Sunday, March 20, 2011

Life in Lahore - from the Eyes of an ex- Khi-ite (with apologies to Lahorites ;) )

 Folk sayings like "Laur Laur ae" (Lahore is Lahore) and "jinne Laur nai wekhiya o te jamiya nai" (the one who hasn't seen Lahore has not been born yet) are quite true. Realizing this fact after 22 years of my "unborn" life I decided to move in Lahore permanently to get born.


Though Karachi is a backbone of the country and a metro city, Lahore is also not less than Karachi in any way. We all know that archaeological sites are of great importance to any country and a source of cultural and historical heritage. Lahore therefore is a very important city. It is the only city which preserves and provides a natural habitat for extinct and unique species of public transport (chinchi rickshaw and Taanga* (horse-cart)).Chinchi and Taanga both give you double joy in a single ticket. Taanga besides dropping you at your destination has a duty of decorating your roads with beautiful dung cakes (yes, no fear if you forget your path, just follow the dung cakes ;)) whereas Chinchi gives you so many jerks while traveling, and make you feel as if you are traveling in the crevices of the moon. I reckon this modern invention can help the scientists for the massage of bone and bone marrow patients*. Just make the patient sit in chinchi and lets him enjoy the ride. Within one ride he will be perfectly okay. Na hon gi haddiyan or na ho ga dard :D

The most important thing of chinchi rickshaw is its driver. Just look at his thick, long moustaches with round ends which have grown healthy by the regular massage of chinchi oil. Look at his chest which is full of pride. Seems he is aware of the fact that he owns a magical vehicle. He sits on it with so much proud as if he is not over a chinchi rickshaw but over a Spanish Bull which he has defeated and occupied after a long, unforgettable bull fight ;)

You also don't need to worry if you get lost on the roads of Lahore. Just wave to a person and a lively-at-heart lahori-iet will come to solve your problem. He will explain you all so beautifully that you will prefer being lost rather that reaching at your target. Once we had to face similar situation and when my dad asked him the way, what he explained was, is here:

"sajjey jao,tey khabbey jao,nair(nehar)aa jawe gi.bus nair de naal naal lang jao,aender pass(under pass) a jawe ga,onoo chad dowo fir ainj muro,tey oonj muro, ley wai tussi puhanch gayo,ab menu ijazt". As soon as he stopped speaking this unfamiliar weird language my dad thanked him and waved at another person to give our luck a second try ;)

The canal of Lahore is in resemblance with the sea in Karachi. As at the beach of Karachi many birds migrate from the different parts of the world and stay for breeding. In Lahore too, different breeds of Lahor-ites migrate from their homes to canal and hibernate in it till the summers are over. You might have heard the phrase "Goat and lion drinking water from the same pond", but here Lahor-iets have set a brand new example. Just observe the brotherhood between the mankind and the animalkind in this canal. You will find both the species floating together. Sometimes it will be a man over a buffalo and the other times it will be a buffalo over a man, enjoying swimming in the cold icy water of canal. From looking at the distance it is difficult to recognize whether it's a "Sanda" (a big buffalo) or a "Banda" (a man)taking bath in the canal.

Seems that Lahore also respect miniature art. Especially in Lahore, miniature art has also made its way into buildings. In Karachi my eyes were habitual of seeing sky-rocketing buildings but here I realized the importance of miniature art. Who in khi is unfamiliar with the restaurant Salt n Pepper? It also has a "Bon-Si" branch in Lahore. I used to feel proud on the huge,amazing makro in Karachi. When I visited Lahore's tiny-mini-mani-o-Makro I had to accept that Lahori ites possess some taste for art. Yes, here you lose khi walo ;)

Honestly speaking Lahore is one of the big and famous cities of Pakistan. No city is less or more important. Fun and humor is a part of every Lahori-ite and they love to spread smiles on every face! Thanks for bearing this ;)

DISCLAIMER:
1. This article contains a bit of exaggeration at some places just for the sake of humor. Author neither intends to target any ethnic group nor does she try to hurt anyone's personal emotions or feelings. Any claim regarding this shall not be accepted.

2. This sign (*) mentions the point of exaggeration.
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16 comments:

Curl Jung said...

Welcome Backk!!!

I thought the Lahoris had banned you from Blogging..!

Nice reveiw of the city of the lively hearted people.I love each and every city of Pakistan.
But still

Lohore Lahore hai,
Karachi uska Shohar hai,
Jitna bara gulshan-e-jouhar hai,
Utna bara pura ka pura Lahore hai..:D

No Offense meant..;D

Akhtar Wasim Dar said...

ReeBz welcome back to blogging and the great literary tradition of Lahore has done wonders, you have so beautifully and in effortless style written a Lahore Nama that is so witty and interesting. Lahore has made a positive impact :)

ReeBz said...

Hamza-
its difficult to put in words how much i've been missing blogosphere.seems i still have to miss it:-( managed to make this post with a lot of difficulty via mobile internet which i'm not comfortable with.
they're fixing towers for wireless in our area and i don't know how long it'l take more in all the things to get fixed. sighs!
though i've published this post,i'm missing all the blogs i follow:-(
secondly,
lol i still consider myself a proud khiiet so yes even if there was any offense i wouldn't take it seriously:P but this offer is for friends only:-D and you're lucky to be in ma friend list;-)

ReeBz said...

