It’s a strange night after all

Due to the violent outburst in Islamabad a few day earlier we were advised to watch out on Fridays as all men congregate after the Friday prayers in the Mosque and this could lead to demonstrations. We had to do a lot of writing and reading anyway and could use a day like this.

In the evening, the strangest thing happend. As we enter the dining room of the guesthouse, we are invited by a man to join his family over dinner. At first we kindly refuse but as the man asks it again in a more demanding way we decide to join them. As we sit down the whole family reshuffles as Elles is not allowed to sit next to the older son. Instead the younger son takes place next to Elles. The whole family continues eating without saying a word or introducing themselves. Okay…. we take control of the situation. Elles asks the younger son what his name his. Then the father says, ‘This is my daughter’ and continues eating!!

Whoopssss. We grab some food consisting of dry rice and bony chicken and keep saying mmmmh wonderful. The silence continues. Then, when the family is ready eating, the man pays the bill and they all leave saying thank you. We look at each other and have no idea what to do. The food wasn’t exactly enough for two dutchies but its rude to order some more with the chance of the man coming back. We decide to leave to the room and do some more writing.

A few minutes in our room and we notice some shadows behind the curtain. Then we notice someone is peaking through the curtains. We open the door out of curiosity and see 5 ladies starring at us and 1 boy. Then they want to enter the room but we block their way. They all want to have a look inside and we wonder what is going on. We had seen them before at another table in the dining room. Then we are asked to come with them. Well, why not. Its a strange night after all. Elles is invited to meet all the ladies of this family. It appears that because we had sat down with the other family, this family saw their chance to meet dutchies. The problem is that this family can’t speak english as well leaving a proper conversation out of the question. So there we were. Stared at by another family. ‘Me, elles…. ‘You’? We try to prenounce their difficult names and they all laugh at us. One question all women know or better say one word; Married? ‘Yes, Married’ we reply as we have found that if we say no, they just don’t understand. ‘Nooo babies?’, one of the ladies asks disgusted!! ‘Just married’, we quickly answer. ‘Aaahhh ok’. Now they seem to be satisfied.

We cut this meeting short but they all look delighted. Back in the room Elles and I burst in laughter! Whooooo’’s Next?????