More than anything, I travel to meet people and experience their ways of living and thinking. During the process, you sometimes learn something about yourself as well.
Here in Ethiopia, most people I have interacted with had some ideas about Pakistan.
First they ask about ‘the war’ and if it’s over. Like you’d when you meet someone who was sick the last time you met. I tell them we have peace now, the period of Taliban attacks is over.
Then they ask about India.
“You were one country before, right?”
Yes
“But you guys still have a conflict going on?”
Yes, unfortunately.
“Hasn’t it been many years?”
Yes, over 70 years now…
“Isn’t that too long to be in conflict?”
I have no answer.
One Comment
I know my grandfather is from Kasur in Pakistan and always remembers it fondly. Even though he is from the army he speaks fondly of Pakistan