So- the first two really just refer to the best hot chocolate I’ve ever had- which I packed full of fresh, not-ground nutmeg and cinnamon from Kerala. Whoot.
The Middle East: We’re a few hours from our port, and tomorrow morning I’ll be headed toward Cairo. Holy shit. I feel magnetism toward this place. I’m quite unsure as to its source, but I’m really attracted to the middle east. I have all these constructs in my head- what an Egyptian marketplace will look like, how the pyramids will make me feel, and an idealized version I’m sure of Bedouins with gorgeous rugs and tents camping in the desert- and I’m excited to see my reaction to the realities of all these things.
I talked to the interport student about the possibility of camping with Bedouins—his response: “But your hands are too small. How will you drive the camel? It will be very hard-you need big hands.”
Monday, October 30, 2006
orielly, hate speech, and the middle east
We watched a documentary today in global media- how the US views Arabs, how we and others took Palestinian land, and why we support Israel.
It is hard for me to watch clips of Bill OReiley and FOX news. I don’t watch news television at home, unless it’s Democracy Now, and I don’t hang out with conservatives. To see the hate, the utter hate and evil that comes out of this man’s mouth is nothing short of repulsive to me. Then that repulsion turns to sadness, because I truly hate to think that any portion of the American public actually feels that way: that Arabs are all evil, that Islam hates freedom, and that all those “rats” deserve death.
I’m also processing the fact that I am incredibly drawn to Islamic culture and its peoples. When I think logically about this- I can’t relate to Islam at all. TOTAL submission to God? Not quite me. But I truly think I’ve come to this as a reaction to what has been submitted by my culture. To call Arabs “haters of freedom”, evil, and terrorists- well- these are all qualities I would attribute to the United States. What is terror? Is it bombing innocent civilians in the night to safeguard your economic interests? Is it attacking a people whose culture you find to be an assault on your God and your way of life? Couldn’t that last one be attributed to both sides in this ‘battle’?
Anyhow- I guess what I wanted to say is that 1) I’m shocked, deeply saddened, and disgusted with the way our mass media portrays the world, and 2) That I’m truly hoping to experience Middle Eastern culture in Egypt and Turkey-almost as a way of refuting the above. I want to find beautiful, kind people and take that hope to all the haters and say “look now! You’ve watched news but I’ve been there so let go of your damned animosity.”
I guess we’ll see what happens soon enough.
It is hard for me to watch clips of Bill OReiley and FOX news. I don’t watch news television at home, unless it’s Democracy Now, and I don’t hang out with conservatives. To see the hate, the utter hate and evil that comes out of this man’s mouth is nothing short of repulsive to me. Then that repulsion turns to sadness, because I truly hate to think that any portion of the American public actually feels that way: that Arabs are all evil, that Islam hates freedom, and that all those “rats” deserve death.
I’m also processing the fact that I am incredibly drawn to Islamic culture and its peoples. When I think logically about this- I can’t relate to Islam at all. TOTAL submission to God? Not quite me. But I truly think I’ve come to this as a reaction to what has been submitted by my culture. To call Arabs “haters of freedom”, evil, and terrorists- well- these are all qualities I would attribute to the United States. What is terror? Is it bombing innocent civilians in the night to safeguard your economic interests? Is it attacking a people whose culture you find to be an assault on your God and your way of life? Couldn’t that last one be attributed to both sides in this ‘battle’?
Anyhow- I guess what I wanted to say is that 1) I’m shocked, deeply saddened, and disgusted with the way our mass media portrays the world, and 2) That I’m truly hoping to experience Middle Eastern culture in Egypt and Turkey-almost as a way of refuting the above. I want to find beautiful, kind people and take that hope to all the haters and say “look now! You’ve watched news but I’ve been there so let go of your damned animosity.”
I guess we’ll see what happens soon enough.
Eureka!
Ladies and gents- eudemonia is closing in (who knows when? Not I). Point is- it’s not so damn distant anymore. Social awkwardness is waning. Reiki master Amei hooked me up on that one. Slowly got pumped through the day- great convo with a professor- (hey! Surprise!! This ship is like a bubble of the American culture I flee in daily life- and I’m not the only one who realizes it. Finally. Satisfaction. Take that McGagger.) Continuing through the night- great yoga + Tibetan prayer bowls + my new outlook = such amazing vibrations my hands were warm when I finished using them (with meditation bowls of course- if you’ve never seen them check it out- ya gotta).
And I had the most amazing taste of ginger tea today. Think hot, sweet, tang, spice, warm…
Off to finish the realignment. Mwah!!!
