ahore, the fabled City of Gardens and the Pearl of the Punjab, has been reduced to a concrete jungle. This jungle has its quirks that make it endearing as well as tiresome.

Having spent significant time navigating its streets, trying its diverse cuisines and interacting with its varied populace, I find myself caught between awe and frustration — bewitched by its charms yet wrestling with its complexities.

One of the greatest perks of residing in a metropolitan city like Lahore is the array of cuisines you get to sample. Whether you prefer desi dishes, mouthwatering Pan-Asian delicacies or Western fast food to satiate your hunger, this city has it all. Sampling traditional food in the Walled City or indulging in international fare at trendy cafés in Gulberg or DHA makes for a great pastime. The dhabas (traditional roadside restaurants) are great stops, too, especially if you’re looking for food with a homely feel that is also affordable.

Lahore is also a global kaleidoscope, composed of elements — people — from all parts of the world. I find myself interacting with fascinating individuals, now striking up a conversation with a university student from Nigeria at a restaurant, now meeting tourists from Africa at a shopping mall. Such diverse interactions would be hard to come by in the suburbs.

Having spent significant time navigating its streets, trying its diverse cuisines, and interacting with its varied populace, I find myself caught between awe and frustration — bewitched by its charms yet wrestling with its complexities.

Access to amenities is another privilege. State-of-the-art shopping centres, healthcare facilities and educational institutions can be found in most areas. This is quite a privilege as such facilities aren’t readily available in the country’s rural areas. When they are, their quality often doesn’t compare to that found in Lahore.

Living in a cosmopolitan centre is, in many ways, a miracle. However, things aren’t perfect. When the allure of autumn fades into winter, smog settles upon the city like a wool blanket. No comfortable satin, it makes your skin itch. Annually issued health warnings read “Wear a mask.”

Traffic jams are a Lahori’s worst nightmare. Unfortunately, they are a ubiquitous feature of the daily life. Nothing tests one’s patience and time management skills more than trying to navigate around a rickshaw driver in the fast lane, who’s moving at a snail’s pace. If it’s not a rickshaw blocking your way, it is a herd of cattle. You sweat buckets as you attempt to calmly drive past them to avoid spooking them.

Lahore, however, wouldn’t be Lahore if it weren’t for these stress-inducing situations. Would it? The city is an experience in its own right; that is, if you can manage its challenges. It’s a city where the scent of spices mingles with exhaust fumes, where hospitality shines through, and where each day unfolds with something new to look forward to. You know why they say, “Lahore Lahore Aye.”

The writer is a student