The Dougs are off to the Flower Market and the Lahore Fort

Carrying a bundle of flowers at the flower market.

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.

Narrow alley near St. John’s church in Saeed Park. Note the almost overlapping balconies near the top.

Semi nomadic people camp out with their camels along the Ravi River near the Chaman family home in Saeed Park.

Ehsan is negotiating the price for Sunday morning church flowers.

Prices have been agreed to and being totaled up.

Another bundle of flowers has been sold and is carried out.

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.

Badshahi Mosque in old Lahore. Total capacity is 100,000 worshippers. Minarets are 196 feet tall.

Afaq and Yousaf walking through a gateway at the entrance to a Haveli (large house or mansion from the Mughal age) just outside the old city wall.

People crowding though the main gate of the Lahore fort.

Tile work on the wall just after entering through the main gate of the Lahore Fort.

The Sheesh Mahal (hall of mirrors) inside the Lahore Fort.

Intricately carved stone grillwork window in the Sheesh Mahal.

Mirror and glass work on the domed roof of the Sheesh Mahal.

Close up detail of mirror and glass work at the Sheesh Mahal.

Inlaid semi-precious stones at the Lahore Fort.

Lapis Lazuli, Carnelian and other semi-precious stones make up this flower design.

More inlaid semi-precious stones at the Lahore Fort.

Ehsan and his kids, Shamil and Zara. Actor dressed in Mughal era dress is in back.

Actor in Mughal era dress at the Lahore Fort.

Pakistani tourists at Lahore Fort. It was good to see so many people enjoying Sunday afternoon at the fort – one of Pakistan’s premier cultural heritage sites.

The Dewan E Khas (hall of private audience) at the Lahore Fort. This is where the Maharajah welcomed guests and dignitaries.

Yousaf and Afaq descending the steps on the way out of the Lahore Fort. The Mughal Maharajahs rode their elephants in and out of the fort on this stairway.

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.