For full blog visit http://blueatjustchill.blogspot.com/
I'm going to put my money where my mouth is, actually not my money but my opinion and in the grand scheme of things that isn't worth too much. Anyways, I should be studying the intricacies of the Korean honorific system and thoroughly bored to tears. So I will write this instead.
Sport
England will not be number 1 in any major sport (Football, Rugby or Cricket). I'm starting slow with the predictions.
New Zealand will finish the year as number one Rugby union team but will again get complacent before the next world cup.NZ will win the 7's. Wales will win the 6 nations but England will improve. (Hard not to from 4th out of 6).
South Africa will be number one in test cricket with India and Australia close behind, but Aus will remain number 1 in one day game.
England will win the ashes!!!!!!!!!!!
Spain will continue to be the pace setters in football but England will qualify comfortably and I will convince myself that we are the best team in the world and will win the world cup. Wales, Scotland and N.Ireland will be valiant in their typical demise. France won't qualify for the world cup. Portugal, Greece, Czech Rep, Germany, Spain, England, Lithuania (Surprise), Italy and Holland will win their groups.
Chelsea will win the premiership ahead of Man Utd, Liverpool and Arsenal (Please don't let it be Villa) There will again be an all English Champions League final. Leeds will win the play offs. West Brom, Stoke and I hate to say it West Ham are going down.
Man City will not be able to sign any world class players and West Ham will be on the verge of bankruptcy and get deducted 10 points sending them down.
Beckham will leave LA Galaxy to return to Europe to try and make it to the world cup.
Andy will win his first triathlon at the end of the year!!!!!
No other sports really matter.
The world
OK if the sports predictions had a lack of expert analysis then this certainly will. I have discovered since travel that the more we learn the less we actually know and that every situation is complicated beyond belief. This has led me to a complete mistrust of the media and experts who speak on every field because i know there is no way they know it all. Events in Thailand have taught me that in particular with journalist spouting out rhetoric that they probably got off wikipedia and seeing a protest and making the assumption that protesters must be in the right.
However I am not a journalist, expert or incredibly smart so take it with a pinch of salt.
The economy I don't think has seen the worse of the crisis. People are only really starting to get laid off and it won't be for a couple of months until the masses of unemployed no longer have savings or money just to survive. There will be more unemployment and more non essential companies will fall. I will guess one of the big US car makers will collapse even with govt assistance (personally i don't agree they should get backing, It's good for the US to back them but not global economy). I think that late spring is when it will hit worse. I expect to see a large increase in university applicants especially for masters programs from people who take redunacy and decide it's a good time to do further study. In the UK i can imagine there will be a big campaign to end benefits but they will continue. I think if we do have an election in the UK then maybe Labor will win with a Liberal coalition. It all depends how the govt work in the next 3 months, this is there chance to wipe away the faults of the last few years.
Obviously it's Obama's first year in charge and perhaps the economy is a hidden benefit to him, no one will blame the man who can do no wrong and by the end of the year the economy will show signs of recovery and he will be praised for it. Guantanamo Bay will hopefully close. It won't be all good for him though, i don't think he'll get even half of what he wants through congress. I don't think Hilary will be a good foreign secretary (i would of given her a domestic role like health care) I think she will suffer from being a celebrity more than being a proven negotiator.
I won't make predictions about Israel and the Middle East because lets be honest the year will end like every year, civilians on both sides will needlessly die and nothing will or can be resolved. I'm almost to the view that the world should just stand aside and let them get on with it because until one side completely annilates the other this won't end.
More in my interest I hope that South Africa take a more hard line against Mugabe and that the UK support South Africa rather than do things unilaterally. The EU i hope also follows the UK line rather than support dictators. I think this has the potential to be resolved by the end of the year if neighbouring governments have the desire. SA though has an election next year will decide what happens.
Thailand i think will continue to have protests all year. I can't see their current PM lasting the year and if they have elections then they will lose to the rural majority and be in exactly the same situation as before. I can't see Taksin getting back into power. The Thai economy will suffer more than any in the region.
