As the Swat Valley becomes thinner, so does the river itself. In some places, the varying currents of the main river span almost half a mile in width, but where I am now it could not be more than 350 feet. The river will continue to shrink like this as I run farther and farther into the mountains.
Because I did not run yesterday, here is a picture of my total distances so far. Due to my traveling for half of the week, I ran less than eight miles this week (not including today's run). With the distance until Kalam shortening every day, the only push I have is to finish going the distance before the cold weather comes (which may be tomorrow...).
As the weather here in Helena grows colder, I find myself writing my blog while wrapped up in a quilt or blanket. So I decided to focus this week's Special Sunday on the quilts of Pakistan.
In western Pakistan and some of India, quilts, called Ralli quilts, are common. The term Ralli comes from the word meaning to connect or to mix. In some regions, Ralli quilts have existed for thousands of years. Romans traded with people in the Pakistan and India area for their beautiful dyed and printed fabrics.
Today, quilts have many functions in an out of the home. Inside, they are used to cover beds and floors, and outside they function as bags and padding. Ralli quilts also play a large role in dowry in small villages.
These quilts are made free-hand, with no quilting frame. Like most quilts, they consist of the two patched layers enclosing a thinner layer of old fabric or cotton fiber, which provides insolation and mass. The patterns of the pieces of cloth changes by region. There are, though, three basic patterns of Ralli quilts: square and triangle cloth pieces stitched together, specific and/or irregular shapes of cloth sewn together, and embroidery.
Below are some picture of Ralli quilts, displaying the beauty and variety of these colorful blankets.
For more Ralli quilt pictures and details of the textiles, see http://www.ralliquilt.com/textiles.html, where the information for this blog came from.
Also, visit http://www.ralliquilt.com/quilts.html for beautiful quilts available for purchase. These quilts are made by Hindu women in the Sindh region of Pakistan, which make up the organization Lila Handcrafts Cooperative. Muslim men in the area dye and print the fabrics for the women to use in the quilts. All profits collected from the quilts goes to funding a primary school for the village children. I highly recommend checking out the site--these quilts are wonderful!
Until tomorrow,
Sarah Capdeville
Summary
Today's distance: 1.66 miles
Total distance: 121.46 miles
Distance to go: 36.54 miles
Weather in Helena: 55 degrees F, overcast, rainy
Weather in Mingora: 88 degrees F, sunny
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