A quickie by the water cooler

Wow. Today I got a quickie by the water cooler.

No. Joking.

There is no water cooler where I work.

And noone to give me a quickie. Or a cookie. Or a hicky. Or a key. Or anything that rhymes with quickie, for that matter.

I have never had a quickie by the water cooler or by anyother work located item, so why am i even talking about that?

Oh - I get it. I must be crazy.

Anyways, I got the next best thing : I got back to Jakarta, and tomorrow I'm off to (successively in the next 48 hours) Dubai, Nairobi and Bujumbura. I calculated that between this morning and my landing in Bujumbura on the 23rd, I will have taken 5 flights and been on 3 continents. It's a broken record.

I'm excited to be out of Aceh. At last, I can have something better than wine in a box. And I won't even need to hide ! I get to have a bit of FUN. (I spent the last 6 weeks claiming that in Aceh, they (don't ask who) took the UN out of FUN. You're welcome to figure out what the F stands for.

I also got a new referral : thank you AIDWORKERS.NET for blogrolling me ! (Although I wonder - does being a compliance pest for the humanitarian sector really make me an AID worker?)

Anyway, I dedicate this pointless post to all AID workers in the world. I see their work daily. Koudos to you guys. I know I pester you with rules and procedures, but I understand and hereby acknowledge the value of your work and the constraints you have to deal with.

I also dedicate this pointless post to all the national staff who strive to support the AID efforts. Without you, we would be nothing, and my life would be boring.

(Can you tell? I already miss Aceh, sincerely, I do.)

The Beaver

This post NOT to be interpreted as a sign that I am no longer depressed. It merely means I am still alive. IN FACT, I'M KINDA LONELY, PEOPLE! Drop me a line.... that'd be nice (except you - you know who you are.)

Earthquakes

We had an earthquake today. Nothing was destroyed to my knowledge, aside from my sense of equilibrium.

Very strange to fell the world shaking. It didn't trigger a tsunami on Banda though, so everyone is safe.

Life is SO weird sometimes.

The Beaver


My guest map is wonderful ! And you'd all be wonderful to post, all of you lurk mode readers!
Thanks and may the winds of Fate blow your way !

More pictures

I've uploaded a new set. Click on the picture to see them all.




The Beaver

My guest map is wonderful ! And you'd all be wonderful to post, all of you lurk mode readers!
Thanks and may the winds of Fate blow your way !

More about operating constraints in Aceh

I've been extremely busy with work. If you are wondering what's going on in Aceh, you can feast on this excellent article published by a friend of mine for a Montreal publication.

Most of it is in French but hopefully I will have time to translate it eventually.

(Quotes are in English though).

_____________________________________

Reconstruire apres le Tsunami – audela du reve, la triste realite

Travailler dans la province d’Aceh n’est pas une tache facile. Le 26 décembre 2004, un tremblement de terre de 9.2 a l’échelle de Richter a cause environ 128,790 décès, 37,063 disparitions et laissait un demi million d’Acehnais sans résidence. Les dommages structurels sont estimes à 4.5 milliards de dollars. 21 mois plus tard, malgré les efforts de reconstruction de la population locale et des expatriés, et un budget multilatéral de 525 million de dollars US, il beaucoup reste à faire. Le gouvernement indonésien estime les besoin à 120,000[1] logis. Les humanitaires ont jusqu'à Décembre 2007 pour atteindre cet objectif conjoint malgré les différentes contraintes rencontrées sur le terrain.

A la défense des ONG presentes à Aceh, le terrain n’est guère propice aux grandes entreprises de construction de par son histoire. Plus de 30 ans de conflits entre les rebelles du Gerakan Aceh Merdeka (GAM) et l’État Indonésien ont laisse Aceh dans un état de non-droit jusqu'à l’imposition de la loi martiale en 2003. Depuis le tsunami, un cessez-le-feu est en place et le processus de paix est enclenche, mais rien ne garantie la fin permanente des hostilités. Le développement de la region s’en est ressenti, et les chaînes d’approvisionnement limitées et affaiblies par le tsunami sont débordées par la demande soudaine de l’effort de reconstruction. De même, les organisations humanitaires et le gouvernement indonésien s’arrachent le personnel local qualifié, hélas insuffisant.

Depuis le cessez-le-feu, le contexte politique d’Aceh en 2006 ne facilite guère la tache aux humanitaires. Le pacte de paix entre le GAM et les autorités a permis l’adoption référendaire de la loi islamique le 15 août 2005. Le port du voile n’est plus réservé uniquement aux musulmanes pratiquantes. S’y soustraire, tout comme la possession et la consommation d’alcool, sont passibles de châtiment corporel, une mesure appliquée sans réserve. Ce qui décourage l’établissement a Aceh de personnel qualifié originaire des autres îles de l’archipel. Ce mouvement semble en debut d’expansion vers les expatriés selon les propos de Muntasir Hamid, chef de la législature provinciale a Banda Aceh, publies dans le Rakyat Aceh le 7 août dernier: “We did not want the Veranda of Mecca to be contaminated by the presence of NGOs in Banda Aceh as this territory is under the enforcement of Syariah Law. We will ask in this case, the Dinas of Syariah to do search/raid on houses that are occupied by NGOs especially during the evening”.

