Hello Friends, 

Welcome to this week’s Friday Five Hundred that is being shipped to you late on the weekend from Lahore, which is Pakistan’s cultural and historical hub. There’s a famous Punjabi saying that says, “Lahore is Lahore. The one who hasn’t seen Lahore hasn’t been born!” So far it seems the people of Lahore live like they have nothing to lose. This spirit can be seen through the city hustling and bustling late into the night and through the dare devil driving where traffic lights and rules seem to be optional. 😬

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One constant throughout the different cities of Pakistan is the caring and warm hospitality of the people. This warmth is often extended through a hot cup of chai. I have been enjoying chai every single day since I have been here. The most delicious chai I have tasted so far is one that is brewed in a clay pot. The container makes a big difference in the development of the taste. The chai maker also contributes to the taste by his/her intention in creating an experience for the chai drinker. I would love for you to enjoy a cup of warm chai this week. 

Although I can’t make chai and send it to you across the ethers (wouldn’t it be great when this becomes possible?), I’m sending you the next best thing, an illustrated recipe card of Chai. 

This recipe card was born out of a collaboration with an Artist from UAE named Shehla Sanam. I wanted recipe cards for the three recipes I shared in my book, Chai Chats: Personal Essays to Fill Your Cup. If you’ve read the book, send me an email and it would be my pleasure to send you the beautiful recipe cards. 

Chai Chats has been out in the world for a year now. Aside from the recipe cards collaboration, I’ve had wonderful moments of connection through the help of this book. It has helped me deepen my current relationships with my creative friends, my sister-in-laws, and my nephew to name just a few. 

When I wrote and published the book, I had doubts about who would want to read it. A year later, I am pleasantly surprised and I am reminded on why I seek to write and to create. It’s to make a connection in a world that appears to be divided. This may be a core reason why many of us create. Even when there is chaos in the world, keep on creating my friends. Your creations help others feel seen and heard. It makes them feel less alone. We are reminded through brave and beautiful creative works that we can choose to share each other’s burdens and we can choose to lift each other up. We are a community and we are one. Make Art, Not War. Make Chai, Not War! 

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Thank you for reading and responding back. It feels great when I receive an email from you. 

If you liked this week's story, I'd love it if you could share it with a friend. Thank you for your continued love and support.  

With love and gratitude, 

Sana Fayyaz

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