After a long day. I stopped in a Weatherspoon's Pub near the hostel as they have inexpensive food & free wifi. As I approached the bar to order, a guy said to me "What the f.. are you doing here?" Followed by "Americans are stupid."
I pointed out that was a pretty bad intro as he didn't know me at all. When he persisted I simply ignored him & took a seat. The barman defended Americans pointing out that without us, England would be...
As I began to turn on my computer, the man at the table behind me said: " Why are you in London, it's boring."
Later a guy said to me: "Here's a map of the tube. Circle Woolwich (where I'm staying & the pub is located) and avoid it. Weird people here.
Twilight Zome anyone?
Sunday, June 6, 2010
Wednesday, June 2, 2010
Stop Deportation Efforts in the U.K.
This week is devoted to the cause of stopping deportation. Individuals are often hjerded onto planes & sent back to repressive countries.
See www.noborderswales.org.uk/
Detention of children
Abuse of asylum seekers by private companies
www.stopdeportation.net Attended a meeting w/ this group - fine, ordinary, committed people.
See www.noborderswales.org.uk/
Detention of children
Abuse of asylum seekers by private companies
www.stopdeportation.net Attended a meeting w/ this group - fine, ordinary, committed people.
Tuesday, June 1, 2010
Four Africans & an ole American off to Ali Baba Kabob's
Clearly kabob, donner and other dishes are quite popular with my African & Asian friends here. PLUS, I'm convinced the refugees make sure they guide me to eateries that are good yet not costly.
Saturday, old and new friends headed off to Kinglands Road for dinner. It was a truly wonderful occasion. Some of the guys have moved on to other parts of London. Others are living at the CW House. It was like old home week seeing them catch up & laugh over many remembered events & stories. Good to see them laugh as if they had not a care in the world - only if.
Please pray for them - often to me living saints.
Saturday, old and new friends headed off to Kinglands Road for dinner. It was a truly wonderful occasion. Some of the guys have moved on to other parts of London. Others are living at the CW House. It was like old home week seeing them catch up & laugh over many remembered events & stories. Good to see them laugh as if they had not a care in the world - only if.
Please pray for them - often to me living saints.
Watching Kite Runner w/ Afghani Refugee friends
A rare opportunity. Two of the guys here in Oxford joined me for the movie, Kite Runner. Apparently most of the music is authentic except for the opening which is more Arabic than Afghani.
The treatment of the Hazara by Pashtun is apparently accurate. Sadly, even the rape of the boy is not uncommon.
We went out for Kabob. I was again struck how polite and insistent they are that the older person be considered. I must go first. "We're happy to watch whatever you would like to see."
Acknowledging the tradition and the inherent respect, with some gentle prodding, the guys are willing to state what they'd like to do.
Facebook is too is an important part of their lives.
The treatment of the Hazara by Pashtun is apparently accurate. Sadly, even the rape of the boy is not uncommon.
We went out for Kabob. I was again struck how polite and insistent they are that the older person be considered. I must go first. "We're happy to watch whatever you would like to see."
Acknowledging the tradition and the inherent respect, with some gentle prodding, the guys are willing to state what they'd like to do.
Facebook is too is an important part of their lives.
Thursday, May 27, 2010
It is Breaking My Heart
I would prefer to share outright the stories of individuals I know & now call my friends who have had to flee their country. They often have been tortured, imprisoned, treated very badly.
It is a painful experience for them to relate, and as well I do not want to get too specific on the net.
What I can do is tell you about many of the experiences they have had. I will not individualize it so as to protect their security, such as it is.
BUT, I can tell you what I have all too painfully come to know.
So then speaking for them, Who am I ?
1. In all likelihood I have had to flee my country because:
It is a painful experience for them to relate, and as well I do not want to get too specific on the net.
What I can do is tell you about many of the experiences they have had. I will not individualize it so as to protect their security, such as it is.
BUT, I can tell you what I have all too painfully come to know.
So then speaking for them, Who am I ?
1. In all likelihood I have had to flee my country because:
- I belonged to the wrong religion.
- I've been in prison & tortured. My only hope was to escape.