De plus, Transparency International classe l’Indonésie à 2.2/10 sur l’échelle de la corruption (0 représentant le taux de corruption absolue). A titre d’exemple, la mésaventure d’Oxfam-Australie dont plusieurs employés auraient détourné un montant équivalent a 22,000$US par l’entremise d’activités frauduleuses centrées sur le processus d’achat. Les conditions d’opérations sont propices a de telles combines: dans un communiqué de presse du 4 mai 2006, Oxfam rapportait que la supervision et le processus de suivi était insuffisants. Surtout, le roulement de personnel et la rareté de la main d’œuvre créent les conditions idéales d’une fraude classique. Pourtant, les processus de gestion d’Oxfam ne sont pas en cause – ce sont ces même processus qui ont permis l’identification du problème. Un rapport conjoint produit en juillet 2006 pour le Centre Ulstein et ses partenaires faisait état des risques inhérents au projet: « High-profile emergencies create particular corruption challenges, often with a large number of international relief agencies and corresponding difficulties with coordination and possibly competition between agencies.[2]»

De quoi donner du pain sur la planche aux humanitaires, la clé étant de bien déterminer ses priorités, comme le rappelle le Secrétaire General de l’Agence Indonésienne de Réhabilitation et de Reconstruction, Teuku Kamaruzzaman, en conférence de presse le 28 août dernier: "I ask all parties to focus on efforts being made to rebuild the region devastated by the December 2004 tsunami and to help those affected re-establish a normal life. At the same time, we must remain vigilant and highly critical with respect to irregularities and corruption."


[1] http://www.e-aceh-nias.org/
[2] Mapping the Risks of Corruption in Humanitarian Action, publie sur www.u4.no.

New pictures

I guess life goes on.

Boy... I think it's going on without me, but anyway.

Here are some pictures of the wonders of the world.

Click here to see the whole set of new pictures

The Beaver

My guest map is wonderful ! And you'd all be wonderful to post, all of you lurk mode readers!
Thanks and may the winds of Fate blow your way !

This Time (Tracy Chapman)

This time
I won't show
I'm vulnerable
This time
I won't give in first

This time
I will hold out with my love
This time
I will not be hurt

I'm gonna love myself
More than anyone else
I'm gonna treat me right
I'm gonna make you say
That you love me first
And you'll be the one with the most to lose tonight
This time

This time
I won't let my emotions rule my life
This time
I'm gonna keep my heart locked safe inside
This time
I'm gonna be my own best friend
This time
I'm gonna be the one

To win
Your love
Your affection
To hide
My fear
Of rejection
This time
(c) Teddy Pendergrass

The Beaver

My guest map is wonderful ! And you'd all be wonderful to post, all of you lurk mode readers!
Thanks and may the winds of Fate blow your way !

For the sake of updating

Just wanted to say i'm still alive. Those of you who have my email address are welcome to write to find out about the state i'm in.

I have pics and stuff to upload... eventually. For now, I'm not very inspired.

But at least, i'm alive. Sometimes, that's all you have to be thankful for.

The Beaver


My guest map is wonderful ! And you'd all be wonderful to post, all of you lurk mode readers!
Thanks and may the winds of Fate blow your way !

Boys have Coodies

They try to be man but never succeed
They think they love you
But only love your love
Boys have coodies

They're proud to bear the seed
They freeze when you are true
Then screw you from above
Boys have coodies

They say you're what they need
Then one day eyes so blue
Remind remind him of the cove
Boys have coodies

The problem you must heed
Is that no matter what when who
You forget like a dove
That boys have coodies.

The Beaver


My guest map is wonderful ! And you'd all be wonderful to post, all of you lurk mode readers!
Thanks and may the winds of Fate blow your way !

Beaver's 1st production !

My first movie ! Pictures and editing by yours truly !


The Beaver

My guest map is wonderful ! And you'd all be wonderful to post, all of you lurk mode readers!
Thanks and may the winds of Fate blow your way !

Bilingue... Catch up !

Lundi, le 7 aout 2006, j'ai encore vecu un moment barbare. Quoique avec le decalage horaire, c'est beaucoup moins douloureux, m'enfin, debout a 3:30 AM pour prendre un vol, ouchie !

Monday, August 7, 2006, I lived a barbarian moment. Though with the jetlag, it was much less painful, but really, being up at 3:30 AM to take a flight, ouchie!

A Banda Aceh tôt le mardi matin, le muezzin me maintient éveillée. Des hordes de moustiques attendent que je sorte de la moustiquaire pour me vider de mon sang et m'injecter leurs cochonneries. J'ai la trouille de la dengue - je te dis que je dors sous mon moustiquaire, et avec mon anti-bibittes !!!

