Wednesday, February 13, 2013

Pakistani Hospitality in Liberia



This update is brought to you by the Pakistanis.  Because tonight, in Barclayville, I had dinner with the three top personnel at the local Pak Batt (Pakistani Battalion) in Barclayville and the head of the local mission was generous enough, when he heard I didn’t have internet set up yet because the USB stick I have wasn’t working, he offered to let me try his to see if it works better.  Success!  Now I know what I need to get online.  And I owe him a big “thank you”! 

Bigger picture, I learned tonight that the UN decides which countries will be deployed to what regions of the world.  Pakistani was assigned to Liberia.  Ergo the many “Pak Batts” in the country.  The one in Zwedru and Harper have canteens that are officially open to various NGOs (and Peace Corps).  With very tasty Pakistani food. 

I stopped by my local Pak Batt today to say “hello” to those in charge and introduce myself, learn what they do, learn more about the UNMIL helicopters (which pick up/drop off on Tuesday), etc.  In the process, I learned that they have a small canteen and that I was able to eat there for the usual $3/dinner.  One of the personnel invited me this evening, and several hours later, I was learning about the Pakistani mission here (and explaining about Peace Corps) over a tasty meal of chicken soup, chicken and chic peas, and sweet rice.  Yay!  J 

There are many cultures that pride themselves on their hospitality towards strangers.  Georgia, Liberia, and, yes, Pakistan.  An invitation to dinner, the offer to charge electronics, and allowing me to borrow an internet stick for the evening… 

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