Nine Days and Counting!

Several days ago, we were thrilled to open an email from Mr. Anthony M Jones, the Cultural Affairs Officer at the U.S. Consulate General in Karachi: "We just received the good news that you both received your Pakistani visas. The Public Affairs Section in Karachi would love to program cultural engagements with students and other groups as part of your visit to Karachi, Pakistan....Your participation would be a great service to our country at a time when we need to be building a positive message between the people of the United States and Pakistan."


Are we nervous to go to Pakistan? In the beginning, yes, but that has changed dramatically through conversations with our hosts and friends. Like many Americans, I am guilty of having images and stories about terrorism contaminate my imagination and my ability to make reasonable judgements. Like Taimur, a Pakistani exchange student at Nazareth College, said, you would never want to come to Rochester if you only watched the news. 

We will be in KARACHI. It's in the south on the coast of the Arabian Sea. 

I apologize in advance for all of the cultural mistakes that I am about to make and for anything that I say or write that, in retrospect, will inevitably sound ignorant. I think this is part of the process.


Today's Update:
At this point in time, I have sewn over 150 pouches. This was a large number until I found out that our Pakistani collaborators have sewn over 400.  My to-do list includes things like stopping the mail, deciding what to bring for gifts, and (the most daunting task) figuring out what I should wear. Brian sent an email to every faculty and staff member at Nazareth College and now the letters are coming in faster than my ability to respond to each person. We would still like more, however, so please write one if possible. It doesn't have to be long or complex. It just has to start with "Dear Future Generation" and end with your name, city, and country.


Also, if you are interested in seeing some incredible art made by a contemporary Pakistani-American artist, go to this link and click on the video: 


http://www.pbs.org/art21/artists/shahzia-sikander