IAM Karachi

My wife and I decided to endeavor to Karachi for my cousin's wedding in September this year. The idea seemed like a shot in a moon for several reasons. September is start of school year, meaning we have to find babysitters for them. More bizarrely, we have not been to Karachi for more than 10 years! However, as they say where there is a will there is a way. My wife, being an Indian, was ironically more resolute in going than I was.

 Karachi really exceeded my expectations. I have so much to share!

The Shadi/Valima

We landed on the Shadi day. Got our sleep during the day and adorned in traditional attires. I still managed to fit in my Sherwani that I wore on my wedding, 10 year ago!
We greeted all the family members there. I felt really connected meeting all of my cousins whom I was 'connected' via social media in all these years.


Super Savari Express
We did Super Savari Express tour, courtesy of my friend who was also visiting Karachi at the same time - my very old friend from Ryerson Univ days - Omar Shakil.  It was a half -day tour starting at 9 am. They operate only on Sundays and take you around old historic part of Karachi in their native artistic dulhanesque bus:












Here where we went :
- Kabotar Chowk (a pigeon-feeding spot that housed Gandhi's statue) in front of Sindh Assembly.



- Karachi's free-mason house (called 'Jado Ghar' by the locals for its surreptitiousness) - now turned into Ministry of WildLife
- Breakfast at Jehangir Resturant
- Cathedral
- State Bank of Pakistan Museum  - breathtaking murals by Sadequain and calligraphy by Gulgee

- Visit to Jinnah Mausoleum - Saba was happily posing in front of her country leader's nemesis lol

I and Omar on the bus rooftop !

Other Places that we explored:

- Visit to Mohata Palace. Beautiful palace with antique historic artifacts such as maps, coins, stamp , etc preserved right from Indus Civilization. I could easily spend all day inside but photography was not allowed, and that ceased my wife's interest instantly lol.




- Visit to Grand Port: Recreational area built


in Karachi, Sindh, Pakistan along the waterfront of the 19th century Native Jetty Bridge that connects the Karachi Port Trust to Keamari. (via Wiki)

- Visit to TDRF Ghar: an old antique house that has been restored with furniture dating pre-Independence era. They also had a gallery of Karachi over the years. We had trams in 1950s. A flourishing Parsi community. A thriving Film Industry. We even had a synagogue! Karachi's current dilapidated state leaves us a grief chill. Potential to what it could had been and what it is now. Sigh !




-Visit to Jinnah Residence: We had crossed the visiting hours so took pictures from outside. What a baller our founder was ! He Lived in style!

Shopping
- Karachi is shopping haven for ladies. My wife was going berserk with all the boutique stores. We went to LuckyOne Mall (in Gulshan) and Dolmen Mall (Defense). The malls were spotless. Upscale, massive , each store uniquely crafted. Retail 'scene' is thriving there ! 









Khaadi, Maria.B, Aga Noor, Sana Safinaz, J. , Ideas, Sputnik, JafferJeez, Etc - you name it. My wife shopped from every store ! Prices were not cheap, mind you. Not looking forward for my next Credit Card statement  - but when are we ever? lol

Karachi malls have amazing accent furniture stores. Of course luggage being a constraint we could only touch-and-go. Kaadi Home was Pier1 Imports on steroids ! Bowled by its colors, style, fresh outlook, quality ! I had to fight tooth-and-nail with my wife just to get 6 bowls ! lol

 

Food

- Of course culinary experience in Karachi cannot be replicated anywhere ! We had the best Steak, Kebabs ,Karahis, Seafood, Chinese, Burgers, Pina colada and the list goes on ! 
Places we ate:

- Arizona Grill - We had lunch where Farhan joined us from work.










- Kolachi - seaside view of this massive place !  Had the best karhais and kebabs !!

 

- Cafe Elyanto - fine dine steak place. Hosted by Simi Baji and Nadeem Bhai

                                                                               

- Xander's - modern gourmet cafe owned by Noor Jehan's grandson Sikander (aka Xander). Farewell dinner by Zulfiqar (aka Zulfi) 

                                                               

- Gingsoy - Chinese restaurant, hosted by Khala/Mamu for the newly weds: Urooj+Mateen)



- Sattar Buksh - trendy chai cafe. The food menu item is worth-mentioning. 'Batameez Burger' , 'Cheeni Rokh key...Patti Thokh key' and my favorite 'LOC Pizza' - half beef - half veggie Burger. This was hosted by Zeeshan and Hina.



- Chutu Chai Wala - open-air, casual and Coke-Studio-music-in-the-air ambiance. They also gave us their Chutu Chai-Wala souvenirs. 

- Koel Cafe - A trendy, high-end cafe. Had the most unique drink ever - a Tamarind Sherbet !

- Gloria Jeans Coffee 
                                                   

- BTB - Big Thick Burger hosted by Farhan Javed. He is my cousin who also holds the award for 'Most Eligible Bachelor' lol


- Dera - Breakfast at BoatBasin - Hosted by Samreen Baji and Zafar Bhai. Had to be there by 9 am.



