The Lost Soul in Singapore

It's almost 1:00 pm in Singapore. One would have expected someone like me to be out for retail therapy. As disappointing as it may sound to my close friends, I have been sitting at Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf (my favourite haunt) since morning, with a half-finished glass of Iced Tea. It's my third day here and it surprises me how homesick I am. From the moment I set foot out of the door to leave for the airport; I have been missing my beautiful city Karachi more than ever. It's my second time in Singapore nad I remember being homesick the first time as well. Now as I sit here trying to force down the Iced Tea for breakfast which has lasted me till lunch time; I feel a wave of melancholy sweep over me. The memory of my city..sigh..with its smoke and dust filled streets, the aroma of delicious local food; the haleem, tikkas, halwa puri, biryani. It's surprising how much I miss these scrumptious dishes even though I never have them back home. I sit here staring outside, watching the passers-by on Orchard Road; with the rest of the family gone for a day of fun; I chose to make use of the wifi at CBTL which is close to my hotel. This is the real me..blocking out the sound around me, making myself believe that there is no one else around me except my solitude. I can do that. I can stay lost in my thoughts in a room full of people. I kept thinking what it is about Singapore that brings out this person in me more than any other place. All I can think of is the lack of character here. That's just my opinion, no one has to agree. I might not dress conservatively or live in a traditional house; but the real me is all about old world charm. I love what Karachi has to offer; a fusion. I like to be somewhere that has the best of both worlds; places with rich history, culture; places that are not just about skyscrapers and retail therapy. I want to go to places that have ruins from the past civilizations, beautiful cathedrals, mosques, grand old structures; places that make me wonder, think.. Places that transport me to another era; with old bridges and charming little areas to explore. I feel that I need to be able to relate to certain things wherever I go; here I can't seem to be able to relate to anything. That's just my perception; but it still amazes me as I'm known to be an adaptable person; yet I can't seem to be able to stop missing my beautiful Karachi when I'm here.. Not much to say here except that I hope I change my expression which these people have been witnessing since I arrived here, from dazed and lost to a more interested and attentive one...