Pakistani Taxi Driver

I got into the cab with my oversized backpack and smaller daybag. "Ap kaisa hai?" I asked the cabbie. He looked over to me as we sped down the road in his pint sized suzuki, "First Class boss!" I was impressed. I felt more like I was in the back of economy class with my legs indenting the dashboard. We chatted a little and he asked in Urdu/English: "Canada or Pakistan - what is better?" I smiled and said, "America!" He laughed and gave me the South Asia head nod: "Ji (yes), Osama!" It was my turn to laugh, "I think you mean Obama." His eyes got wide, "O-bomb-ah! Bomb!" We both chuckled a nervous laughter for we both were aware that with the surge of new troops to Afghanistan the conditions in Pakistan will worsen before they brighten. The fear is palpable.