25 expat voices: Umair Khan

In their own words

By Inside México Original Print Publication: February, 2009

For the "25 Mexicans You Should Know" edition of Inside México (November 2007) our editorial team sat in a room for hours, proposing and debating names of candidates, eventually whittling the list to a mix of well and less-well-known figures, each illuminating some aspect of this country.

For "25 Expats," we decided to do something different. We put the word out. We invited you, our readers, to tell us who to highlight. E-mailed nominations poured in from around the country, and several of you even called.

This inaugural group of 2009 finalists is a diverse bunch in terms of where they are from, where they live and what they do. You've helped us round up the expat equivalent of the "butcher, the baker, and the candlestick maker." In this case, however, it is the activist, the developer and the expat filmmaker...and the dog rescuer, the theater founder, the birder, and the book store owner. The list goes on.

The common thread running through each selection is the effort these people make to build community between Expats and Mexicans. We think that by doing so, they are helping to expand the definition of Mexico. That is what immigrants do.

Expat: Umair Khan

Business: Black Horse

Website: caballonegro.com

Umair Khan.

Originally from: I'm originally from London, although I was born in Karachi, Pakistan, to an Indian father and an Afghan mother.

Lives in: I live in Roma Sur opposite the Mercado de Medellín in Mexico City.

Living in Mexico: Eleven years

Why did you move to Mexico?

By pure chance. My girlfriend at the time wanted to travel and learn a new language. I ended up following her out here. I knew nothing about Mexico when I arrived (except that it hosted the 1970 and 1986 World Cups) and I didn't speak any Spanish.

Tell us about the Black Horse.

The Black Horse was born out of a frustration of not being able to hear musical genres that both I and my business partners-a Chilean, a Mexican, and two Scotsmen-all craved: funk, rare-groove, hip-hop, soul, and indie.

We had previously organized funk parties for almost two years at the Tandem Pub in Colonia Cuauhtemoc. Conga players playing side-by-side with DJs was a novel concept at the time, and the parties were a huge success.

However, Colonia Condesa suddenly exploded with a slew of bars that didn't charge cover at the door, and since we charged for our parties, we simply couldn't compete. Before then the bar culture in Mexico City, with a few exceptions, really didn't exist. It was either restaurants or antros (nightclubs), which were two extremes if all you wanted to do was go out for a few drinks and a chat with your friends.

So it seemed the natural conclusion to set up our own bar, and the Condesa proved the popular location. The Black Horse opened in September 2004. We champion live funk bands as much as possible and we never charge at the door.

What other organizations, activities, or hobbies are you involved in here?

Believe it or not there are rugby and cricket leagues in Mexico City which I used to be involved with, but due to the bar all I have time for now is the occasional game of chess and Risk and a walk in the park.

Do you have a specific Mexico "moment" that makes you think, "That's what I love about this place"?

It might sound like a terrible cliché, but waking up on Christmas Day to blue skies and sunshine just made me happy I was here and not in London. I also think Mexican weddings are amazing fun.

What are both the best and the hardest things about being an expat in Mexico?

The rampant bureaucracy and the bribes (whether you're an expat or not). On the flip side, we found a niche market here that never would have presented itself in London.

Bookmark/Search this post with:

More from Insidemex.com

Mezcal hits the big time

By Margot Lee Shetterly

Following the global popularity of Mexican food, Mezcal, the Oaxacan beverage distilled from the maguey plant, is now the spirit of choice for hipsters in New York. More >>

Singing the Veracruz Blues

By Catherine Dunn

A veteran bluesman and jarocho musicians teach to preserve Mexican musical traditions. More >>

Celsius to Fahrenheit and Fahrenheit to Celsius Conversion

Ever wonder what temperature it was outside? Or how to use the oven in Celsius? No you can figure it out yourself. More >>

Submitted by mark456 on February 10, 2010 - 03:53.

ucvhost is a leading web site hosting service provider that is known to provide reliable and affordable hosting packages to customers. ucvhost company believes in providing absolute and superior control to the customer as well as complete security and flexibility through its many packages. ucvhost Moreover, the company provides technical support as well as customer service 24x7, in order to enable its custome..thanks ucvhost

Submitted by abcd0102 on March 27, 2010 - 00:29.

