The Dougs are off to the Flower Market and the Lahore Fort
We got up early on Sunday morning and went with Yousaf and Ehsan to the flower market. Ehsan goes every Sunday morning to buy flowers for the church service at St. John’s church in Saeed Park, right across the street from the Chaman family home.
After the flower market we picked up Afaq at his home and went out for breakfast at the Bundu Khan outdoor restaurant. We had the ‘Desi Nashta’ (local breakfast) that included 2 puri, bhujia, chany, halwa yogurt, lassi and chai. What a great last breakfast in Lahore.
Next we drove over to the old city of Lahore and toured the fort. The foundations were laid in the 2nd century BC by Hindu people. Later in the 15th and 16th centuries, the Mughals improved and enlarged the fort. Mughal emperors who added to and embellished the fort included Akbar, Jehangir and Shahjahan (also built the Taj Mahal in India). The British also used the fort during the Raj when Lahore was still part of larger India.
We finished up the day with relaxing and visiting at the Chaman family home. In the evening we packed our bags and headed out to the airport for our 3am flight on Emirates Air to Dubai and on to JFK airport in New York. We’ll be back home by Monday evening, November 23.
Hang in there, one more trip post is coming
We hope you’ve been enjoying the notes, experiences and photos and have been able to follow our adventures on the Bunyaad blog so far. Here is a link to all of the posts: Read Pakistan Learning Tour.
We’d love for you to share our adventures and the stories and faces of Pakistan, especially of our Bunyaad artisans.
On Sunday morning we walked across the street to attend church at St. John’s Baptist Church. Chaman Masih, the founder of Bunyaad, is the founding and lead pastor. We met the associate Pastor, George Gil, as well. During the service Doug Horst and I (Doug Dirks) were introduced as guests from the USA and asked to say a few words. After church we got together with a few people at the Chaman home to visit. We ended talking about our religious origins and beliefs – interesting stuff. 
We started today with a good buffet breakfast at the Maisonette Firhill, our hotel in Murree. Then we all piled into the trusty Bunyaad Toyota Land Cruiser and headed off toward Jared.
When you come to any of our rug rooms and during all of our rug events across the US and Canada you get a glimpse into the world of rug making and see the artisans at work in the video 
We enjoyed a great time in Pakistan. Everywhere we went we met friendly, helpful and incredibly hospitable people. It seemed like everyone wanted to shake our hands and give us a hug. On Sunday afternoon, while touring the old Lahore Fort, a number of people wanted their pictures taken with us. Contrary to what we hear and read in the media about Pakistan, it’s a great place to travel – safe, friendly, hospitable and very scenic. 
Thanks so much Doug Dirks for all these pictures and journals. I have so enjoyed the journey! It made me remember so much of our visit to Pakistan and the Chaman home, even the PTDC guest house in Swat we stayed in.
Wonderful pictures! I hope I can use them.
Jane