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November
12, 1999
Hello this
is Doug with Around the World 1999 calling in the journal report for
November 12th.
Today we
met with representatives of the US Consulate in Lahore, Pakistan, in order to solidify our plans
for an armed escort through the country. Actually, Todd and Nick met with
the representatives while Jeff, Earle, and myself played cricket with
some locals. "Consumer King" Jeff Kubo purchased a complete set
of gear in India the day before. We had a lot of fun, but we had to stop
the game after the second time the ball smashed into the side of the Land
Rover. It wasn't our fault; it was one of the local boys wielding the
bat.
Todd and
Nick returned from the meeting with the news that the US Embassy in
Islamabad had had a rocket fired at it from a remote controlled launcher
in a parked vehicle. There were no casualties, but the car that it was
launched from was trashed. All this had gone down about an hour before
Nick and Todd met with the representative of the Consulate. They also
informed us that we would have to spend another night in Lahore because
it would take some time to wrap up the logistical details of our security
contingent. They also recommended that we change hotels, because the one
we were in is kind of a fleabag, but it was kind of cool, straight out of
Casablanca or something.
We all
basically liked the hotel, but Nick wasn't into it because it didn't have
any Internet access. The rooms we were staying in had been reserved for
someone else; we only had them for one night. They showed us some us
alternate rooms and they were in pretty bad shape. We ended up going to a
'pro' hotel just around the corner, the Avanti. It cost a little more,
but it was worth it. Todd ended up meeting with the Pakistani Colonel
that was in charge of our security, the guy that was setting everything
up for us. We would leave for Multan, fully escorted, at zero-dark thirty
(ed. note: I'm guessing that's a military term for way-too-early). They
also, about 8:00 at night, posted three AK-47 toting guards on our floor,
specifically to guard us. That was kind of cool, although it was just
weird.
Jeff and I
also went out that evening and bought some of the local garb, the pajama
looking things (because that's what they look like, exactly). We also
went to a cricket store and Jeff bought another bat, a t-shirt, and a
team Pakistan World Cup cricket hat. For dinner, we all ate at the hotel
restaurant. Actually there were a couple of them, but we chose the
Pakistani one, imagine that? We had a buffet and it was absolutely
bitchin'. Very spicy food, but it was good stuff, and we had some live
music, too. Two guys were playing. One guy was playing a funky recorder
deal, kind of a snake charmer flute type of set-up. The other guy was
just laying down the funky beats on this small drum.
That's it
for November 12th. Again this is Doug with Around the World 1999. We'll
talk to you later. Bye.
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