The best and worst things about Karachi

If you're thinking about travelling to Karachi, here are a few things to keep in mind.

Five top worst things about Karachi

1. Policemen and security men on every corner holding machine guns.
2. City is always on an edge, waiting for outbreaks of violence...mostly driven by politics.
3. Pollution.
4. Food poisoning - the Karachi version of 'Delhi Belly'.
   
5. Can be a lonely place for westerners because there are so few in the city.

Five top best things about Karachi

1. Warm, welcoming people.
2. Colour...the buses, women...
3. Shopping - I didn't find the prices any cheaper than Thailand, but there are some wonderful shops and markets where you can bargain the prices down.
4. Food - Pakistani people love their food.
5. Very vibrant city which really comes alive in the evening.
   

Karachi is a wonderful and exciting place to visit as a tourist. Sadly, it just isn't safe to be on the tourist route. If you do get a chance to visit, do take it. But you must make sure that you are escorted by one of the locals at all times.

I will go back if I get another chance. but I did find it a very restricting place to live in. This was manageable for a short period of time, but I could not live in that environment for much longer.