In my adopted home of South Korea I hope they ride the economic crisis, it's fair to say I'm not a great fan of the president here but the opposition are acting lack spoilt children and there is serious lack of maturity amongst politicians here. This year I hope that none of the presidents big ideas (especially the canal) will be allowed to proceed. I think Korea will get a nasty shock from the new Obama team and there export economy will suffer. I feel Koreans need to forget about high economic growth and concentrate on updating its social welfare and social policy. This country has the potential economically but the lack of social development is worrying. I would like to see a clamp down on private academies and religious movements but I'm sceptical. How Korea progresses from a poor export country to a cultured developed country relies on how the masses act and what they will demand.
The North Korea situation will continue to be terrible, our only hope for the year is that the great leader dies. Then and only then will something happen. I think we will see the emergence of prodige probably from within the NK military. There will be no military action from the south. I really hope that China decides that enough is enough and put serious pressure on NK. China I think are in control of what happens this year. I would hope but doubt that the media and US policy team focus more on what is the worse humanatarian crisis in the world not only this year but in the last 30 plus years. It is despicable that the nuclear issue has been allowed to overshadow this. China also has a key role to play in Burma where the junta remain in control. These really are three issues that i study and focus on and would like my career to focus on.
Like usual many other countries will have seriously neglected issues and it seems you need to create a bloodbath before any media outlet will take it seriously.
I think thats enough for predictions. Israel, India and South Africa will all have elections so it will at least be interesting. One last thing, Pound one to one with the Euro WTF!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!. That better change otherwise i will never be able to cross the channel again.
Personally, I'll be back in the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland on the morning of the 13th of February. I will probably be stuck in some dead end job for at least 6 months until various interviews and applications are over. So by 2010 I can start to conquer the world!!!
30 Dec 2008
The year that was!!
For full blog visit http://blueatjustchill.blogspot.com/
Can you believe it's nearly the end of this decade!!!!! 2009 Oh my days!!! 2008 was an eventful one not only for me but for everyone. I've personally been to so many places and met so many people. I've had many special people come in and out of my life so I hope 2009 will be even half as good.
As everything seems to have an end of year awards I've decided to give out the inaugural 'Marcies' awards.
'Highlight of the Year' - Watching Usain Bolt not only destroy the 100m and relay world records but beat Micheal Johnson's 200m world record in incredible style.
'British Highlight of the Year' - Again at the Olympics, seeing the British cycle team completely dominate the world stage yet again.
'Funniest Moment' - Standing on a platform in the middle of Russia watching a man jump on to a moving train with his dinner in a polystyrene plate and seeing it go all over him as he is clinging on for dear life. Bradders and I were in tears of laughter for at least 2 days.
'I should of known better Award' - Zip lining into a river in Vang Vieng, Laos not once but twice and losing my hearing for several days, eye sight for a couple of hours and breaking nearly every bone in my body. Idiot!!!!
'Best Country Award' - Joint winner Laos and Japan, with Croatia a close runner up.
'Best City Award' - Beijing (i was there at a truly historic time) New York would be a close runner up.
'Worst Country' - Tough to give it to anyone but maybe Poland or Cambodia. I did enjoy my time in both but they can be depressing countries.
'Worst City' - With out a single doubt Zhengzhou in the middle of China. Hell hole!!! I think Moscow except the Kremlin deserves a mention.
'Best Wonder' - The great wall, Chungju Lake (Korea), Lake Baikal ( Russia) and Lake Bled (Slovenia)
'Most overrated wonder' - Imperial Palace in Tokyo
'Best Museum' - The Baltic states war tour that Bradders and I made. The communist museum in Prague and the Korean War museum in Seoul that I've now been to 5 times. The UN building in New York and Red Cross Museum in Geneva.
'Worst Museum' - Bosnia National Museum and Laos National Museum. They have such potential but yet such a let down.
'Best Argument' - Bradders and I in Vienna subway station both acting like brats.
'The Wrong place Wrong time Award' - Being in Bangkok Airport at the start of the protests and not being able to leave the country for 5 day, subsequently missing the wedding of the year in which i was one of the best men. I will stick one of their clappers somewhere painful if i ever go back.
'The small world award' - Unexpectedly meeting Carlos in the Temple of Heaven in Beijing just before the start of the Olympics. Also meeting Elizabeth in Lithuania, Latvia and Seoul.
'Biggest Disappointment of the year' - England not qualifying for Euro 2008 and Spain winning it. All my worst nightmares at once. Leeds not getting promoted again!!!
The 'I surprised myself' Award - Cycling the entire length of South Korea and taking a Korean Language course.