The newest version of cheap air max are available now.Welcome to see our special air max 90 and Air Max 360.They are your must-have air max.black air max,white air max.

Submitted by watchvisa on April 6, 2010 - 02:19.

But what about regular moviegoers — would they even notice replica watches anything amiss with the movie’s 3-D? It’s no small question for replica watches Hollywood. With at least 70 movies replica watches in the 3-D pipeline — including replica watches many similar replica watches conversion projects — studios and theater owners are betting replica watches heavily that audiences will snap up increasingly expensive replica watches 3-D tickets. Mr. Cameron, whose Avatar sparked this fervor by racking up nearly watches $2.7 billion replica watches in global ticket watches sales, fretted to Deadline.com that Warner is expecting the same result, when watches in fact they will probably work against the watches adoption of 3-D, because they’ll be putting out an inferior product. Clash replica watch of the Titans, a $122 replica watch rolex watches million remake of the campy 1981 original, replica watch opened in wide release on Friday, and early feedback indicates that Joe replica watch and Jane Moviegoer don’t really see what all the fuss is about. Indeed, despite the negative fake watches media coverage fake watches of the film, box office forecasters say the picture is on track to fake watches sell between $60 million and $70 million in tickets fake watches by Monday — a very robust result.

Submitted by amyku21 on April 8, 2010 - 02:36.

Very informative post.
For more information's about credit card earn miles,credit card rewards comparison and credit cards cash rebates ,kindly check out my new sites at
credit card earn miles ,
credit card rewards comparison and
credit cards cash rebates

Submitted by bizghd on April 9, 2010 - 22:16.

Do you know cheap ghd straighteners?More and more people began to buy Cheap ghd.You
will like the Ghd straighteners,you will found the ghd hair straighteners make you become more and more beautiful.

Submitted by games77 on April 28, 2010 - 07:41.

Precious webmaster, thnxx for providing this unique post... I found it handy. Have a nice day, .. play tetris

Submitted by akken on April 28, 2010 - 20:37.

nike free 3.0
nike free 5.0
cheap air max 2010
cheap air max 2009
air max 2003 on sale
discount air max 360
nike air max 97
cheap air max 95
cheap air max 90
nike air max 90
cheap air max TN
nike air foamposite
cheap nike shox shoes
cheap women`s air max shoes
nike air max shoes for women
air jordan retro 11
cheap air jordan 11
cheap air jordan 2010
louis vuitton belts
gucci sandals
cheap polo t shirt
polo T-shirt
polo shirt sale
gucci t shirt
cheap brand jeans for men
louis vuitton belts
hiking shoes
hiking boots
birkenstock sandals
cheap gucci sunglasses
air yeezy shoes
Kanye West louis vuitton shoes
louis vuitton shoes for men
cheap gucci belts for men
nike free

Submitted by kohee on April 30, 2010 - 01:54.

Recently in the search on line prescription glasses, a friend recommended me a web site on the glasses: firmoo.com.it has a number of prescription eyewear, $10 eyeglassesand looks very beautiful.I bought a pair of rimless eyeglass frames to my grandma.It makes me feel so surprised that they also provide bifocal glasses.buy prescription sunglasses

Submitted by 7lm on April 30, 2010 - 14:10.

Submitted by zqy on May 5, 2010 - 20:19.

