Drawing Inspiration from the Margalla Hills of Islamabad…

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Today (Sunday, Jan 6), I returned to Margala Hills finally! I rode up to Daman-e-Koh, stopped there for the view, enjoyed some moments with monkeys, some that almost attacked me, and then up to a little wooded park area before the entry into the Monal restaurant, the same place last year when I came with my Father.

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I stopped there to see if my name was still on the rocks, I thought it was initially, but then realized it was spray paint with something else. So I wanted to continue my father’s tradition as he does with chalk, writing his names on the rocks of mountain areas during his travels. But I didn’t have any chalk with me. Instead I used my Pinkberry lipstick and wrote it in English and Urdu this time. I did the same in the Damen-e-Koh area too, just in case we wouldn’t find this place.

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I then spent time at the Monal Tree House, the same area and almost the same table from last year, writing in my journal, reading Rumi, and reflecting on my time in Islamabad and KP, drawing in my sketch pad and having a late lunch while taking in the fresh air, the view and the romantic sunset, and then the Islamabad lights in the night. I was happy to see the view in both the daylight and the night time, and the night view is even more beautiful especially when there is a lot of fog in Islamabad at this time of the year. 

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I hope to share more pics and observations in the near future in a larger album about my time at Margala and many other experiences. I am glad I finally made it out there on the mountains after nearing 3 months, and thinking about going there. Something about being up there in the mountains especially at sunset that is inspiring and rejuvenating. It turns out that it was quite close to where I reside as many great things were that I didn’t get the chance to see. I wish I made more time for hiking the trails, I will have to come back for that next year, if an opportunity permits, continuing the tradition me and my father started for ourselves especially!

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