August 5th, 2019 Peshawar, Pakistan

5AM We arrived earlier than I expected. I took a Careem taxi to Fort Continental Hotel, where I asked to store my luggage until I returned. I then took off for Sethi Museum. The security is a boy and let me in for free when I told him I was a student. It was again, unimpressive and they were going to charge 200 PKR.












8AM I then went toward Masjid Mahabat Khan, which was small and under some type of slow renovation.

9AM An old man offered me some breakfast. I then headed toward Bala Hisar Fort. This was closed due to army's presence. It has been know for 10 years! I wonder why no one mentioned this online. The Jamrud Fort also has army presence so it was not open either. I took a Careem motorbike toward Islamia College. However, they weren't allowing any foreigners entering either. I walked with a student around the perimeter of campus. He failed too to lead me in. However, he did get 50 PKR mango shake for me (student pricing) and then got me a Careem motorbike to Nisar charsi tikka shish mahel. The man there said that they don't sell quantities of meat less than 1 pound and they opened at 2PM. I moved on to look for Namak Mandi Restaurant. On the way there, some shoe maker kids stopped me. The owner's son who is taking over the shop bought me some orange juice and invited me to stay. He said he and some teen number of kids can 200 handmade shoes a day. The shoes sell for 500 PKR and so they each pocket at least 5000 each person. It is repetitive work and harsh conditions with 50 degree heat in the summer. I left after 45 minutes and went to look for Namak Mandi. It turns out that I found the area rather than the actual restaurant first. I walked by Nisar charsi tikka shish mahel again, who now agreed to selling me 0.5 kg of tikka. I waited for 30 minutes and paid 750 PKR plus 50 PKR for tip. It was not nearly as good as the lamb in Afghanistan. I left a little disappointed and took a Careem motorbike to Fort Continental Hotel. I gathered my luggage and took a Careem taxi to Daewoo Bus Terminal.












3:15PM I purchased a ticket to Islamabad for 680 PKR. The bus left on time.

6PM I arrived at Islamabad. It was the same Daewoo Bus Terminal from which we left on the other day. Next, I took an Uber to the hostel. It was actually much nicer than I expected. It was nicely designed and the apartment turned into hostel is relatively new. It was located in E11. I also think my expectations have lowered tremendously since I have been in Afghanistan and Pakistan in the last few days.






8PM The man who was working there is gay and is fond of America. I took a shower and went to explore the coffee places all concentrated in F11 district. I purchased a butter nut latte for 495 PKR.

10PM I returned to the apartment. I spoke to this young Chinese student who elaborated forever on his experiences. It was very annoying. I went to bed as soon as I got a chance. This reminds me not to go on forever boasting on my experiences.