Sir Akhter,
once again thanks for going through the article,and for your comments full of appreciation.

Shahid Majeed said...

A great narration of Lahore, you would find a lot more interesting things in future with the passing time. I think Karachi is completely different city and all Karachiites should be thankful and proud to be here. Lahore has a lot more colors but one need to be a Lahori to enjoy those colors, outsiders may not find them interesting. Anyway have a good time there.

Admin said...

Assalamu alaikum and welcome back!

Haha!
So true description of both Lahore and Lahoria's and how can I deny an eyewitness's narrative.

But you have to admit that we have increased your sense of humour.

Kiyon bana ditta na zinda dil?

Best Wishes

Mad Gir| said...

lOL i liked the BANDA and SANDA shOt :P
and explanation of the ryt direction by a lahori u gave in this post :D
well...inhsort one can say that Lahorix are full of emo and lively people while karachiites are brainy, stylish and full on rowkers..
and @ Hamza i like that:

Lohore Lahore hai,
Karachi uska Shohar hai,
Jitna bara gulshan-e-jouhar hai,
Utna bara pura ka pura Lahore hai..:D =D

Hina said...

What a beautiful encounter! Really enjoyed reading your blog. Keep writing! :)

ReeBz said...

Thanks Hina.I'm aapreciated :)

That's just Raw said...

haha, was nt it great? totally was.

I dun know why but I'd always loathed Lhr, its like m seeing it with whole new pair of eyes, awesome post, luved d exaggerations =)

m so glad to have u back!

BehX@d said...

very well written i must say

hina said...

Ha hahahaha!!! i cant stop rolling on floor laughing :D

All is well said...

You all from Karachi are enjoying to read each others' comments here which are aimed show Lahore a less advance city than Karachi. Ask an outsider or foreigner who visited Lahore or Karachi in recent times he can tell better which is the better city to visit and to enjoy. Lahore has been Capital city of the region for more than a thousand years and remained the capital of great empires, Karachi was not even existed that time when Lahore was enjoying the status of a capital city of huge empire. Today Lahore has achieved the status of a Green city, Karachi may be still planning to become a green city. Lahore according to Guardian is one of the top three tourist destinations in Pakistan. Lahore has most number of underpasses in Pakistan. Some of the Roads in Lahore have been regarded as best in south Asia like Ring road, Jail road, Main boulevard Gulberg, Cantt etc. Lahore has 3 world heritage sites there are plenty on the list to be approved from UNESCO. Best fashion schools are in Lahore, best art college in Lahore. If u take the views of a foreigner he will tell u the difference between the two. Obviously every one loves the place where he or she was born and raised but it doesn't mean the place U like is the best. Being big in size and population doesn't mean the best. Your likes and dislike can't change the experiences of the millions of the foreign visitors who expressed their feelings about Lahore. All the proverbs like 'Lahore is Lahore' Nai reesan Shehr Lahore diyan 'one who has not seen Lahore is not born yet, Paris of the east... are based on fact and real life experiences. Karachi must have its own attraction for the lovers of Karachi but Lahore's charm and charisma for a common person who happens to be Lahore is still intact. Both are great great and important cities of Pakistan.

All is well said...

Get your facts right. I thought Karachites have some sense. All Karachites enjoy hearing anything bad about Lahore and then try to prove their city is better than Lahore it's a shame. Lahore is a world renowned city. Lahore was capital city of a great empire when Karachi was not even existed. Check the facts which city is called green city in Pakistan, it's Lahore. Lahore has most number of educational institutions in the country and the best fashion and styles schools in Lahore, the first college of Pakistan, the first university of Pakistan, The first TV station of Pakistan, first Radio station in Pakistan are all in Lahore. Lahore produces most number of professional in all fields of life. There are many more facts that make Lahore a stand out city in Pakistan. Karachi obviously is a great city and financial hub of the country no doubt. Lahore has so much to offer to a common person who happens to be in Lahore first time. Guardian has already mentioned in 2008 that is 2nd best tourist destination in Pakistan. Check the latest facts about Lahore that how advance it is today in the views of the outsiders and foreigners. Every city has it's own value and importance that should be regarded. But when it comes to Lahore '' IK Lahore nai Koi hor' The cultural, architectural, educational and artistic capital of Pakistan. Karachi is Karachi, respect for the Financial, economic, industrial hub of Pakistan.

All is well said...

Here the writer took the example few poor lower class people most of whom are not from Lahore they come from towns and village around Lahore for fun and for finding livelihood in Lahore and You are giving their example to prove that Karachi is more stylish and advanced than Lahore. I think this is cheap. This is not the true picture of typical Lahore and it's life. Lahore's importance, charm, attraction, history and greatness is world proven. this home made story hasn't got any value.

ReeBz said...

I have already published a disclaimer with this post.
"1. This article contains a bit of exaggeration at some places just for the sake of humor. Author neither intends to target any ethnic group nor does she try to hurt anyone's personal emotions or feelings. Any claim regarding this shall not be accepted."
Seems you didnot read this!

I already have accepted lahore as one of the good cities of Pakistan. LAhoris love fun and humour. and this was just for the sake of it. Donot take it negatively, if you are really a lahorite.Other than this post i have written many blog posts accepting Lahore's good points abt education and natural beauty. Why have you missed reading those?

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