It was one of those cloudless, crisp and beautiful winter days that one sees after a spell of rain in Islamabad.
The pall of dust that usually hangs over the city and the hills during the early winter months had lifted. The rain had washed the dust and everything looked bright, fresh and clean. The hills emerged out of the haze and seemed to fall in sharp focus as if placed under a magnifying glass. One could even count the pine trees on the hilltops.
It was the kind of a day when, in the words of John Milton (paraphrased),
“it is an offense against nature to stay indoors — and not go out and partake in her rejoicing with Heaven and earth.”
Heeding Milton’s advice — and armed with my digital camera — I set out to enjoy this beautiful day and capture some of the sights, which I would like to share with you:
By mid December most deciduous trees shed their leaves (see photo just above). But some cling to their flamboyant autumn dress until January (See photo to the right)
Islamabad has more sunny days in winters than, say, New York or any other city in New England but mostly they are hazy. Clear and cloudless days, though, don’t happen that frequently. But when they do it is truly an “offense against nature to stay in doors” —- both for humans and animals.
Getting a long overdue haircut or getting groomed is a good idea on a sunny day like this — both for men and animals. Getting it in your park out in the sun from an itinerant barber or a friend is a luxury you won’t find in New York or anywhere in the US.
Photo of Cafe’ Monal below
Margalla Hills come into sharp focus after the rains.
Photos for this post are by the author himself. His full collection can be seen here
Very beautiful! Sadly the weather in my part of the US is snow and -20C.
As one who has seen Islamabad grow over the years I can very well relate to the feelings which have inspired this post. Particularly the vivid photographs , each of which has its own tale to tell.
“One impulse from a vernal wood
May teach you more of man,
Of moral evil and of good,
Than all the sages can.”
(Wordsworth)
MQ saheb, 2 photos have been added towrds the end of the post.
PMA: I did go to Cafe Monal. It’s a wonderful spot. I had also taken a couple of pictures there (IMG-0083 and 0086). I had sent these to Owais Mughal. I wonder if he could include them at the end of the post.
Good shots. It is interesting that it looks and feels more like the spring and the fall (!) in some shots.
MQ,
Does the first picture in your post illustrate “the rejoicing between Heaven and Earth”?
Islamabad’s at its beautiful best these days. I’m planning a visit to Daman-e-koh with a few friends this sunday.
Even John Milton couldn’t persuade this pakistani poet to go out and enjoy a beautiful rainy day coz he’s got some other concerns ..
teray waaday nay hamay ghar say nikalnay na dya
log mausam ka maza lay gaiay barsaat kay din …
There’s nothing quite like the Winter Sun. Especially in Islamabad. Try the park on Ataturk Avenue, where you can bask in the sun sitting under the shade of one of those stubborn decidous trees…