As soon as I heard about Marcel's joining the endless pool of new restaurants in Karachi, I was instantly captivated. This city will always continue to surprise me at how rapidly it is developing and the entrepreneurial flair people have here. Having moved from Dubai two years ago, I was craving a go-to place like PAUL for... Continue Reading →
Moving to a new city can be quite daunting as you learn to navigate your way across different areas. But moving to a city you are already very familiar with is a completely different scenario. The main reason is that you begin to start taking things for granted. Here is why: It is the simple... Continue Reading →
It has been a month and I haven't been following my so called New Years resolution. I don't really believe in them, but I tend to make small personal promises to myself. One of them was to write more about my experiences. I love to express myself through the written word and I feel that... Continue Reading →
The morning I wore my older sister's shirt to school is still etched in my mind. At the time, it felt like the best decision I had made that day as I walked into school. I had a different air of confidence in my strides. As I came towards the assembly line where my classmates... Continue Reading →
It was a typical, Monday morning as I forced myself to sip on the tasteless, instant coffee to stay awake. Suddenly, an email popped up on my screen that changed everything (dramatic, I know - but it really did). The college where I work was taking students on a trip as part of architect Zain Mustafa's... Continue Reading →
It wasn't everyday that a movie on rape is released in Pakistan. Nor was it everyday that I would go to watch a Pakistani movie, which was probably only once before in my life. Growing up in Saudi Arabia, I wasn't exposed to the Pakistani film industry as much nor was I particularly interested in... Continue Reading →
"I'm feeling kind of low and don't want to stay at home today. Do you want to check out Biennale?" My very old friend/sister from Riyadh asked. She was leaving for the US in a few days after living in Karachi for over six months. As a fellow TCK, it wasn't always easy to constantly... Continue Reading →
Today was my father's first day at his part time job in Pakistan. It felt surreal when I saw him this morning with a collar shirt, tie and his brown leather briefcase. The memories of our 25 years in Riyadh were flashing through my mind as I watched him cutting walnuts into his cereal bowl... Continue Reading →
It wasn't everyday that I would wake up early on a Saturday to meet someone who I had never met before. But that morning was different. I was new to the city and in an attempt to make friends, I had created a Whatsapp group of a few women who I had met on Facebook.... Continue Reading →
"Why are there so many wires tangled from poles across this city?", my dad said in a frustrated tone. We had recently moved from Riyadh to Karachi and this was the only thing I had heard him complain about. As an electrical engineer, it was no surprise that this bothered him. It was in that... Continue Reading →
Ajnabi Diaries 