And I had the most amazing taste of ginger tea today. Think hot, sweet, tang, spice, warm…
Off to finish the realignment. Mwah!!!
Wednesday, October 18, 2006
SASafras
wow- so apparently uploading photos is REALLY SLOW and difficult on this computer- and now I'm out of time.
This was a little boy in Can Tho Vietnam, in the Mekong Delta. We played with lots of them for a while in their neighborhood. Note the black river behind him.
Return to India
Wow.
I needed to have fun. I couldn't follow Burma with more pain- so off we went. Me + two cool dudes- headed to Kerala.
I used to list off India- color, smoke, dirt--Rosemary would always say spice and I never thought why. Well wow.
Day one we flew into Cochin. Kerala is the richest state in India. No beggars, few hindus- christians, muslims, and hell- a jew town (even called Jew Town). We went around with Babu who took us to see the Chinese fishing nets amongst other things. Think of hugely elegant bamboo nets lowered in and out of the water via a pulley system.
Day two- on to Kumily. Town in the cardamom hills of South India- spice plantations- ginger, coffee, lemongrass, cinnamon, cloves...the scents filled the air everywhere. We did a short day hike in the Periyar Wildlife Refuge (tigers and elephants--neither of which we saw in the wild...). Later toured a spice plantation and rode an elephant. Beautiful people, beautiful children, beautiful land. Last night we slept in a tree house.
It was such a contrast to see that side of India. Rich, christian, beautiful. No cows in the street, no garbage in the gutters, no chai shops on the sidewalk. This country truly is everything.
But shabam- this morning we pulled into Madurai. It's hot- it's crowded- it's a city in India. Now I remember. Hello? Madam? Where are you going?
I still love it. Love hate.
Burma Pre-Port
Burma: Where the Buddha smiles on a monsoon of color.
Myanmar: Where a harsh military junta slays and tortures thousands of indigenous peoples every year; where est. 20,000 girls from hill tribe are SOLD to pimps in Thailand who will sell their bodies as “virgins” hundreds of times over- The girls are told they’re going to wash dishes.
These are the same country- the ethnically heterogeneous array of tribal peoples- ear and neck stretchers- lake peoples- monks- and the draconian government that crams it all together.
We are pulling up on this country now- the literal meaning of sea level has been made visually clear as we pass vast stretches of green, floating homes of natural fibers, and small boats whose owner’s must gaze at us in awe: “What on earth is that giant- moving so fast and soo very huge.”
Entering this river delta I find one of the most unique landscapes I could imagine. This morning the river was green- a splendid jade and the wake we turned up was brown- shallow river water. As the ship pulls in, tiny villages and water buffalo can be seen close by. In the distance: gold. For an impoverished nation, GOLD gilded pagodas dot the landscape with surprising frequency. The Schwedagon can be seen already from the ship- along with perhaps five others. We haven’t even approached the city yet.
Supposedly, these will be the most kindhearted amazing people we encounter. I have been drawn to this place since my early youth. Clothes tag: Made in Burma. Where the hell is that? Oh- and then the two page spread of Pagan. Well I’m headed there now. Tomorrow, perhaps, I’ll be on a plane. (This likely won’t make it to post until post- Burma, but I’ll write it now).
Myanmar: Where a harsh military junta slays and tortures thousands of indigenous peoples every year; where est. 20,000 girls from hill tribe are SOLD to pimps in Thailand who will sell their bodies as “virgins” hundreds of times over- The girls are told they’re going to wash dishes.
These are the same country- the ethnically heterogeneous array of tribal peoples- ear and neck stretchers- lake peoples- monks- and the draconian government that crams it all together.
We are pulling up on this country now- the literal meaning of sea level has been made visually clear as we pass vast stretches of green, floating homes of natural fibers, and small boats whose owner’s must gaze at us in awe: “What on earth is that giant- moving so fast and soo very huge.”
Entering this river delta I find one of the most unique landscapes I could imagine. This morning the river was green- a splendid jade and the wake we turned up was brown- shallow river water. As the ship pulls in, tiny villages and water buffalo can be seen close by. In the distance: gold. For an impoverished nation, GOLD gilded pagodas dot the landscape with surprising frequency. The Schwedagon can be seen already from the ship- along with perhaps five others. We haven’t even approached the city yet.
Supposedly, these will be the most kindhearted amazing people we encounter. I have been drawn to this place since my early youth. Clothes tag: Made in Burma. Where the hell is that? Oh- and then the two page spread of Pagan. Well I’m headed there now. Tomorrow, perhaps, I’ll be on a plane. (This likely won’t make it to post until post- Burma, but I’ll write it now).
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