The Unforgettable Summer of 2000

'Summer is over and Autumn has arrived' Cynthia Wickham expresses so rightly in the great book Simple Abundance by Sarah Ban Breathnach 'A Daybook of Comfort and Joy' a beautiful pleasurable meaningful and didactic collection for all times, inspiring women with talent and spirit wanting to contribute positively to the world and life itself, above all to feel recognised and appreciated.

 In the August chapter Sarah begins with 'let a seasonallysanctioned sojourn of slow joys refill the authentic reservoir of creative energy.This month on Simple Abundance path we commit to discovering, acknowledging, appreciating, owning and honoring our authentic gifts, transforming not only our own lives, but the lives of those we love.'

My gift of writing opened new avenues for me, before I knew , one of my poems 'Dear Teacher' submitted to a poetry competition was selected by the panel of experts. I held in my hand a letter of invitation'You are cordially invited' to a place I could never dream to be.

Visa was no problem and soon we were all set to leave on an unforgettable trip to the United States of America, the year was 2000.

Ready to leave for the airport amid excitement but no apprehensions.Travelling was by the Saudi Arabian Airlines. A large aircraft carrying pilgrims for Mecca to perform Umra, somehow we got seats in the smoking section , I still wonder how that happened...I guess no one checked that, our guide was unaware of our 'smoking' interests... we never realised till we got inside the plane.

The flight was scheduled to take off at 3p.m. but it was 6 by the time we finally boarded the aircraft.

Till Jeddah it was a three hour journey. After that it would be a non smoking flight till New York.

Evening shadows crept in earlier due to a heavy dark cloud covering over Islamabad, definitely a portion of the threatening monsoons, the date 2nd of August to be exact and then a deep tugging feeling , a loud roar , a pressure of speed and a prayer to the Almighty lifted us out of the gravitational pull and swinging from left to right the huge aircraft soon settled on the invisible medium and thus began our flight  to be a unique experience of a lifetime , because at that moment little did we know that soon the world would face the turning point that would change all life for all people and all nations on  this little round revolving globe , our home? filled with blue water brown earth multicolored flowers and fruits, jaded , painted, shaded,and sweetscented all over. I looked out of the window as the gigantic machine kept rising, my land seemd a part of Lilliput, was I moving towards ...no....I would name it...well.....Utopianstatopportuniland..AH a Poetic Wonderland...someone had finally believed that I could write poems I was truly..a gifted writer. It was wonderful feeling.

A deeply satisfying flash.My soul was strangely happy after a long time.

The route was Islamabad Jeddah New York and Washington

New York stopover was for an hour only.

The aircraft took off again for Washington. What a grand place is Washington! clean sweet smelling colorful and so welcoming..Since our connecting flight to our final destination was from Baltimore we hired a taxi and soon we were on road. Light rain was falling ,looking out of the taxi window I felt the vastness of America.....simply beautiful.....At Baltimore we  rested for a while, then we spent one of the most memorable hours in America.Baltimore Airport was simply lovely colotful adorable and very informative. I loved the bookstore

and thoroughly enjoyed the tea and muffins at the small cafe.