Next stop Palestine?
Oct. 8th, 2003 02:03 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
tcpipWent to my Australian Volunteers debrief yesterday. Went well until they handed me a list of nations where I'd consider doing my next placement.
Without hesitation I picked Palestine as my first choice.
Because taking a person out of East Timor doesn't take East Timor out of you... I'm helping the Liquica district in East Timor set up a website, developing a Tetun-language website, speaking at the Brunswick Library on my experiences in East Timor and later at the Melbourne Unitarian Church. Also, I've also applied for another IT job in East Timor (Information Systems Advisor for Local Governance).
In other news, took my former landlords to the Administrative Appeals Tribunal over pinching my bond whilst I was away (trial one in my favour) and, thanks to Severina242, I've picked up a violin and have started to make noises like a cat being strangled.
There is the flag of the DDR (East Germany) flying above a backpackers/net cafe in Fitzroy St, St. Kilda. Sure, it's at half-mast, but you only do that to the dead which you honour.
As a final item of excellent news, one of my military comrades has been promoted to Major, much to the chagrin of the pro-Kopassus lobby. Congratulations Clinton.
Without hesitation I picked Palestine as my first choice.
Because taking a person out of East Timor doesn't take East Timor out of you... I'm helping the Liquica district in East Timor set up a website, developing a Tetun-language website, speaking at the Brunswick Library on my experiences in East Timor and later at the Melbourne Unitarian Church. Also, I've also applied for another IT job in East Timor (Information Systems Advisor for Local Governance).
In other news, took my former landlords to the Administrative Appeals Tribunal over pinching my bond whilst I was away (trial one in my favour) and, thanks to Severina242, I've picked up a violin and have started to make noises like a cat being strangled.
There is the flag of the DDR (East Germany) flying above a backpackers/net cafe in Fitzroy St, St. Kilda. Sure, it's at half-mast, but you only do that to the dead which you honour.
As a final item of excellent news, one of my military comrades has been promoted to Major, much to the chagrin of the pro-Kopassus lobby. Congratulations Clinton.
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no subject
Date: 2003-10-08 06:31 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2003-10-09 05:05 am (UTC)November 19 at the Brunswick Library. Also, a minor error in the above statement: I'll be speaking at the Melbourne Unitarian Church on the 16th of November.
Hope to see you at one or both of these events... It's been a while!
no subject
Date: 2003-10-09 05:29 am (UTC)Actually, I wouldn't mind catching up for a drink or two any time. It's been several whiles.
no subject
Date: 2003-10-09 05:36 am (UTC)How are you placed next week? Give me a call 0409 861 528...
I like reading these, yet seem to be unable to comment
Date: 2003-10-08 06:39 am (UTC)Re: I like reading these, yet seem to be unable to comment
Date: 2003-10-09 05:11 am (UTC)Hey, don't worry about the comment thing. I'm glad to hear that you're enjoying reading my posts, OK?
thanks, mister!
Date: 2003-10-09 12:19 pm (UTC)Neat!
Date: 2003-10-08 07:39 pm (UTC)Going to Palestine at any time makes you brave in my books, triply so right now. Good luck.
no subject
Date: 2003-10-08 07:50 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2003-10-08 08:25 pm (UTC)At least in the DDR people had jobs and you could get an abortion.
no subject
Date: 2003-10-09 05:30 am (UTC)log_reloaded commented "I thought you were sensible". severina_242 wants to strangle me (awww!), despite the fact that Cairo is nearby..
I'm very glad that Palestine is on their list.
It's an interesting choice, given that it wasn't last time. For some unknown reason, India, Nepal and Laos are no longer available.
Palestine is something which I can be a bit grim about. Sadly, I know the history, and I often think that it would be better if I didn't (it gets me into trouble). Is it fair to say that I think Judiasm is equivalent of all other religions, I like Yiddish, but the state of Israel infuriates me?
Of course, I'm hardly alone.
http://www.iht.com/articles/108989.html
At least in the DDR people had jobs and you could get an abortion.
For all its problem (and there were many, human rights not being the least), I have a fondness for the stoic and technocratic DDR. And I'm very impressed by the transformation of the SUD into the Party for Democratic Socialism. They are intellectual giants in Europe.
no subject
Date: 2003-10-09 07:30 am (UTC)Benjamin
no subject
Date: 2003-10-09 11:02 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2003-10-10 12:55 am (UTC)It's not the separation that concerns me (though that sucks) it's the possibility of you being blown to bits actually... can I help but worry? I like you in one piece okay! Of course I would *never* presume to attempt to stop you from embarking on this insane journey...
{shakes head} I've said it before and I'll say it again - Crazy as a Coconut.
no subject
Date: 2003-10-14 12:25 am (UTC)Well, a few people have expressed this concern, recommending safer places like China or Vietnam. As much as I'd like doing something in such places, Palestine has been pretty close to my heart for a while.