In Banda Aceh early Tuesday morning, the muezzin keeps me awake up. Hordes of mosquitos wait until I leave the mosquito net to empty me of my blood and to inject me their crap. I 's scared out of my wits of getting (again) the dengue - I tell you, I sleep under my mosquito net, and with my anti-sting!!!

Le lendemain, je quitte Banda car j'ai ete assignée à une mission en solo. Je pars pour Meulaboh (en helicoptere de l'ONU, encore) dans l'Aceh du Sud. Toute seule, cette fois-ci ! Ca m'inquiete et m'excite tout a la fois. Il parait que l'Internet marche bien las-bas. C'est une opportunite pour prendre des photos a vue d'oiseau par contre !

The next day, I left Banda because I have been assigned on a solo mission. I leave for Meulaboh (by helicopter of UNO, again) for South Aceh. All alone, this time! It worries me and excites me all the same time. It appears that the Internet works well there. It's an opportunity for some good skyshots though !

Je suis encore sur decallage horaire - je me leve avant le lever de soleil que j'observe du 2eme etage de la maison depassage. I am still on jetlag, so I wake up before the sunrise which I observe from the 2nd floor of the guesthouse.


Parfois, le Bon Dieu a des manières inattendues d'apaiser un coeur sensible. La beaute du monde est toujours un baume pour mon coeur. Sometimes, Good God has unexpected manners to alleviate a sensitive heart. The beauty of the world is always a balm for my heart.

Arrivee a Meulaboh, je ne suis pas tout a fait atterrie, mais l'est-on jamais? 2 jours a Jakarta, 3 jours a Banda, et maintenant une semaine a Meulaboh... Pas tres stable comme mode de vie...

Arrivee Meulaboh, I am not completely landed, but is one ever? 2 days Jakarta, 3 days in Banda, and now one week in Meulaboh... Not a very stable way of life...

Mais je trouve tranquillement des mecanismes d'adaptation. Je vis en ce moment dans une maison de passage ou les collegues sont tres sympatiques - 2 Philippins et un Croate particulierement me font un peu l'effet d'une famille quand je rentre le soir, apres un long 13 h de travail.... J'ai ete assignee a la verification d'inventaire, une HORREUR de tache qui va me prendre 2 semaines. Pour l'occasion, j'ai ete autorisee a engage 5 manoeuvres indonesiens, on m'a assigne un interprete et on a prolonge mon sejour a Meulaboh.

But I find adaptive mechanisms quickly. I live in this moment in a guesthouse where the colleagues are very pleasant - 2 Filipinos and a Croat particularly have a bit on me the effect of a family when I return there in the evening, after a lengthy 13 hour work-day hour.... I have been assignee to the checking of inventory, a HORROR of job which will take 2 weeks to me. For the occasion, I have been autorized to hire 5 indonesian laborers, an interpreter and my stay in Meulaboh is extended.

La verification d'inventaire ce n'est pas drole surtout dans la chaleur torride et humide de l'Indonesie. Heureusement, le personnel local est tres agreable, et surtout les manoeuvres sont aux anges de travailler avec une "Bulle" (prononce Boulee), rient beaucoup et ont souvent la simplicite de grands enfants. Grace a eux je fais des progres immenses en Bahasa - je sais maintenant compter jusqu'a 10 et formuler des demandes de bases (manger, dormir, se deplacer...)

Checking an inventory is not a fun gig, especially in the torrid and wet heat of Indonesia. Fortunately, the local personnel is very pleasant, and especially the laborers are elated to work with a "Bulle" (pronouncec Boolay), they laugh much and often have the simplicity of big kids. Thanks to them I make immense progress in Bahasa - I can now count until A 10 and formulate requests for bases (to eat, sleep, deplacer...)

C'est difficile de travailler ici. Sur l'echelle mondiale de la corruption (de 0 a 10, ou 10 presente l'absence totalle de corruptio), l'Indonesie est a 2.2. C'est dire que travailler ici est souvent synonime de paranoia... Oui, il fait chaud, oui, les choix culinaires sont limites... mais les couchers de soleils sont magnifiques...

It is difficult to work here. On the world scale of the corruption (of 0 A 10, or 10 represents the totalle absence of corruption), Indonesie is at 2.2. It is to say that to work here often rhymes with paranoia... Yes, the weather is hot, yes, the culinary choices are limiting... but the sunsets are splendid...

Pendant la semaine, je recoit des nouvelles un peu deprimantes. Je n'irai pas au Burundi, mais au Congo (ex-Zaire) a la place. Oh well. Je me depeche de faire les demarches necessaires pour un visa. En ce qui concerne Kinshasa, le changement etait motive par la possible embauche d'un nouvel employe - c'est mieux de commencer avec le Burundi plutot qu'avec la RDC.... Mais cette personne a change d'avis hier et je suis de nouveau assignee au Burundi. Ouf ! Les commentaires de 007 ne m'encourageaient pas a y aller... Toujours l'urgence d'obtenir un visa aupres d'embassade aux regles juridictionnelles strictes: je dois appliquer au Canada et non aux Etats-Unis...

