“And here we are,” says the taxi driver to John.
John looks out of the window. He was expecting tall buildings. But this area looks like a shantytown.
“Are you sure this is the address?”
“Yes, sir.”
John gets out of the taxi. In his business suit he feels out of place. He can see a group of 20 people coming down the hill towards him. For a second he wants to jump in the taxi and go away. But he can see only smiles on the people’s faces. They are not holding guns, axes and knives in their hands. They are holding flowers, trays full of food and trays with glasses of drinks. Smiling children run forward. This doesn’t look like an ambush or an attack. They surround John and the taxi. Violin music breaks the silence. An older woman stops in front of John and she lifts her hand. She is the boss. Nobody moves. Nobody speaks. It is quiet..
“Welcome, foreigner. I know you were expecting a four-star hotel. I cheated you. Please stay with us and you will have the best experience of you life. You can go now or stay. If you want to go, we let you go. If you want to stay, I’ll make sure that you will never forget all the good that happens to you in the next four days. Do you want to stay?”
John looks around. All this shantytown is unknown to him. He feels cheated because the old woman lied. But when he looks around and sees the people, he feels safe and respected. Probably more respected than he would feel in a four-star hotel.
“I’d like to have a cup of coffee, please,” he says.
Everybody cheers and people come to him to kiss him, to hug him and to shake his hand.
Originally posted 2020-07-29 08:06:49.