Karachi Chronicles: Sweat, Chai, and a Whole Lotta Hustle
okay, so i’m back. Karachi. Wow. Just…wow. I’m still peeling the city off my skin, you know? Like, the dust, the heat, the sheer energy of it all. I’m a botanist, which sounds all serene and leafy, but honestly, this trip was anything but. I was here researching indigenous plant life, specifically focusing on drought-resistant species - which, let’s be real, is pretty much everything here.
I just checked and it’s…a shimmering haze right now. The air is thick enough to chew, hovering around thirty-one degrees, feels like even hotter. Humidity’s low, which is a small mercy, I guess. Pressure’s normal, ground level’s a bit lower…doesn’t really matter when you’re sweating through your shirt by nine am.
My digs were…rustic. Let’s go with rustic. A tiny room above a spice shop in *Bazar. The smell was incredible, though. Cardamom, cumin, chili…it clung to everything. I spent a lot of time just wandering, getting lost in the labyrinthine streets. Seriously, you could spend a lifetime exploring this place and still not see it all. I found this amazing little tea stall - seriously, you have to try the chai - and overheard some guys arguing about cricket. It was pure, unfiltered Karachi.
Someone told me that the traffic is insane. Like, biblical. And they weren’t wrong. Honking is a competitive sport here. I almost got run over three times. I’m pretty sure the rickshaw drivers operate on a different plane of existence. I’m thinking of writing a paper on the socio-economic impact of rickshaw culture…or maybe just taking a long nap.
I did manage to find some fascinating plants. The Prosopis cineraria is everywhere, a real survivor. And the Salvadora oleoides - the toothbrush tree! - is used for chewing sticks. Apparently, it’s been used for centuries. I’m collecting samples for analysis back at the lab. I’m hoping to isolate some compounds that could be used in drought-resistant agriculture. Big dreams, I know.
If you get bored, Hyderabad and Sukkur are just a short drive away. I didn’t make it out there this time, but I’ve heard they’re worth a visit. I also heard that Mohatta Palace is stunning, but overpriced. Check it out on TripAdvisor: https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g300793-d117788-Reviews-Mohatta_Palace_Museum-Karachi_Sindh_Province.html.
Honestly, Karachi isn’t for the faint of heart. It’s chaotic, it’s overwhelming, it’s…intense. But it’s also vibrant, resilient, and full of life. I wouldn’t trade the experience for anything. I’m already planning my return trip. Maybe next time I’ll try to learn some Urdu. Or at least how to navigate the traffic without inducing a panic attack.
Oh! And a local warned me about the street food. Said to only eat from places that are really* busy. Apparently, that’s a good sign of freshness. I took that advice, and I’m still here to tell the tale. Yelp has some decent reviews, if you’re brave enough: https://www.yelp.com/search?find_desc=street+food&find_loc=Karachi%2C+Sindh%2C+Pakistan.
For more info on plant life in Pakistan, check out this site: https://www.botanicalgarden.org.pk/.
I’m off to shower and try to wash away the dust. Wish me luck.