Visit to Khewra salt mines - or why Pakistan tourism ministry are clueless

OK. Went for a road trip to the Khewra salt mines last year. My colleague suggested going, and I asked how far, and he said "o, maybe 2 hours, tops". Ok sounds great. Largest working salt mine in Pakistan and all that. It's supposed to be off the highway on the way to Islamabad, so when we checked with the driver it was the usual "yes I know".

Off we went bright and early and onto the highway, driving,driving,driving and after 3 hours, still on the damn highway. No signages. Fuck all. I mean it's the "biggest working salt mine in Pakistan", lots of vistors,but NO SIGNAGES. Driver finally turned off almost reaching Islamabad and we went through a route which would be on par with probably the Khyber pass, and it was raining, and it was misty, and we thought we were going to fall off the cliffs. But NO SIGNAGES.

Anyway finally reached. Lots of people. Again no signages. Did we need to buy a ticket? No idea. Driver asked and yes you need to. Then follow the crowd to a mini rail line. Now what? Again, no signages. Follow the crowd. No guides.

Ok once inside walked around, yes big, yes nice. But no signages. No lighting. I mean I have been to one in China. Coloured lights everywhere to shine off the salt pillars. People selling photo services, etc. But here, you are on your own. There was a lovely pool. Again no lighting, no signages. Again in China, lights shining on water, some bullshit blurb calling it "silver glass lake" that kind of bullshit, but you get what I mean. Marketing. Pakistan tourism ministry - sigh....

But all in all it was pretty nice. On the way back, took another route. Again, no signages. But somehow managed to muddle our way out and return journey took less than half the time as the turn into the highway was wayyy nearer to Lahore.

Sepp Blatter is an idiot - continued

See. France vs Rep Ireland. Obvious fucking handball. And how long did the game stop for? If FIFA grew up and graduated to the 21st century and had video evidence like other major sports, it would have taken what? 20 seconds ? Pity poor Ireland. Robbed. FIFA are happy cos France got in, but with the idiot coach they have, it would probably be a waste of the slot. Viva la France.

Dinosaurs of the century - FIFA

I cannot understand why FIFA is probably the only sports body that has not embraced electronics/video replays/3rd referee. I mean look at all the time wasted when players surround refs on controversial decisions. With video a decision can be made in seconds. Do it like tennis, where you limit the challenges a player can make, or in this case, the captain. I really don't buy the argument that they want fans to talk about the controversies and that it's"part of the game". I mean pity the poor bastard and fans who maybe had one chance for a trophy his whole life and it was blown by a dodgy call. Sepp Blatter is an idiot.

Anyway did anyone see Ngog's Greg Louganis impersonation against Birmingham? FIFA (again, idiots) should really act on diving. It's cheating, pure and simple. What are they teaching kids? It's ok to cheat? Then by all means forget drug testing. That's also cheating.

gotta love the Aussies

"Fans walk out of Britney's concert due to lip synching" . Well done mates. "Artistes" ought to know by now that the Aussies with their culture of live and rock performances don't put up with this shit. And it's not the first time concert attendees down under have done this.

But seriously, who attends a Britney concert to hear her SING? Reminds me of the classic case many years ago at home when a grandmother returned a VCR tape of Madonna's "like a virgin" concert cos she thought there was something wrong with the sound...

random random stuff

Was having lunch with my staff and somehow the topic of how Pakistanis look came up. I said Paks look fabulous generally, with the strong features, defined noses, large eyes, and they take a great photo. Unlike south east asians, who generally have flatter features and less defined. Anyway that made everyone happy.

Then one of the girls (Pakistani) said 'yes, but we hate it when Pakistani men stare at us'. Hah. I said honey, you can't blame them. I mean look around, Anywhere. Women make up 10 % of the people in public. My friend Mc calls it a sausage fest. I mean anywhere, if there is a rare exhibit, everyone will look eg polar bear. Or on the road, where it' s all bloody toyota and hondas. If someone has a ferrari everyone will look. So don't blame them for staring. If there were more women out in public, maybe the staring will stop. And hey, if I was young and good looking, I'd flaunt it !

Anyway , another party and one of the expats complained about the famous crank calls. I mean you get random calls after 11 at night from some guy . And he will call repeatedly. The poor guys are so bored. Can't blame them. I had someone call me up once. Asked me (he spoke english , well, some) what my name was. I was in a good mood and the tel con went something like this : guy : what's your name? me : Bill Clinton. guy : be clinton? me : yup. guy: what u do? me: monica lewinsky! guy : huh ? guy : can i be your friend? me: nope. I hang up. Guy calls again. At 2 a.m. Yup. 2 a. m. By which time, the mood was not so good, so I thought I had better practice my cantonese swearing, which was getting out of touch. And for those who don't know cantonese, it's the best dialect EVER to swear in. Guy : hello . Me : (translated) : F** u. Guy: huh? me : F** your m** smelly C*** . Guy : now speaking urdu . me: I said are you some stupid C***. F** your m*** smelly flower (this is direct translation, no explanation) c***. This actually went on for 5 mins before I got tired and just left the phone on. Hey, it was his call, his money. All this while my wife was rolling on the floor laughing. Anyway long story short, no more calls.