Assholes Run My Country

Sorry, I will really attempt to never discuss politics again on this blog, but this article made me so angry!

The idea that potential immigrants will be excluded because they don't know who Walter Lindrum was (I don't hesitate to say that I had no idea...) is just absurd. And Donald Bradman? Listen Johnnie boy, not all of us have wet dreams over Bradman like you do! And who the HELL says that all Australians are 'sports crazy'? What about Australians who AREN'T?

It smacks of dumb stereotyping and dangerous exclusivism that can only exaggerate the already massive divisions within our (indeed any) society. This in turn provides a weak point to be exploited by unethical politicians who use fear of others to their advantage.

That bunch of old, conservative, socially regressive politicians who call themselves the federal Liberal Party represent only one small element of Australian society, and they have absolutely no right to define who is an Australian in this way. It is a travesty.

(if you disagree, feel free to comment...)

Feeling History in Latvia

35,000 Jews or more were killed in Latvia during the 2nd world war. I went to the Jews in Latvia Museum in Riga yesterday. These are some images of the beautiful stained-glass windows, and an original copy of the Protocols of the Elders of Zion.

These locks are fastened onto a bridge in a park in the center of Riga. Anyone care to translate?

This is just a nice image of a square in central Riga, with St Peter's church in the background.

Russia: Signing Off

My final two conclusions about Russia.

One: Russian people drink a lot. Here I am at the bus station waiting for my bus to Riga, Latvia. As you can see, everyone in the park is drinking. It was about 1 in the afternoon. This is usual.

Two: The hardship endured by the Russian people over their long history has obviously inspired great creativity. Russia inspired me to write this poem. It might not be finished yet... comments are requested.

It was the stark white trunks of those trees that did it.

Like bars of a prison

that was the whole world.

I thought I could find a way through.

On impulse, then

I threw myself from the window

of the rushing carriage,

which flickered and was gone.

And I, flying,

in a moment of pure aspiration,

saw the sky, and reaching out to touch it,

fell.

Okay, Russia Doesn't Really Suck... Why?

Russia doesn't really suck because it turns out there actually are some friendly Russians, even in Moscow! St Petersburg is in fact full of friendly Russians, and cultivates a healthy Melbourne-Sydney-type rivalry with the Muscovites.

Moscow also has some pretty exciting cultural elements, which of course I should have expected before dismissing this city of 12 million people in my earlier posting... (take this as an editorial revision). This is part of Moscow's underground music scene: a whole band set up in a pedestrian underpass one evening.

Russia also doesn't suck because St Petersburg is one of the most beautiful and elegant cities in the world. It resembles an old European city, but everything is just bigger. This is one of the magnificent and gargantuan historical buildings on Nevsky Prospect, the main drag of Petersburg.

Finally, Russia doesn't suck because it was home to some of the world's greatest cultural icons. Many of these are buried at a cemetery in Petersburg, and memorialised with graceful statues amongst the trees.

This woman brought tears to my eyes. Her posture is so serene and accepting of her fate.

The lines of this statue, elongated and pointing skyward, give him a refined and graceful air, especially given the dappled sunlight playing on his features.

These are the resting places and memorials for two of Russia's greats: Tchaikovsky and Dostoevsky.



This is just a very old and cool grave. It made me think of how in some ways memorialisation is futile in light of the inevitable advance of time and degradation. These thoughts have been encouraged by my continuing battle to comprehend Steven Hawking's 'A Brief History of Time'.

Why Russia Sucks: Part 2

Russia sucks because Moscow is full of very angry people who yell at you because you don't understand Russian.

On the other hand, a lot of people appear to be getting married, all the time, so that is nice.

Another nice thing is that there are lots of very very beautiful women everywhere. This of course is undermined by the fact that, without a Rolex, a BMW with a driver, and a formerly state owned asset in the family, you are unlikely to have any luck with the elitnik Muscovite women.

(... I guess that church in the background of the photo above is pretty nice too eh?)

This is a photo of one such dyev (chick) in the equally stunning Moscow subway.

Railway Blues

No, it's not the name of a John Lee Hooker song... It's the description of my feeling as I sat in my hotel room at the Suhbataar railway station on the Russia-Mongolia border.

Hardship reveals your true strengths and weaknesses. My weakness is an inability to cope with shit food. Initially, I felt like I could probably wait 5 days in this dusty one-yak Mongolian border town until my Russian visa commenced. However, after two meals of floury noodles with mutton and sploshes of tomato sauce at the only restaurant near the station, I couldn't hack it any more and left.

Obviously, my strength is an ability to adapt (and sometimes realise when it is time to throw in the towel).

This is the beautiful train station that was my home for two nights.

Just in case the Mongolian immigration officers hadn't heard, this handy poster reminded them all (in English of course, which not one of them speak) that Osama bin Laden is a bad guy, and should not be let into or out of Mongolia.

Why Russia Sucks

Russia sucks because its immigration people would not let me in 5 days before my visa said I would come in. Because of that, I am forced to wait for five days in Mongolia.

I HATE waiting.

I will survive with the help of my faithful friend, vodka.

The Two Faces of Beijing

One: Tianammen Square, lit up at night in all its glory, guarded by the stern and disciplined men of the People's Army.

Two: The decoration in my hotel bathroom. Just the image to accompany a hot shower after a long day eating dumplings...

Makasih, Temanku

Travel is nothing without good people. I am lucky to have met these beautiful people during my time in Salatiga. Thanks Onny, Wasis and Ed!

Bebas Ketakutan!

I survived an Adam Air flight and I didn't even get a stupid tshirt...

Bermotor Dengan Orang Tuaku

Well I never thought I'd say it but my parents make pretty good bikies. Roll on over 50 yr olds, roll on! You can do it too!

This could be a mural on the wall of a gothic church... ie. this is what happens to bad people when they die. In fact, this is what happens to hundreds of sulfur miners at Kawah Ijen in Eastern Java. They descend into the poisonous fumes of the crater, hack up to 100 kilos of sulfur rock from right in front of steaming thermal vents, and then lug them back up to the perimeter in baskets over a shoulder.

This is hell on earth if ever I've seen it, and they get paid about 4-5 dollars each time. If anyone wants to help, I think I will try to set up an organised donation system for tourists to the crater.

This is cool huh? These massive bursts of ash materialise in seconds from Gunung Semeru, the highest and one of the most active volcanoes in Java. Anyone want to climb it? I'm going to take a shot in November...

This is Bromo, just before sunrise. One of the most spectacular sights in the world. The moon, from the TOP of Mount Bromo!