- Screams - A Nitrogen-infused fresh ice cream parlor. Cool place (literally, pun intended!) with amazing ambiance and interior furniture.

 


- Agha Juice , Peshawari Ice Cream, Pan , and other delicious snacks!

This is a speciality Roti from my mom's side. It is called Dambogh Key Roti

Showtime

We watched a local film "Punjab Nahi Jongey" in state-of-the-art Nueplex theater. The show was packed with families. Loved the atmosphere and coffee here ! The Film itself was superb by the way. Humayun Saeed and Mahwish Hayat - powerful performances, melodious music, crisp screenplay, impactful dialogues. According to Humayun Saeed's (Pakistan SRK) tweet: this movie had racked 38 crores in 18 days from its release !

Random Memorable Mentions

- Hair Salon appointment at ShabJan. Variety of facials and hair styles. Touch Screen Menu and welcome host !
- Roadside Cafe - walls plastered with hand-painted paintings of famous/infamous personalities. From Zardari and Qandeel Baloch to Mushraff and Junaid Jamshed. From Chavez and Marina Khan to Russell Brand and Saba Qamar ! Throwback paintings of Tanhae, Agan Taira, Dhoop Kinarey, PTV logo.
They had built-in Ludo , snakes-n-ladder tables. This place is serene and raw. Many writers, screenplay writers, novelist come here to find their zen



- GreenO -  Pakistani version of Booster Juice. Hygenic and uniform-clad workers with gloves and hairnets. We had sugarcane juice twice a day everyday ! Not even exaggerating !

- Visit to my Nani's place. Uttam Nivas ! Built in 1920 by a Sikh.

A sword was discovered many many years ago that belonged to its original owners (a Sikh)

Marbles by Indian Company

- Experience at EWC (East West Connection) furniture store. Everything hand made with styles and art woven by locals from all over the country ! Balouchi silk combined with Punjab haveli-window piece ! We bought hanging baskets and some authentic wall art.

- We also bought hanging baskets from this place:

- Square Parathas and Chai ! I was addicted to both of that ! Another addiction was Hadiqa Kiani's song Chaap Tilak courtesy of Farhan. Such a soulful rendition of Amir Khusro's Kalaam. Video is refreshing and shot in an unprecedented way.
Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MHlNcKr9g50

- Rickshaw Ride , Bus Ride , Cab Ride and Horse Ride !
- Missed both Jummas 

Summing up - It was an memorable and a fulfilling trip ! Hope to take my kids next time and visit other parts of Pakistan - Lahore and Northern Areas.

                                                

Being Mr. Mom

My wife has gone to Belgium for two weeks for work. Being an avid traveler, I really envied missing out Belgium. And to top of that, I had a gigantic responsibility of taking care of the kids while she is away !

Its been 10 days and its been a roller coaster ride... but so far holding on to it.

The responsibility of taking care of your kids reinforces the notion that you are not the center of the universe! I am getting to bond at a level never before. This experience has made me respect single dads out there.

I have to tie ponytail for my daughter, make omelette for my son, watch Leafs and Raptors games with my son and make Princess puzzle with my daughter. I am Super-Man or Batman or sometimes a simple 'Horsey'. (In retro respective I was already doing that before hehe)

It is hard work and involves anxiety, frustration and stress. It can also get lonely at times.  Feeding your kids would be easily the most arduous task. Many parents can attest to this.  Not picking the right clothes can make them act like loose cannons.
You have to embrace everything that life throws at you with open arms and a wide smile !

I feel empowered when people would make a comment asking how babysitting is going - hinting that its a 'woman's job'.

On the weekend I happened to make 'Chicken Gyros/Shuwarma' - recipe I found on BuzzFeed website. I went to Indian grocery store and gave the lady who was working there the list hehe. (I got aww's from her after I explained that I have to cook for the kids)

Here is how it unfolds:

Ingredients

- 2.5 lbs boneless Chicken (legs and thighs)
- 2 cups Greek yogurt
- 1/4 cup Lemon Juice
- 3/4 cup Olive Oil
- 1 tblspn Salt
- 1 tblspn Garlic minced
- 1 tblspn Ground Coriander
- 1 tblspn Paprika
- 1 tblspn Ground Cumin
- 1/2 teaspn Cayenne Pepper
- 1 teaspn Cinnamon Powder
- 1 teaspn Black Pepper Powder

- Mix all the above ingredients in a mixing bowl and whisk.
- Place the chicken inside the bowl and let it marinate for 6 hours or overnight.(I had kept it overnight).
- Place the chicken in wooden skewers and bake it at 165F for 1.5 - 2 hrs.
- Serve it on a Pita and wrap-to-go !

Few days left for my wife to come back and then she can do the cooking - the 'woman's job' ;)