Sadly, this post was inspired by an Italian man who was attempting to drive overland from India to Italy. He got stuck in Pakistan, crashed at our place for two months, and ended up owing half a dozen people a few thousand dollars each (which he hasn’t paid back a year later). His first, Read More
Overlanding refers to traveling by land from one destination to another. It is not simply your weekend road trip, but usually involves a large distance and most of time you’ll cross more than one country. Marco Polo’s travel from Venice to China serve as an example of an adventurous overland trip. Nowadays, solo travelers, Read More
Pakistan, the “10th most failed state” of 2010 according to Foreign Policy. Doesn’t look like hell to me. This week a photo essay based on the ‘Failed States Index’ really got me riled up. Basically, Foreign Policy took one terrible/chaotic/scary photo from each of the 60 countries to make a photo essay called “Postcards, Read More
My landlady Nasreen’s Sindhi Biryani Recipe went over well, so here’s the next one in the series: a simple vinegar roast. In Pakistan and North India this dish may be called “roast” or “broast.” It is commonly found at local fast food restaurants. English speakers may be surprised, but the dish is actually fried, Read More
The following are some of my favorite books about Pakistan. 1. The Dancing Girls of Lahore by Louise Brown An excellent first-hand account of life in Lahore’s red light district. British author and professor Louise Brown tells the story of Maha, the dancing girl, and her family. Since dancing girls are scorned by the, Read More
Lodging There are lots of places you can stay in Bangkok for 280 baht ($8) or less. Check out Asha Guesthouse ($8 for a private double, meaning just $4 per person per night) or Sukhumvit On Nut Guesthouse (205 baht for a bed in a 4-bed dorm). Use sites like Hostels.com to find the, Read More
With temperatures hitting 121 degrees Fahrenheit (49 C) and at least eight hours of power cuts daily, it can be difficult to deal with the heat in Lahore. Here are some practical suggestions to stay cool when it’s scorching hot and there’s no electricity. Go Window Shopping Who says you need to buy anything, Read More
The traditional Pakistani outfit is made up of two parts. The shirts, ‘kameez’, are long and loose fitting with two slits on the sides. The slits should be even with the waist or hips, and should not allow any skin to be shown. The pants are called ‘shalwar’ and look like what many of, Read More
Deciding where you will live and work abroad is a major decision no matter what stage of life you’re in. Going over these factors will help guide you in making the decision that’s right for you. 1. Language What is the local language used outside of the workplace for daily transactions? Chances are that, Read More