Page 9 - 2019 February

in the glass and let them have a conversation.
Within 5 minutes, the official said that the
first part of her application was approved and
she should now go to the next window for an

interview with another consular official.
Normally, the interview process is long and
detailed, ending with the passport and materials
being held for a day before the visa is approved

or not.
“What is the purpose of your visit to Pakistan?”
“I’ve been invited to speak at the 50th
anniversary conference for the Crescent school
paid for the flight, put her up in an amazing
in Lahore.”
hotel, and were gracious hosts who took her many
“The Crescent Model Higher Secondary
places. Besides speaking at the conference, she
School?”
was escorted to visit the school campuses, to a
“Yes, that one!”
palace and grounds built in 1560 with amazing
“I graduated from that school! The interview
technology, to an art museum, an outdoor spice
was over. He put the visa in her passport, handed
market, a dinner at the mansion of a major donor
it back and said, “You are approved, Ms. Arnold.
for the school, and to an unusual ceremony on
Enjoy your visit.”
the border with India where soldiers on each
“Uh...thank you!”
side march elaborately up to the border fence,
In December, Cate flew to Pakistan for a week-
open it for a few minutes and then close it again
long stay to speak at the conference. The school
as everyone cheers for their country. It was from

cheering herself that she learned to pronounce
Pakistan the way Pakistanis do.
A major highlight of her trip was visiting her

Pathways club: Crescent Toastmasters Club in
Lahore, Pakistan. They meet every other Tuesday
from 3-5pm to have 4 prepared speakers & Table
Topics - the only difference is that they break
for tea midway through the meeting. At the

beginning of every meeting they begin with the
Toastmasters Promise and a simple statement:
“We do not speak of politics, religion, or sex.”

Originally, Cate was worried about not being
able to understand the language but, to her
surprise, everywhere she went the people spoke

VOICES! | FEBRUARY 2019 9