During the week, I receive slightly depressing news. I will not go to Burundi, but in Congo (ex-Zaire) instead. Oh well. I hurry up to make the necessary arrangements for a visa. With regard to Kinshasa, the change was justified by the possible recruiting of a new employee - it's better to start with Burundi rather than with DRC.... But this person changed their opinion yesterday and I am again assigned to Burundi. Ouf! (With 007's feedback I must admit I wasn't too excited to go there...) Again the rush to obtain a visa with the embassy with strict jurisdictional rules: I must apply in Canada and not in the United States...

Ceux qui ont vu les nouvelles savent que maintenant il est interdit de prendre des baggages de cabines a la suite de l'incident de Londres. La joie. Faire ce travail devient de plus en plus difficile. Oh well. Je paierai les extras necessaires, c'est tout. Heureusement les consignes de securites semblent revenir presque a la normale. Heureusement, je ne voyage pas avec du Chanel No. 5 dans mon bagage a main ! Tant que je peux continuer d'utiliser les bagages a main, le reste ne me derange pas trop...

Those who saw the news know that now it is forbidden to take cabin luggages following the incident in London. Joy. To do this work becomes increasingly difficult. Oh well. I will pay extras if necessary, that's all. Fortunately the security regulations seem to return almost to normal. Fortunately, I do not travel with Chanel No 5 in my hand luggage! As long as I can continue to use hand luggage, I don't care much...

Il parait qu'il y a eu un tremblement de terre a Sumatra, mais nous ne l'avons meme pas senti ici. On a appris la nouvelle en meme temps que tout le monde, en ecoutant BBC.... De toutes facons, nous avons des mesures de securite pour ca, et je ne travaille ni ne dors au bord de la plage....

It appears that there was an earthquake on Sumatra, but nobody felt it here. We learned the news at the same time as everyone, on BBC.... Anyways, we have safety measures for that, and I do not work nor do I sleep at the edge of the beach....

D'ailleurs je devrais quitter Meulaboh pour quelques jours pour travailler a Medan (bien enfonce dans les terres) et retourner a Banda pour les 3 dernieres semaines de mon sejour. Il me reste au total 5 semaines a passer en Indonesie, dont 1 1/2 a Meulaboh, 1/2 a Medan, 4 a Banda Aceh et 1 a Jakarta. Je ne crains pas trop pour ma securite mais je suis prudente.

Moreover I should leave Meulaboh for a few days to work in Medan (well inserted inland) and return over to Banda for the 3 last weeks of my stay. I have a total of 5 weeks left in Indonesia, including 1 1/2 in Meulaboh, 1/2 in Medan, 4 in Banda Aceh and 1 in Jakarta. I do not fear too much for my safety but I am careful.

J'ai tout de meme pris le temps de gouter a la cuisine locale, qu'on appelle le Padang. Une orgie de plats auxquels on se sert... Apres le repas, on vous donne la douloureuse. C'est bon, le service et rapide et surtout, pas de probleme avec un menu qui est probablement en bahasa de toutes facon...

I did take the time to taste some local cuisine, which one calls Padang. An orgy of dishes to which one is expected to help themselves... After the meal, you are presented with the damage. It is good, the service is rapid and especially, there is no problem with a menu which would probably be in bahasa anyway...

On goute aussi au fruit qui pue: le DURIAN. Ouais, n'en parlons pas, du Durian, une HORREUR si vous voulez mon avis. J'ai essaye 2 fois, histoire de prouver aux Indonesiens et aux Philippins present que la blanchette n'etait pas pleutre... mais je le jure sur la tete de tous les gens que j'aime de ne jamais y etre reprise. M'enfin, au moins j'ai essaye...

One should also taste the stinky fruit: the DURIAN. Ouais, let us not speak about it, of Durian, a HORROR if you want my opinion. I tried it 2 times, just to prove the Indonesians and the Filipinos present that the whitey was no wuss... but I swear it on the head of all people whom I love never not to be taken again at this game... Well, at least I tried...

Hier j'ai ete au marche achete un peu de nourriture car nous avions un souper communautaire. Pour la premiere fois, j'ai ete dans un marche public ou on ne vous invective pas tous les 5 secondes. Les vendeurs etaient heureux de poser pour moi et j'ai prise quelques bonne photos dont celle-ci:

Yesterday I went to the Market to buy a little food because we had a Community supper. For the first time, I was in a public market where no-one jumps at you every 5 seconds. The salesmen were happy to pose for me so I took some good photographs, such as this one:

The Beaver

My guest map is wonderful ! And you'd all be wonderful to post, all of you lurk mode readers!
Thanks and may the winds of Fate blow your way !

