all things green & alive

One of the worst things about being part of the "elite class" in a third-world country is that you tend to, despite your good intentions, underestimate the initiative of those who've put you on that pedestal.\I wouldn't say potential, worth or ability, but initiative - it goes along with "exposure," and "mentality." Favourite words of those [myself included] when justifying the difference in life, living conditions and circumstances between "us" and "them."

Therefore I must admit my surprise [and consequent shame thereupon] when I saw a degree of awareness towards the environment and organic, chemical-food at the annual flower show in Karachi on Sunday.

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I was cheered at the thought of, a). just being able to go to things like this now that i'm unemployed and, b). taking pictures and c). satisfying my infantile curiosity and journey into cooking through looking at fresh herbs.

The photo above is such a simple composition, but I love how the mid-tones are not so much darker than the highlights, giving the whole photo a sort of electrified feel. The light even casts that afternoon chiaroscuro on the purple ones in the corner. And, I just love visual variety stretched across a one-dimensional singular plane: a.k.a, a flat shot.

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But coming back to the organic food.



I was really happy when I saw the stall for "Sungold Organic," a family-run business of chemical-free, organic vegetables. With a farm in Malir, they deliver their robust produce to eager city-dwellers, who, like me, are suckers for the hipness of notions like organic. Of course, we must note that MOST of our locally grown produce isn't quite as tainted by chemicals as it is in the slick processing machine of first-world capitalism. That said, I am deeply appreciative of any efforts to make 100% organic food conveniently available here, and this is probably fueled by a the vehement insistence of the doctor towards the cessation of all eating of white, processed flour, and of as much processed foods as is possible.  The stall also housed a very earthily packaged line with things like whole-wheat aata, brown rice, etc.

The Sungold peeps weren't the only ones promoting organic food and cultivation, which was nice. Another stall with what seemed like a bunch of housewives [polite request to temporarily excuse stereotyping and judgement] had eagerly displayed their organically cultivated "kitchen garden" items. Pamphlets with how to keep soil rich and organic were also included. The jar in the photo above is a jar of pickled beetroot, which is part of their bottled line. I bought a rich, aromatic strawberry preserve, as well as lip-smackingly sour pickle accompaniment (a.k.a, achaar) made with tomatoes, red chillies, and much more.

Yum.

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