As I wander through this troubled world

Many thoughts flying around in my mind lately, as I get myself prepared for Nepal. In case you don't know, I will be transiting in Bangkok on my way to Kathmandu, so naturally when the PAD took over the airport I was worried. I have been closely watching the situation in Bangkok recently and I sure hope that the airport opens soon by the time I have to leave. Otherwise I'll have to reschedule my flights. One of the other alternatives it to transit in India, which is not exactly a safe haven either. The other is a direct flight by Silkair to Kathmandu, but that is way out of my budget and will only be considered as a last option. I really feel for the people in Mumbai, especially when I have friends who are from there.

I just read that the crazy people wo carried out the attacks were all Pakistanis. It's really sad that two countries with so much similarities have to focus so much on their religious differences. My Indian photojournalism professor told me it's a pity that they kept fighting over Kashmir, as having visited the place he found it to be really beautiful.

Isn't it ironic that half the world away while Americans are celebrating Thanksgiving and getting ready for Christmas our world here has become so troubled? Many people expressed their concerns about me heading to the Communist-run (aka Maoists) Nepal, but nay, you don't have to go all the way to Nepal to feel unsafe. And the interesting thing is Nepal is currently a much safer place to be in than Bangkok or Mumbai. It is precisely in this climate of fear that as journalists we need to head out of our comfort zone and try to understand the state of the world. Call me idealistic, but I really do think that journalists play a very important role in helping the people around the world understand one another. Let the "journalists" at SPH sit in the comfort of their work cubicles and report on scandalous domestic "news" for all they want, but at the end of the day, no man is an island onto himself, so let's see how Singaporeans remain xenophobic and closed-minded to the rest of the happenings around the world.

I don't care for what ideals the PAD or the crazy attackers in Mumbai stand for, because whatever they are, the fact that they harmed and killed so many innocent people is wrong. Whatever political and religious beliefs they hold, no legitimate group will harm others. I really wonder what the ailing Thai King thinks of his entire country being held hostage as he waits to celebrate his birthday this Friday. Will the protesters or Somchai give way? Since neither the army nor the police have proven to be effective, maybe the revered Thai King will.

An idealistic song by the Dixie Chicks. It's really that simple actually.

I Hope



Sunday morning, I heard the preacher say
Thou shall not kill
I don't wanna, hear nothin' else, about killin'
And that it's God's will
Coz our children are watching us
They put their trust in us
They're gonna be like us
So let's learn from our history
And do it differently

I hope
For love, joy and laughter
I hope
We'll have more than we'll ever need
I hope
We'll have more happy ever afters
I hope
We can all live more fearlessly
And we can lose all the pain and misery
I hope, I hope