2. I've traveled on foot, in trucks, under train seats across Europe, Africa, the Middle East.
- I do not speak English, and I do not know the judicial system.
- I have nothing, am on the streets, and starving.
- Most likely I have no one. My family are dead or lost themselves.
- I may not work. I have no health insurance. I have nothing.
- I must depend on the goodness & help of groups like Catholic Worker, Primark (United Church of Christ, the Jesuit Refugee Services, the Simon Community.
4. What do I do while I wait?
- I am not allowed to go to Community College to develop skills for a trade, or prepare for a career in engineering.
- I spend my time walking, sitting around, watching DVDs, go to the library to read a newspaper - that's if I'm lucky enough to be housed by a group religious or secular.
- I walk past shops all day long advertising the latest!
- I see headlines like:
The £50 M fixer-upper.
Tom Cruise picks up the Screen Icon Award.
A Fuller Looking Head on Hair in 30 Minutes
Fergie: I want to be the next dancing Queen.
Glen Beck Informs or is that mis informs!
- This is my existence morning, noon and night.
5. Can I get deported back to my country where I will likely be imprisoned, tortured, starved?
- Yes.
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
Greetings from Hammersmith, London
Despite Brit Air strike threat & volcanic ash, I was able to get here - just before the airport was closed. Courts have temporarily halted the strike.
Enthusiastically welcomed. After tossing my stuff in hostel, I made my way to the Urban Table Soup Kitchen. After Danny treated me to dinner in Chinatown. We had a lovely visit & chatted for hours.
The British election:
The new govt is an interesting marriage of conservative & liberal. Lib Dems are more liberal than labour. Question is will it last or will there have to be elections in 18 months or so. Budget cuts are in the offing. Hopefully Lib Dems can restrain the Tory's from hitting the poor & working classes. One thought: instead of radically reducing nurses pay, perhaps cut govt. miniters pay in 1/2! Oh, not possible, huh. 'Surprise!'
Apparently. Cameron is not cut from the same cloth as Thatcher who did not recognize social justice issues. Quidado Margaret, St. Peter awaits!
Americans in Hammersmith:
After dinner with Danny, I though I'd go to bed. After all I'd been up for 37 hours! Back at the hostel I ran into two young college graduates from Boston. What I thought would be a brief chat turned into a wonderful time of sharing on all kinds of topics: wonderful young people. Consequently I gto to bed at 2:30 a.m. which meant I had been up for 43 1/2 hours!
Now that's a record!
Kabob with Mrs. G
A teahcer at my daughter's school gave me some money (unsolicited) to help with the asylum seeks here in London. I took Amanuel, Mao, and Nicholas (a new guest from Sudan) out for Kabob. It was excellent & not pricey. The guys savored every bite. Thanks Mrs. G :-)
Today it's off to see Zelda & hang out with wonderful Chris at the Quaker Center. Tomorrow a visit to the Jesuit Refugee Services to learn what I can do. Sunday off to Andulacia, Spain for study and...
Cheers all !
Cheers all!
Enthusiastically welcomed. After tossing my stuff in hostel, I made my way to the Urban Table Soup Kitchen. After Danny treated me to dinner in Chinatown. We had a lovely visit & chatted for hours.
The British election:
The new govt is an interesting marriage of conservative & liberal. Lib Dems are more liberal than labour. Question is will it last or will there have to be elections in 18 months or so. Budget cuts are in the offing. Hopefully Lib Dems can restrain the Tory's from hitting the poor & working classes. One thought: instead of radically reducing nurses pay, perhaps cut govt. miniters pay in 1/2! Oh, not possible, huh. 'Surprise!'
Apparently. Cameron is not cut from the same cloth as Thatcher who did not recognize social justice issues. Quidado Margaret, St. Peter awaits!
Americans in Hammersmith:
After dinner with Danny, I though I'd go to bed. After all I'd been up for 37 hours! Back at the hostel I ran into two young college graduates from Boston. What I thought would be a brief chat turned into a wonderful time of sharing on all kinds of topics: wonderful young people. Consequently I gto to bed at 2:30 a.m. which meant I had been up for 43 1/2 hours!
