‘Love at first sight’: American digital nomad finds home in Pakistan’s scenic north

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Updated 01 July 2023
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‘Love at first sight’: American digital nomad finds home in Pakistan’s scenic north

  • Samantha Shea first visited Pakistan in 2019, decided to permanently move to the Hunza valley two years later 
  • The 27-year-old, who also tied the knot in Pakistan, says she was ‘blown away’ by landscapes, hospitality of locals

HUNZA: Samantha Shea, a 27-year-old American digital nomad, had never been outside of the United States while growing up. In 2019, she traveled to more than a dozen countries, including India and Pakistan, but was so captivated by the beauty of the scenic northern Pakistani region of Gilgit-Baltistan (GB) that two years later she made it her home.
The mountainous region is home to five out of 14 world peaks above the height of 8,000 meters, and was listed by Forbes among the ten “coolest places” to visit in 2018.
Born and raised in Connecticut, Shea graduated from the University of Miami and describes herself as a freelance writer, blogger, and budget backpacker. She decided to work as a digital nomad and moved to GB’s Hunza valley in 2021.
In addition to Pakistan, she traveled to 15 other countries in 2019 but says she fell in love with Hunza.
“I really feel like, it was honestly like love at first sight moment with Hunza. I had seen so many [places], I’d done a lot of research, I’d seen videos and photos and I’d read different things about the history and everything [of Hunza],” Shea told Arab News in an exclusive interview last week.
“However, really being here and seeing it for myself was just unbelievable… I come from a place that does not have many [high] mountains. So, I was just fully blown away by the landscapes and everything.”
But the splendor of Hunza’s landscapes was not the only thing that bewitched her.




In this photo, taken on June 15, 2023, Samantha Shea, a US Vlogger, gestures for a photograph during an interview with Arab News at her Pakistani residence in Ali Abad Valley of Hunza district in Gilgit-Baltistan. (AN Photo)

Shea says she was touched by the warmth of the local people and the community-oriented environment in Hunza. The valley is home to the Ismaili community which is famed for its hospitality.
“That (beauty) was just the first thing. The other thing that really just made me fall in love with Hunza [was] just the warmth and welcoming, just the wonderful energy of the people here. The people in Hunza are truly just no other people I’ve come across,” she said.
The digital nomad also married a Pakistani national, Farid Sultan, in 2021 who works in trekking tourism. They met at a local coworking space and now live in the Aliabad area of the valley, which shares its border with western China.
She says she also loves Hunza for being a “very walkable place,” where she could take a stroll in peace:
“Everything is within 10, 15 minutes on foot. So, a lot of things are really just simpler but, in that way, they are more peaceful, and life is a lot more enjoyable I feel, even just the day-to-day routine items.”




This photograph, provided with the courtesy of US Vlogger Samantha Shea, shows Shea and her partner, Fareed Sultan, at Khaltoro Valley of Gilgit-Baltistan in June 2023.

Asked how she has been dealing with the power shortfall and other issues in the region, Shea agreed there had been some inconveniences, particularly the power outages, but said the tranquility that came with being surrounded by the highest peaks in the world and literally living in a bowl of mountains felt like something one could never find in the US.
“And I feel like, maybe people wouldn’t be able to appreciate it if [they] haven’t seen this as well. But for me, having lived in Miami, one of the world’s most well-known international cities, none of the amenities were bringing me as much peace, happiness, and contentment with life as being able to live in a village-type environment as beautiful as Hunza.”
Speaking of her daily routine in Hunza, Shea said she was mostly pursuing her love for writing through freelance gigs. 
“I have always really had a love for writing, and I’ve always been involved in different writing courses and classes and stuff. And these days, my main job per se is I work as a freelancer, and my main wheelhouse is freelance writing. And this includes almost everything related to travel,” she said. 
Aside from writing for other online travel platforms, Shea has her own website as well as a YouTube channel where she documents her experience of living in Hunza.
“And I’m very lucky to be able to work online. Actually, it was really, like, ideal as well, because only recently did Hunza get into the fiber cable Internet.”
Busting myths about Pakistan being an ‘unsafe’ country, Shea said all of Pakistan, particularly Hunza, was much better and she was “more comfortable” here than she was in the US.
“Hunza is more comfortable because it is a very, very safe environment. [In contrast], if you look up the local news anywhere in the US, there’s going to be crazy events happening, you know. any types of crimes and things going on there,” she said.
“There are a ton of shootings that go on in the US that I was very against and find very disturbing. All of Pakistan is much better, but particularly in Hunza, it’s a very, very safe place, so I feel very secure here. I felt safe here when I arrived as a solo female traveler.”


