tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8383798099799497346.post5395003730222596788..comments2021-10-28T05:04:36.982-07:00Comments on Jan MacLeod Trotter: REACH QUETTA - AND FIND THE OLD RAJ. PAKISTAN, 1976Janet MacLeod Trotterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09683494831332489519noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8383798099799497346.post-22361381807112884932010-01-10T18:52:21.213-08:002010-01-10T18:52:21.213-08:00I was born in Quetta in the year 1984, and I remem...I was born in Quetta in the year 1984, and I remember many Westerners walking around the city, many with back packs and cameras. I remember one of them hitching a ride in our pick-up truck when I was a young kid.<br /><br />Things have changed since 9/11, 2001. The city has turned in to a battle zone between Baloch separatists and authorities. Bomb blasts, target killing and sectarian violence is the order of the day now. No westerners are seen anymore. It hurts and makes my heart bleed when I read and think about the past, to see a small and lively city with very hospitable people getting destroyed bit by bit.<br /><br />BTW...Farah Restaurant is still at the same place and location with the same owners.<br /><br />A resident of Quetta.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8383798099799497346.post-53389237977388187702009-12-08T02:35:56.884-08:002009-12-08T02:35:56.884-08:00I was in Quetta a few years before you -- got ther...I was in Quetta a few years before you -- got there the first time in the spring of '71, I believe. I had come by train from Zahedan, Iran, which was probably the slowest train journey I've ever endured, replete with a funny little Sindhi in a dhoti who, at unscheduled stops in the middle of nowhere, would open my second class compartment door, climb inside, set up his little paraffin burner, and cook a chappati or two. Somehow he knew when the train would leave, because he'd suddenly jump up, gather all his stuff together, and pop out the door. Within minutes the train would slowly come to life once again.<br /><br />It was an extraordinary place and an extraordinary time, and all of us who were lucky enough to make that overland journey are fortunate indeed. One wonders if such a trip will ever be possible again. Sad. Truly sad.Gecko46https://www.blogger.com/profile/03772449577137210018noreply@blogger.com