Pix !

Here, I've uploaded some pics of Indonesia:


Click HERE to see the full set.

I also uploaded pictures of a trip I made in July to Toronto:


Click HERE to see the full set.


The Beaver

My guest map is wonderful ! And you'd all be wonderful to post, all of you lurk mode readers!
Thanks and may the winds of Fate blow your way !

Some news of what is going on in good ol' Aceh

Just sharing with you guys the local news. Do know that in Meulaboh, where I am now working, this is a bit less strict than in Banda Aceh.

Nevertheless, my word to you is: don't come here unless you really have to.

Picture take from the local news agency : this is what a Canning is.

Source: Rakyat Aceh, Monday 7 August 2006
Rayket Aceh is a local Banda Aceh newspaper.

Raid to a house occupied by NGO

• Suspected of being used as place to do alcohol party.

Banda Aceh, it is suspected that some houses or even offices that are occupied by foreigners from different NGOs in Banda Aceh have become places to hold alcohol parties during the evening.

Not just that, the houses that are occupied by NGOs are also suspected of being places to conduct adultery/immorality.

The assumption of immoral action conducted in the houses that occupied by NGOs was expressed in the meeting of several students from Student Executive Board Faculty (BEM) Syiah Kuala University – the Chairman was Head of Banda Aceh Legislature, Muntasir Hamid and other members, Saturday (5/8).

Chairman Muntasir Hamid mentioned, to the Rakyat Aceh, Sunday (6/8) this assumption was based on information that was received by students from the communities that was addressed to the council office.

Muntasir said, if houses that were occupied by some NGOs are truly become the places for alcohol parties – it should not be allowed to happen as it will contaminate the capital of Verandah of Meccah. Muntasir also asks the ‘law upholders’ to investigate and if necessary take some action against them.

“We did not want the Veranda of Mecca to be contaminated by the presence of NGOs in Banda Aceh as this territory is under the enforcement of Syariah Law” Muntasir said.

So he asked the related Dinas to uphold the Syariah Law and not to gives any tolerance to NGOs that conduct adultery and or beverages party. We will ask in this case, the Dinas of Syariah to do search/raid on houses that are occupied by NGOs especially during the evening. Muntasir said.

He mentioned, if matters like these do not get attention, the students would do direct investigation during the night on the houses that are occupied by NGOs to look for the truth that alcohol parties and immoral actions are really happening.

Separately, Head of Banda Aceh Syariah Natsir Ilyas said, related to the indication of immoral/adultery action he did not receive any objective evidence. However, he really appreciated the input from the students and information given from the community for any violation to Syariah Law.

”We are investigating and if eventually get a strong indication of this violation, his side will mobilize Syariah Police (Waliyatul Hisbah/WH) to put them in order” Natsir said.

Natsir added, to search/raid into houses that are occupy by NGOs, his side must coordinate with police first, Syariah police could not move alone, because we have limitations, he explained.

Natsir also recommended that village heads and Geuchiks monitor, supervise, and inform current Achenese law to those NGOs that occupied houses in their areas. Some time before, public figures in Lambheu, Aceh Besar conducted a raid into an NGO office and found that there was a party, dancing, and alcohol as well, therefore the local community dispersed the party.

Source: Aceh World, July 26 – August 1, 2006
Italian National Arrested for Adultery in Bireuen

AN Italian national (30) who works with an international humanitarian organization in Aceh was arrested by the local shari'a police for committing adultery with his translator, an Acehnese woman, who used to work as his translator. The couple was arrested in a rented house in the village of Desa Pulo Kiton, Sub­district of Kota Juang in the District of Bireuen.

The local shari'a police received an anonymous report through text messaging about the whereabout of the pair. They were arrested at around midnight. According to local residents, they have been suspicious of the couple who fre­quently were seen to be together in public and spent long hours in the rented house.

Drs M. Daud Yusuf, the Commander of the Sharia' Police in Bireuen told reporters that his agency immediatelv sent his officers to arrest the couple as soon as he received the text messaging. The Sharia Police broke down the front door and caught them red-handed. They were then taken to the local police station. Both confessed to the offense and explained that they have been romantically involved since November 2005.

The Shari'a Police also confiscated dried ganja leaves, and alcoholic drinks. The Bireuen Police Chief stated that the Italian suspect will be charged with the crime of possession of narcotics under Law No. 22/1970 on narcotics with a maximum penalty of 10 years prison time. The Italian Embassy in Jakarta has been notified about the arrest. The woman suspect will be charged with a violation of the Shari’a law for committing adultery.

The Beaver

My guest map is wonderful ! And you'd all be wonderful to post, all of you lurk mode readers!
Thanks and may the winds of Fate blow your way !

Aceh at last.....

Banda Aceh, Tuesday August 8^th, 2006. 5:17AM

I’ve been in Indonesia for 3 days and know already more of the local tongue and I could learn Creole in Haiti in 7 weeks. Sure helps that I was on leave and had the time to listen to a few tapes, study a bit the phrase book.

