By Syed Shams Uddin
A Soulful Sojourn to Santa Cruz – 18th May 2025
Setting Out: A Drive Beyond Distance
On the early afternoon of May 19, 2025, beneath the warm embrace of a golden Californian sun and the whisper of a gentle breeze, we set out from Dublin, California. Our destination was the storied coastal town of Santa Cruz—but this was no ordinary trip. It was a journey of transition: from suburb to sea, from motion to stillness, from the familiar to the profoundly felt.
But before the road unfurled its scenic poetry, we paused for a different kind of experience—one of culinary and cultural significance.
A Taste of Home at Bundoo Khan: Subcontinental Flavors in the Heart of America
Just fifteen minutes from downtown Dublin and conveniently located off the freeway, Bundoo Khan welcomed us with the rich promise of home. More than just a restaurant, Bundoo Khan is a vibrant cultural outpost—an establishment bringing the authentic flavors of the Indo-Pak subcontinent to American soil.
On arrival, we were greeted by a bustling scene. The restaurant was alive with activity, filled with members of the Indo-Pakistani diaspora exchanging stories, laughter, and warmth over shared meals. Despite the lively crowd, we were fortunate to find a table—a minor miracle that seemed to set the tone for the day.
Bundoo Khan, originally hailing from Lahore, carries with it a culinary legacy that resonates deeply with those who grew up savoring the bold, aromatic dishes of South Asia. The menu offered a medley of traditional fare: fragrant biryani, spicy chicken karahi, smoky kebabs, and soft, buttery naan. As the familiar aromas filled the air, a quiet nostalgia settled over us. It was a moment of reconnection—a comforting interlude where memory and flavor entwined.
In a land of fast food and fusion trends, Bundoo Khan stood apart as an oasis of authenticity. For us, it was more than a lunch stop; it was a meaningful reaffirmation of identity and heritage, served on a sizzling platter.
Through Cityscapes to Scenic Escapes
Nourished and rejuvenated, we resumed our westward journey. Leaving Dublin behind, we passed through Pleasanton, Fremont, and the energetic corridors of San Jose, where the sight of the international airport briefly reminded us of a larger world in motion.
As we neared Los Gatos, the concrete slowly gave way to canopies of green. Turning onto Bear Creek Road, the landscape shifted dramatically. The road twisted and climbed, drawing us deeper into the cool shade of ancient woods. The urban tempo faded into the rhythm of rustling leaves and distant birdcalls.
Into the Heart of the Mountains
The Santa Cruz Mountains welcomed us with a rugged grace. Towering pines, moss-laced boulders, and sparkling creeks flanked our route as we wound through hidden valleys and ridges. The air grew cooler and denser with the scent of forest, awakening a quiet reverence.
We soon passed through Scotts Valley, a serene town tucked in the hills, where the landscape whispered of resilience and time. The stillness was profound—an antidote to the constant noise of city life.
Arrival in Santa Cruz: Between Forest and Sea
As we descended from the mountains, the Pacific Ocean revealed itself—vast, blue, and shimmering like a dream. We had arrived in Santa Cruz, a town perfectly poised between the emerald hush of the redwoods and the endless call of the sea.
A briny breeze carried with it the fragrance of salt, cypress, and eucalyptus. The Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, with its vintage charm, beckoned in the distance, and along West Cliff Drive, the sunset began to tint the ocean with gold. Surfers rode the waves, sea birds floated effortlessly, and everything moved with the unhurried grace of coastal life.
A Sacred Pause: Natural Bridges State Beach
At Natural Bridges State Beach, nature offered a moment of sublime artistry. The famous arched rock formation stood like a sculpture of silence, formed by the patient force of tides and time. Here, the ocean framed by stone became a sacred window—a natural cathedral of light and sea.
This wasn’t just a scenic viewpoint. It was a moment of pause, a breath held in awe, where time seemed to stop and let us absorb the eternal rhythms of the earth.
The Road South—and a Lingering Longing
Our journey continued south along Highway 1, revealing lush green views of Pasatiempo’s golf courses and the wild drama of Panther Beach, where the waves collided with rock in a roaring symphony.
Yet, Santa Cruz had already left its imprint. It wasn't just a location—it was a state of soul. A place where simplicity, freedom, and quiet grandeur coexisted.
Reflections: More Than a Road Trip
As the day melted into twilight and the Pacific swallowed the last of the sun, our experience found its form—not as a mere outing, but as a soulful passage. The winding roads, towering trees, ocean hymns, and even the spice-laden comfort of Bundoo Khan had woven together a tapestry of memory.
✨ “Some places are visited, others are felt. Santa Cruz was both.”
And as we returned to Dublin, we were reminded that journeys are not always measured in miles, but in moments—especially those that nourish both body and spirit.
A window to Northern Areas-I, The Muslim dated July 4, 1997. By Syed Shamsuddin Most of our people even today seem quite oblivious of the geo-political position of Northern Areas while the exact historical background concerning Gilgit-Baltistan and where these must stand politically remains yet another subject of discussion. Not to speak of a layman, a person of the stature of Chief Executive of the country, once inquired whether the Northern Areas an integral part of the north west frontier province (NWFP). This happened when he rule the country in the aftermath of martial law. Yet another minister on Kashmir and Northern Areas, during the democratic government that followed, was pleased to tell a member of the northern areas council that he owed his minisitership not to them (Northern Areas people) but to the turbaned man of his constituency, standing at the door of his official chambers. There is infact, dearth of substantial historical evidence as to when exactly man ...
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