postcard from the other hemisphere

When I looked into my "snail mail" box, to my surprise I found more than bills to be stored on the "guilt pile". There was an amazingly green postcard, with a stamp showing spectacular scenery of mountain peaks seen form the flat surface of azure water. It was a postcard from my Student, who went on a two-month cycle tour across New Zealand.

I texted her after the earthquake in Christchurch, but at that time the group was still exploring the northern island. Now they've moved south, where vegetation is far more exotic. She says it's great, even though the showers that made the recent days so wet that she cycles in wet clothes, sleeps in a wet tent and eats wet sandwiches.

Of course I'm very happy that during this 3300-kilometre route she's able to remember about her E.T.*!

You can learn about the expedition on the website of the organizers, CROTOS Travellers' Association.
* English Teacher

in touch with everyday life

With my personal aversion to war, I am surprised how the news have become overtaken with Libyan issues, which for sure are of utmost importance, but I'd like to hear more about Japan dealing with the aftermath of the recent disaster. In the news the spotlights are on places where things explode or crush or drip with blood, as if humanity could only recognize itself in the moment of a blast and violence. Cameras never focus on the quotidien, the ordinary, the routines of everyday life that you have to build up from the rubble.

Nice to follow the diary of a Red Cross aid by Kathy Mueller, however scarce and so much lesser in volume than the fireworks of "breaking news" it may seem.

from the news

From BBC live I learn that in Japan, in the areas affected by the disaster, people are starving in hospitals. How come?

upside down

I wanted to write a review of King's Speech today, but after seeing the pictures of snow falling on tsunami victims in Japan - the people stranded in debris of their former homes - I guess I'm not able to at the moment.

If I lived any nearer, I'd offer a bed in our flat.

king's speech

Gripping, moving, intelligent, funny!
Made me quite speechless today, so this has to suffice for now - until I get my voice back.