Sunday 21 August 2011

Three weeks in Karachi.

Traffic. Dust. Pollution. Poverty. Amazing.
Karachi is an industrial city. It has the main sea port of Pakistan and is also where most politics take place. Right now, the conditions of this city aren't too good, as there is fighting going on between two political parties, MQM and the PPP. But put aside all the people who die every week, you see people, ordinary citizens, that go about their business as nothing is wrong. I honestly look at the news, see the devastation that is going on, and think to myself : How is this city surviving? How is it that the roads are jam packed with cars and buses and rickshaws and motorbikes whilst there is so much tension and shooting going on in the city? People that I've asked, such as my uncle have said : We've gotten used to it. Life doesn't stop.
Well said I think. Just two days ago, around forty people died in a targeted killing.
Anyways, about two weeks ago, I met some relatives of mine I had never met before. They were very nice and took us out shopping and to an amusement park. The park was quite small, but we had fun.
Yesterday, we went to the beach, or Sea Side View as it's called here. The water wasn't the cleanest, but it was really fun. I went with my siblings, my dad and my uncle, who was driving. There were corn cobs with spices on them, and a Pizza Hut hut too!
It was nice to get out and about, and see Karachi at it's busiest. Honestly, I cannot imagine there being so much traffic on the roads at two o'clock in the morning in England as there is here. It's mad! There's so much honking and beeping going on too, which makes it even more noisier, added to all the really loud engines. Ladies here sit on motorbikes with both their legs on one side, which is suicidal in my opinion. I know for a fact that I can't do that. There's so much speed and such rough roads too, I get giddy even thinking about it.
Anyways, after going to the beach, we went to eat at a place called Eat On. It was really good! I had Chicken Chilli and my dad ordered Chicken Chowmein. Man, I'm so gonna go there again, it was delish! As there's approximately a week or so in the Eid celebrations, we're going to go shopping to the bazaar soon, to see if we can get some good deals. Will write again soon, but until then, goodbye. Or as they say here, khudahafiz.