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Quetta truckstand

I visited this truck stand in Quetta. Truckers in South Asia, including India and Pakistan, are considered "high risk groups" in terms of HIV/AIDS. Often they are away from their families for months at a time, engaging in unsafe sex. (Of course, many Pakistanis are in denial: "We are good Muslims here in Pakistan; we don't behave 'immorally'.")

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The cleaning boys

These boys work on the trucks that criss-cross Pakistan. They are used to clean/maintain the trucks but also serve as "companions" to the truckers who often don't see their families for months at a time. Sometimes, the truckers even "switch" the boys in order to "try something new"...Of course, it doesn't happen to everyone but it is quite often the norm.

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Me and truckers

I got to speak to these truckers in Quetta. They have no access to health care and this is their greatest need.

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Women in Karachi slum

Here I am with a group of women who take part in a community program to educate other women and families about basic hygiene and reproductive health. They may be poor but they are full of spirit and motivation (not to mention hospitality!)

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Children of Swat

When I went skiing up in the Swat Valley, we bought some tea from the father of these kids. Five minutes after I'd asked for their picture a truck full of young Pathans (ethnic group from NWFP area) stopped and one guy asked, all giggly, if he could take OUR picture. At first I hesitated thinking, argh, I don't want to be their foreign trophy...but then I realized, hey, didn't I just use these kids as a trophy, in a way? I put the shoe on the other foot and willingly acquisced to being photographed! :) :) :)

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Polo!

I think polo and cricket rule Pakistan! This match took place in Rawalpindi, a 15 minute drive from Islamabad. Most of the time, I couldn't really follow what was going on in the game except for when they came up close like in this shot.

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After skiing...

It was like being on top of the world!

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Friends...

Here I am with a friend from Islamabad - she's English, not Pakistani ;o)

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Knackered!

Last picture taken after a weekend of attempting to ski down Pakistan's only certified ski slope and after an afternoon of antique furniture shopping. Go to the <a href="http://www.tribalmax.com/yurtfurnishings/swatfurniture.html">Tribal Max</a> site for examples of much sought after furniture from the Swat Valley! ("Sought after" at least from the perspective of ex-pats in Pakistan...Pakistanis usually buy the newer versions, but of course us foreigners: the more ethnic and authentic, the better!) Anyway, I'm going off on a tangent...