Nancy Ajram lands Times Square billboard

Updated 19 July 2025
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Nancy Ajram lands Times Square billboard

DUBAI: Lebanese superstar Nancy Ajram was featured this week on a Spotify billboard in New York City’s Times Square.

She was named the EQUAL Arabia ambassador for July, coinciding with the release of her new album, “Nancy 11.” EQUAL Arabia is a program that aims to amplify the work of women creators by giving them international recognition.

With a career spanning more than two decades, Ajram is known for hits such as “Ah W Noss,” “Ya Tabtab” and “Badna Nwalee El Jaw.” She has released several chart-topping albums, blending traditional Arabic melodies with modern pop, and has built a wide fan base across the region and internationally.


Elie Saab’s son ties the knot in star-studded Lebanon wedding

Updated 19 July 2025
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Elie Saab’s son ties the knot in star-studded Lebanon wedding

DUBAI: Lebanese designer Elie Saab’s son, Celio Saab, tied the knot this week with Zein Qutami in a lavish, star-studded ceremony in Lebanon.

The Jordanian bride, who is based in Abu Dhabi, wore two custom-made gowns designed by her father-in-law.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by ELIE SAAB (@eliesaabworld)

Her first look was a floor-length, long-sleeved gown featuring a fitted bodice, a full skirt and an extended train. The dress was adorned with intricate silver embroidery and embellishments, paired with a cathedral-length veil and a matching headpiece that echoed the gown’s ornate detailing.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by ELIE SAAB (@eliesaabworld)

For her second look, she donned a champagne-toned gown with a deep V-neckline and vertical metallic embroidery. The design featured a dramatic overskirt and a long, matching veil.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by ELIE SAAB (@eliesaabworld)

The wedding drew a high-profile guest list, with attendees including Nancy Ajram, Nadine Nassib Njeim, Jessica Azar, Karen Wazen, Assi El-Hallani, Balqees Fathi and Hande Ercel.


Saudi Theater and Performing Arts Commission participates in Avignon Festival in France

Updated 19 July 2025
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Saudi Theater and Performing Arts Commission participates in Avignon Festival in France

RIYADH: The Saudi Theater and Performing Arts Commission is taking part in the 79th edition of the prestigious Avignon Festival in France this month. This year’s festival shines a spotlight on the Arabic language, making it a fitting platform for showcasing the richness of Saudi cultural expressions.

The commission’s participation features four traditional performing art forms — Al-Khatwa, Khabiti, Liwa, and the Ardha of Wadi Al-Dawasir — alongside the theatrical production “Tawq.” Through its presence the commission aims to elevate Saudi performing arts while introducing contemporary Saudi theater to international audiences and fostering cultural exchange.

The play “Tawq,” which is directed by Fahad Al-Dossari, boasts a talented cast, including Ahmed Al-Zekrallah, Fatima Al-Jishi, Maryam Hussein, Abdulaziz Al-Zayani, Khaled Al-Huwaidi, and Shahab Al-Shahab. The performance promises to be a highlight of the festival, offering a glimpse into the evolving narrative of Saudi theater.

The play ‘Tawq’ is directed by Fahad Al-Dossari. (Supplied)

Al-Dossari told Arab News: “For me, any theatrical work is an integrated work, meaning that the harmony between all the elements and their quality is what creates this theatrical state, whether at the level of the idea, the directorial vision, the performance, or the scenography. This is what constitutes the strength of the theatrical performance.”

