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.