| Karachi
Exposed |
| A One On
One With This Truly Vivacious City! |
| December
2005
Karachi
to me symbolizes the true self - a persona without makeup. Even though
it is a city raging with newer developments, its true splendor is reminiscent
in its culture, the climate, its bazaars, the beaches and even the fruit
and vegetable vendors hooked at every corner of the street.
As I make my
way into Karachi’s extravagant Jinnah International Airport, I hear announcements
in my native language; on the signs above me, directions are also in Urdu,
not only English. I see people attired in traditional clothing. At that
moment, I begin to feel conscious of myself in jeans and my general tendency
is to gently stretch my shirt downwards, ensuring that it’s long enough
for Pakistani standards. |
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A duty to
conform to cultural etiquettes instantly evolves within me.I am truly overwhelmed
by the nature of the place despite not yet being fully exposed to its exterior.
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Visiting
the local bazaars in Karachi is an experience. On entering the bazaar,
I am besieged by an array of shops, all approximately the same size, aligned
vertically against each other. Each one sells its own unique collection
of jewellery, materials and cosmetics. As I try to enter the congested
alleyways, I am called on by a host of shopkeepers, “Baji Ajao” (Come Sister!) |
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| Each one insists
that his selections of items are the best and most reasonably priced compared
to the others. As the tension builds up, I feel the heat rays of the intense
lighting, within the already bombarded alleyway. I can feel droplets of
sweat bursting out of every pore on my face. I also begin to note the squealing
sound of the rusted, overworked fans, barging out from the ceilings, above
me.
Exhausted,
by the scorching heat of the bazaars, my friends and I stop for a glass
of chilled Lassi (A traditional, thirst quenching beverage consisting
of cold milk, yogurt, sugar and lots of ice.) Refreshed, we once again
continue our insatiable hunt within the bazaar, in the hope of finding
a reasonable buy. The stores are assailed by females of all ages, however
shockingly so the elderly ladies are the ones bargaining for hours on end,
negotiating and arguing with sellers, until their bids are finally approved. |
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Offshore
Resources Gallery
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| Surely, if
a woman doesn’t have an aptitude for bargaining she would most probably
be ripped off. Each shop is very similar in form and content and is not
identified by a distinct logo/brand image. In such a scenario, the shopkeeper
is the real marketer and his body language and sales technique is pivotal
to the amount he sells.
Tariq Road,
Gulf Tower and Zainab Market are a few of the many bazaar zones in the
city. But if the experience proves a little too intense for you, I say
start off with the hip malls. The Point and The Forum in Clifton are the
most recent developments - fully air-conditioned and compact, they are
typical of most western malls.
Karachi
is a town of weddings! Many are lavish and comprise hundreds of people.Numerous
ceremonies take place prior to the actual wedding, which serve to build
the zeal and vibrancy of the atmosphere. Traditional folk music, the brightly
lit grounds and the enthusiastic crowds all make the weddings an absolute
delight to attend.
Shortly after
the arrival of the guests, the bride and groom make their grand entrance. |
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| Seeing them
hand in hand, in the midst of it all, makes the entire event even more
cohesive and ads that extra tinge of excitement, to the already vivacious
gathering. Both bride and groom are dressed to perfection in their intricate
wedding attire. Shortly after dinner is announced, I can barely wait to
lay my hands on the variety of hot curry specialties accompanied with piping
tandoori Nan.
A foreigner
would note all sorts of events, while driving along the streets of Karachi
- situations that would most likely be overlooked by a local. Karachi would
not be Karachi, without its billboards; the city is swarmed with them.
The best ones can be seen on major roundabouts and intersections – apparent
in all sizes and colours.
The roads do
not only include cars, but there are all forms of transportation systems. |
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Offshore
Resources Gallery
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| Ranging from
horse-carts, minivans, rickshaws and last but not least, the adorned buses,
containing people lurching out of its every corner. The roads are packed
with pedestrians, sellers and beggars. The moment I roll down the car window,
I can hear the constant beeps of the car horns, the roaring sound of the
rickshaws and at times faintly smell the pollution. And if ever,
I consider buckling myself up, people within passing vehicles stare at
me in bewilderment!
Before going
to bed in Karachi, I ensure that my room is sprayed with extra strength
pesticide. (Can’t recall the brand, but the lethal content was at the time
available in a full-sized red bottle labeled with bold dark lettering.
It’s the most sought after pesticide bought by my family to kill bugs and
other flying creatures). Once however, despite performing my obligatory
duty of daily spraying, I was approached by a cockroach in the wee hours
of the morning, lying on the rear end of my pillow. It scared the living
daylights out of me! It couldn’t have been the fault of the disinfectant;
it’s usually extremely effective; I’m almost positive that a window was
left open.
Sunset in
Karachi is a beautiful sight. Our family apartment lies opposite the
Arabian Sea and gives me a perfect view of the dawn and dusk. As I stand
by the balcony at around 6:00 am, I am taken aback by nature’s charm. The
birds chirp, the seagulls flutter their wings against the sun burnt rocks,
and the fishermen gather around a discrete area of the shore in hope of
catching their daily prey. All the melodrama is accompanied by the background
harmony of the horses, galloping their hooves against the soft morning
sand.
The passing
fish trucks particularly assault my senses. Although this is a distraction,
it is never a hindrance to my pleasure in nature. I lightly cover my nose
and mouth with my dupatta (a scarf-like garment worn by Pakistani women)
and after about twenty seconds or so remove it and rekindle my communion
with nature.
There is no
better place to go fishing/crabbing than Karachi. Why? You don’t have to
catch the fish if you don’t feel like. You can definitely try, but you
won’t stay hungry if you’re repeated efforts remain unsuccessful - the
fishermen are part of the package! We managed to rent a boat from Keamari
– Karachi’s harbour. Relax and enjoy the open sky and serene waves, while
your guide catches and cooks you some fresh fish stew in a matter of minutes!
If you want to go a mark higher, I suggest visit Creek Club - a private
boat club in the sub municipality of defense - offering boating in the
creek areas.
The natural
wonders are enlightening, but Karachi also contains numerous restaurants
and top-notch cafes, all opening at a rapid pace. The all famous Zamzama
in Clifton, is a street famous for its contemporary shoes, boutiques and
trendy dining.
In addition,
there are ample architectural hotspots worth taking a peek at – my all
time favourites are: Mahata Palace, Mazar-E-Quaid and Frere Hall. And five
star accommodation is not a problem - hotels including Marriott, Sheraton
and Pearl Continental are located just minutes away from the city centre.
For those still
not familiar with Karachi, it is imperative that you perceive it with an
open mind. Some things in life can “appear” overwhelming at first glance
– Karachi may appear so to some. But it does slowly and gradually release
itself – and unleash that veiled charisma. Give it some time - it’s definitely
a charmer!
To contact
Qurrat Click
Here
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