Back on the road

•      I happened to be leaving Islamabad at opening time (8 a.m.) of Loafology, the in place for good food in Islamabad and had nihari eggs Benedict along with coffee and grape juice.
  It wasn’t too painful getting through Islamabad and Rawalpindi on my way to Chakwal and the Salt Range.
•      Chakwal was a long 115 kms. and I arrived at Islamabad Guest House. Nothing great and like almost all the hotels no hot water. I have gotten used to cold baths.
  I woke up in the morning to stormy weather. The forecast was good and I left when it seemed ok. Never have the weather apps been more wrong. Terrible storms coming.
•      I was very lucky to have found shelter thanks to an angel who appeared.  Before the storm a man in a car asked me if I minded stopping for a chat. He was curious when he saw me because he has a friend coming from Hong Kong to cycle in Pakistan. He suggested we have tea at his petrol pump a few kilometers up the road, and it was then that the storm came.
  Imran lived many years in HongKong, speaks fluent Cantonese and is married to a Cantonese woman.  They now live in rural Punjab and their son is studying in Denmark.
•     The rain did not let up and he invited me to his house for a delicious meal.  Their life seems idyllic in a beautiful environment.
•      Imran went to so much trouble for me I am really humbled in gratitude. I learned so many interesting things about life in his family and village.

Not only was the incessant rain a problem, but I also was taking the wrong route. Imran dropped me well along the correct route and I had about 30 kilometers to cycle before dark and threatening storms. I made it just in time around 6 p.m.