports about.

Hope you are all enjoying your break, the weather and Christmas!

Love love love

Dion