He stressed the significance of participating in the Avignon Festival, describing it as a “window to the world.”

Al-Dossari believes that the language of theater transcends borders, serving as a universal medium for conveying messages, ideas, and cultural narratives, and added: “This is what we seek in this important participation.”

The Star Program has played a vital role in enabling creative individuals in the theater sector to transform their ideas into reality. Al-Dossari noted the diversity of concepts and visions that have emerged, highlighting creativity in all aspects, from decor and costumes to music and acting performances.

He expressed gratitude to the authority for its unwavering commitment to fostering development and creativity within the sector.

As the Saudi Theater and Performing Arts Commission makes a mark at the Avignon Festival, it stands as a testament to the dynamic cultural landscape of Saudi Arabia and its dedication to sharing its artistic heritage with the world.


Huda Beauty supports Palestine with Saint Levant collab

Updated 19 July 2025
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Huda Beauty supports Palestine with Saint Levant collab

DUBAI: Huda Kattan, the US-Iraqi founder of Huda Beauty, this week launched a new collaboration with US-based Palestinian singer Saint Levant to support Palestine.

The partnership introduces a new shade of the brand’s popular Faux Filler Lip Oil, with proceeds going to organizations that support Palestinian agriculture and cultural preservation.

Named “Kalamantina,” the shade references Saint Levant’s song of the same name, released earlier this year. The lip oil also features a clementine scent.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by HUDA BEAUTY (@hudabeauty)

“This is for the homeland,” Kattan wrote on the brand’s Instagram page, alongside orange and Palestinian flag emojis. “In honor of this collaboration, Huda Beauty will make a donation to organizations supporting Palestinian agriculture and cultural preservation.”

Both Kattan and Saint Levant, born Marwan Abdelhamid in Jerusalem, have been hinting at this week’s launch through a series of Instagram posts.

In the clips, they danced to Saint Levant’s track “Kalamantina” and posed together next to a vintage car filled with clementines. In another shot, they held clementines labeled with fruit stickers that read, “Grown by Huda n’ Saint Levant.”

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by HUDA BEAUTY (@hudabeauty)

In the video, the music sensation wore a necklace featuring a map of Palestine, paired with a white tank top and denim jeans.

Meanwhile, Kattan appeared in a white off-the-shoulder lace dress with long, flared sleeves and a fitted silhouette. She completed the look with silver hoop earrings, oversized white sunglasses and a white headscarf, a nostalgic, vintage-inspired ensemble that matched the retro car and clementine-filled set.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by Huda (@huda)

Both Saint Levant and Kattan have been outspoken in their support for Palestine and have used their platforms to raise awareness about the war in Gaza.

Saint Levant, whose mother is French Algerian and father is Palestinian Serbian, performed at the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival in California in 2024. During his set, he addressed the war, saying: “Coachella, my name is Saint Levant and I was born in Jerusalem and raised in Gaza … as I hope all of you are aware, the people of Gaza have been undergoing a brutal, brutal genocide. And the people of Palestine have been undergoing a brutal occupation for the past 75 years.”

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by HUDA BEAUTY (@hudabeauty)

Kattan, meanwhile, has regularly shared footage and updates from Gaza on her social media accounts to amplify awareness. In 2023, she announced a $1 million donation to two humanitarian organizations working in the region: Human Appeal and Doctors Without Borders.


Taste of exile: Beloved Afghan street food disappears from Pakistani cities amid deportation drive

Updated 19 July 2025
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Taste of exile: Beloved Afghan street food disappears from Pakistani cities amid deportation drive

  • Vendors, recipes and memories vanish as nearly a million Afghans forced to leave Pakistan
  • In Islamabad and Karachi, Pakistani customers say flavor are fading and so is a shared culture

ISLAMABAD/KARACHI: In a bustling corner of Islamabad’s F-10 Markaz, the scent of sizzling oil and green chili chutney once signaled the presence of Afghan street food.

Today, the aroma is gone and so are the stalls that created it — the hum of grills and laughter and life.

