salma sitaray

One of the most captivating thing about Karachi, or rather in Pakistan in general, were the simply amazing lawn prints. To be honest, when I landed on Karachi's soil, I was not the most fashionably-educated girl around, which some people might find amazing and unbelievable. But that's the truth of the matter: for me, my wardrobe had to be comfortable and easy. That's it. There were no fancy capris, nor any fancy expensive branded lawn prints ...nothing. Just plain cotton shalwar kameez, or something equally comforting in Georgette. All dresses would be of the same style... Front open, with a coat collar, and three quarter sleeves. It wasn't that I was not fashionable, it was just the simple reason that I was lazy and couldn't really be bothered with standing at the tailors and discussing designs for hours on end. However, it was when I visited the lawn houses in person, and saw the designs with my own eyes was that I was completely blown away...The geometric de...

Maybe it was because of the heat of the day, but nights in Karachi were relaxing times. This would basically the time when the horrible daytime beating sun would finally give the people of Pakistan a break from their misery and let them replenish them for another day (only to beat them with its scorching heat and light the next day…) And so the vicious cycle would repeat itself, only broken by the rainy weather that would bring a little relief in terms of weather. However, what I most clearly remember during these hot painful summers was the deep sleep that the day would induce. I remember even falling asleep with no power, no fans. The sleep that would come on would be almost drug-like. I guess it would be the combination of the day’s hectic routine, the sweltering heat and the comfort that the night time would bring. The smell of Mospel to ward off the mosquitos, the heavy scent of the ‘raat ki raani’ that so lovingly entwined our window’s railing, the oc...