expensive beers
It’s always the start of these things that’s difficult. My packing methods are becoming more refined (more chaotic but refining none the less), saying “goodbye” to people, getting paper work in order, phone calls, emails, etc. None of which will keep you from forgetting your shower sandals or travel towel.
Ha! I didn’t need them anyway.
As I said in the quick dash of an entry before this one, London was a blast.
I landed with nearly 6 hours of time on my hands before I was going to meet Charlotte so I sorted out my mobile phone situation, exchanged money, which was no less enjoyable than being hammered in the knees with bat, repeatedly. When $200 US gets you £88 you might as well relax because clenching will only make it hurt worse.
I took the train to the British museum, wandered around there for a few hours before headed out to meet Charlotte and then later Douglas. The three of us headed out for dinner and drinks followed by a few more drinks. Charlotte took us to a great Vietnamese place where Doug and I let her order since she had been there several times before and frankly Doug and I both knew that we didn’t care what we ate. It Turns out this was a good idea because the food was great. We talked and caught up before Doug had to head out back to his barracks. Charlotte and I finished out drinks and went home. Of course on the way I found some more food. Nothing like a midnight kebab! Beer and street meat go hand and hand. If someone ever denies that statement, then they are either a lying vegetarian or just lying.
The next day went according to my standard operating procedure in London. Sleep in, eat, shower take my time heading to the airport, take the wrong train, get off on the wrong stop, go back swear a lot, get on the right train but get off at the wrong terminal. Remember the right terminal and just say “F”-it I am walking there.
By the time I checked in there were only middle seats left for my 7.5 hour flight to Islamabad. Good times for all. I mailed an important letter to my brother, went through security (way better than TSA in my opinion) and found myself with just enough time to dash out an email or two and post the first note saying I am alive.
Lucky me the ticket agent was wrong! Full flight my ass! I found an open exit row window seat next to a USAID worker who tolerated my questions and shared her gum with me. Mine was checked in under the plane.
We landed before dawn on the 14th and I cant help but think that this is the only way to land in a foreign country. When it’s that early everything is beautiful. Even Islamabad Airport.
I realized that maybe a third of the plane was western journalists all of whom had proper journo visas…I…ahem…do not. I felt a bit like a liar but hey, until someone dangles a contract at me I don’t have much choice.
After checking in to my room I decided to wander the market area around me, get a sim card for my phone and find an internet connection. I did just that but also made friends with a guy who lived in Manhattan until just after September 11th. “Ifthi” (if-tea) says he had a small cell phone booth like what he has here, in lower Manhattan. He told me in the days after the attack, he was beaten a by a stranger after the guy asked him where he was from.
I told him I was sorry that had happened to him and that the whole country was shocked and scared at that point but he didn’t deserve to be hit. He smiled and said that there are good people everywhere and bad people everywhere. Ifthi said that he loved living in NY but his family is here and he will likely stay here for a long time. We talked about the US and Pakistan for a while before he led me to a friends internet café where I can hook up my laptop and work for a good rate.
Last night I went out to the Marriott hotel here to look for other journalists (hopefully someone needs a shooter) and to sniff out a beer.
Luckily I found the bar and not too long after that a German TV crew who gave me some great ideas for working in Afghanistan!
Tom and Frank were both based out of New Delhi but work the region non-stop. Neither of them particularly likes Pakistan and both swear I wont either once I go to Afghanistan.
We talked about cameras, work, fun, etc drank Heineken tall boys (damn I hate Heineken!) and we all stared at each other when the bill arrived and it was over $125!
At one point there was 5 of us, but 14 beers and two cokes cost more in Islamabad than in Manhattan! Hell one beer cost more than my sim card and 200 minutes of airtime! If I had a 4th beer it would have cost me as much as my hotel room down the road! So naturally I will behave a bit better with the beer next time. But I am thrilled that it only took me a day find beer this time. In 2006 it was nearly 3 weeks and a shouting match with the liquor sales rep in Lahore. This was much easier.
Today I will be heading out to meet up with some folks I met last time I was here and try to sort out where I will be come election day.
I hope you all are well,
D
Ha! I didn’t need them anyway.
As I said in the quick dash of an entry before this one, London was a blast.
I landed with nearly 6 hours of time on my hands before I was going to meet Charlotte so I sorted out my mobile phone situation, exchanged money, which was no less enjoyable than being hammered in the knees with bat, repeatedly. When $200 US gets you £88 you might as well relax because clenching will only make it hurt worse.
