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Week 19 - Tassy starts our week with a mix of calm and storms

 Edited BY


G P Kennedy


Tassy - Karachi, Pakistan

 The week went well. This means it was pretty much the same as previous weeks, and that always makes me thankful.  If I have to use two words to sum up the week gone by, they would be peaceful and fulfilling. On the work front, I gained three students who are coming to me for “in person” classes, a few times a week, over and above those that continue their virtual sessions.

 

 This has definitely brought about a certain level of normality to my life and I’m loving the personal interaction and the little chatter that goes along with it. My husband also managed to go physically to the office for 4 of the 5 days of the week, which marked a shift in our daily routines.  We FaceTime our two children in the evenings after our dinner. They have sounded well and happy in their respective homes abroad. This makes me feel at ease.

 With the apparent flattening of the curve of COVID19 cases the government decided to ease restrictions for the following week. Shops that were previously closed on weekends will be allowed to function as normal, and gyms, recreation clubs and marriage halls will be reopened. The ban on dining in restaurants and cafes will also lifted. Educational institutions are also expected to reopen from next month.
 

Havoc caused by the storm

 A storm hit the coastal areas of Pakistan (including Karachi) this week. After what happened a couple of weeks ago with the heavy rains forming a mini swimming pool in my driveway, this time we decided to make full preparations by ensuring drains were not blocked with dead leaves, and that we had enough food at home so that we didn’t need to step out. We also made sure there was enough diesel stocked up for our generator as power shortages for hours on end is a norm especially when it rains.

 

 Many believed that Karachi was spared the worst of the storms because of the patron saint of the city, Abdullah Shah Ghazi, an 8th century Muslim mystic and Sufi, who is claimed to protect Karachi from storms. His mausoleum is built right by the sea and is very close to my house, and is visited by thousands of followers daily. The storm affected Karachi over the weekend, but because we were fearing the worst, the damage at home was not too bad. A couple of young trees bent over but our garden overall survived the onslaught.

 

 While I stayed comfortably indoors, sadly several were electrocuted in various parts of the city as the downpour continued to play havoc with the city’s ill-maintained civic infrastructure. People suffered from electricity breakdowns and loss of Internet connection for several hours. Roads in certain areas caved in, and streets were waterlogged in parts. Considering I live in a chaotic, crumbling metropolis of 22 million people, I am a bit of an imposter in many ways as I’m far removed from the reality faced by 90 percent of my compatriots.

Enjoying our garden after the storm

 On Saturday evening since the rain had stopped briefly we felt it safe to have an impromptu get together of a few of our friends who live in our vicinity and enjoyed cocktails in our garden. One of my friends had recovered from Covid a couple of weeks ago and it was lovely to see her after nearly four months. She gave me a hug when she saw me and I recoiled at first, as we have been particular about keeping some kind of distance from friends.

 

 I have a feeling I am becoming more paranoid after months of living like this. We had a fun evening. These get-togethers always become the weekly highlight for me. The temperatures have cooled down substantially as a result of the monsoon showers and we are now experiencing a “cool 30 degrees” as compared to 45 degrees Celsius a few weeks ago. I am enjoying spending a little time outside in the garden. The sunsets at this time of the year are very special. I will leave you here with a photo of a stunning sunset taken a mile outside my house near the sea.

Beautiful sunset over Karachi
 

 

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