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We survived the first day of Karachi Eat, and while we ate till both dinner and dessert bellies were full, we also learned a bit about how to make the most of the food fest.

And no, we aren't talking about skipping lunch to make room for all the food. Seriously though, all that food...

Here are some tips to keep in mind before you head out for Karachi Eat... don't make the same mistakes we did!

1) Be prepared for a long wait... outside the venue

Yesterday the average wait time to get out seemed to be around 90 minutes, and reports indicate the second day isn't much different.

You'll likely be waiting on the road, so mentally prepare yourself!

2) Dress for comfort

There are occasions for dressing up, and Karachi Eat is not one of them. Sure, look your best but not at the cost of your comfort!

For instance, you might not want to wear those skinny jeans, you'll regret them when you're hitting your seventh stall and finding it difficult to sit down on the grass.

Also, wear shoes that are easy on your feet. There is a lot of walking to do and even if you're confident that you'll be comfortable in your fave high-heels, the grass and uneven terrain will make walking troublesome.

We strongly suggest light, baggy clothes with walking shoes. Keep a jacket on you if you go in the evening.

3) Leave the kids at home

Karachi Eat may be a family event but it's better to leave the children at home for their sake and yours.

Karachi Eat is crowded and can be overwhelming for children.

3) Don't be a wallflower, explore the venue

You'll be tempted to hit the first stall you see the moment you enter Karachi Eat. Don't!

The event is spread out over a huge area and it's better to scope out the best options before deciding what to have. We noticed there was a huge rush at the stalls near the entrance while the ones at the back got no love, and they deserved love!

Do some research before even going to the event to know your options and plan your chow-time. May we suggest looking up our 10 must-haves?

4) Schedule regroupings in advance because your phone WILL be down

You'll want to split up when scanning and ordering, right? Well, it's difficult to get signals at Karachi Eat and the only way to stay in touch is setting a time and place where you all can regroup.

We strongly suggest doing this to avoid losing your companions with a bunch of food going cold in your hands.

5) Hydrate yourself

Amidst all the food and walking, don't forget to have water! It's best to carry some with you because it's surprisingly hard to come by. You'll thank us later.

6) Keep an eye out for the Safeguard man

After all that eating, you'd want to rinse your hands, and while we recommend keeping lots of tissues and hand sanitiser with you, there's also this friendly Safeguard man who will provide you with a jet of water and soap for cleaning up. Brilliant initiative.