'The biggest expense Award' - Buying a world class suit from John Kerry's tailor and missing the wedding i was going to use it in. It really is a good suit!!! The train from St Petersberg to Moscow was ridiculous.
'Best Accommodation' - Live the bubble, Dream the bubble, Enjoy bubble. Andy I'm coming to move in with you anytime.
'Best Sporting Achievement by a country' - This is an added award before i get mobbed by angry South Africans. They are now the best Rugby union and Test cricket team in the world. According to rankings!!!
'Best Food' - South East Asia had great food, Fukuoka (Japan) had great ramyeon, Austria had great strudel and the baltics great dumplings. However, there is only ever going to be one winner and with out a doubt it's Korean food. For those of you that have never had it, it's not expensive high class difficult food. It's regualr cheap lower class food but it's so good. Dakgalbi, kimbap, just rice and kim, pacheon, all the soups, ramyeon and everything except tofu. I eat korean food ahead of anything and always eat my plate and my friends. Uni canteen food is the same but cheaper. Siney knows my feelings because I most of her food at lunch on top of mine.
If you have any more suggestions for awards tell me. I think overal it has been a great year, the olympics were a big sporting success, Obama winning the presidency is obviously big news that i was glad to see. The economic crisis has dampened the mood and it sad to see situation in North Korea continue to not get the humanatarian media coverage that it warrants. The situation in Zimbabwe, Congo, Thailand, Sudan, Somalia, Middle East and Georgia still remain poorly dealt with.
As for this blog I recently added a blog counter and after some trail and error it's working. I average about 20 views a day with 3-4 unique viewers. It's amazing what it tells me about the people who view this site. I will try to get a map up to geographically place them all. I'll give my 2009 predictions in due course now i know people actually read this. Also somewhere i must have a stalker because over I've had over 10,000 views on my flickr page. Own up who is it?
Can you believe it's nearly the end of this decade!!!!! 2009 Oh my days!!! 2008 was an eventful one not only for me but for everyone. I've personally been to so many places and met so many people. I've had many special people come in and out of my life so I hope 2009 will be even half as good.
As everything seems to have an end of year awards I've decided to give out the inaugural 'Marcies' awards.
'Highlight of the Year' - Watching Usain Bolt not only destroy the 100m and relay world records but beat Micheal Johnson's 200m world record in incredible style.
'British Highlight of the Year' - Again at the Olympics, seeing the British cycle team completely dominate the world stage yet again.
'Funniest Moment' - Standing on a platform in the middle of Russia watching a man jump on to a moving train with his dinner in a polystyrene plate and seeing it go all over him as he is clinging on for dear life. Bradders and I were in tears of laughter for at least 2 days.
'I should of known better Award' - Zip lining into a river in Vang Vieng, Laos not once but twice and losing my hearing for several days, eye sight for a couple of hours and breaking nearly every bone in my body. Idiot!!!!
'Best Country Award' - Joint winner Laos and Japan, with Croatia a close runner up.
'Best City Award' - Beijing (i was there at a truly historic time) New York would be a close runner up.
'Worst Country' - Tough to give it to anyone but maybe Poland or Cambodia. I did enjoy my time in both but they can be depressing countries.
'Worst City' - With out a single doubt Zhengzhou in the middle of China. Hell hole!!! I think Moscow except the Kremlin deserves a mention.
'Best Wonder' - The great wall, Chungju Lake (Korea), Lake Baikal ( Russia) and Lake Bled (Slovenia)
'Most overrated wonder' - Imperial Palace in Tokyo
'Best Museum' - The Baltic states war tour that Bradders and I made. The communist museum in Prague and the Korean War museum in Seoul that I've now been to 5 times. The UN building in New York and Red Cross Museum in Geneva.
'Worst Museum' - Bosnia National Museum and Laos National Museum. They have such potential but yet such a let down.
'Best Argument' - Bradders and I in Vienna subway station both acting like brats.
'The Wrong place Wrong time Award' - Being in Bangkok Airport at the start of the protests and not being able to leave the country for 5 day, subsequently missing the wedding of the year in which i was one of the best men. I will stick one of their clappers somewhere painful if i ever go back.
'The small world award' - Unexpectedly meeting Carlos in the Temple of Heaven in Beijing just before the start of the Olympics. Also meeting Elizabeth in Lithuania, Latvia and Seoul.
