Today has been a fairly relaxing day. The weather is changing here, slowly but surely the temperature is rising. Although fortunately the mosquitoes have launched a full-scale invasion as yet, and the ceiling fan has not been needed as yet. Every day the citizens of this country go without electricity for between 3 and 10…

Today I thought about the menagerie of sounds that one hears on an average day in Pakistan. There is the ice-cream cart that plays an electronic version of ‘fur-de-lise’ on repeat, I wonder how it doesn’t drive the poor man bonkers. There are the cats and dogs. Nobody owns them (indeed, the average Pakistani is…

A view across the fantastically decorated Plaza de España

Premiere Vision is a textile fair just north of Paris. This is the second time I’ve visited with my school and its really a great experience, especially studying Fashion Design. Even though I’m not yet at the stage where I’m looking to buy, its a great opportunity to see whats out there and to also…

To this day I have never seen so many people. Karachi choked and spluttered under the weight of her traffic, pandemonium personified. Men, women and children (but mostly men) from all walks of life thronged the dusty streets, buying, selling, drinking chai; trade seemed to be happening everywhere I looked. There was something almost mediaeval…

Enero fue un mes muy memorable en mi aventura española – que marcó el aniversario de un año desde que me mudé a este país y cumplí 22. O los “dos patitos”, como lo llaman en español. Tuve la oportunidad de celebrar mi cumpleaños en Salamanca durante un fin de semana con mis amigos. Para…

I have been working on a report for a development project of Eastern Burma with colleagues. The report identifies the complete picture of the experiences of the local residents in Karen State, Burma, in previous years according to research conducted by researchers. The report also includes the consequences, suffered by the residents, from activities such…

A wedding in China

Pakistani food is much spicier than the English food I like qorma, bhunna ghosht (meat) with naan and my favourite prepared foods are vegetables, chicken and rice. You’re not to drink water here because it upsets your stomach! Luckily, I can buy bottled water. Edward Mortimer, January 2013