Is England really any better than Pakistan? We rather think and believe so without actually analysing the whole concept in detail. Its a quick observation, a reflex reaction to the order of things here, to the lush verdant foliage, to the lovely and ever refreshing rain, to the cold wind, to the high arching trees of oak and ash, to the politeness of people, nay, rather to the absence of hordes and hordes of people everywhere you turn to look, it is the reaction to the sweet sounds of summer birds that come close to the house and sing luscious songs of pure delight, it is the instant reaction to the absence of gyrating sounds that drives one insane and I believe it is the wall that separates people from each other, the safe-guarding of privacy, the belief that others have a sacred personal space which at all times must not be trespassed and infringed upon that makes this place a heaven.
But, and there we go again, there are things which may not be necessarily bad or negative about this country rather they fall in sharp contrast to ours. Regarding the mandate of personal space and privacy, people here are pushed to live in very small and limited spaces (but then they normally haven't the large families of Asian cultures). So when families of Pakistanis descent on their besieged relatives the houses, no matter how big they are by English standards, become rather cramped and cubby-hole like and suddenly, we, very awkwardly find ourselves pretty, no uncomfortably close in body and space and thought to other people.
Then the heating and smell of every house! Most homes smell of food cooking or cooked and their lingering smells still lurking in the soft furnishings and the house air for windows are seldom let open. That alone can drive one to nausea. Not that Pakistani homes are haven of fragrance yet they have no choice but to keep the place highly ventilated due to the oppressive heat. What I love about here is the joy people take in dressing up and going out whether its for a night out or just for class or for day in the town or to work. mind you, not everyone is dressed well, for the grubby Englishman and smelly old ladies are the order of the day, yet you see spots of fashionably dressed people, young girls, women, men who are struterring around like plummed birds out in the garden.
You see so much creativity and energy around you that it strikes you as bewitching, the adverts on the bus, the T.V, the shop windows dressed beautifully, the wonderfully done up shops of home ware, clothes etc. the lovely café's and restaurants all bespeak of a highly civilized and advanced culture.
To be continued.............
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