KARACHI 1954

My parents and I arrived in Karachi, at the end of December 1953, with the MS BATORY, a luxury ocean liner of the Polish Merchant Marine, which was then on the India line, after a wonderful voyage.  There to meet us were our dear friends, Cleo and George Issigonis, Fanny and Nikos Maratos, Nora and Doelf Widmer and Aleco Cocalis, after an extremely eventful home leave.

The next day I went to the Belgian Embassy where I worked as a junior secretary, since 1952.  It was wonderful to see my colleagues again, also the Ambassador Mr Vanderstickelen and his charming wife and the Secretary, Mr Andre Sellier.  It was fascinating to work in an embassy, as we were informed, daily, of the political, economic, cultural and social events of the country including the opinions and comments of experts and connoisseurs.  Events and "gossip" we lavishly offered to us on a plate!

In an older post, "KARACHI AGAIN", I had mentioned that the population in the city was bulging to millions, mainly due to the refugees.  The city was growing monstrously, in all directions due to the orgy of construction that was taking place, and it concludes: "But fortunately Karachi is still adorned with beautiful parks and traditional old buildings".  Let me give a few more details of these wonderful constructions.  During the 19th and early 20th centuries, the British adorned Karachi with the "essence of the Raj" i.e. beautiful parks and buildings in Classical, Victorian ad even Veneto-Gothic Architecture, that are now considered National Heritage Monuments.

Frier Hall

Sind  Club

Holy Trinity Church

Empress Bazaar

Hilal Park Karachi

Besides being the country's economic hub, Karachi was slowly becoming a cosmopolitan and entertainment centre.  Gourmet restaurants and night clubs were opening, to cope with the growing number of residents and tourists.  There were numerous bars and a very good racecourse and the finest golden beaches on the Arabian Sea.

Hawk's Bay Beach

Being the capital of a new country, Karachi's social life was very intense.   Receptions and dinner parties and dances were taking place in hotels, embassies and private homes and they were everyday events. Also, many charity balls, galas and bazaars were organised in aid of the refugees, the homeless and the sick and poor.

I started going out with Aleco Cocalis on a daily basis.  He proposed to me of New Year's Eve and I accepted.  We were married at the Holy Trinity Church on the 8th June 1954 and we literally, lived happily ever after.

We moved to one of the office flats that were provided for us by Ralli Brothers, the company for which Aleco worked.  It had a huge terrace with a wonderful view, that acquired a magical ambience, after sunset, due to the starlit sky and the bright city lights. 

Starlit Sky

The Bright City Lights

We rented and shared a hut with our friends Nora and Doelf Widmer, in Hawk's Bay, one of the lovely sandy beaches near Karachi.  So we spent the weekends there, swimming and resting by the sea.  It was a lovely period of our life, we felt happy and very much in love.

It was almost ten years since World War II had ended, and even younger couples could afford to entertain in a slightly more extravagant way.  The conventional grapefruit was no longer in fashion.   Appetizers like prawn cocktails, souffles, crepes and quiches were in to stay.    I was extremely lucky because my mother gave me her cook when I got married.  Hussein was a marvel.  He could prepare the most fabulous Greek, French and English dishes and desserts.  I shall never forget the intricate caramel baskets he used to prepare filled with luscious tropical fruit salads or ice cream. 

Moussaka

Duck a l' Orange

Christmas Pudding

Caramel Basket Filled with Fruit and Ice Cream