Forty Four

There is something about "lawn" the popular cool cotton of Pakistan that makes perfectly respectable women turn into maniacs. Today I had two places to be, I misjudged the madness at the exhibition, one of the most popular designers in Pakistan, Yahsir Waheed and really counted on being out of there in 30 minutes flat. Held at Pearl Continental the lane to just get your car into the hotel ground took about 45 minutes. I decided to save my driver the trouble of finding parking space inside and got off and walked the rest of the way. But I never got to utter the sigh of relief as inside it was worse than the fish market, to just squeeze yourself in front of each stall - cleverly named Taj and Nauratan - was another struggle. I tried my best to make up my mind fast and grab 3 items; but do I get to pay and get out fast? no of course not. For one there were like 5 cash registers and 50 people in one line to the register...and unlike last time you didn't get to stand with the bill in your hand and pay and collect, no you had to hold your items (I really felt sorry for the women who had like 10 items to hold) and wait you turn. That took about another 30 minutes or so. By the time I battled my way out and escaped just as I heard a few guards saying they will have to lock the doors I was super late for my meeting. I ended up postponing it and looking with somewhat awe at the pretty material I had bought and wondering was it really worth it?