First Market and Party Experience in Pakistan

On Monday morning we slept in very late.  At least 10am!  It's different here because people sleep in late have breakfast around 11 and then lunch at 2/3 and then dinner around 8/9 then go to bed past midnight.  Anyways the sleep in was very well needed after the past two nights we didn't sleep in a bed and we were either in the airport or on a plane.  We were both very tired indeed!  Immediately upon waking up we were instructed by Lilly Khala to take a shower before the hot water went away.  Wow this is a shocker but to be honest taking a few cold showers and getting to experience the real life and culture of Pakistan is what I'm most excited about.  I took a very short shower also making sure to conserve the water and get my body and hair wet and then turn off the water and then rinse etc.  Water, gas, and electricity are very precious items here in this country, no matter how rich or poor you are.  Essentially these items just get turned off by the government!  You really don't have a choice.

We got served a very simple breakfast in the morning and then ventured off for my first market experience.  The market was very close by but was so interesting for me.  We needed to get a few things for Hajra's event that evening which is called Dholki.  The event is just basically a ladies last evening before the festivities (although she is technically already married).  Lilly Khala bought us some snacks from the market (samosa and jalebi). Jalebi is a sweet and samosa is this fried pocket of potatoes and vegetables and spices!  Love the spices here!  We also went to the grocery store which was nice, then to the pharmacy, and the light store, and then to get some sodas. We also went to the butcher where I got to witness butchering a chicken the halal way, which basically means the kill from the throat and say a prayer.  We got a lot accomplished in a little bit of time.  

We went back and and had lunch which was the Samosa from the market and roti with saag which is this salty green mixture again spicy!  After lunch we started to get the living room and house ready for the party (Dholki).  We put Christmas lights up around the entrances into the living room and house and then moved around the furniture and helped set out the silverware and food.  People started coming over around 5:00pm and they trickled on in the house until 8.  

During this traditional party the women get together and dance and sing and play the drums.  There is a distinct and certain way that they play the drums.  They also practiced their choreographed dances which they will dance again during the ceremonies.  We had lots of food this evening including kebab which we got from the market, haleem, chicken karahi, and for dessert qulfi (which is Pakistani ice cream).  All of the food was amazing again!  I really enjoy all the flavor that these foods have!  The party ended around 11pm because mostly that is when the electricity goes out.  

Such a great experience that I'm having here!