Learned Traveller

This is the famous border closing ceremony which takes place every afternoon at Wagah on the border with India. I enjoyed it immensely. There are grandstands and patriotic songs are broadcast at high volume by both sides.  The crowd on the Pakistani side became very animated with repeated cries of "Pakistan Zindabad!" (long live Pakistan), and the patriotism was enormous.  One man I met was making his fourteenth visit. I found all this very curious since most Pakistanis I had met up until then had seemed desperate to leave the country. Flights out of the country were fully booked months ahead and I was continuously asked what the best way would be for someone to get a visa to live in England. I always directed them to the British Council in Islamabad, but I'm afraid I didn't rate their chances.