30th October 2018 Mapo-gu, Seoul, South Korea On a beautiful Autumn day when fallen leaves color the earth with hues of dusty orange and crimson, and the skies carry with itself scents of hot coffee brewing, I find myself in the back alleys of Seoul, exploring the secretive neighborhood of Mapo-gu. Emma, Hana, Steven, and … Continue reading The Runners on the Bridge of Life: When Joy Won
It is not just billboards or television, English is in pamphlets and mall announcements. It is in Facebook, it is in Google. It is in WordPress. English is everywhere in Pakistan. And there is nothing inherently wrong with it. Except that sometimes, we forget those humans who cannot access this language - a great majority of humans. They cannot access a whole world (the internet, ideas, literature, or movies). So culturally and socially, they develop at a tangent than those who can read English.
Continued from: February 2015 Abbottabad, Pakistan I have had the fortune to savour some of the most interesting meals. Not for how deliciously spiced or finely minced the food was, but because my fellows of the meal spoke intriguing words of wisdom, delivered simply yet with infinite grace. I had the pleasure of … Continue reading A CHRISTIAN, A MUSLIM, AND AN ATHEIST WENT OUT FOR DINNER| PART 5/6 (THE DINNER)
July 4th, 2017 Abbottabad, Pakistan As I stand across the green and blue of Abbottabad, I feel my fingers tingle; I feel a need to paint; to let my heartstrings tug my fingertips and create art, in its surreal yet raw essence. Lints of cloud cascade the skies, drawing nearer from their infinite distances to … Continue reading Painting murals on a rainy day
(Continued from Part 3 ) Abbottabad, Pakistan February 2015 “I cannot wait to host her at Abbottabad this week!” exclaimed mum joyously as we left behind the restaurant and our ever loving hosts, Cynthia and Sarwar. ...And so, as time rolled on ever so slowly, I counted days till the day arrived when … Continue reading A Christian, a Muslim, and an Atheist went out for dinner| Part 4
( Continued from Part 2 ) February 2015 Islamabad, Pakistan I clutched my neck scarf for the fifteenth time and looked around awkwardly at this place I had never before ventured to; a fancy new restaurant. Adorned in a bright coloured sweater striking against my off-white kurta, I felt rather awkward and lost, even though my folks … Continue reading A Christian, a Muslim, and an Atheist went out for dinner | Part 3 (The Pilgrim’s Feast)
( Continued from Part 1) August 2011 Abbottabad, Pakistan "Ah exactly what I was looking for," Carlo beamed, as he spooned white rice onto his plate. He then picked a round chapati*, burning hot from the girdle. "Have some chicken gravy or spinach," insisted my mother. "Oh but this is all I need. Chappati … Continue reading A Christian, a Muslim, and an Atheist went out for dinner | Part 2
Hello, beloved readers! I am very thrilled about sharing a series of stories and 'travel-ventures' with you in the coming few weeks. The stories will all be themed "A Christian, a Muslim, and an Atheist went out for dinner". In a world that is heartbreakingly divisive, one often feels out of control. When hatred raises its ugly … Continue reading A Christian, a Muslim, and an Atheist went out for dinner| Part 1
We are not raised to become 'lasses fit for proposal,' because we are raised to value ourselves, to be enrolled in school and become learned and educated. We are always reminded that it's okay to fly."
For a second it seemed as though a surge of emotions whirled through them. They froze, their smiles shrank, and their eyes gaped. "Pakistan?" they repeated. "Yes, Pakistan."
Walking On Wonder 