Freezing fingers and the distance prevented any better picks, but you get the idea. Their speed and jumps looked like great fun.
Sunday, 26 February 2012
Ray of light
Thank God the sunniest day of the week just happened to be sunday. So off I were out and walking already at eleven. And so were twenty thousand old people. Later came kids with their parents. The joy children can have over playing in the snow and riding their sledges. And then there are some grown ups, who do it their way.
Freezing fingers and the distance prevented any better picks, but you get the idea. Their speed and jumps looked like great fun.
Freezing fingers and the distance prevented any better picks, but you get the idea. Their speed and jumps looked like great fun.
Sunday, 19 February 2012
GPH
Remember the scene from Diarios de motocicleta where young Ernesto "Che" Guevara chooses to treat patients with leprosy in an unorthodox way - as humans. A similar story can be told from Nepal. But to appreciate it you must understand what it means to be stigmatized.
A rural society is based on some ground rules. You're all more or less dependent on eachother. Weakest link easily weakens the whole surrounding. Add to that the caste system which states that people are unequal, no questions asked.
Leprosy is a communicable disease with a terrible echo. It was already mentioned in the Old Testament. Getting it pretty much meant sure but slow death. And because most people don't want that, the easiest way to prevent it is to get rid of the guy with leprosy. This is not purely an act of mean individuals it is also a survival method. So practically anyone carrying it are excluded from the society, forgotten and left on their own.
Nepal has a special place in my heart and any news from there is welcomed. Green Pastures Hospital in Pokhara, Nepal, treats leprosy patients. Or as one of the staff members told me they serve the patients. These outcasts get cured not only physically but also to some extent spiritually as well. Questions of self respect, zest for life and meaning to it all are frequently faced inside those hospital walls.
The news I received were mainly positive. Hospital is up and running. The patient influx has increased and some renovation has been finished. Although there's much to do the original spirit is still there.
Green Pastures Hospital is run by INF. (The virtual tour is much cooled than my picks.)
A rural society is based on some ground rules. You're all more or less dependent on eachother. Weakest link easily weakens the whole surrounding. Add to that the caste system which states that people are unequal, no questions asked.
Leprosy is a communicable disease with a terrible echo. It was already mentioned in the Old Testament. Getting it pretty much meant sure but slow death. And because most people don't want that, the easiest way to prevent it is to get rid of the guy with leprosy. This is not purely an act of mean individuals it is also a survival method. So practically anyone carrying it are excluded from the society, forgotten and left on their own.
Nepal has a special place in my heart and any news from there is welcomed. Green Pastures Hospital in Pokhara, Nepal, treats leprosy patients. Or as one of the staff members told me they serve the patients. These outcasts get cured not only physically but also to some extent spiritually as well. Questions of self respect, zest for life and meaning to it all are frequently faced inside those hospital walls.
The news I received were mainly positive. Hospital is up and running. The patient influx has increased and some renovation has been finished. Although there's much to do the original spirit is still there.
Green Pastures Hospital is run by INF. (The virtual tour is much cooled than my picks.)
Happy Birthday
Thing's have been packing up lately.
This month has been just as cold, snowy and dark as the previous one. Luckily there's cause for celebration. That is to say I have no idea how to party over someone whose been dead for decades.
One of my absolute favourite authors is Charles Dickens. His villains are truly bad, heroes innocent and there's always a happy ending. Some of his novels were originally published in newspapers as serial stories so you can find twists and turns as the story goes along. My favourite it A tale of two cities. Unfortunately Andrew Davies hasn't go his fingers on this one. Yet. So I'll post a wonderful scene from Little Dorrit. Britain's got talent.
This month has been just as cold, snowy and dark as the previous one. Luckily there's cause for celebration. That is to say I have no idea how to party over someone whose been dead for decades.
One of my absolute favourite authors is Charles Dickens. His villains are truly bad, heroes innocent and there's always a happy ending. Some of his novels were originally published in newspapers as serial stories so you can find twists and turns as the story goes along. My favourite it A tale of two cities. Unfortunately Andrew Davies hasn't go his fingers on this one. Yet. So I'll post a wonderful scene from Little Dorrit. Britain's got talent.
Sunday, 12 February 2012
Tuesday, 7 February 2012
Fair summer's eve
When streams of light pour down the golden west,
And on the balmy zephyrs tranquil rest
The silver clouds, far - far away to leave
All meaner thoughts, and take a sweet reprieve
From little cares; to find, with easy quest,
A fragrant wild, with Nature's beauty drest
-John Keats-
Thursday, 2 February 2012
Tuesday, 24 January 2012
Say it so you mean it
Love locks. Need I say more.
When it's cold, winter is coming and you're alone in Paris. This is a sight you definitely want to shoot, cause looking at it hurts your eyes.
This is how much I love you. I want to make a statement. Our love is as firm as this lock. And we can throw the key to the river for this will stand forever. This lock opens my heart and you're the one who has the key.
Despite my enthusiasm above I think this is one fun form of urban culture. Similar locks can be seen in numerous cities. In Serbia the oldest are said to date back to the early 1900s. Who knows, maybe the love has lasted. Should find someone who can give a testimonial.
When it's cold, winter is coming and you're alone in Paris. This is a sight you definitely want to shoot, cause looking at it hurts your eyes.
This is how much I love you. I want to make a statement. Our love is as firm as this lock. And we can throw the key to the river for this will stand forever. This lock opens my heart and you're the one who has the key.
Despite my enthusiasm above I think this is one fun form of urban culture. Similar locks can be seen in numerous cities. In Serbia the oldest are said to date back to the early 1900s. Who knows, maybe the love has lasted. Should find someone who can give a testimonial.
Monday, 23 January 2012
Good deed of the day
Want an easy, interesting and fun way to make a difference to someone's life? Support a person, not just a huge organization doing some work somewhere. With Kiva it's easy.
Microfinance has become a popular way to help. After Mr Yunus from Bangladesh received Nobel peace prize for his invention in 2006, different version of the same idea have evolved.
Already in 2005 Jessica Jackley together with Matt Flannery founded Kiva. Their idea was to connect people, the entepreneur and his loan givers. This way the need and the deed would have faces and personalities behind them. Everyone has a story. It becomes more real.
I have given loans to nine different countries, to individuals both men and women, farmers, salesmed and craft workers. They're all paid back or nearly so.
To make a loan is easy. All you need is a credit card or a PayPal account and an Internet access. Then comes the hard part of choosing. I always make my loans to people whose request is soon expiring. Next step is to get to know them and send prayers along with the money.
Microfinance has become a popular way to help. After Mr Yunus from Bangladesh received Nobel peace prize for his invention in 2006, different version of the same idea have evolved.
Already in 2005 Jessica Jackley together with Matt Flannery founded Kiva. Their idea was to connect people, the entepreneur and his loan givers. This way the need and the deed would have faces and personalities behind them. Everyone has a story. It becomes more real.
I have given loans to nine different countries, to individuals both men and women, farmers, salesmed and craft workers. They're all paid back or nearly so.
To make a loan is easy. All you need is a credit card or a PayPal account and an Internet access. Then comes the hard part of choosing. I always make my loans to people whose request is soon expiring. Next step is to get to know them and send prayers along with the money.
Saturday, 21 January 2012
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