Keep your head down, do the training and get out
Have rod, will travel. It’s been my mantra (and my escape) whenever I jump on the big white bird and head off to train journos from Houston to Singapore, from Oslo to Moscow.
Except this time.
In a few hours, I’m off to Karachi for three weeks’ work with journalists on a new daily newspaper. However, this will not be a trip where I head for the hills, rod in hand, at weekends. At least, not unless I want to become a ransom note.
I’ve spoke to loads of people about what to expect. Not one has told me: “Oh, you’ll be all right.” On the contrary. They all advise: “Keep your head down, do your work and get out.”
Come on! This is Karachi, Pakistan, sixth most populous nation in the world. Civilised, sophisticated city! Can’t be that bad…can it?
Well, I’ve got an armed driver and an armed guard. I will live in a “secure compound”. That rather puts the kibosh on boarding the train with the locals at weekends and trying a spot of trout-fishing in the hills. Unless, maybe, the guard and driver are keen anglers.
I’m going there to help with training staff on a new daily. Normally, you’d chat to people in the street and in cafes about the papers they read, what’s right and wrong with them; monitor buying habits; maybe bring some of the better UK ideas to the table.
With my mobility sharply limited – and unless I have a death wish – a lot of that stuff will need rethinking.
My wife is worried to hell. Surprisingly, I’m not at all concerned. I find it a fascinating challenge, and I’m really looking forward to it.
My only worry? If the worst came to the worst, and I was kidnapped, would anyone bother to pay a ransom for me?