What a strange way to leave Thailand, standing in a suit store pretending to be interested in the made-to-order garb a man was pitching me. This is what I was confronted with yesterday, the day before my flight out. A man approached Ryan and I asking if we wanted to take a wat tour around Chinatown. We quickly waved him off, wanting to spend as little money as possible during our one night stopover. I couldn't help be interested in his offer, however, when he gave us the price of 50 Bhat for a 2 hour tour. I was a bit suspicious of such a cheap tour, but we listened to what he had to say. He told us that all we had to do was stop at a few souvenir shops along the way, pretend to be interested in buying something, and he would get a gas voucher from the businesses. Seemed easy enough. We started on our way and about 2 minutes into the ride he found out we were leaving Thailand the next day. He abruptly pulled the taxi into a gas station and said he could not take us to the wats, but that if we stopped at one store he would take us back to where he picked us up and would not charge us anything. He explained that one of the stops is the government run tourist bureau and if they found out we were not truly interested in anything then he would get in a lot of trouble. So we agreed and soon found ourselves outside of a tailored suit store in the middle of Chinatown. We had no idea what he had gotten ourselves into, especially when the driver said, "You have to really pretend like you want something, because if the owners find out you don't, they will beat me up." So we went in and started looking at the different fabric they had. A salesman quickly came up to us and tried to sell us something. We kept saying that we were just looking, but he insisted that we try some jackets on. We did this, and the salesman found one that was "just my size." The jacket barely buttoned up in the front because it was so tight. So we politely declined and said we wanted something that was already made because we were leaving the next day. The salesman then got angry and told me the only way to buy a pre-made suit was to buy it from a second hand store where "a man died and his family sold his old suit to the store." I found this rather comical, but the man was not amused, he fumed a bit, tried to get us to try on a few more jackets and then we decided to just leave. Needless to say, it is not what I expected on my last full day in Thailand, but then again, when is anything ever what I expect?
Peace and love.
Tuesday, December 08, 2009
Wednesday, December 02, 2009
The World is a Ghetto
I was perusing my itunes library today and I came across a song I haven't heard in a long time: "Ghetto" by P.O.D. As I listened to it I could not help but think that our politicians and citizens with opposing political beliefs in America should take a lesson from the lyrics from this song...
"We might never really agree
On anything about the lives we live
Between you and me. So differently.
We don't always see things the same
We should agree to disagree
If we meet at love we can work it out
Whether you think I'm so confused
Or if you feel the way I do
So don't give in to this hate within
Living in this world of pain
Don't let it bring you down
The world is a ghetto"
Peace and love.
"We might never really agree
On anything about the lives we live
Between you and me. So differently.
We don't always see things the same
We should agree to disagree
If we meet at love we can work it out
Whether you think I'm so confused
Or if you feel the way I do
So don't give in to this hate within
Living in this world of pain
Don't let it bring you down
The world is a ghetto"
Peace and love.
Friday, October 09, 2009
Obama wins Nobel Peace Prize...you must be kidding
I can't even to begin to describe how confused I am right now about the nomination of Obama for the Nobel Peace Prize. If you have not read my post from yesterday, please go read it before continuing this post (it is two posts below this). How can the same person be nominated for a Nobel Peace Prize? Now, I want to point out right from the start that I realize that this is not Obama's fault; he was nominated for the prize, he did not actively pursue it. I personally like Obama, and think he is and will continue to be a good president for our country. The point is, Obama has not done nearly enough at this point to deserve this prize.
I wish the Nobel committee would have thought about the ramifications of giving this award to Obama. This will surely cause a media storm from the right attacking Obama, when in reality he had no power over the committees decision. All this will do is polarize the country even more than it already is. I can't imagine much good will come from this.
President Obama, do the right thing and reject the award and continue to work towards peace knowing the weight you now carry.
What Obama should do with his Nobel Peace Prize
Peace and love.
I wish the Nobel committee would have thought about the ramifications of giving this award to Obama. This will surely cause a media storm from the right attacking Obama, when in reality he had no power over the committees decision. All this will do is polarize the country even more than it already is. I can't imagine much good will come from this.
