Muzaffargarh Mornings and Midnight Mango Stands

so here i am, stuck in muzaffargarh, punjab, where the sun feels like it's sitting on your head and the humidity is low enough to make you forget what sweat tastes like. i just checked and it's 27.01°c right now, hope you like that kind of thing. the air is dry, the streets are loud, and the smell of frying samosas is everywhere. i came here chasing a rumor about a hidden chai stall that only opens after midnight, and let me tell you, it's real. someone told me that the owner used to be a wrestler, and now he serves tea so strong it'll wake the dead. i heard that from a guy selling mangoes on the corner, and honestly, i believe him.

i've been walking around with my camera (a beat-up canon that's seen better days) trying to capture the chaos. the streets are full of kids on bicycles, old men arguing about cricket, and women in bright shalwar kameez carrying baskets of vegetables. i overheard a group of teenagers talking about a new dhaba that serves the best kebabs in town, and i'm planning to check it out tonight. if you're into street food, you have to try the chaat here-it's like a flavor explosion in your mouth.

*pro-tip:* if you're visiting, bring sunscreen and a hat. the sun here doesn't mess around. also, download the tripadvisor app to find hidden gems like that chai stall i mentioned. and if you get bored, multan and bahawalpur are just a short drive away.

i've been staying in a small guesthouse near the river, and the view is something else. the water is muddy, but the sunsets are golden. i sat there for hours yesterday, just watching the world go by. someone told me that the river is haunted, but i didn't see any ghosts. maybe they're shy.

"the best biryani in town is at that little place behind the mosque," a local whispered to me. "but don't tell anyone i said that."

i'm planning to explore more tomorrow, maybe visit the local bazaar and see if i can find some vintage clothes. i've heard that muzaffargarh has some hidden thrift stores, and as a vintage clothes picker, i can't resist. if you're into history, there's also an old fort nearby that's worth checking out. i read about it on a local blog, and it sounds fascinating.

anyway, that's all for now. i'm off to find that kebab place and maybe get lost in the streets again. if you're ever in punjab, give muzaffargarh a chance. it's not the most glamorous place, but it's got soul.