Pakistani Charades
I landed in Karachi with a full bag of scotch whiskey, as instructed by my host, an army general known for treating his officers well. We greeted, we did the required double-bow, and then I made a big mistake. I opened my bag, displaying the lovely scotch plaid of the Johnny Walker bottles.
The entire crowded airport came to instant attention. It was as if, yes, I had openly, right there, lit an opium pipe.
“Quickly.” My general hissed. “Close that bag. Quick step!” he ordered his staff. And we marched out of that airport while all airport staff and baggage handlers averted their eyes in that singularly Pakistani way, eyes raised, unseeing, as if in quick consultation with Allah.
Out on the street in that teeming city, of course, you could spot a heroin drug dealer in the shadows of almost every corner.
The general and his men later, ... Read More...