President Obama, do the right thing and reject the award and continue to work towards peace knowing the weight you now carry.
What Obama should do with his Nobel Peace Prize
Peace and love.
William Kamkwamba
If you have haven't seen this man yet, which would be hard with articles in multiple news websites about him and an appearance on "The Daily Show with Jon Stewart", you need to check this out. His is one of the more inspirational stories I have heard in a very long time. I leave it up to you to find out more if you want to, I just wanted to point this out and point you in his direction. Here is his website below:
William Kamkwamba
Peace and love.
William Kamkwamba
Peace and love.
Thursday, October 08, 2009
Obama "delays" meeting with the Dalai Lama
Interesting news out of Washington today...apparently President Obama has "delayed" a meeting with a Dalai Lama who is in Washington, D.C. this week. Now the White House claims that there was no meeting scheduled with the president and that Obama "would like to see him in December." Hmm, smell something fishy? Looks like once again the US is getting cozy with governments who are in so many ways against what we claim to be proponents of, mainly human rights issues. We would rather pacify the Chinese than actually take a stand for what we believe in. The Dalai Lama, more than anyone else in the world right now, stands for peace and justice. He has fought for a return of Tibetan land to it's rightful owners the Tibetan people; all done with a love for not only his own people, but for humanity as a whole. No matter what you do or don't believe spiritually, you cannot deny that the world would be a much better place if we all learned to love peace and justice like the Dalai Lama.
This is extremely disconcerting for an administration who has claimed to stand for human rights. I'm starting to doubt this "hope" and "change" that was supposed to inevitably follow Obama taking office. President Obama: How about for a change you stand up for the things I think you truly believe in and start doing the right thing, even if that means angering the Chinese government. How about we show the rest of the world that America is truly what we all should want it to be: a country that proclaims and protects the rights of all humans, everywhere.
Rep. Frank Wolf said it best: "I call on the president to stand side-by-side with His Holiness, a man of peace, and align America once again with the oppressed, not the oppressors,"
If you would like to read more on this story read the following articles from the Washington Post.
Obama's Meeting with the Dalai Lama is Delayed
Dalai Lama Set Aside by Obama, Honored at US Capitol
Dalai Lama Receives Rights Award at Capitol
Peace and love.
This is extremely disconcerting for an administration who has claimed to stand for human rights. I'm starting to doubt this "hope" and "change" that was supposed to inevitably follow Obama taking office. President Obama: How about for a change you stand up for the things I think you truly believe in and start doing the right thing, even if that means angering the Chinese government. How about we show the rest of the world that America is truly what we all should want it to be: a country that proclaims and protects the rights of all humans, everywhere.
Rep. Frank Wolf said it best: "I call on the president to stand side-by-side with His Holiness, a man of peace, and align America once again with the oppressed, not the oppressors,"
If you would like to read more on this story read the following articles from the Washington Post.
Obama's Meeting with the Dalai Lama is Delayed
Dalai Lama Set Aside by Obama, Honored at US Capitol
Dalai Lama Receives Rights Award at Capitol
Peace and love.
Sunday, October 04, 2009
Vietnam
Well it's official friends...I have been to the most beautiful place on earth. Where might you ask? Halong Bay, Vietnam. Halong Bay lies just off the coast of Northern Vietnam. It is a collection of mostly inaccessible limestone islands (1,969 according to our local guide). Two friends and I went there for about two and a half days. We took a two day, one night private boat trip out into the bay in which we independently kayaked throughout the bay, ate fresh seafood for every meal, and just enjoyed being in the bay. Halong Bay is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is one of the nominees for the New 7 Wonders of the World. It was an amazing few days with landscape that will be very hard to top in my mind.
After Halong, we spent a day and a half in Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam. Hanoi has a very cool feel to it as it has a lot of Chinese influence mixed with Vietnamese culture. We stayed in the "Old Quarter" of Hanoi which has one of the strongest and most prominent Chinese influences. We visited a Confucius university which was started in the 11th century. While classes have stopped at the university, the continue to hold graduations of other area universities on the grounds. Hanoi is definitely a city I wish I could spend more time in, and hope to go back to one day.