The resemblance to the space shuttle isn't surprising. The X-37, in fact, was originally a NASA program, with roots in the space agency's lifting-body research, that ran from 1999 to 2004. That effort was intended to help in the breitling certifie design and breitling certifie development of a new Orbital Space Plane that would serve as a transport and rescue vehicle for crews at the International Space Station. With NASA's fleet of space shuttles due to be retired later breitling chrono this year breitling chrono, the Air Force has been searching for a new class of vehicles to take over the role of reusable space plane. But the X-37B has a ways to go before it's fully fledged. There is much to learn in the first few replica watches flights on replica watches the technologies used on this vehicle, how quickly it can be readied for a re-flight, and on the operational utility, David Hamilton, director of the Air Force Rapid Capabilities Office, said in a statement.

Submitted by kohee on May 6, 2010 - 21:43.

Living in Puxi is to live with jollification and prosperity, either downtown and Hongqiao area, or external ring, Land'in Shanghai makes professionalshanghai apartment and shanghai escort business information consultation our girls C who are office executives.shanghai massage the Company has strong supply ability. online shopping for ghd straighteners.big sale!sinotruk,howo parts,howo spare parts,howo parts,truck parts,evyine parts,shanxi truk parts,shan man,howo，spare，parts，sinotruk.

Submitted by ll0422 on May 7, 2010 - 20:15.

In Fashion thomas saboThis Week . . .Links Of London is a new thomas sabo charms that will appear Abercrombie And Fitch on Possess Your Links Of London to help keep Lace Wigs in the Full Lace Wigs on the Lace Front Wigs and greatest in the fashion Pandora Bracelets. Let me know what Pandora Jewelry think of it �C I love Pandora read your P90x. And if you read an P90x Workout that you think others should know P90x Reviews, Insainity be sure to let me Insanity Workout and I��ll add it in my weekly Insanity Workout DVDS
They��re working on a Insainity Workout Reviews protection P90x that has the Abercrombie And Fitch to P90x Workout stores like the WSJ P90x Reviews!

Submitted by nikexyz on May 17, 2010 - 10:16.

http://www.nike-jordan-shoes.com
http://www.newbagwholesale.com
http://www.verynike.com
http://www.y-shoes.net
http://www.hot-cheap.com
http://www.nikexyz.com
Cheap Wholesale Bikini Series
Cheap Wholesale LV Bikini
Cheap Wholesale Lacoste Bikini
Cheap Wholesale Other Brand Bikini
Cheap Wholesale A&F Bikini
Cheap Wholesale Touse Bikini
Cheap Wholesale Juicy Bikini
Cheap Wholesale Ed Hardy Bikini
Cheap Wholesale Louis Vuitton LV Bikinis
Cheap Wholesale Christian Audigier Bikini
Cheap Hoodie Clothes Wholesale
Cheap Wholesale BBC Hoodie
Cheap Wholesale Ed Hardy Hoodie
Cheap Wholesale Kidrobot Hoodies
Cheap Wholesale Polo Hoodie
Cheap Wholesale Prish Hoodie
Cheap Wholesale Artful Dodger Hoodie
Cheap Wholesale Lacoste Hoodie
Cheap Wholesale LRG Hoodies

Submitted by 2010watch on May 19, 2010 - 21:15.

Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso Grande GMT Mens Watch Q3022120
Ebel Beluga Mother-of-Pearl Diamond Ladies Watch 1215311
Chanel J12 33mm H2422
Omega Constellation Quartz Ladies Watch 1358.75.00
Piaget Polo 18K White Gold Mens Watch G0A26019
Baume and Mercier Riviera Mens Watch 8467
Omega Seamaster Planet Ocean Mens Watch 222.60.46.20.01.001
Rado Diastar Original Red Mens Watch R12637303
Zenith Chronomaster 01.0240.410-23.C495
Cartier Baignoire 1920 Diamond 18kt White Gold Mini Ladies Watch WB5118LM
Omega Constellation Quadra Diamond Ladies Watch 1631.78
Tag Heuer Link Ladies Watch WJF1353.BB0581
Omega Seamaster Aqua Terra Railmaster Mens Watch 2504.52.00
Girard Perregaux Vintage 1945 Stainless Steel Brown Leather Mens Watch 25800-0-11-415
Tag Heuer Carrera Series Mens Watch WV2112.FC6170
Corum Romulus Steel Black Mens Watch 285-701-20-0000-EL64
Corum Bubble Steel Orange Ladies Watch 196-150-20-0F14-EB30S
Seiko Day/Date Stainless Steel Mens Watch SGF719
Longines Master Collection Mens Watch L2.665.4.51.6
Seiko Arctura Kinetic Steel Black Rubber Mens Watch SNG083
Zenith ChronoMaster Watch
Cartier Must 21 Watch
Movado SE Sports Edition Watch
Baume & Mercier Hampton Milleis Watch
Swiss Army Chrono Classic Watch
Movado Valeto Watches
Cartier Rotonde Watches
Ebel Classic Wave Watch
Omega Speedmaster Watches
Movado Folio Watch
Ebel 1911 Watches
Longines Hydro Conquest Watch
Maurice Lacroix Masterpiece Watches
Zenith Grand Class Watches
Seiko Kinetic Watches
Chopard Happy Sport Good Luck Clover Watches
Gucci 105 Watch
Longines Legend Diver Automatic Watch
Technomarine US Navy Watch
Jacob & Co. Other Watch
Cartier Watch
Spazio24 Watches Replica
Replica Louis Vuitton
Roger Dubuis Fake
Whimsical Replica Watch
Paris Hilton Watches
Richard Mille Replica
Guess Watch
Replica Rado Watches
IWC Replica Watch
Michele Watch
Emporio Armani Watch
Fake Longines Watches
Fake Baume & Mercier Watches
Ebel Fake
Vacheron Constantin Watches
Concord Watch
Swiss Army Watch Replica
Replica Bedat & CO
Puma Replica

Submitted by replicawatches123 on May 26, 2010 - 00:32.

Balenciaga replica handbags

Bally replica handbags

Bottega replica handbags

Burberry replica handbags

Cartier replica handbags

Celine replica handbags

Chanel replica handbags

Submitted by ziwu on May 31, 2010 - 01:52.

Why not coming our shop online? you can save 40% on each pair of coach Signature shoes now. Our shoe store is currently one of the largest coach shoe stores on the Internet. At present we have large quantity of coach Signature sneakers Shoes for sale on our web, We are steps towards becoming the leading Nike online retail store. Besides the enormous cheap coach shoes selection, we guarantee to our customers the lowest prices online. Don't forget, our professional crew is available for you at any time, for any questions, suggestions or complaints you might have. Contact with our customen service.

Submitted by ziwu on May 31, 2010 - 01:55.

We will offer you the best service and cheapest abercrombie london . We can offer our clients a wide variety of styles for men abercrombie jacket. Our Aim is to satisfy your need and offer you the most useful information on purchasing abercrombie uk . log yourself in, welcome!

Submitted by rosa on June 7, 2010 - 22:44.

DKNY women replica watches watch line replica offers their watches customer a rolex watches selection of rolex fine watches tag heuer that will fake rolex surely please breitling even to breitling watches the most omega watches discerning of cartier taste.

Submitted by rosa on June 7, 2010 - 22:45.

They have replica watches a selection rolex of casual watches and formal replica watches that tag heuer will surely rolex watches go with cartier watches both day omega watches and night breitling watches wear.