Now that's a record!
Kabob with Mrs. G
A teahcer at my daughter's school gave me some money (unsolicited) to help with the asylum seeks here in London. I took Amanuel, Mao, and Nicholas (a new guest from Sudan) out for Kabob. It was excellent & not pricey. The guys savored every bite. Thanks Mrs. G :-)
Today it's off to see Zelda & hang out with wonderful Chris at the Quaker Center. Tomorrow a visit to the Jesuit Refugee Services to learn what I can do. Sunday off to Andulacia, Spain for study and...
Cheers all !
Cheers all!
Friday, April 2, 2010
Procession of Silence - Good Friday - Queretaro, Mx
La Procesión del Silencio as it is known here is without question a profound and compelling event to witness. 1st come several men dressed as Roman officials.
pics at: http://mexicocooks.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341c571453ef01156f732f56970c-320wi
http://www.travelbymexico.com/snlpatr/fotosatr/kslpprocesion/foto1.jpg
Women colorfully dressed follow, each carrying a symbol such as bread, a fish etc. Young boys & girls dressed very much like those receiving their First Communion are next. Next come women dressed in white similar to brides maids. During the entire 45 minute long procession, everyone is silent, everyone. There are two drums at the beginning of each segment which sound out a simple drum beat. (If you are old enough the remember the Kennedy Funeral or have seen video of it, the sound & overall feel of the procession is similar.)
Then there begins a series of platforms containing figures of Christ at various stages of the Passion or Mary his mother clothed in black following the Via Crucis.
Most platforms are carried on the shoulders of men dressed in black, white, red or violet monastic robes with white cinctures (rope belts). Heads are covered in hoods; the men walk barefoot. For an American the off putting element is that the clothing of the men very much resembles that of the KKK - until one remembers that this religious event long precedes the KKK!
Preceding & following each platform are about 35 men similarly dressed but carrying crosses constructed with tree limbs. Each man drags a chain from an ankle. Thus the only sounds are the drum beat & chains.
There are also 3 platforms representing Mary. These are surrounded & carried by women dressed in black with long black mantillas and candles.
The spectacle, in its more root meaning, is impressive. Those who have seen & liked Gibson's The Passion of the Christ, would probably feel it produced a similar feel. Though I suspect with much less actual violence depicted.
Spending Holy Week in a Latin country is definitely well worth it. Religiously, culturally and festival like, it can't be beat!
To Sid and the Jewish Community, Happy Passover. Phil
pics at: http://mexicocooks.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341c571453ef01156f732f56970c-320wi
http://www.travelbymexico.com/snlpatr/fotosatr/kslpprocesion/foto1.jpg
Women colorfully dressed follow, each carrying a symbol such as bread, a fish etc. Young boys & girls dressed very much like those receiving their First Communion are next. Next come women dressed in white similar to brides maids. During the entire 45 minute long procession, everyone is silent, everyone. There are two drums at the beginning of each segment which sound out a simple drum beat. (If you are old enough the remember the Kennedy Funeral or have seen video of it, the sound & overall feel of the procession is similar.)
Then there begins a series of platforms containing figures of Christ at various stages of the Passion or Mary his mother clothed in black following the Via Crucis.
Most platforms are carried on the shoulders of men dressed in black, white, red or violet monastic robes with white cinctures (rope belts). Heads are covered in hoods; the men walk barefoot. For an American the off putting element is that the clothing of the men very much resembles that of the KKK - until one remembers that this religious event long precedes the KKK!
Preceding & following each platform are about 35 men similarly dressed but carrying crosses constructed with tree limbs. Each man drags a chain from an ankle. Thus the only sounds are the drum beat & chains.
There are also 3 platforms representing Mary. These are surrounded & carried by women dressed in black with long black mantillas and candles.
The spectacle, in its more root meaning, is impressive. Those who have seen & liked Gibson's The Passion of the Christ, would probably feel it produced a similar feel. Though I suspect with much less actual violence depicted.
Spending Holy Week in a Latin country is definitely well worth it. Religiously, culturally and festival like, it can't be beat!
To Sid and the Jewish Community, Happy Passover. Phil
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