One thing is for sure. Knowing Bahasa Indonesia is paramount. Even in Jakarta, not all the shopkeepers know English, and those who do are grateful when one makes the effort to learn their language.

This has been a rollercoaster since I left home on Thursday. With the typhoon in Hong Kong, my original itinerary was cancelled, but I was nonetheless able to leave, thanks to my quick-thinking travel agent. During the check-in process, I forgot my Swiss knife in my luggage and was thus forced to donate it by the security officers. Silly me. I know not to pack such items in my hand luggage. That really was an oversight.

Unfortunately for me, that would not be my only demise throughout my trip. On the last leg to Jakarta, my Razr phone disappeared from my purse. I begged the personnel to let me go back on the plane to check, but when I found out I’d already cleared immigration and was not allowed back on the plane to check. What happened, I don’t know, but my beautiful and pricey phone in no longer in my custody. Life sucks.

Which reminds me: friends, please email me your phone numbers. They have been lost in the course of the Lost Razr disaster.

I arrived in Jakarta on the Saturday early afternoon *local time* and I must admit I was too busy trying to cancel my roaming service to really enjoy the culture shock. Once that was done, I crashed in my bedroom and enjoyed the luxuries of Ambhara Hotel: a large and comfortable bed, a warm shower, satellite television and room service. When my colleagues arrived later from Nairobi, we met up for some Japanese food. Unable to betray my only true sushi provider (Kaede’s in Montreal) I had some salty grilled salmon that was nonetheless excellent.

On Sunday I hung out at the nearby shopping center and looked at some local arts and crafts. If I had had the money and the luggage allowance for it, I would have very likely purchased the whole store. Beautiful batiks, kimonos, masks and sculptures, name them, they have them. Unfortunately, limited possibilities confine me to small items. But oh boy is their work beautiful….

Monday morning was the barbaric moment. Up at 3:30 AM to make a 7:AM flight to Banda Aceh. None of us looked prim that morning, aside from our resident gramps, who was ready to do jumping jacks in the vestibule of the hotel.

Amusingly, our team looks like the Fantastic Four pre-superpowers. The guy I will now refer to as Mr. Fantastic earns the title because he is the leader of the group and the one with the biggest brain. (As a bonus, nobody understands what the heck he’s saying at least half the time.) An other guy in the group is hot-tempered but gold-hearted, just as the Thing is, and we have our own resident Johnny Storm/Human Torch in our youngest team member. I guess that makes me Sue Storm, the Girl, the one who needs rescuing. Oh well. It’s not like I don’t need to be rescued anyways.

To make matters worse, 3 of us have blue eyes and light hair, which makes us look related. Strange but convenient I guess, in a pre-feministic society where lone women travelers are not a common sight.

How I mourn for Jakarta now. In Banda Aceh on an early Tuesday morning, the muezzin keeps me awake. Hords of mosquitoes are waiting for me to leave the safety of the mosquito net to suck the life out of me. Smoking is prohibited for women. It’s freaking hot and I have to wear a scarf.

To make matters interesting, next week I just got assigned to my own solo mission (as the Thing would say, I am being exiled). I am being sent on my own to Meulaboh, where I will be examining their operations on my own for 2 full weeks. I will miss the guys, but this is an occasion to prove myself, and I am not unhappy about that.

After I wrote the better part of this, I went on the terrasse and watched the sunrise.

Sometimes, the Big Dude has unexpected ways of soothing an aching heart. :o)

Anyway, more to come soon,

The Beaver

My guest map is wonderful ! And you'd all be wonderful to post, all of you lurk mode readers!
Thanks and may the winds of Fate blow your way !

P.S. Friends, please email me your phone numbers. They have been lost in the course of the Lost Razr disaster.

On the road again...

I kissed my mother goodbye and walked mournfully to the gate. My heart is heavy with missing her, my boyfriend, and all the wonderful friends I re-discovered in Montreal.

So here I am, at Gate 79 of Trudeau Airport, waiting for my flight to Banda Aceh, in the Province of Aceh, on the Island of Sumatra, Republic of Indonesia.

In the meantime that I have some of my own, I borrowed a new header (promise not to use it for too long!)

My mum heard on the radio yesterday from a representative of Care Canada that there are over 420,000 people that are still homeless in the aftermath of the 2004 Boxing day Tsunami.

Think about it.

Half a million people have been homeless since December 26th, 2004. It's been 18 months. Wow.

A few other quick facts:

Before the ocean broke loose, Aceh was the site of endless civil war, once again based on religion. Aceh is 2,500km away from Jakarta, the capital. While JKT remained unscathed despite the disasters, all the infrastructure in Aceh has been destroyed, making it very difficult for humanitarian organizations to effectively conduct relief efforts.

To the side, a picture found on the Musicianaries' website.

