Eight whole years. It was eight years later that I was stepping into a bus again to go to the second largest graveyard in the world, the Makli Necropolis in Thatta, Sindh. I first went as a college student and now I was taking The Lyceum college students (the irony) as part of the module, 'The... Continue Reading →
"What places can we explore here apart from the usual restaurants and malls?", my friends who were visiting from Riyadh asked me. They were visiting Karachi after many years and wanted to explore the city, but like so many others, they didn't know where to go. I suddenly remembered the Super Savari Express tour that... Continue Reading →
I recently signed up for the Afterglow Light the Soul three-day spiritual retreat (YES, AN ACTUAL RETREAT IN KARACHI!) that I had absolutely no idea what to expect from. For some reason, I kept having a good feeling and took a leap of faith and decided to go. It turns out that my gut feeling... 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 →
Ajnabi Diaries 