All by myself @Mocca Coffee!

Do you ever just go to a restaurant and eat alone?

Be with yourself. Enjoy the food. Stay with your thoughts. Watch the world go by?

If not why not?

I have realized that one of the things I love/d best about travelling abroad and just being able to spend time with myself. Go for a walk, go shopping and stop by at a café and restaurant and eat alone. Free from the pressure of making small talk or socializing while I enjoy an evening and a meal.

I have realized somehow that joy is lost in Pakistan; not only do we not go out to eat alone, we feel sorry for the random girl sitting in the corner eating by herself. I have often had a wait put another plate in front of me, assuming I would be joined by someone because why else would I be dressed up and out on a Sunday afternoon?

I feel the reason behind this is much deeper though; as a society we have become so “collective” in our ways- the “individual” and the space that is occupied around that one person- is not just not respected but not even recognized.

It’s precisely why I love places like Mocca!

With several tables set up with only one seat behind them, or the series of seats that face outside the window; it is perfectly ok for you to go there all by yourself. You go there, check your emails, order a nice meal, get a takeaway sandwich if in a hurry (the egg curry is my favorite) or just watch people (not stare- watch).

This Sunday I went there and did just that. Wore my best shoes, ordered a stuffed chicken meal and had the best time, all by myself!

No- that is not a sorry thought- it’s possibly the happiest one; the most liberating one, if you think about it!

Thank you Mocca (not because this is a collaboration but truly) for allowing me to throw the best lunches for my friends and also allowing me to just be on my own some days.