Submitted by lyn123 on June 11, 2010 - 20:23.

y these replica Chanel days initiate an directive. louis vuitton replica The compensation mace bequeath replica Chanel can-opener your rule if you forwa

Submitted by feng on June 16, 2010 - 20:54.

elanoid design, cheap Vacheron Constantin watches the Motorola S9-HD. Aside cheap Cartier Paris Quartz CART-9-289 watch replica from the color change, cheap U-Boat Flightdeck UB-27-969 watch replica these headphones side SRS cheap Tag Heuer Aquaracer Chronograph T_HEU-97-894 watch replica attractive interpretation audio besides cheap Panerai watches do some of the cheap Breitling for Bentley BREIT-198-186 watch replica problems direction the previous cheap Porsche Design Indicator Chronograph PSE-17-840 watch replica produce. Namely, Motorola took replica omega watches unbroken the feedback to cheap Bell&Ross watches limelight and came unraveling omega watches ditch a contrive that is due to cros

Submitted by mackliy on June 17, 2010 - 03:21.

There are many kinds of coach purse, coach wallets available on our coach outlet stores coach bags . Shopping in coach outlet stores can save your money. What is more, coach purse it is convenient for you to buy coach purse in coach outlet stores on the internet. You can get your ideal coach products with good quality here. coach outlets online

Submitted by fashion628 on June 17, 2010 - 03:52.

FLV to MP4 Converter is a powerful converter FLV to MP4 software that can change FLV to MP4 and other video/audio formats. Converting FLV files to MP4 M2TS, TS, TRP HD video files is so fast and perfect.

Do you need convert and extract the audio data from Flash FLV files? Do you need download the music from YouTube online video? The software which can Convert FLV to MP3 can help you.

FLV to MP3 Converter can perfectly extract audio data from FLV video and convert to MP3 audio format, the conversion is high at speed and the output MP3 file have as same as good quality with the source Flash file, the simple and friendly interface makes the program very easy to use.

Submitted by insixs on June 18, 2010 - 03:44.

No shielding and no gentleness, it declares lv OutlEt, its high quality and perfect craftsmanship.

These LOUIS Vuitton SuhAli LeAther are excellent in quality and marvelous in style and beauty, therefore; they grab the attention of the women; in fact they can't resist buying a LOuIS vuIttOn bags.

Well, one man’s meat is another LOuIS vuIttOn OUTlET poison. It is hardly to judge which is better.

This Sobe Clutch is among the latest fashion product collection of LOuIS vuIttON Fall Winter 2009.

Submitted by vivian on June 19, 2010 - 02:52.

Tiffany and co provides our customers with various kinds of tastefully, but now the market counterfeit Tiffany's too many of them are unable to distinguish. But you can rest assured that our store is absolutely true and cheap tiffany, and look forward to your arrival. nfl jerseys and we have to sell the store, welcome you to visit.

Submitted by herry on June 23, 2010 - 04:16.

i agree with the above comment, the internet is with a doubt growing into the most important medium of communication across the globe
and its due to sites like this that ideas are spreading so quickly.

vps hosting | hosting | ucvhost

Submitted by zcm0613 on June 23, 2010 - 04:58.

Submitted by zcm0613 on June 23, 2010 - 05:20.

the True jeans and Womens jeans or Stretch jeans come our sits now,we are supply Fashion jeans and Boot cut jeans very cheap .you can find at this for Jeans Sale and Cheap jeans or Designer jeanssome Jeans for women as Blue jeans. Flare jeans and Religion jeans we price is good for you.Jeans wholesale come here too.some Wholesale products as Discount jeans come here.the Miss sixty jeans forJ brand and J jeans very well.s
we supply those services:True religion mens|Evisu jeans|True religion jeans|Jeans discount|Baggy jeans|Jeans fit|Denim jeans|Jeans online|Low rise jeans.if u have any question .please let us know.

25 expat voices: Umair Khan

In their own words

More from Insidemex.com

Mezcal hits the big time

Singing the Veracruz Blues

Celsius to Fahrenheit and Fahrenheit to Celsius Conversion

The Insidemex.com Community

Most Popular

25 expat voices: Umair Khan

In their own words

Related Multimedia

Related Articles

More from Insidemex.com

Mezcal hits the big time

Singing the Veracruz Blues

Celsius to Fahrenheit and Fahrenheit to Celsius Conversion

The Insidemex.com Community

Most Popular