This time, I can't say I'm leaving home with much enthusiasm. But thinking of the work ahead is keeping me motivated. There is so much to be done... and so little means.

The Beaver

My guest map is wonderful ! And you'd all be wonderful to post, all of you lurk mode readers!
Thanks and may the winds of Fate blow your way !

Horror and Shame

Below is my personal take in a discussion that has been going on here.

Steven Harper, our conservative prime minister, newly elected in December 05, has been brown nosing with Dubya ever since. With now confirmed rumors that the US are participating in the Israeli attack plan, more and more canadians feel that Harper has broken the image of neutrality and tolerance that Canada usually has across the world.

Moreoever, his evacuation plan moves at snail pace, and he has NOT taken action since some Lebenase-born Canadian citizens have been killed in the attacks.

There are rumors that we will go in election mode again in the fall to get rid of this useless politician, and Canadians are down in the street to express their discontent.

My word is this: if your government is supporting the Israeli attack, go in the street and support the protest efforts.

If you are an American citizen, consider your options. The Democrats are not disapproving the Republican support to Israel, which I guess means a third road is starting to be PARAMOUNT.

As far as I'm concerned, if Canada remains conservative, it's likely that I will join the soveignist cause in Quebec or move to France. I have no interest in being affiliated with Harper's support to the massacre of innocents.

The Beaver

My guest map is wonderful ! And you'd all be wonderful to post, all of you lurk mode readers!
Thanks and may the winds of Fate blow your way !

Today is a black day

Mourning, by Wayne Forte

I don't have too much time to post, but I found that Wikipedia's entry about the Israeli-Lebanon crisis is pretty exhaustive.

Here's the link. Great if, like me, you've been slightly disconnected from international current events. This is a controversial subject, so do visit the discussion tab on the page as well.

Wikipedia's crisis article

I'm still trying to wrap my head around this, so I will reserve my opinion for now.

The Beaver

Ode to patriotism (or not)

Congratulations, my Italian friends. Be gracious in your victory. Sports are only a hobby, an athletic and noble one, at that. Be happy, spread the joy, and respect your defeated adversary.

I witnessed the festivities in Little Italy on Sunday. Pictures are here. I do want to stress that the celebration, was loud but safe, and the joy, contagious.



Let me put it this way. I am not patriotic. Nevertheless, this happy supporter made me smile. I was happy for the Azzuris, even though I am probably the most un-patriotic and biggest Fussball ignoramous.

But then there's this. Maybe it's me. Maybe it's them. But when I see this, my brain freezes. I just can't understand it.



I've been on all continents, visited endless countries. Thank GOD they ALL exist. Thank GOD they're all different.

I am happy to come from a society where one can retain and feed their roots, leaving exentricities and differences grow into a beautiful and unique patchwork.

At the same time, superiorism will always leave me icy and worried.

Thank God, most soccer fans are more like my happy gramps and less like our arrogant youths.

The Beaver

My guest map is wonderful ! And you'd all be wonderful to post, all of you lurk mode readers!
Thanks and may the winds of Fate blow your way !

Beep beep !!!

By the way, this weekend was Canada Day, on July 1st. The Library Bitch wrote a wonderful blog entry about this obscure holiday which I don't really celebrate, as it is, in Quebec, the official moving day. Nevertheless, I am Canadian and want to wish a belated happy Canada day to all my compatriots.

Monday was also the 4th of July, so Happy independance day to any American visitors. My buddy Saur wrote good wishes which I will extend to you through this blog.

NOW, DOWN TO BUSINESS !

I have never been much of a soccer / fussball fan. But being in Montreal (of all places) where there are italian, portugese, french, brazilian, greek and german diasporas is making this otherwise uninteresting event very real to me, as CQFD's appartment is right at the heart of the italian/portugese neighboorhood, otherwise known as Little Italy.

So my quietness is periodically invaded by waves of honking and more important by face-painted, flag-bearing supporters who feel it necessary to scream their victory at the top of their lungs. And don't forget the whistles !

But is it really their victory? Is it something worth embarassing yourself publicly ? Supporters don't really ACHEIVE anything, do they? The team they cheer so avidly for is unaware of their existence. The World cup hasn't even been won, for heaven's sake !

This being said, if you are for Italy, congratulations. If you're not, my sympathies. Personnally, I couldn't care less. Just, please, be happy, or sad, without producing decibels under my window.

BUT ENOUGH RANTING !

So what have I been up to since I've been back on my feet ? Not much really. I still sleep 12 hours a night as a rule. I nevertheless have started going out and seeing friends, and have recently enjoyed a lot of sushi at Kaede's (2073, St-Denis), (hmmm sushi). Kaede is a new Japanese restaurant in downtown Montreal. The business is japanese owned, japanese-managed, cooked and served. This is possibly the best (and cheapest) sushi I have EVER eaten.

