Traveling...again

I've been in Colombo for almost a week now, traveling for business. There’s tight security all over the city, random checks and police everywhere - one has to cross no less than three check-posts to get to the hotel I'm staying at, near the Presidential palace. Bombs go off in this city often, and while previously only government or military areas were targeted, recent attacks have been on civilians, in the markets or in buses and trains. YET what's baffling is that when given the choice between Colombo and Karachi for this meeting, Karachi was almost immediately written off as a security threat. I mean, honestly, when was the last time a bomb went off in Karachi market? There has been a civil war going on in the outskirts of Colombo for as far back as I can remember. In Pakistan the unrest has always been thousands of miles away from Karachi, and only recently in Islamabad/Pindi. Yet the general perception is that the entire Pakistan is totally unsafe and unfit for travel. Hmph! I mean, hmph!
That was my rant as a patriotic Pakistani.

Getting into my tourist mode, I'm actually very impressed with Colombo. The streets are clean and spotless, people are helpful, and everyone seems to be well educated here, Even the rickshaw drivers and thelay-walas speak good English. Despite all the security stops, one actually feels comfortable around these police officials (a lot of them are women). They are smartly dressed, speak very politely with everyone, show courtesy and even smile at you. When was the last time a police officer in Karachi did any of that?
Crap yar, whenever I travel in South Asia, I feel so totally bad about the state of affairs back home. I’m beginning to complain all over again, so think I’ll just shut up and go shopping.