Women are idiots; men are lunatics

In the Summer of 2006 I went on a short trip to the Balkans. I told few people about where I was going and did not take a camera with me. After arriving at Split in Croatia I caught a bus which took me along one of the most beautiful coastlines I have seen. I had yet to read the classic book by Rebecca West entitled, “Black Lamb, Grey Falcon” published in 1941. Rebecca was once a lover of the writer, HG Wells. Although the relationship floundered after a decade or so she appears to have gained much experience from the liason. For example, Rebecca says that women are idiots and men are lunatics. Why? Because women tend to be concerned with a private world of family and relationships whilst men are usually more concerned with outside, public events. For the women this might result in an idiotic situation where they find themselves making beds as a foreign army invades the city square. For men, it means they might have little notion of family tensions or emotions as they discuss sports or the meaning of some political news. Maybe things are different today. Rebecca is outspoken. And, judgemental. I like this, if it so happens that the author knows what they are talking about. More often than not I think she does. I discovered, “Black Lamb” while wandering about the main square of Dubrovnik. It took me about six months to read. Though, I often read Hemingway at the same time. It is not just a book recording her thoughts as she travelled the Balkans at different times in the late 1930’s (lastly, with her husband) but an insight into the authors soul and the ethnic tensions of that time. On my journey, I swam in the sea and looked back at the impressive sight of white coloured rock on land some miles further in. Further on, in Dubrovnik, the coastline is majestic. High up on a castle wall one can see a clear blue sea interrupted by emerald green or a brief wave of white. In the square itself is a floor of marble. And, in one building it is stunning to walk into a room of classical Roman style and look up to find that there is no roof. It is like looking at a moving picture as the clouds glide passed. On this short journey I also travelled through Bosnia visiting various towns and cities including Sarajevo, Mostar and Majagorie. At Majagorie I witnessed the Marian visions. It was an eventful and thoughtful week.

Tibetan Impressions

Left the UK a few days ago. Am now back in China. The land of milk and honey. Or, rather, the land of media interest. At least this seems to be the case recently. And, so it should be. Trouble is my fellow Lao Wai does not agree with me. Many remain silent and argue up any perceived slight of their adopted home, China. This is fair enough, I can understand why many people hold alternative views to my own. But I detect self interest. What do I stand to gain from defending Tibet? Nothing. What do they stand to gain? Well, they can gain the whole world for all I care.

In London I found the air as fresh as it could possibly be. Who do I thank for this? The clean air act of 1955 or Ken Livingstone? I think the former might have more to do with it. But no doubt Ken claims the glory. As well he might. Hope his days as Mayor of London are numbered. Talking of politics. Did anyone read about New Labour and One trillion pounds wasted on Education, Welfare and the NHS. As far as I can tell none of these services offer what has been invested in them. Apparently, for those that are interested it works out at 50,000 pounds a household. Do the politicians know what they are doing? Hell, they do.

As I was saying, England was a breath of fresh air. I walked to many a pub often taking a route beside a river or some woods. Then it was time to catch up on what English ale tastes like. Good. Though, I often found the ambience as inviting as anything else. So many pubs contain centuries of English history within their four walls. Now it appears that government legislation; a smoking ban, further taxes on alcohol, Local councils approving the building of more and more Supermarkets are having an affect on the Pub Trade. I am informed that in Barnet a local British Legion Club and several Pubs will be demolished to make way for two more Supermarkets. There is already a 20 aisle check out at Sainsburys yards away from the proposed new buildings. I wonder whether local councils are taking back handers on this? If so, greed could well be a factor in the changing face of Britain.

In London, I went to the National Art Gallery and stumbled upon a demonstration supporting the people of Tibet. I walked with them but said nothing. If ever a people looked beautiful and proud yet helpless it is the Tibetans. I don’t know why but I feel sad for them. Well, I do know why but people do not want to hear it.

The air is fresh in England. But the politics is stale.

I also had time to celebrate Easter. It was a reason for coming home. I am glad I did so. An old story but fresh enough for the thousands who attended Mass at Westminster Cathedral.