'Biggest Disappointment of the year' - England not qualifying for Euro 2008 and Spain winning it. All my worst nightmares at once. Leeds not getting promoted again!!!
The 'I surprised myself' Award - Cycling the entire length of South Korea and taking a Korean Language course.
'The biggest expense Award' - Buying a world class suit from John Kerry's tailor and missing the wedding i was going to use it in. It really is a good suit!!! The train from St Petersberg to Moscow was ridiculous.
'Best Accommodation' - Live the bubble, Dream the bubble, Enjoy bubble. Andy I'm coming to move in with you anytime.
'Best Sporting Achievement by a country' - This is an added award before i get mobbed by angry South Africans. They are now the best Rugby union and Test cricket team in the world. According to rankings!!!
'Best Food' - South East Asia had great food, Fukuoka (Japan) had great ramyeon, Austria had great strudel and the baltics great dumplings. However, there is only ever going to be one winner and with out a doubt it's Korean food. For those of you that have never had it, it's not expensive high class difficult food. It's regualr cheap lower class food but it's so good. Dakgalbi, kimbap, just rice and kim, pacheon, all the soups, ramyeon and everything except tofu. I eat korean food ahead of anything and always eat my plate and my friends. Uni canteen food is the same but cheaper. Siney knows my feelings because I most of her food at lunch on top of mine.
If you have any more suggestions for awards tell me. I think overal it has been a great year, the olympics were a big sporting success, Obama winning the presidency is obviously big news that i was glad to see. The economic crisis has dampened the mood and it sad to see situation in North Korea continue to not get the humanatarian media coverage that it warrants. The situation in Zimbabwe, Congo, Thailand, Sudan, Somalia, Middle East and Georgia still remain poorly dealt with.
As for this blog I recently added a blog counter and after some trail and error it's working. I average about 20 views a day with 3-4 unique viewers. It's amazing what it tells me about the people who view this site. I will try to get a map up to geographically place them all. I'll give my 2009 predictions in due course now i know people actually read this. Also somewhere i must have a stalker because over I've had over 10,000 views on my flickr page. Own up who is it?
9 Dec 2008
Being English Part 2
Well i had so many responses about my last post that I've had to think about it more. Before i went on a bit of a patriotic rant and forgot what i was writing about. As Alistair correctly mentioned there is no such thing as ethnic English. However, I've said before that there is a difference between ethnicity and nationality. Ethnically the English are traditionally Germanic or Scandinavian with a mix of va va voom from across the channel. England though is in the globalised world,ethnicity in England is no longer consigned to white fair haired people. For well over a hundred years we have had a mixture of races especially Caribbean and Indian. Therefore our ethnicity is not what being English is. The English and American are not the same even though we have similar ethnic roots.
So being English in the modern day is complicated. I went to school with Caucasians, Chinese, Indian, African, Caribbean and Latin and to be honest i never really thought about Englishness in that way. I'm not naive enough to think it's always been like that. Being a English man now though, i feel should mean that we don't look at the colour of one skin and although there is racism, it is a hardcore minority. Trust me when i say in other countries there a majority who hold racist views. So I think we can be proud of that.
I think to be English means that we have pride in our heritage and development into a multi-cultural country (our national dish is curry). We also have a sense of arrogance that we are rightly at the upper echelons of world society. We are the noble and wise who has dealt with a falling empire. We don''t ask anybody for anything (or least we think that). We strive when the odds are against us and where we have to work as a nation against an enemy (the fact that Prime Ministers tend to get reelected during war time suggests this). We are a nation that will happily laugh at ourselves (when we're doing the joking) and we have a unique sense of sarcasm and humour that other countries (Americans in particular) just don't understand.
I remember sitting in an hostel in Chongqing watching the closing ceremony of the Olympic games when London did it's thing and Boris Johnson waved the flag. I couldn't stop laughing (as well as be embarrassed). The Chinese around me were in shock that i would laugh at my own country and make jokes about my own country. This is not unpatriotic just a unique sense of humour. Our coolness transcends into our music and films. It is this Englishness that people abroad find so honest.
To be English is to appreciate family life and personal time. We take orders from no one not even family but offer advice to everyone. We like to drink (sometimes too much) and complain about the weather. That is just what we do. We are scared of the unknown but in times of hardship we will offer assistance.
