Eid holidays: Youngsters try to have fun in sleepy city

Limited avenues for entertainment meant most places were quite busy.

ISLAMABAD:

The capital is infamous for being the city that always sleeps, and around Eid time, there is even less activity as people stay indoors and kill time by eating, sleeping and watching movies. But what about those who leave their safe havens to enjoy the great beyond?

“I know it sounds like an outlandish idea but I cannot resist going up the hills, even on Eid holidays,” said Afia, a homemaker and mother-of-four, who had gone hiking on Friday. “Instead of lazing at home, I recommend everyone take out an hour and really connect with nature. It really works wonders for your wellbeing,” she said, while talking to The Express Tribune.

For Arsalan, an architect, the holiday was the perfect excuse to go for bowling and laser tag with his friends. “On regular days, we don’t find time to hang out and something fun. With limited entertainment avenues in the city, such places are prone to be overcrowded, but we seize every chance we can get to unwind from work and overbearing relatives,” he said with a laugh. On the other hand, Mustafa, a third grader, who had come from Wah to attend a children’s carnival, said he was very excited to be in the capital. Accompanied by his mother, he waited his turn at a face-painting stall set up for a children’s carnival at Centaurus. “You hardly have anything to keep the children occupied, they get bored and make a fuss. This is the first time we have come to an event like this,” said his mother. With some of the shops open at the mall, she added, parents can go window-shopping while children enjoy the carnival.

Summaiya, an aspiring photographer and university student, said while she usually shoots weddings around the twin cities, she had gone to Daman-e-Koh in search of photo opportunities. “As the weather gets more pleasant, more and more people are out and about. You notice the little nuances, the men in their crisp kurta shalwars, the women in their shimmering outfits and ‘blingy’ accessories. It’s all a part of the celebration, dressed up people doing something different,” she said.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 19^th, 2013.