Why So Serious? No Smiling Faces in Pakistan =[

When I visited Pakistan in Winter of 2011, I did not realize that there was something I was subconsciously picking up on. In fact, it did not occur to me until I landed at San Francisco International Airport. Coming off the plane, at the end bridge (the thing that connects the gate to the plane) I saw a cheerful looking Asian man just smiling at me. Yes you read that right, smiling at me for no reason. Now I know it sounds creepy, but I was so happy, I beamed right back. Most of you probably thinks that this is no big deal; however, most of you have not visited a country where people make a habit of scowling. They seem to be offended if someone is smiling at them for no reason. Weird, right?

Coming back in September of 2012, I was aware that the Pakistani public is seriously lacking in smiles. For a while, I smiled around like an idiot. All it got me was the stink eye from many women, and dirty looks from the men. I was an anomaly to them. A girl wearing a hijab who smiled for no reason. The Pakistani impression of the hijab is usually a reserved and conservative, quiet girl or woman. Definitely not one who smiles for no reason. I am the furthest thing one could be from quiet and conservative. I like to think of myself as a modern-day Muslim who lives just as much in Deen (Faith) as in Duniya (World). At first it irked me, I wondered why they couldn't just get on with their lives and not stare me down. Then it occurred to me that I should be who I am and not care much for their looks and eyes.

All said and done, I now know that Pakistani do not have an established culture of smiling at strangers. Maybe that only exists in California. I still smile at all the strangers. Once in a while, I get a smile back. Though, I still rarely see anyone just randomly smiling. In the end, I have more California culture in me than Pakistani culture. If being completely Pakistani means I can't be cheerful, then I'm content being a Californian. Not to mention being a mystery always has a certain charm to it. 

Smiles from Islamabad city. Good night world. 

X0X0

Dancing Horses and Rat Killing ... Eek

In the motherland (Pakistan), everyday is a day of firsts. I see something new everyday. Some things are more serious than others while others seem straight out of an American sitcom about South Asia. It is truly a place of building memories. 

Who knew there were such things as "dancing" horses? I saw a horse dancing to the beat of a dhol (a two-sided drum covered in cow hide and beat using to J shaped sticks) at a wedding. More like while I was spying on the neighbor's son's wedding from my rooftop. I knew weddings in Pakistan were a festive affair, but dancing horses are news to me. I'd heard of it from my parents; but what they say is true, seeing is believing. It was a truly magnificent sight; although now I wonder whether it would be considered animal cruelty (that is a whole other can of worms). Though I can try, I cannot fully explain the beauty of such a beast dancing with absolute grace. So for informative purposes, I'll share a video. Naturally the video wasn't made by me, because a spy with a video camera is not so much a spy at all. ;)

Okay so here is a clip that I got off YouTube. It's not recorded by me and I don't have any rights to this clip.

Most animal rights' activists probably cry when seeing such videos, and so before writing this blog post I did some research on "horse dancing" and discovered that the movements that the horses do with their feet is actually called a piaffe. It is a very natural action for the horse. The only training and/or "art" is getting the horse to do this on command. Now I cannot say whether these horses are beaten into doing what their trainers want. The horses that I saw and the horse in this video seem very healthy to me. But then again, I am not an expert. All in all, I am not speaking against or in favor of this practice. Just sharing a different culture with my readers. 

Moving on to the rat killing. Just a small blurb. Today I saw a rat being killed (well not saw more like heard), a completely hilarious adventure. My great-grandparents driver and my mother's maid spent an hour trying to kill the rat. It was hilarious to say the least.

On the topic of domestic help, it is very common for most middle class and upper middle class families in Pakistan to have domestic help or what they call "servants." However, that also is another can of worms and one I PROMISE to shed light on soon. 

Good night from Islamabad city.

X0X0