Islamabad, Pakistan
Capital of Pakistan - a country of colorful clothes, spicy foods and unexplored by the world. Although it is a third world country (portrait as dangerous and backward), it is more than meets the eye.
Traffic This is where car racing games are real. You can do anything such as driving on the opposite side, ignoring one way street signs, double parking… and do feel free to be creative! The rule of thumb is as long as you don’t get into a wreck. One can also be a dare devil by doing these where policemen are watching! If the “Fast and Furious” actions don’t interest you, there are plenty other road side goodies ranging from “Bad English” advertisement signs to household livestock.
Cuisine When it comes to spicy food, this is where you want to be. Pakistanis eat spices with food, not food with spices! Not to mention the fried snacks such as Somosa and Pakora. Vegetable dishes are so over cooked! Sweet dishes varies from cooked in butter, soaked in honey, overloaded with sugar and whatever else a healthy diet doctor would tell you to avoid. Main courses are normally with way too much spice, oil and meat (a lot of meat)! But when cooked the right way, you will forget all everything and eat till you drop! Yes, it is that good!
Fashion One can see the America’s jeans and tank-tops, the bold-tight European styles, Shalwar Kameez ranging from all imaginable colors and of course the modest Islamic clothing. The diverse fashion styles to both local and foreigners alike give a well representation of Islamabad.
Taipei, Taiwan
Where I spent my childhood years. Taiwan to me is also known as Food Island. You can find almost all types of cuisines there and chances are, they will taste just like the real thing if not better! YES, that is right! What I can tell you that you don’t already know - Chinese LOVE food. They simply ADORE it!
Funny thought, I did not share in the food loving till later. I was a very skinny kid and did not give any appreciation in food. Now, I miss Taiwan for its multi-country cuisines, various shopping locations and crazy news reports (which after 5 minutes, one would either be glued with eye-popping thoughts of bewilderment OR shut it off in a disgusted manner).
Tokyo, Japan
This is where I saw young teenagers dressed in all sort of clothing (from traditional to crazy manga). I tasted endless sushi, ramen, and everything that came into my sight. I also attempted to improve my Japanese during the short 6 weeks that summer of 2000.
This is a country where its culture (kimono / 着物, sushi / 寿司, manga / 漫画, origami / 折り紙, and much more) is well-known worldwide with or without the help of Toyota, Honda, Sony or Panasonic!
If I could do it all over again, I would tried to stay at least a year. It is a sad thing that I have forgotten most of my Japanese. InshaAllah, I will be sufficient in it again in the future.
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