This is the second journal entry in a series of about 15 which I wrote over a three week period while I was in Pakistan this summer. If you go to the category Pakistan Journal you can see all the entries. There are some really interesting experiences and observations which I make throughout the trip(or well at least in my opinion).

6/6/2004

The sun rises quickly when traveling to the east. I just re-boarded the plane in Manchester, UK. I just can not stand that snooty British accent. Some people think its cool… maybe it is… only with actors in movies, like that guy in transporter. I met a brother who is studying (doing his PhD) at Michigan State. He was surprised at how good my Urdu was. He told me that he couldn’t wait to get home, and have some desi food. That’s interesting because I am dreading having to eat desi food for 3 weeks in a row! I was also thinking if it was up to me, I would never eat it again. Maybe that’s extreme to say, and for Pakistanis it may even be shocking to hear, but I really prefer other food, especially Italian, Afghani etc. over desi food. What is it about that Masala which drives these people to madness? Aside from the food issue I’ve been thinking a lot about the issue of nationality and citizenship. I know exactly how I feel about America… but how do I feel about Pakistan? I don’t know, it’s a confusing subject for me. Just while waiting to re-board the plane I couldn’t help but notice a few tendencies amongst these Pakistani women, especially the teens and young people. You could see that the “Americanized” girls who had streaks in their hair and wore tight jeans etc. And then there’s the cultural girls with their hair out, caked up in makeup wearing short sleeve Kamezes and shiny clothing… The effects of secularism could clearly be recognized… I understand that there is a very strong culture of Pakistani fashion which dominates the psyche of these young girls. And perhaps there is a huge lacking of Islamic Education (covering complete aurah, not wearing scent in public…) Also Islam is not the main concern on these people’s minds. It may sound judgmental but it’s true.

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Filed under: Pakistan Journal