Quetta: Where the Curry Meets the Crumbly
quetta, man. what a place. i just got back from a foodie adventure that had me sweating over *spice blends and dodging donkeys in the old town. seriously, the energy here is something else.
i just checked and it's hovering around that 15.46 right now, hope you're bundled up. the locals say it's a dry cold that gets into your bones, especially when you're standing over a tandoor for hours.
if you get restless, Pishin and Ziarat are just a short drive away. i spent a morning in Ziarat picking apples and nearly got eaten by a wild goat. worth it.
someone warned me that the saffron market here is sketchy, but i found a gem. old man abdul has been selling the real stuff for 40 years. don't go to the main square, his shop is tucked behind the mosque near the bazaar. also, i heard from a drunk guy at a wedding that the biryani at shah e shan is so good it'll make you weep. i didn't weep, but it was close.
here's a pic of the park entrance. it's actually a nice escape from the chaos:
and yeah, that last pic is from my hotel room. the chair is actually where i planned my next dish. the motorcycles? just part of the soundtrack.
if you're a chef, bring your own masala. the stuff they sell here is good, but my blend is fire. also, don't trust the yogurt at every stall. some of it's been sitting out since the last monsoon.
for more on Quetta's food scene, check out:
Quetta Bazaar on TripAdvisor
Local Food Guide on Yelp
Quetta Tourism Board
honestly, this place is a mess. but in the best way. you'll get lost, you'll get hungry, and you'll get hooked. just watch out for those donkeys*.
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