I say we but I should say I because I can't speak for all English. We are all different that's what makes us unique. Every country will have it's own positives and negatives. I used to be slightly ashamed of my country, we have done some awful things but we have also achieved some of the most the amazing feats known to man. We have contributed to the world we live in and that is a lot more than some countries I could mention. So now i am not ashamed of being English because after travelling around I've come to realise that although on the face of it countries may look great with new infrastructure and beautiful sights. Socially they are a million miles away from being English, where no matter your race, sexuality, status you can go to the pub and have a beer with the person next to you with no fear of persecution.
But maybe my English arrogance is coming out again. I'm sure Alistair will tell me.
So being English in the modern day is complicated. I went to school with Caucasians, Chinese, Indian, African, Caribbean and Latin and to be honest i never really thought about Englishness in that way. I'm not naive enough to think it's always been like that. Being a English man now though, i feel should mean that we don't look at the colour of one skin and although there is racism, it is a hardcore minority. Trust me when i say in other countries there a majority who hold racist views. So I think we can be proud of that.
I think to be English means that we have pride in our heritage and development into a multi-cultural country (our national dish is curry). We also have a sense of arrogance that we are rightly at the upper echelons of world society. We are the noble and wise who has dealt with a falling empire. We don''t ask anybody for anything (or least we think that). We strive when the odds are against us and where we have to work as a nation against an enemy (the fact that Prime Ministers tend to get reelected during war time suggests this). We are a nation that will happily laugh at ourselves (when we're doing the joking) and we have a unique sense of sarcasm and humour that other countries (Americans in particular) just don't understand.
I remember sitting in an hostel in Chongqing watching the closing ceremony of the Olympic games when London did it's thing and Boris Johnson waved the flag. I couldn't stop laughing (as well as be embarrassed). The Chinese around me were in shock that i would laugh at my own country and make jokes about my own country. This is not unpatriotic just a unique sense of humour. Our coolness transcends into our music and films. It is this Englishness that people abroad find so honest.
To be English is to appreciate family life and personal time. We take orders from no one not even family but offer advice to everyone. We like to drink (sometimes too much) and complain about the weather. That is just what we do. We are scared of the unknown but in times of hardship we will offer assistance.
I say we but I should say I because I can't speak for all English. We are all different that's what makes us unique. Every country will have it's own positives and negatives. I used to be slightly ashamed of my country, we have done some awful things but we have also achieved some of the most the amazing feats known to man. We have contributed to the world we live in and that is a lot more than some countries I could mention. So now i am not ashamed of being English because after travelling around I've come to realise that although on the face of it countries may look great with new infrastructure and beautiful sights. Socially they are a million miles away from being English, where no matter your race, sexuality, status you can go to the pub and have a beer with the person next to you with no fear of persecution.
But maybe my English arrogance is coming out again. I'm sure Alistair will tell me.
Seoul National University
So I made it here. Just!!! Korea's number 1 university. After an extremely drunken night with Elizabeth I turned up to class hungover and not really knowing what i was doing. The idea of studying Korean never really entered my mind until i was cycling around Korea. I had always wanted to study abroad but felt another masters or a PHD wouldn't be worth my while and with getting through the stages of the civil service exams I thought a language course would help me.
My Korean was already reasonable for a foreigner and i know alot of random vocab but not much grammar. I would of donea course but living in Pocheon is difficult to study from. My class is small with 12 students from Russia, Mongolia, Burma, America, Kuwait, Australia and Indonesia. Everybody is at a pretty similar level, which is a bit above the level we're doing. The first few days were drilling on our Hanguel pronunication which is what i need most. I feel lucky that the class is nice and we go for lunch everyday. My classes are from 9-1 so i have the afternoons to chill.
I'm staying in a dormitory room which are similar to Penbryn in Aber. I share a room (this must be an american thing) with a 1st year Korean maths student, who although has the largest collection of shoes and toiletteries i've ever seen is a really nice guy. I get on with him well and he's not all 'i'm rooming with a foreigner'. I think we will get on well together. Plus in has a massive computer screen that is immense.
Ok back to study!!!!
