May 5th, 2008
For many people, visits to the field represent a chance to meet the beneficiaries of our programs and really get a feel for the difference which we’re making. Unfortunately I’ve chosen the wrong sector for this. Working in supply chain management means that a field trip only involves going to another office, in a remote area. The main difference is that the problems tend to be more complicated, and I’m more powerless to solve them!
December 3rd, 2007
Two years ago I had my 24th birthday in Banda Aceh. It was a great day, with a trip to the beach with my Indonesian friends and party in the evening with my expat friends. And now, two years later, I’m back in Banda Aceh for my birthday - I would have never guessed.
Virtually all of my expat friends from when I was first here have moved on, however I planned to have another trip to the beach with the same Indonesian friends. Unfortunately the rainy season forced us to stay at home, but didn’t stop us for barbecuing a couple of fish at my house. It was great to see everyone from the NGO who I volunteered with when I first arrived in Aceh.
They had no problem getting the BBQ started - although I really don’t think it was necessary to drain the fuel pump to get the fire started - again! Read the rest of this entry �
October 24th, 2007
I have definitely suffered from the blogger’s paradox – when times are interesting, there’s no time to blog. And times have been very interesting, which explains why this post is almost a month late.
It actually all started with this blog of mine, through which I managed to attract the attention of Paul Currion, someone who has been working in the field of humanitarian IT since before the field really existed, and writes a blog on the topic. Through this contact I found myself invited to the Global Symposium +5 ‘Information for Humanitarian Action’, which was being held by the UN in Geneva. (Obviously there aren’t so many computer programmers working in the humanitarian sector.)
October 17th, 2007
When I initially left New Zealand, over 2 years ago, I had the vague plan of traveling around Asia a bit, before gradually making my way to the UK, to follow the path of most New Zealanders my age, and get a job in London. Needless to say, this didn’t quite happen (occupying myself instead with work in Indonesia, Pakistan and Uganda). However on my way to the UN Symposium in Geneva I managed to take some time off to spend some time in London, catching up with the friends of mine who actually made it there, and taking in the sights.
September 12th, 2007
This Wednesday was the day before the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan. This makes a huge difference in an Islamic area such as Banda Aceh. From the hours of sunrise to sunset, Muslims must abstain from food, drink, smoking and sex. Typically people will wake up around 4am, before the morning prayers, and take a large meal together as a family before sunrise, and then go back to bed. When the sunsets around 6.40pm, people will immediately have a drink (usually a cigarette too), take some small sweets, or sometimes dates, and then perform their evening prayers before having their Puasa Buka (Open Fast) meal with the family.
The atmosphere has totally changed around town during Ramadan.
The pace at work slows down, as people are having to go through the whole day without eating or drinking, plus they are getting less sleep (the mosque will often broadcast readings from their speakers all night, which also effects the amount of sleep I get).
Also, there are no food shops open during the day, which means that I sadly miss my breakfast of rice and coffee Aceh, and my lunch of Gado Gado. I need to be conscious about not eating or drinking in front of people during the day, and even when I do in private, it makes me feel like more of an “infidel” as usual (Which is silly of me, because the locals are actually really tolerant).
Toward the end of the day the streets come alive, with an assortment of stall selling sweets and drinks for people to break their fast with. The traffic is crazy until about 6.30pm, at which point the streets are empty, as everyone has gone indoors, awaiting the siren which indicates that they can end their fast.
I do admire the discipline, faith and tradition which is displayed during Ramadan. I can’t imagine it being the easiest thing to go all day without eating, and especially drinking. I have aspired to experiment with trying to fast myself, but unfortunately with everything else going on (especially work), I just haven’t had the spare energy.
Being the day before Ramadan, the office closed at midday, however being a consultant I only get paid for the days I work, so I was still stuck working in the deserted office (queue tumble weeds). At about 6pm my boss came into my office asking, “Did you feel that?”. I looked up puzzled, and then realized that I probably just missed another earthquake.
September 3rd, 2007
Finally here’s the last of the photos from Beijing. I’m glad that I’ve managed to finish this off before my next trip to Geneva!
I posted a note mentioning that I was going to China, ages ago on Facebook, and Tim, a friend of mine read it who turned out to be working there. It was good to catch up with him, and interesting to see a practical application of Facebook!
Forbidden City at night
September 2nd, 2007
Beijing is the perfect city for biking - practically flat with bike lanes everywhere, so I decided to hire a bike and go for a ride. Once again, putting my viewer’s needs in front of my personal safety, I made a video, so you guys don’t feel like you’re missing out.
It’s worth noting that the original video was longer, but in efforts to fight copyright infringement, YouTube has limited videos to 10 minutes - which apparently is apparently enough, given the quantization of our generation. I tell you, YouTube totally cramps my artistic vision! I still have the “uncut” version, with extended scenes and bonus footage - maybe it will be on the DVD release.
August 27th, 2007
Feeling the draw of a new city to explore I embarked on an expedition to see as much of Harbin as possible in a day. I set off armed with only a map with no English, my Lonely Planet and three words in Chinese: ni hao - hello, xei xei - thank you and shaguar(sp?) - handsome young man (don’t ask). Here are the tales from my encounters…
I loved the juxtaposition of the Buddhist temple and ferris wheel.
Harbin is very far north, and has a considerable Russian influence, such as this church (St Sophia) and the copious amounts of vodka for sale. Read the rest of this entry �
August 11th, 2007
On Saturday, 2 Europeans, 2 Americans, 4 Aussies, 2 Kiwis and a South African, a fellowship of sorts, headed off into the jungle in search of a far away beach.
Though the journey was perilous, fraught with dangers of the jungles and wrong turns, our trusty guide (the other Kiwi) managed to lead us to the beach (see video), via a “scenic detour” to a particular stream.
August 8th, 2007
Four different beds in four different days, but I’m finally back “home” in Banda Aceh. Changing countries has become a certain ritual. First I change the time zones in my watch, phone and computer (my body is still lagging a little this time). Then I change my SIM card. Then the cash in my wallet gets changed over. Finally I change over my power adapters and I’m ready to plug into a different country.