1. A Troubled Start to the New Year
January 1st should have been a day of celebration and new beginnings, but it turned into something quite different for us. The chaos of back-to-back travel left me so exhausted the night before that I fell asleep without even welcoming the new year properly. When I woke up at 7 a.m., my husband greeted me with unexpected words: “I have some sad news.”
2. A Sudden Change in Plans
His “news” turned out to be that he wasn’t feeling well. An upset stomach had left him weak and pale—a concerning start to what was supposed to be a relaxing day. Fortunately, we had planned a slower itinerary: a visit to a new friend’s home in the afternoon, someone we’d met on a local tour. Still, his discomfort meant the day’s plans had to be tentative.
3. The Flaws in Our Preparation
Prepared travelers as we are, we’d packed a variety of medications from Japan—diarrhea medicine, probiotics like Biofermin, and stomach remedies. But our foresight ended there. In my haste, I gave him what seemed most relevant without considering drug interactions or the importance of taking medication after food. Unsurprisingly, this backfired; his symptoms worsened. A valuable lesson learned—good preparation means knowing when and how to use the tools you bring.
4. Stepping Out Alone
Despite his condition, I needed to venture out alone to gather supplies. Tomorrow was his birthday, and I wanted to pick up a cake and some essentials like sports drinks and nutritional jelly. However, we faced another oversight: my husband was the only one with Indrive, the ride-hailing app. This meant I had to rely on my own two feet—a first for me in Pakistan.
5. Navigating a Foreign City
The bakery and supermarket were about a 20-minute walk away. Nervous but determined, I headed out alone, stepping into a world that felt foreign yet fascinating. The stares from passersby were unavoidable, though they seemed more curious than threatening. A few rickshaw drivers called out to offer a ride but quickly moved on when I declined.
6. The New Year’s Cake Surprise
At the bakery, I asked about a birthday cake, but the staff shook their heads. However, as I was about to leave, one of them stopped me. “We have New Year’s cakes,” they offered. Though not a birthday cake per se, the festive design and golden marzipan decorations seemed perfect for the occasion. At 2,000 rupees, it was also a bargain compared to Japanese standards.
7. The Quirks of a Pakistani Supermarket
Next, I headed to the supermarket in search of sports drinks and other essentials. This was my first time in a Pakistani supermarket, and it didn’t disappoint—quirky details, like receiving a numbered ticket at the entrance, added to the charm. The store had a cozy, local vibe, and staff were eager to assist.
8. Challenges at the Checkout
Finding a sports drink proved to be a challenge. After some searching, I found what appeared to be an oral rehydration solution, but the 3,000-rupee price tag caught me off guard. Embarrassingly, I had to ask the cashier to cancel it. As if on cue, the store plunged into darkness—an everyday occurrence in Pakistan, I would later learn. Still, the locals carried on without missing a beat, and so did I.
9. Returning to Care for My Husband
Back at the hotel, I handed over the provisions to my ailing husband, who gratefully sipped on Gatorade and ate some jelly. Though we couldn’t pinpoint the cause of his illness—perhaps the street food breakfast or last night’s mutton curry—we were at least prepared with some emergency sustenance like Japanese Weider in Jelly and Cream Genmai Bran. These items, though small, turned out to be lifesavers.
10. A Quiet New Year’s Day
As the afternoon stretched on, I ordered food from the hotel—a comforting dish of mutton handi and roti, recommended by the staff. With no energy to explore further, we spent the rest of New Year’s Day in bed, reflecting on our trip and hoping for my husband’s speedy recovery.
11. Hoping for a Better Tomorrow
Tomorrow is not only his birthday but also the day we bid farewell to Pakistan. Here’s to better health and new beginnings. Good night.
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