Vietnam is a very intriguing place for someone from the West. Even though it has a communist government, it runs it's economy under a more capitalist mindset (much like China). This has led to a surge in the economy of Vietnam in the past few years. You have amazing juxtapositions of people harvesting rice patties while in the shade of giant billboards advertising many different products (we actually saw this on the way to the airport). The most exciting, chaotic, and sometime terrifying part of being in Vietnam is the traffic. I have never been anywhere with such crazy traffic (and remember that I have been to three African countries). EVERYONE who lives in or near cities owns a motorbike. Cars are very expensive, so motorbikes are the main form of transportation. I had the privileged of being able to drive a motorbike for a day while I was there and it was quite an experience! All in all, it was a great little vacation. If you would like to see some pictures from the trip you can follow this link to an album I have posted on facebook.
Peace and love.
After Halong, we spent a day and a half in Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam. Hanoi has a very cool feel to it as it has a lot of Chinese influence mixed with Vietnamese culture. We stayed in the "Old Quarter" of Hanoi which has one of the strongest and most prominent Chinese influences. We visited a Confucius university which was started in the 11th century. While classes have stopped at the university, the continue to hold graduations of other area universities on the grounds. Hanoi is definitely a city I wish I could spend more time in, and hope to go back to one day.
Vietnam is a very intriguing place for someone from the West. Even though it has a communist government, it runs it's economy under a more capitalist mindset (much like China). This has led to a surge in the economy of Vietnam in the past few years. You have amazing juxtapositions of people harvesting rice patties while in the shade of giant billboards advertising many different products (we actually saw this on the way to the airport). The most exciting, chaotic, and sometime terrifying part of being in Vietnam is the traffic. I have never been anywhere with such crazy traffic (and remember that I have been to three African countries). EVERYONE who lives in or near cities owns a motorbike. Cars are very expensive, so motorbikes are the main form of transportation. I had the privileged of being able to drive a motorbike for a day while I was there and it was quite an experience! All in all, it was a great little vacation. If you would like to see some pictures from the trip you can follow this link to an album I have posted on facebook.
Peace and love.
Monday, September 14, 2009
Saturday, September 12, 2009
Riots in Kampala
Friends,
A few days ago riots broke out in Kampala, the capital of Uganda. There is a long, complicated history as to why the riots stared which I wont get into here. I lived in the outskirts of Kampala during my time in Uganda last semester. In my time there I grew very close not only to the people living there, but the city itself. I ask that you pray for the people being affected by the violence and a peaceful resolution to the riots. If you would like to know more about the situation click on the links at the bottom of this post. Thanks for your prayers.
Peace and love.
Video of downtown Kampala (a bit graphic)
Riots explained
A few days ago riots broke out in Kampala, the capital of Uganda. There is a long, complicated history as to why the riots stared which I wont get into here. I lived in the outskirts of Kampala during my time in Uganda last semester. In my time there I grew very close not only to the people living there, but the city itself. I ask that you pray for the people being affected by the violence and a peaceful resolution to the riots. If you would like to know more about the situation click on the links at the bottom of this post. Thanks for your prayers.
Peace and love.
Video of downtown Kampala (a bit graphic)
Riots explained
Wednesday, September 09, 2009
U.S. International Engagement
I had an interesting conversation today with Roe, one of the other Mekong interns. It is something I have been mulling around in my mind for awhile, but hadn't heard anyone else verbalize. It was on the question of legitimacy and moral duty of the U.S. to be involved in the internal affairs of other countries. The conversation stemmed from a film we watched in class today about the persecution of the Hmong people in Laos. It seemed to be the opinion of many of the students that the U.S. should step in and stop the killing of the Hmong people. Now, before you jump all over me let me explain my feelings on the subject.
Removing the fact that there is evidence that suggests the U.S. involvement in the Vietnam War has partly led to the killings, it looks a lot like other humanitarian crisis: Iraq (pre-Iraq War), Burma, Darfur, Zimbabwe, and the list goes on. Now the fundamental question here is: Does the U.S. have a moral duty to help human beings outside of its own borders being persecuted by their own government. The obvious answer here is: YES, of course! That has been my thought for the past few years. However, after learning what I have here and applying what we have learned from recent history, I am not so sure of that answer anymore.
