Karachi , General info:
8/10

Karachi is the main financial and industrial hub in Pakistan, a country with a GDP greater than Norway and Denmark combined. Karachi contributes nearly 70% of Pakistan's $420 billion GDP (source: CIA World Facts Book). Karachi's sea ports (Karachi main and Port Qasim) handle nearly 100% of Pakistan's international trade. The city's attractions include its mild weather, and its open space inland. Karachi International Airport has historically been a hub for international airlines, though recently it has lost its luster to Dubai and Mumbai.

Karachi's industries include automobile plants (Toyota, Suzuki, Nissan and local auto and auto parts manufacturers), textiles, steel, oil refineries, chemical and fertilizer, food processing, space launch systems (Sonmiani Beach), and nuclear power.

Karachi' tourist attractions include its white sand beaches, moonlight crab fishing, and its sea dolphins, fine Pakistani cuisine mostly focused around goat meat, beef, chicken, and fish.

Karachi , Cheap stuff:
7/10

Karachi has been found to be the least expensive and the most cost-efficient city of the world in terms of hotel rates for its Sheraton, Marriott, Holiday Inn, Avari (ex Hilton) and Pearl Continental (ex Intercontinental) hotels. Average room costs under $150 per night at these hotels. The finest 7-course dinner at one of the most expensive restaurants will cost under $20, while a good meal in a medium restaurant will be under $8.

The city has recently become a dumping ground of inexpensive Chinese products, thus totally annihilating local manufacture of same products. The Chinese products, however, are available at prices much lower than anywhere else in the world. A 1.0 GB USB flash memory is available for under $5.

Pizza Hut ($6 for a 10-inch pizza with five toppings), McDonalds ($1.20for a full meal), and Kentucky Fried Chicken ($1.50 for a 12-piece all white meat pack) are some of the American brands with outlets across the entire city. But watch for the toppings and add-ons --- they all have some local flavoring also available.

Karachi , Different stuff:
8/10

The spped at which the city moves beats any big city.

Karachi , Don't miss:
10/10

Don't miss grilled food, lassi (yougurt drink), and

Beaches, moonlight crab fishing and dolphin dance at the beach.

Karachi , Food:
10/10

Siekh kabab, Chicken tikka, Beef tikka, Fish (fried and tikka) and Biryani. Be sure to eat it with tandoori naan.

Drinks include lassi (yoghurt drink), roohe afzaa (watermelon extract with vanilla and natural sweeteners), mango lassi, mango and orange (kinnoo) juices.

Local ice creameries are full of faluda (icecream with rose syrup and spaghetti in milk) and pistachio ice cream on a stick.

Karachi , Hotels:
8/10

Taj Mahal, Avari, Mehran, Pearl Continental, Marriott, Sheraton, Holiday Inn, Meridien, and over 500 other hotels

Karachi , Safety:
5/10

As in all large cities, Karachi has a high crime rate, though the murders rate in Karachi is still above half that in New York, and on a per capita basis, it is as low as that of San Francisco. Be sure to -not- carry any valuables with you, or a large sum of cash or expensive cameras and jewelery, unless you are with a group. Carjacking and cellphone jacking are favorite hobbies of local criminals.

Keeping a low profile, regardless of where you are, is always a wise choice. Showing off cell phones, cameras, and jewellery, and carrying a lot of hard cash is not a good idea. Travel with those Pakistanis who have been to other parts of the world and make good friends. This might help in addressing safety issues. People, in general, are quite progressive, hospitable, and hard working.

Oakland , General info:
9/10

Oakland is the eighth-largest city in the U.S. state of California and the county seat of Alameda County. Oakland is located in Northern California in the San Francisco Bay Area, the Combined statistical area#Largest CSAs-twelveth-most-populous metropolitan area in the United States. Based on 2006 statistical data, Oakland is the 44th-largest city in the United States.

Rand McNally named Oakland as having the best weather in the United States.

Oakland is a major West Coast port, and is home to several major corporations including Kaiser Permanente and Clorox, as well as corporate headquarters for nationwide businesses like Dreyer's and Cost Plus World Markets.

Oakland , Cheap stuff:
8/10

Like any big city...

Oakland , Different stuff:
9/10

Symbols of Oakland’s arrival as a modern 20th century metropolis -- the Beaux Arts-style City hall and Rotunda Building, the Tribune Tower, and the Art Deco-style Financial Center building

Oakland , Don't miss:
8/10

Dunsmuir House, Grand Lake Theatre, Jack London Square, Lake Merritt, Children's Fairyland, Parkway Theatre, Paramount Theatre, Preservation Park, USS Potomac-National Historic Landmark

Oakland , Food:
9/10

Jack's Bistro, Horatio's, Garibaldi's on College, Citron, ...

Oakland , Hotels:
8/10

Clarion Suites Lake Merritt Restaurant & Hotel, Jack London Square Lodging, Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites Oakland Airport, Regency Inn, North Oakland, Executive Inn & Suites Embarcadero Cove, Oakland Marriott

Quality Inn, Imperial Inn, Fairfield Inn by Marriott

Oakland , Safety:
9/10

Not so safe in here ...