My Korean was already reasonable for a foreigner and i know alot of random vocab but not much grammar. I would of donea course but living in Pocheon is difficult to study from. My class is small with 12 students from Russia, Mongolia, Burma, America, Kuwait, Australia and Indonesia. Everybody is at a pretty similar level, which is a bit above the level we're doing. The first few days were drilling on our Hanguel pronunication which is what i need most. I feel lucky that the class is nice and we go for lunch everyday. My classes are from 9-1 so i have the afternoons to chill.
I'm staying in a dormitory room which are similar to Penbryn in Aber. I share a room (this must be an american thing) with a 1st year Korean maths student, who although has the largest collection of shoes and toiletteries i've ever seen is a really nice guy. I get on with him well and he's not all 'i'm rooming with a foreigner'. I think we will get on well together. Plus in has a massive computer screen that is immense.
Ok back to study!!!!
5 Dec 2008
Being held captive....
November 26th Bangkok international airport, 3000 Thai PAD protesters take control of Thailand's busiest airport forcing the cancellation of every flight in and out of the country. The problem is I'm stuck inside the terminal with little way in or out. I'm a hostage!
Ok that's a little extreme and perhaps my boredom has taken over and led to hysteria but we're in a sensationalist world now. My captures have been pretty nice to me. Ive been here about 8hours and been given several bottles of water, a seafood rice dish, a Danish pastry, 4 bread rolls, a small cake and 2 packs of gum. Not bad, being a hostage is cheap living.
The thing is I'm not sure why they decided to take the airport. I'm by no means an expert on Thai politics and what I know mostly comes from Andy and although he calls me a Marxist I think he calls it pretty well. Essentially the PAD is the urban class and in the minority to the UND rural government. After some coup and elections they continue to lose. They claim the UND is corrupt and tied to Taksin former pre coup administration. There is there seems some truth to this.Back to the airport, I cant see the benefit of taking it. Yes it creates publicity but the PAD has had relatively positive media attention and this seems to be changing. The government has played it perfectly I'm sure its been noted abroad. They have just left the protesters to it not using any police or restrictions. Obviously this helps the govt because without confrontation there is no news. This was ok until pro govt supporters created the confrontation and gun shots were heard with 11 wounded in the city.I've just been notified that the govt has paid for all passengers to be put up in IBIS hotels across Bangkok. I'm now in a propaganda war and the protesters seem a little dejected that all the foreigners are leaving because this obviously takes away some of the prestige, some foreigners though were starting to lose their patience with the protesters. The hotel is nice but I have to share with a Belgian guy. Rumour has it that the military general ( a potential military coup is also possible) will make a speech and the president will arrive back from the APEC summit via Chiang Mai.
Just watched the generals speech he says he is behind the govt and will not use force (you'd think the president would decide this).The airlines and particularly mine 'Cathay Pacific' have been beyond useless , I accept its not their fault but there is no info, no staff, no assistance, their telephone lines are blocked, their website still says flights are scheduled and they still haven't told me what I should do.
The night came and went and still no news. The events in Mumbai though may help (I felt for the couple scheduled to fly from Bangkok to Mumbai, where do their troubles start) all international news coverage is no longer covering the Thai situation but Mumbai so now there is no coverage, no passengers and no opposition for the protesters. I'm unsure how the situation can end, pro govt supporters have rallied in Chiang Mai behind the president.Let's wait and see.
The next couple of days i spent in the cathay pacific office trying to get out of the country. Rumours were adrift that they were sending Hong Kong citizens home, this i thought was my chance so off i trotted down to the British embassy to see what our flagship provider was doing for it's citizens. Sod FFing all is what. I shouldn't of been surprised considering they couldn't put open a terminal up without fing it up. So after complaining and about the hong kong situation and trying to get sympathy with an impending marriage (white lies are ok) I was advised to go to the Chinese embassy. So i went there (the taxi drives could smell blood I'm sure) and they knew nothing about this. A cover up i thought so i trotted to the Hong Kong office. A possible solution on which i won't write about but got me on a emergency flight from the army base to hong Kong. Unfortunately I would miss the big wedding. In the airport it was chaos, imagine Chichester airstrip with Heathrow's passengers. One x-ray machine and 2 desks dealing with thousands upon thousands of passengers. I met a girl from Hong Kong who i befriended the day before and who was trying to get on the plane without a ticket. Needless to say a bit of blagging got her on board on what was a semi empty plane. We landed in Hong Kong with the nightmare (plus dreams of seeing anarchy) all over. I may never get to see a coup. The history is well still being written a coup has been avoided with law makers banning the president and his colleagues forming a new collation. This is certainly not the end of things and don't be surprised off a possible social uprising or dare i say it civil conflict.