I took the train to the British museum, wandered around there for a few hours before headed out to meet Charlotte and then later Douglas. The three of us headed out for dinner and drinks followed by a few more drinks. Charlotte took us to a great Vietnamese place where Doug and I let her order since she had been there several times before and frankly Doug and I both knew that we didn’t care what we ate. It Turns out this was a good idea because the food was great. We talked and caught up before Doug had to head out back to his barracks. Charlotte and I finished out drinks and went home. Of course on the way I found some more food. Nothing like a midnight kebab! Beer and street meat go hand and hand. If someone ever denies that statement, then they are either a lying vegetarian or just lying.
The next day went according to my standard operating procedure in London. Sleep in, eat, shower take my time heading to the airport, take the wrong train, get off on the wrong stop, go back swear a lot, get on the right train but get off at the wrong terminal. Remember the right terminal and just say “F”-it I am walking there.
By the time I checked in there were only middle seats left for my 7.5 hour flight to Islamabad. Good times for all. I mailed an important letter to my brother, went through security (way better than TSA in my opinion) and found myself with just enough time to dash out an email or two and post the first note saying I am alive.
Lucky me the ticket agent was wrong! Full flight my ass! I found an open exit row window seat next to a USAID worker who tolerated my questions and shared her gum with me. Mine was checked in under the plane.
We landed before dawn on the 14th and I cant help but think that this is the only way to land in a foreign country. When it’s that early everything is beautiful. Even Islamabad Airport.
I realized that maybe a third of the plane was western journalists all of whom had proper journo visas…I…ahem…do not. I felt a bit like a liar but hey, until someone dangles a contract at me I don’t have much choice.
After checking in to my room I decided to wander the market area around me, get a sim card for my phone and find an internet connection. I did just that but also made friends with a guy who lived in Manhattan until just after September 11th. “Ifthi” (if-tea) says he had a small cell phone booth like what he has here, in lower Manhattan. He told me in the days after the attack, he was beaten a by a stranger after the guy asked him where he was from.
I told him I was sorry that had happened to him and that the whole country was shocked and scared at that point but he didn’t deserve to be hit. He smiled and said that there are good people everywhere and bad people everywhere. Ifthi said that he loved living in NY but his family is here and he will likely stay here for a long time. We talked about the US and Pakistan for a while before he led me to a friends internet café where I can hook up my laptop and work for a good rate.
Last night I went out to the Marriott hotel here to look for other journalists (hopefully someone needs a shooter) and to sniff out a beer.
Luckily I found the bar and not too long after that a German TV crew who gave me some great ideas for working in Afghanistan!
Tom and Frank were both based out of New Delhi but work the region non-stop. Neither of them particularly likes Pakistan and both swear I wont either once I go to Afghanistan.
We talked about cameras, work, fun, etc drank Heineken tall boys (damn I hate Heineken!) and we all stared at each other when the bill arrived and it was over $125!
At one point there was 5 of us, but 14 beers and two cokes cost more in Islamabad than in Manhattan! Hell one beer cost more than my sim card and 200 minutes of airtime! If I had a 4th beer it would have cost me as much as my hotel room down the road! So naturally I will behave a bit better with the beer next time. But I am thrilled that it only took me a day find beer this time. In 2006 it was nearly 3 weeks and a shouting match with the liquor sales rep in Lahore. This was much easier.
Today I will be heading out to meet up with some folks I met last time I was here and try to sort out where I will be come election day.
I hope you all are well,
D
posted by davidlang at 10:17 PM
4 Comments:
Ah well: it happens that tabs arent as cheap as expected, whether in paris or pakistan. Glad you've arrived well, and that you're making good contacts already. Being there makes the ball roll faster than from across oceans and continents.
Maine remains covered in ice and snow, but all's warm by the woodstove. Take care of yourself.
Heard you were off and running again and we wish you well. We expect to see you in one piece in Nags Head in August. As always we enjoy your writings - take care of you
Aunt Sandy
Cheers. Maybe they need to start making a special compass that points towards the right direction, train, terminal and other useful aims... would surely get that for ya ;) Brooklyn says "hey", be safe, play nice and have fun. besos.
Whats the same thing as.., wait, what does the miss american, wait, dammit. This is funny - hold on - what does the pakistan book of world records and a beer, I mean, Screw it. Just wanted to say have a great trip.
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