There is this particular sushi called Osaka, which involves smoked salmon, shrimp, avogado and in which the nori algae is replaced by soybean foil. When I eat it, I feel what I can only describe as a mouth orgasm. Even burping feels good after you eat this sushi. Hours after you leave the restaurant, your mouth suddenly remembers its taste, and you get a second sushi-gasm. Even the word Sushi itself carries the delicate nuances of the dish.

I think by the way that Sushi is now my favorite food. I could probably eat it every day and not tire of it. Maybe I should move to Japan or something.

Anyway, I also went to a few movies (including X3 and Superman returns) - which I have nothing interesting to say about - and more importantly, I've been reading a heck of a lot.

I read, for example, Life of Hunger (La biographie de la faim) and Acide Sulfurique by Amelie Nothomb. Did you know that she almost got the Goncourt? I'm also in the process of reading a brick written by a french canadian lady, La femme de la Fontaine. It's quite taking and will be worth a review when I've gone through its 450 pages. Unfortunately, nobody has yet had the courage to translate it....

I also spend ridiculous amounts of time at the Great Library and periodically clean up the appartment, a task CQFD would do only twice a year in my absence.

I see friends and attend the wonderful Montreal Jazz Festival.

I'm also learning Indonesian for my next mission which is now in less than 4 weeks. I'm happy to be home and to have an extended stay, but I already feel my heart, yearning for the adventure !

The Beaver

Thank you Der Hadji in Afdirtistan for posting on my guestmap ! My guest map is wonderful ! And you'd all be wonderful to post, all of you lurk mode readers!

Thanks and may the winds of Fate blow your way !

FIFA Craze gone over the top (LoL)

Man Pulls TV From House Fire to Watch Soccer

Reuters, BEIJING (June 29) - A Beijing soccer fan refused to let the small matter of his house burning down disturb his enjoyment of Tuesday's World Cup match between France and Spain.

A fire broke out in a hutong in the center of the Chinese capital at 3 a.m. local time Wednesday -- kickoff time in Hanover -- and gutted the traditional courtyard dwelling, the Beijing Daily Messenger reported.

"When the neighbors shouted 'fire!', I took my little baby and ran out in my nightclothes," the man's wife told the paper.

"My husband paid no attention to the danger, just grabbed the television and put it under his arm.

"After getting out of the house, he then set about finding an electric socket to plug in and continue watching his game."

The anti-social timing of the matches broadcast from Germany, which is six hours behind China, has forced some Chinese fans to go to great lengths to follow the action.

One man quit his job in Beijing to return to his hometown Chongqing so he could watch the whole tournament uninterrupted.

State news agency Xinhua reported that the 23-year-old's boss at the IT company had offered him a pay rise, but he turned it down flat, saying the World Cup was more important than his job.

The Guangzhou Daily reported that local police were forced to release a thief arrested for stealing a mobile phone when the victim refused to press charges because he did not want to miss the start of a match.

Although there are also many female World Cup fans in China, one man in the southeastern city had to sign a contract with his wife agreeing to do all the housework during the month of the finals so he could watch the matches at night.

Another from Putian, Fujian province, took a less diplomatic approach, Xinhua reported.

When his cheers during the Argentina-Ivory Coast match woke his wife and she switched off the television, he locked her in their bedroom and settled back down to watch the game ignoring her loud protests.

Copyright 2006 Reuters Limited. All rights reserved.

The Beaver

Thank you Bananapouch in Baltimore for posting on my guestmap ! My guest map is wonderful ! And you'd all be wonderful to post, all of you lurk mode readers!
Thanks and may the winds of Fate blow your way !

Headers.... (As promised to Nyasha)

En passant :

Bonne Saint-Jean
a tous les Quebecois
et les Quebecoises!!!!

Today is Quebec's national holiday, La Saint-Jean-Baptiste! Yesterday, just like last year, I spent the evening serving beer to party-goers. (Go figure, this year, St-Hyacinthe was partying 1 day ahead!) My comments remain essentially the same.

I wrote an extensive post about it last year which you can find here.

Bonne Saint-Jean to one and all !

============================================

So here we are again with some technical entries. I haven't done one in (oh) about a year, so I hope you will be forgiving and that I'll be able to answer you appropriately.

How to change the picture in the header

First, if you have a customized header you would like to use, you need to host it. Personnally, I like to use Flickr, but other services exist that will give you a URL for your header.

So:
1) Obtain a Flickr account.
2) Upload your picture. If you wish to, it can be set to "private" and still be used.
3) Go to your photo page. On it, click on the link "All sizes".



4) Grab your header's URL.



5) Then, go to www.blogger.com
6) Log in and select the template tab.



7) Make sure you are in the "edit current" option.



8) in the text box, look for a block of code that ressembles the code in RED: (It should be at the beginning of your template).



9) Then replace the URL in blue by your URL from Flickr.

I hope this helps !


The Beaver


My guest map is wonderful ! And you'd all be wonderful to post, all of you lurk mode readers!
Thanks and may the winds of Fate blow your way !