(12/7/06 Update: This series won Honorable Mention in the 2006 Brass Crescent Awards.)

A collection of impressions from my first trip to Pureland (Pakistan) in two years.

October 2006

London Calling A quick stopover in London on the way to Islamabad to experience Wagamama and the British as master thieves.

Turning Homewards Going home to Islamabad for Ramadan, I was reminded that while memories and reality often differ, our spiritual home never changes.

First Impressions The title sums it up quite well.

Little Lights Meeting my nephew and three nieces, as well as Emu’s “gyna.”

The Fundamental Incompatability of Children and Clothes Going from zero kids to four and discovering just how gross bananas can really be.

The Opening Finding an opening to the Divine through Al-Fatiha and a rainstorm.

Countdown to Eid For the first time in history, I experienced a community celebrating not one, but three Eids.

Country Tidbits Newspaper gleanings - including the dstruction of Sufism.

Class and Religion The discomfort and humility that comes with having servants.

Bypassing Begumhood Reflecting on what could have been my life as a “Lady of Leisure.”

Lahore Arriving in Lahore for Eid.

A Lahori Eid In celebrating and fulfilling our responsibilities to, and serving, family and community - we realize the full meaning of a feast day, and of life itself.

Rootless Being a world citizen can sometimes be very confusing.

Songs of Innocence, Songs of Experience The Mirpuris and I have something in common: In some ways we are poignant relics, suspended between two worlds: a home that is not, and a place that can never truly be home.

November 2006

Physical Servitude and Spiritual Poverty With their patchwork clothing and simple ways, how many of us would sit down to dinner with the Prophets Jesus and Muhammad today?

Beyond Parental Sin As we grow up we judge our parents. If we’re lucky, we forgive them.

Circles of Women Smudging the lines between the political and personal to appreciate the lessons learned at the feet of women.

Magic Khalas Celebrating my magical aunt.

Solitude and Sanitary Pads The sadness of leaving one home to return to the other.