Thursday, January 1, 2009

CULTURE AND FOOD

Culture
Beside millions of Afghan immigrants, the local inhabitants are mainly Pashtuns. Others include Baloch, Brahuis, Hazaras, Punjabis, Hindko, Mohajirs and Sindhis. During the summer season main bazaars are full of people from all over Pakistan. The merchants are mainly Pushtun people. The Hazaras mainly live in Mariabad, Syedabad, Alamdar Road, Brouri/Brewery Road & surrounding areas. Most Hazaras/Changazis immigrated from Afghanistan during the 1880s and 1890's due to persecution by King Abdur Rahman Khan and instability. It is one of the hot spots of Hazara migrants especially for Hazaras of Bamiyan province & its surrounding areas. Quetta tribesmen are known for their friendliness and hospitality. Making visitors comfortable is an integral part of their local traditions. The tribes include Kakar,Daavi Tareen, Bazai, Ghilzai, Mandokhel, Sherani, Looni, Kansi , Syed and Achakzai. The main bazaar on Jinnah Road is full of Pashtun traders, many of them wearing turbans. Hazara traders sitting in their shops with their distinct facial features, Baloch hawkers with red embroidered caps, and full-skirted nomad women carrying bundles of imported cloth for sale.

Eat

SajjiIn the old bazaars one comes across quaint old tea-shops. These are the local "clubs". There are also many popular eating houses offering different types of delicacies. Among the delicacies you must try is Sajji (leg of lamb), which is roasted to a delightful degree of tenderness and is not very spicy. It is a whole leg of lamb deliciously marinated in local herbs and spices and barbecued beside an open fire. It is very popular among the locals and is offered with great insistence to the guests. The Pathan tribesmen of the valley also enjoy Landhi (whole lamb) and Khadi Kebab. “Landhi” is a whole lamb which is dried in shade and kept for the winters. "Kebab" shops are very popular, the best being Lal Kebab, Tabaq, Cafe Farah and Cafe Baldia. They serve Pakistani and Continental food. The Chinese restaurant that is one of the oldest in town is CAFE CHINA. Some of the finest mutton in the country is raised around Quetta. It has a delicious smell which can be sampled in the Pulao that most of the eating houses offer.

There is famous Lehri Sajji house and Mir Afzal Karahi at Jinnah Road. The most famous is the Khadi kebab which is just behind the street at Liaquat Bazaar

The Pashtun people are also very famous for their refreshing green tea and Dood Pati shops

Very few places can compete with Quetta valley in having wide range of tasteful fruits, exported to all parts of the country as well as abroad. There you can find plums, peaches, pomegranates, apricots, apples, olives, different types of melon, water-melon, cherries, pistachios, almonds and other dry fruits. Saffron and tulip are also grown and cultivated on a commercial scale. The fruits heaven is Urak, called SAMARISTAN meaning the land of fruits in Persian.

Drink
Being an Islamic country, Alcohol is banned but is available for non Muslims. None of the hotels has bars except for Quetta Serena Hotel.
Quetta is well-known for its Kawa (Green Tea) and Shere Chai also known as Dood Pati Chai. Kawa has a unique flavor, and is usually served sweet, lemon and ginger powder are optional tastmakers.
Sharbat-e-Sandal is a sweet, non-carbonated drink unusually found in markets in summer. It has a good taste and a yellowish-green transparent colour - look out for the black seeds. Served ice cold.
Sleep
CITI HOTEL (CITI HOTEL), AIRPORT ROAD (AIRPORT ROAD TO AFGHANISTAN). checkin: 8 PM; checkout: 11 am. Variety of accommodation for all travelers and tourists. Friendly environment for all guests around the world include European,Australian,Russian,American,Canadian, and middle east. {Please let us know if you want further information or to be guided. E mail me surgulpashtun@hotmail.com 39 US. edit
Budget
Shees Hotel, M.A. Jinnah Road, Tel. 823141, 823015. Centrally located. The rooms are a good value, and the manager will help you with everything and anything.
[edit] Mid-range
Hotel Four Season, Abdul sattar Road Quetta, the Most Famous Hotel in Quetta, phone number: 0092-81-2827496
[edit] Splurge
Quetta Serena Hotel, Tel. 820071, (Fax. 820070). Quetta's four-star hotel. and many more!

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