The Gentleman Friend has convinced me, and I’ve bought myself a small selection of technical sportswear. It’s Lululemon, so more yoga than hardcore, but I had never been convinced of the virtues of lycra and polyester. The t-shirt, bought for future jungle hikes and so on, is extremely comfortable and airy, though, and with it […]
In Lahore
I had my first bit of jewellery made today, so now I can feel like a proper Pakistani adult woman I daresay. I’m not entirely happy with it, and suspect I’ll have it remade at some time. It is stitched together of scraps. The centrepiece is a gold bead that my father found on our […]
Shopping
Had my first excursion yesterday, going to Soho and Covent Garden to buy a few things. The most important was a birthday present for my nephew, which I bought though slightly unsatisfactory. The second was a pair of walking sandals, which I didn’t find. I have had the same type of Teva sandals for over […]
Village stop
I’m back in Lahore. My father and I drove back this morning, stopping en route at the farm near Chakwal to inspect the damage done by the windstorms to the almond groves (significant) and to discuss the next crop (daal) for the fields. It was all very green thanks to the rain. The Salt Range […]
Toy shopping
Went to Toys R Us and despite the soothing cadences of In Our Time talking about Seneca it was the usual nightmare. Toy shops are filthy places, full of filthy customers and disgusting cheap gendered plastic, a environmental catastrophe for which one is expected to pay through the nose. For one who values value for […]
Gifts
It seems likely I am, after all, going to Lahore this week. My brother suggested the services of his travel agent, I scoffed internally (who ever heard of a travel agent who was useful for anything at all), and twenty minutes later the fellow came back with a seat that was Rs 15,000 less than […]
Garlic presses I have known
1. Garlic wheel. Requires brute strength and strong wrists. Doesn’t actually crush. Cloves need to be pre-chopped. Difficult to get garlic out. Difficult to clean. Plastic retains smell of stale garlic. 2. Garlic wheel. Actual wheel containing blades. Very small, doesn’t take more than a pre-chopped clove. More of a chopper than anything. Chunks of […]