I completely agree! At first my family thought I was crazy too. It took a lot of talking and convincing to help them see my point of view. I do have relatives in Karachi but I don’t really consider myself “close” to any of them. You’re right, after the long working hours it’s hard to get out and socialize. I work three 12 hour shifts and it’s hard to do anything after that. Occasions and Muslim holidays come and go and there’s rarely any change in the way people act. Eid doesn’t give the same feeling of liveliness that it did back home.
I’m glad I’m not the only one who thinks this way!!