Karachi Induction - Time of many "FIRST"s
2 weeks into Karachi, and I'm feeling the cultural differences. It's definitely a time filled with many first experiences, some good, some bad, some that just don't make sense. Finally I now know what culture SHOCK means. Described below the more superficial aspects of my experience so far. will expand and delve deeper as time passes...The cool stuffs that's happened:
1) Arrival
- I loved it! It was soo memorable, it took awhile to finally emerge from the airport, waiting on the luggage, and then get such a warm welcome from the AIESECers & interns. Garlands of flowers, sweets, loads of flashing cameras! Truly, that moment will always replay in my mind, with a smile on my face [Singapore, hint hint, we need to liven up our airport pick-ups!]
2) Food
- ouf... Laden with spice! The intensity is something to get used to, and it's not hot like chilli hot, just spicy. Chicken Briyani, Naan with Kerahi... Paratha with Tikka. Yum yum!
3) Housemates
- You can't ask for more in a surrogate family, guys! I love you all! It feels much like home now. [Especially after you've helped scrub the floors! ;)]
4) Work
- Loving that too! Although now in the beginning I need to push my supervisors to give me work after having completed first draft of my first assignment. But things have been hectic in the office cos of the annual reports deadline. By now I think they get that I'm a workaholic and I need things to DO in order to learn!
5) Family in Pakistan
- Traversed Karachi to get to Steel Town, which is in the outskirts of Karachi. It was a lovely place, full of trees, reminded me sooo much of Singapore! Met my uncles and my aunt for the first time! It was a bit odd cos of the language barrier... Like we're bursting to say something, yet not able to express it. But that will soon be overcome as I learn more Urdu :)
6) Karachi HEALTH induction
- The food is good, but can be deceiving and deadly sometimes! I ate something contaminated last week or the week before. And for many days I've just been crapping water. Any food goes in then out like an express train. So finally yesterday went to the hospital for treatment. Joined the IV-Drip Club [we had another intern who got the same treatment for dehydration] Spent over 2500 Rs. [ouch!] Doc diagnosed it as gastro-intestinal infection.
Personally I blame Singapore for having super clean water. Not just clean water but filtered and oxygenated water in my home in addition to that. Ah, I've been way too pampered. And now I'm paying for it! Hello new bacteria, welcome to my intestines! Make yourselves at home! :D
So all in all, it's been crazy! Took awhile to come up with the good word that describes it all, but the best fit was just CRAZY. I guess I'm settling in, getting used to the way of life here... And of course will blog more soon.
posted by Zafirah @ AM 02:15
3 Comments:
Singapore..Tree??
Your uncle and AUnty?????????????? I know you have some relative there.. but your mom/dad's siblings??? No right?
My mom's siblings, yes. My grandfather came over during 40's or 50's from Pakistan, and he had already married. But his first wife didn't want to stay in singapore. so she went back, and my granddad married again (my grandmom) and had a total of 13 children. 8 of them grew up in singapore TOTALLY Singaporean Malay. And 5 of them TOTALLY Pakistani. Hence I am processing culture shocks everytime I visit my Pakistani family. :)
People should read this.
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