I'm feeling 32

If I were a Martian, I would be celebrating my 17^th birthday now. Ahh... but I am an Earthling who is setting deeper into her thirties. It's not an achievement that should need a celebration as I bore no hardships to survive this far and there's one less year anyways in my timeline.

If you are getting the impression that I'm an anti-birthday-ist then I'm not. My idea of a perfect birthday is to relax and spend a nice and stress-free day with my family. However, my kids are of different opinions - for them, there's no birthday without a cake.

This time, I couldn't get to start the day my way due to an uncalled-for drama in the digital world. I forgot to charge my phone that day which turned out to be a blessing in disguise, automatically keeping me away from the digital nuisances and helping me spend the rest of the day in peace.

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I mentioned in my recent blog that I'm visiting Lahore. It's impossible to be in that city and not indulge in gluttony. Lahore is not only famous for its rich history but also for scrumptious desi food - payee, nihari, halwa puri, and whatnot.

One also gets to try a wide variety of cuisines while in the city. Since the latter is not common where I live, the priority was to try different food during my stay.

We started the day with a scrumptious continental breakfast at a golf club where my husband was already waiting for us after playing 9 holes. I'm cranky in the morning until I have a hearty breakfast. Keeping that in mind, he had already ordered the food before we arrived.

The golf course was beautiful but it was extremely hot outside that we had to enjoy the view only through windows. I don't know how my husband played for 3 hours in that weather. He wanted to play at a different course and also check the features of golf activity in his smartwatch, which offers a list of 43000 golf courses to download and analyze the game. This particular golf course was among the few Pakistani courses that were on the list. So, it only made sense to check that out when there was an opportunity.

^{Kids and their cousins couldn't resist a stroll though}

Later, we visited a museum which was an experience of its own. I won't talk about it much here because it deserves a separate blog. Maybe at a later time.

Later that day, we went for dinner at a place that offered Turkish and Lebanese food. Like I already said, Lahore and food go hand in hand.

People in Pakistan generally love Turkish food. As for me, I love it when it's made in Pakistan but not in Turkey itself. I find it bland because my South Asian palate is used to richer flavours.

We ordered Turkish Pide, which is like a boat-shaped pizza, Fattoush - a Lebanese fresh salad, Iskendar Kebab (Turkish), and Shish Tawook (grilled chicken - Lebanese or Middle Eastern).

^{Chicken Pide & Fattoush - loveee!}

^{Iskendar Kebab - couldn't stand the smell & taste but others loved it}

We ended the dinner with a delicious Belgian Chocolate cake which all of us devoured instantly. It was too good. Chocolate never disappoints.

Too much food in the post? I'm sorry. But that's all the day was about. What to eat? Where to eat? While having one meal, discussing the next one.

Later on, we enjoyed a little nightlife which I haven't done in ages because for the past couple of years, I have been living in a remote place that sleeps at 9 pm.

We parked our car at a place that some people call Times Square of Lahore. I haven't been to the real Times Square, so I have no clue if the resemblance is justified.

Anyway, I couldn't help but notice the latest models of luxury cars driven and bragged by teenagers like flashy new toys in an opulent town in my poor country. I should have taken a picture of a neon green Ferrari because that's my favorite car. 😄

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I spent a rather lavish day this year because of the trip in the same dates which was a coincident. It is not a complain but this is not the case usually.

P.S. I know I am older and should be wiser but this is not a reflective post. I will save the wisdom for future blogs. 😀

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^{Events of 31-07-2024}