Special Post for my Friends on Facebook

"Socializing is hard."

TRAVEL STORIES Wedding Party in a Tuk-Tuk

Last summer, my husband and I went for a family wedding to Verona, Italy. While there, we decided to make a side trip to Lake Garda, a beautiful and rather large lake surrounded by the Italian Alps. Beautiful country.

Wandering around a village by the edge of the water, we saw quaint cafés, a beautiful courtyard and a rather imposing castle. Just as we got to the castle, a wedding party came out of the castle grounds in merry mood. This was rather nice, of course.

What was more fun to watch was that the bride and groom, each licking on a gelato, then got into a tuk-tuk – well, I’m not sure what they are called it Italy, but you can see for yourself – decorated with flowers (like a “wedding car”).



Their bridesmaid got in the front with the driver and they made off in this three-wheeled contraption amid much waving and laughter.

I heard them speaking English, so (like us) they were obviously foreigners. I don't suppose too many Italians make off in tuk-tuks eating gelati after their weddings. :)

I was inspired to write this short story after visiting A Traveler's Library (see the post Most Romantic Destination).

Mahatma Gandhi

January 30 was Mahatma Gandhi's death anniversary. Time was, we used to observe a two-minute silence in his honour every year. (If I remember right, the two minutes started at 11 a.m.) It felt as if all of India stopped for a couple of minutes to pay homage to the man who taught the world to use entirely peaceful means to stand up to violence and to overcome injustice.

This year, busy with my own life, I didn't remember until a day later. Perhaps I would have remembered if I were still living in India. I hope so...

Now, a day late, I pay my respects through this post to the Apostle of Peace.

To mark the occasion, here are 3 of my favourite quotes from the Mahatma:

You must be the change you want to see in the world.

Happiness is when what you think, what you say, and what you do are in harmony.

Freedom is not worth having if it does not include the freedom to make mistakes.

Slumdog Millionaire -- Will the cliches never end?

Slumdog Millionaire – Impossible Premise and Clichés Galore

I don’t usually review films, especially those I don’t like, but with all the hype around this one, I felt I had to have my say.

The plus side first – great acting by the kids, good camerawork, very good music.

On the other hand.

The basic premise that anyone close to the big win on a TV show like this would be tortured by police is truly hard to believe. Impossible to believe when it is a young man from the slums. Such a man would instantly become a “poster boy” for the programme, the sponsors and the TV station. Quite possibly he would also be wooed by various political parties! He would certainly be the celebrity of the month, if not of the year. Only someone completely out of touch with reality in India could come up with this idea.

The other basic theme has potential – it would be interesting to see how the questions on the show could relate to the life of a poor boy from the slums. But then every cliché in the book has been pulled out and chucked at the film. As one of my (non-Indian) friends pointed out, it is a story so full of clichés it could have been written by someone who has never been to India. (Amazingly, the film is based on a rather boring book written by an Indian; one really has to wonder about the author’s grip on reality.)

A directory for women bloggers

Calling all female bloggers - Here's a blog that serves as a directory for women bloggers: http://womens-blogger-directory.blogspot.com/
I've only just joined up myself and am not sure how many women bloggers are already in the directory. But it promises to be an interesting place for women bloggers to network and check out other blogs.
So, women bloggers, come check it out.

And Then They Came for Me

Lasantha Wickrematunge, the editor of Sri Lanka's Sunday Leader newspaper, was killed on Thursday, Jan. 8, on his way to work. Anticipating his own killing, Wickrematunge, an outspoken critic of the government, left a letter to be published in just such an event. His paper published the letter on Monday, Jan. 11:
http://www.thesundayleader.lk/20090111/editorial-.htm

The Government of President Mahinda Rajapakse (also written as Rajapaksa) has denied any involvement in the killing. Wickrematunge says in his letter: "When finally I am killed, it will be the government that kills me."

He also says: "I hope my assassination will be seen not as a defeat of freedom but an inspiration for those who survive to step up their efforts. Indeed, I hope that it will help galvanise forces that will usher in a new era of human liberty in our beloved motherland."

Amen to that. And may Lasantha Wickrematunge find peace.

Possibilities...

Karine Doche found this picture while browsing the Internet. She is circulating this on Facebook, where she has also set up a group called “Everything is possible… Tout est possible…” Karine is not able to tell us more about the picture -- who took it, whether the photographer came upon this scene, or if the picture was “composed,” who the boys are, etc.

Would have been nice to know more, but the picture is still a great symbol of friendship, innocence, and hope for a more peaceful tomorrow.

Do your bit to make that tomorrow a reality – sign this avaaz petition calling for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza:
http://www.avaaz.org/en/gaza_time_for_peace/50.php