“There used to be a few [Afghan fries stalls] around my neighborhood and then one morning, they just upped and left,” said Hamza Nofil, 28, who used to daily have the crinkle-cut, ridged, and golden chips, always served with the signature green chutney.

“So, you know, it breaks my heart.”

This combination of photos shows two Afghan-run food stalls in Islamabad. (AN Photo)

The heartbreak is shared by many in Pakistan’s urban centers where those fries, and the people who served them, were part of a larger story — of exile, adaptation and community — that is now vanishing as a result of a sweeping deportation drive targeting Afghan nationals.

Since November 2023, Pakistan has expelled nearly one million Afghans as part of a crackdown on undocumented foreigners. The government has also not renewed Proof of Registration (PoR) cards for 1.4 million Afghan refugees, allowing their legal stay to lapse in June 2024.

While the policy has drawn criticism from rights groups and international powers, it is the quieter losses, of flavor, memory, and a sense of belonging, that now echo through city markets and street corners.

Among the casualties are the street food stalls, modest, smoky kitchens on wheels, where generations of Afghan refugees introduced Pakistanis to flavors from across the border: the fries dunked in secret chutney, paratha-wrapped burgers and mounds of Kabuli Pulao rice heaped with raisins, nuts and slow-cooked beef.

Shahid Ali, 22, a Pakistani vendor in F-10, said he remembered when there were six or seven Afghan fries stalls in the area, as well as those selling Afghan burgers wraps packed with shredded chicken or kebab, slathered with sauces and served in paratha.

“You won’t see any Afghans around here because the government sent them back to Afghanistan,” Ali said.

As Afghan families depart, Pakistani vendors have tried to mimic the recipes but something vital has been lost.

“We are missing them [Afghan food stalls],” said Iqra, 29, a banker who only gave her first name. “I will definitely miss them, especially their green chutney. I loved that.”

“A WORLD IS GOING”

In Karachi’s Al-Asif Square, nicknamed “Small Kabul” for its long-settled Afghan community, the losses are not just culinary. They are existential.

“The craftsmen are going, the shopkeepers are leaving,” said Sayed Abdul Wali, a 27-year-old shopkeeper. “A world is going to Afghanistan.”

This combination of photos shows Afghan dresses in Karachi. (AN Photo)

Abdul Kabir, a Pakistani who sells traditional Afghan naan flatbreads, said demand had plummeted.

“Where once three sacks of flour would be used, now we only use one,” he said. “Even the morning batch is still lying here.”

Anthropologist Saeed Husain warned of cultural erasure, saying more than flavor was being lost. He described Afghan food culture as a form of lived knowledge, passed down from generation to generation, evolving with each retelling.

“All these traditions will be lost,” Husain said. “And then we’ll just have copies, really cheap copies… all of that will be lost too now.”

Afghans began arriving in Pakistan in large numbers after the Soviet invasion of 1979, with successive waves fleeing war, drought, and political instability. In urban Pakistan, cities like Karachi and Islamabad, they became traders, laborers, mechanics, and cooks, helping build the very urban fabric from which they are now being erased.

This combination of photos shows populare Afghan Boti (left) and Kabuli Pulao (right) in Karachi. (AN Photo)

“Pakistan is a country founded in 1947 and made by refugees,” said Dr. Sanaa Alimia, author of Refugee Cities: How Afghans Changed Urban Pakistan.

The professor said Afghans were deeply woven into the economic and cultural fabric of urban centers and played a foundational role in shaping the cities of Pakistan, building homes, laying roads, running businesses — and serving food.

“There are many examples, from agricultural production and farming techniques, to mechanics, to doctors… artists, tandoor wallas, and so much more,” Dr. Alimai said.

But she cautioned against reducing the worth of Afghans to their economic value.

“Human and political rights are about protecting and valuing people irrespective of if they contribute to the economy or not.”

Back in Karachi, Mohsin, a local customer, feared not just the loss of food but of taste, tradition, and togetherness.

“If our Afghan brothers leave,” he said, “then perhaps the taste and flavor will leave too.”