On his way to a "routine" interview in Baghdad in January, British freelance journalist Phil Sands was ambushed by AK-47 wielding mujaheddin, bundled into the trunk of a maroon BMW and kidnapped. Sands spent five days in captivity, after which he was rescued by chance by U.S. soldiers in a routine raid.
Now, this isn't supposed to be funny, but I can't help but laugh.
In an interview with the Washington Post, Sands is asked if he ever tried to formulate an escape plan or think about what his last words would be. I know if it were me, I'd be considering how brave I was (even though I wouldn't be), how it's all part of a bigger, more important role I play in the world. Blah... blah. A bunch of bullshit like that to make myself feel better about getting kidnapped and facing certain execution.
But not Phil Sands. Here is his response to the question:
"Yes, I tried to formulate plans. Some simple (like, go to the toilet one night with the fat, slow guard, and run like hell) other complicated (steal guns, car keys etc etc). Last words: no. There's no point. I remember thinking: Oh well, I'll be dead. It didn't seem like the end of the world and nor would it have been. I don't mean to sound cold, but that's how it felt. In a way it's nice to know that when death feels close, it's not as bad as you might think. It's just something, almost like having to get out of bed in the morning (to be a bit too blase about it). That's not the same, I'm sure, if you see someone else you love dying, but in terms of myself, I wasn't too deeply upset."
I wasn't too deeply upset!
I wish I knew people like Phil Sands. I want to hang out with the kind of person who gets taken hostage and doesn't get "too deeply upset" about it.
After all, we are not that significant.
2 comments:
It also helps that he's SMOKIN' HOTT!
How can you tell with all of that hair in his face and that hat on?
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