Hong Kong was how i left it, bright lights, clean streets and the smell of colonialism.
A smalll dedication to Hoi-To and Joyce whose wedding i may of missed but i will certainly be there for the 50 year anniversary. Congratulations!!!
Ok that's a little extreme and perhaps my boredom has taken over and led to hysteria but we're in a sensationalist world now. My captures have been pretty nice to me. Ive been here about 8hours and been given several bottles of water, a seafood rice dish, a Danish pastry, 4 bread rolls, a small cake and 2 packs of gum. Not bad, being a hostage is cheap living.
The thing is I'm not sure why they decided to take the airport. I'm by no means an expert on Thai politics and what I know mostly comes from Andy and although he calls me a Marxist I think he calls it pretty well. Essentially the PAD is the urban class and in the minority to the UND rural government. After some coup and elections they continue to lose. They claim the UND is corrupt and tied to Taksin former pre coup administration. There is there seems some truth to this.Back to the airport, I cant see the benefit of taking it. Yes it creates publicity but the PAD has had relatively positive media attention and this seems to be changing. The government has played it perfectly I'm sure its been noted abroad. They have just left the protesters to it not using any police or restrictions. Obviously this helps the govt because without confrontation there is no news. This was ok until pro govt supporters created the confrontation and gun shots were heard with 11 wounded in the city.I've just been notified that the govt has paid for all passengers to be put up in IBIS hotels across Bangkok. I'm now in a propaganda war and the protesters seem a little dejected that all the foreigners are leaving because this obviously takes away some of the prestige, some foreigners though were starting to lose their patience with the protesters. The hotel is nice but I have to share with a Belgian guy. Rumour has it that the military general ( a potential military coup is also possible) will make a speech and the president will arrive back from the APEC summit via Chiang Mai.
Just watched the generals speech he says he is behind the govt and will not use force (you'd think the president would decide this).The airlines and particularly mine 'Cathay Pacific' have been beyond useless , I accept its not their fault but there is no info, no staff, no assistance, their telephone lines are blocked, their website still says flights are scheduled and they still haven't told me what I should do.
The night came and went and still no news. The events in Mumbai though may help (I felt for the couple scheduled to fly from Bangkok to Mumbai, where do their troubles start) all international news coverage is no longer covering the Thai situation but Mumbai so now there is no coverage, no passengers and no opposition for the protesters. I'm unsure how the situation can end, pro govt supporters have rallied in Chiang Mai behind the president.Let's wait and see.
The next couple of days i spent in the cathay pacific office trying to get out of the country. Rumours were adrift that they were sending Hong Kong citizens home, this i thought was my chance so off i trotted down to the British embassy to see what our flagship provider was doing for it's citizens. Sod FFing all is what. I shouldn't of been surprised considering they couldn't put open a terminal up without fing it up. So after complaining and about the hong kong situation and trying to get sympathy with an impending marriage (white lies are ok) I was advised to go to the Chinese embassy. So i went there (the taxi drives could smell blood I'm sure) and they knew nothing about this. A cover up i thought so i trotted to the Hong Kong office. A possible solution on which i won't write about but got me on a emergency flight from the army base to hong Kong. Unfortunately I would miss the big wedding. In the airport it was chaos, imagine Chichester airstrip with Heathrow's passengers. One x-ray machine and 2 desks dealing with thousands upon thousands of passengers. I met a girl from Hong Kong who i befriended the day before and who was trying to get on the plane without a ticket. Needless to say a bit of blagging got her on board on what was a semi empty plane. We landed in Hong Kong with the nightmare (plus dreams of seeing anarchy) all over. I may never get to see a coup. The history is well still being written a coup has been avoided with law makers banning the president and his colleagues forming a new collation. This is certainly not the end of things and don't be surprised off a possible social uprising or dare i say it civil conflict.
Hong Kong was how i left it, bright lights, clean streets and the smell of colonialism.
A smalll dedication to Hoi-To and Joyce whose wedding i may of missed but i will certainly be there for the 50 year anniversary. Congratulations!!!
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