“This is very unfortunate but when I planned to come, people informed me that Pakistan was not a safe country for foreigners. Since Afghanistan is a neighbouring country, they were of the view that there might be bomb attacks. I didn’t pay heed to all that was said and was very excited to visit the country and discover it. I have travelled a lot and I never pay much attention to what is said about a country.” “The first thing that amazed me when I left the airport was the excessive poverty. The place where I come from, things are completely different. Here, I noticed devastated places, dilapidated buildings and poor people. At first I thought, how can they carry on with it? Then the realization dawned upon me that they are content, or at least they seem to be happy the way they are, because this is how life is for them. But I have visited many foreign countries and if I have to stay at Karachi, I will not give it a second thought.”

“The market-place in the city amazed me a lot. People here are very friendly and talkative. They would woo you to buy their ware and would want to know more about your place of origin. They would be full of questions and then charge you much more than what the product is actually worth and we, not knowing the art of bargaining, fall for the trap. And I know when we don’t understand the language or make some other mistake, they make fun of us as well but all in good humour. So it was fun all the way when I visited the market.”

“As a woman I was surprised that marriages here are completely arranged. It’s very different from Paris. Women do not have independence here. I mean I would want to choose my future husband myself. I wouldn’t want anybody to force the decision on me. Of course I would want him to meet my parents and that they give their advice but the final decision would be completely mine. I am very curious about how a young woman spends her life in Pakistan.”