In Karachi, there isn’t a lot to do for people, whether it be teenagers, childeren or adults; so when people see any event happening they jump at the chance of doing something new. We love food more than anything, whether it be a wedding or a party, what makes that particular event memorable is the “food”. No matter how many lacs does the bride’s father spend on the hall or other stuff, if the food doesn’t live up-to people’s expectations then the poor fellow has to hear about it. 
That’s exactly why Food Festivals are so successful. After Karachi Eat and Coke Fest, you’d think Street Food Festival will also be a an event to hangout with your friends and family while tantalizing your tastebuds with some scrumptious treats. Well, NO! It’s quite the opposite.  

First Impression
As soon we entered after paying PKR.200 each for the entry, the first thing we thought was “Are we at the right place?”  “Is the event cancelled?”  Because it was that dead! Walking in a few steps we finally saw some stalls that were still being set up at 4:15pm, when it was clearly mentioned at their page that they would open at 2:00pm. We tried hard to find stalls which were operating to find something good to eat. With a total damage of around PKR.2,400/- between my best friend and I, Street food festival had nothing special or even good to offer. Honestly, we would’ve had something better and fulfilling to eat at a nearby restaurant for lesser money.
If you value your time and money then this event is NOT for you.

Things we tried:
1. Chilly Poppers from Lazzo De Cafe

Rating: 3/5 
Price: Rs 260
The first stall we saw was of “Lazzo De Cafe”. We decided to try their Chilli Poppers. Although, the Chilly Poppers were served hot but they were not exceptional, and we felt that that the dip was not fresh, hence the rating goes to 3. 

2. Shot glass dessert and Eclairs from Le Saint Honore

Eclairs-                          Rating: 2/5 
                                           Price: Rs: 400
Shot Glass Dessert-  Rating: 5/5 
                                           Price: Rs 200.
Well, who doesn’t like tempting desserts!? We love desserts!! The second stall that we visited was “Le Saint Honore”. Their desserts looked promising and delicious. We tried Eclairs and Shot Glass Dessert. The eclairs were not at all worth the money. They weren’t exceptional. If this would have been for Rs. 100 or 150, it would have been better. The second dessert that we tried was shot glass dessert in flavor- Pineapple and Pina Colada. It costed Rs. 200 and was totally worth it. The taste was YUMM!

3. Khowsay from Khao-Isey

Rating: 4.5/5
Price: Rs 250
We are a Khowsey fan! Tried khowsey from ‘Khao-isey’, and we loved them! With the right amount of curry, chicken and condiments, they were totally worth the price! 

4. Dynamite Prawns from XI WANG

Rating: 4/5
Price: Rs. 300 
Dynamite Prawns, A must try!
The Prawns were cooked fresh and were delicious with that dip. Their Chowmein looked tempting as well. We will highly recommend to try their food, especially the prawns,  if you are visiting this stall. 

 







5. Crisp Chicken Burrido from Burridos   

Rate: 4/5 
Price: Rs. 250  
It was served hot and the burrido was tasty and nice, totally fulfilling for the price. Burridos are serving their food at a discounted price, so don’t forget to visit them!

5. Chocolate Chip Ice-cream from Movenpick 

Rate: 5/5 
Price: Rs. 260    
GUESS WHAT!?
Chilled water bottles and drinks were not available. We kept asking and couldn’t find. One of the stalls were serving water bottles, which were not at all chilled, and that is when we decided to have ice-cream. Well, Movenpick never fails to disappoint. Their ice-creams are to die for especially to beat the karachi heat. 

Verdict:

Street Food Festival 2018 is a wannabe event that fails to deliver. Bad management, zero entertainment and unhygienic environment makes this event rejected by our Sawari.

Image courtesy: The Daily Star

Me Too was coined by Tarana Burke, an American social activist and community organizer, Me Too movement has created quite uproar recently. There have been many heart-wrenching stories which have been brought forth via this movement.  This hash-tag has elicited many controversies as well. The controversies I believe have led people astray from the real issue. Men and women from all walks of life face sexual harassment, women more so than men.

What is Me Too?

For those who aren’t aware of this movement, Me Too movement is the fight against sexual harassment and sexual assault, it was started to bring attention and highlight this important and taboo topic.  This movement is in support of the survivors of sexual harassment for the survivors.

Importance of Me Too campaign

It’s 2018, and we’re still hesitant to talk and discuss about global issues like sexual harassment and sexual assault. In our society people are quick to shy away from such topics. What this movement has done is opened dialogue and raised awareness that from the beginning of time till today girls and boys have been a victim. I see people making light of the whole movement and commenting such bullshit from their ignorant minds and privileged life. This movement has given a voice and platform to all the survivors and no one should curb it. Because the bitter truth is that even today it exists, it is happening all around us, women especially have been facing it at all levels.

The survivors shouldn’t be made to feel they’re responsible for it, why feel guilty or shameful for something you didn’t ask for? This movement has empowered all the survivors and is also educating the masses that it can happen to anyone, anywhere!

Statements that need to stop!

• Why didn’t he/she take an action when it happened?

Firstly, it is very hard for someone to speak up about any kind of sexual harassment. The society is to blame for this. Such crude statements are one of the reasons why survivors are afraid to speak up and have to live with the baggage when it’s not even their fault!

Secondly, sometimes the victim does not even register what has happened with him/her until it’s done. They get shocked and their body gets stunned. Thus, they go into the state of confusion “Did this really happen or is it just in my head?”

• Oh she/he is saying this to garner attention

Out of all the nonsensical statements out there this one really boggles my mind, because in this age of social media, there are tons and tons of ways to get “attention” #Metoo just isn’t one. The person who speaks up faces a lot of criticism and backlash from people all around and even from their own families. People start questioning them and their character. Saying #Metoo takes a lot of guts and no way can it be a source of attention. Hats off to all the survivors who have the spine to hold their own against all, have battled their way through the traumatizing experience and now are a beacon light for other survivors.

• She asked for it!

Now this one is real funny because sexual harassment is totally justified if you’re wearing anything against society’s definition of decency, right? Just blame it on the clothes instead of dealing with the issue, easy peazy! A reality check for such people: even burkha clad women get harassed! What does society has to say to them? Stop existing?! Even boys get sexually harassed, what do you say to that? Or for that matter even small kids and students. Just because a girl dresses a certain way that does not give anyone the right to harass her in any way.

I’ve only stated a few but you’ll be surprised that there are more nasty comments where these came from.

Credit: Debanjan Chowdhury

Change we need to bring about

We need to change the way we’ve been dealing with it. We need to stop blaming and shaming the victims. Instead of restricting girls, we should educate men in our society that there is a line that is not to be crossed, and if they do cross it then there will be severe repercussions.

Harassment of any kind shouldn’t be encouraged, ignored or excused.

By not talking about it, by hushing the voices of the girls who’ve been through it you’re not helping them. In fact you’re enabling the harasser, because he knows, nothing will happen. Even if the girl does speak up, people will ask for proof and no one will believe her! As a result of this we are just creating an unsafe environment for the next generation.

The next time you see someone talk about it trust and help them. If it ever happens to you, God forbid, then do not hesitate to raise your voice against it because this is a real threat that needs to end!

My aim to write this was to enlighten people, broaden their perspective and make them more empathetic towards other’s grief. #Metoo is there for a reason, so talk about it because that is one step forward towards the solution.

Come out of your sheltered mentality, make use of the privileged life that you’ve been blessed with and unite to help others. If you can’t relate doesn’t mean the problem does not exist! Don’t be a hate monger and spread positivity. It definitely goes a long way!

Share your thoughts and views about it in the comments below

Peace out!