Anyone for Fish n Chips and Mushy Peas? (9)

Thought I'd share this - from the BBC website today:

I checked into the Serena Hotel in the town of Mingora, Swat's last remaining hotel in one of the few towns in the area which is still relatively safe.

The Serena has 50 rooms set in beautiful landscaped grounds. I was the only guest in the entire hotel and the first one they had seen in well over 6 weeks. The handful of other people they have had stay this year were all journalists like myself.

It's become a ghost hotel.

Yet despite the empty rooms all of the uniformed staff have been kept on by the Aga Khan - who owns the Serena. They are lucky. The damage to the economy means that few people in Swat have a job anymore. And they were truly delighted to see me.

"Would you like to order dinner, madam?" a saffron-suited waiter asked on my first night.

I mumbled something about whatever they could rustle up in the kitchen being fine. His face registered surprise. "We have everything listed on the menu, madam. Fish and chips with mushy peas, sizzling beef fillet, traditional Pakistani cuisine."

"How can you?" I asked. "You haven't got any guests."

"But we are a five star hotel madam," he said proudly. "We must maintain standards at all times."

A few minutes later a steaming plate of delicious paratha, raita and masala beans (a Swati speciality) arrived at my door. After that the staff couldn't do enough for me. Word went out they had one - a real, live, paying guest - and all of them rushed to display their impeccable service.

Strange place.But this hotel is good for honeymoon journey.

The reason the hotel is empty is it's very dangerous - shooting going on all around.

Shot is the title of the thread..chips and mushy peas.. ...Well i've just polished off a plate of fried chicken and chips with two fried eggs and 3 beers..

Exciting honeymoon!Better for couples in divorce!

This reminds me a little of a hotel I went to in Paris in Place d,italy. I was sharing a room with two fellow students and at 11.00 pm we were quietly chatting about the galleries we had visited that day. All of a sudden there was a loud knock on the door. I got off my bed and opened it, it was the hotel owner.

" Shut up and go to sleep, it is time for bed" he growled aggressively.
One of our tutors who spoke excellent French intervened and it almost ended up as a very nasty fist fight with us being threatened with being thrown out of the hotel. Love Paris, but..............

Yeah not bad mate. I had my own brilliant spag bol sauce heated up from yesterday but made w/ rigatoni.

What's amazing is to go to I believe it's in Pakistan, and get Fish n Chips n mushy peas or sizzling fillet steak on the menu, or local cuisine. Wot a choice!

I love a paratha on the plate first then the curry and whatnot soaks in and ..... delicious!!