Look at Iraq for example. Yes, I know we went in looking for WMDs, but we have since turned it into a humanitarian aid intervention. Now, I would be willing to bed that many of the same people who are against the Iraq War would favor a U.S. intervention in other areas in need of humanitarian assistance. What makes this situation, along with all the others, is that the perpetrators of the crimes are the governments themselves. When is it OK for the U.S. to decide when a human's right to life trumps the sovereignty of the government? We did just such a thing in Vietnam and now Iraq...and you don't need me to tell you that those are not some of the better moments in our country's history.
I firmly believe that the purpose of a government is to protect and serve its OWN people...not others. I believe that stepping outside of our own borders into another country without permission form said country would be over-stepping our rights as just one of hundreds of countries in the world. My question to you is: What makes us think that we are entitled to decide what is right and wrong throughout the world? We were not cast as a country meant to police the world, rather a country to protect those living here from oppression from other countries.
You may be asking yourself: "So what, you think we should just do nothing?" If you know me, you should know that I feel quite the opposite actually. I think the atrocities in the aforementioned countries should be dealt with, maybe just not by the U.S. government. Who should be stepping in? YOU and ME. Not as Americans, but as human beings...and more specifically Christians! We have a calling as children of Christ to "act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with God" (paraphrased from Micah 6:8). Too often I hear Christians ranting about the inaction of the U.S., but hear little complaining about the complacency of the church. The church is more powerful that you or even I understand. Christians have etched their names throughout history for causes such as the crusades, witch hunts, and other now obvious mistakes. I think it's time we take a stand as one body of Christ and make a new name for ourselves as we "loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free." (Isaiah 58:6)
Now, I may sound contradictory, and maybe I am. Please tell me if you feel that way. I am very open to dialogue, and I hope that this post sparks some discussion (that is, if anyone actually reads this!) I'm still fleshing out these feelings I have and have not yet fully come to a decision on the matter. I hope that you will join me in dialoguing about this issue.
Peace and love.
Removing the fact that there is evidence that suggests the U.S. involvement in the Vietnam War has partly led to the killings, it looks a lot like other humanitarian crisis: Iraq (pre-Iraq War), Burma, Darfur, Zimbabwe, and the list goes on. Now the fundamental question here is: Does the U.S. have a moral duty to help human beings outside of its own borders being persecuted by their own government. The obvious answer here is: YES, of course! That has been my thought for the past few years. However, after learning what I have here and applying what we have learned from recent history, I am not so sure of that answer anymore.
Look at Iraq for example. Yes, I know we went in looking for WMDs, but we have since turned it into a humanitarian aid intervention. Now, I would be willing to bed that many of the same people who are against the Iraq War would favor a U.S. intervention in other areas in need of humanitarian assistance. What makes this situation, along with all the others, is that the perpetrators of the crimes are the governments themselves. When is it OK for the U.S. to decide when a human's right to life trumps the sovereignty of the government? We did just such a thing in Vietnam and now Iraq...and you don't need me to tell you that those are not some of the better moments in our country's history.
I firmly believe that the purpose of a government is to protect and serve its OWN people...not others. I believe that stepping outside of our own borders into another country without permission form said country would be over-stepping our rights as just one of hundreds of countries in the world. My question to you is: What makes us think that we are entitled to decide what is right and wrong throughout the world? We were not cast as a country meant to police the world, rather a country to protect those living here from oppression from other countries.
You may be asking yourself: "So what, you think we should just do nothing?" If you know me, you should know that I feel quite the opposite actually. I think the atrocities in the aforementioned countries should be dealt with, maybe just not by the U.S. government. Who should be stepping in? YOU and ME. Not as Americans, but as human beings...and more specifically Christians! We have a calling as children of Christ to "act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with God" (paraphrased from Micah 6:8). Too often I hear Christians ranting about the inaction of the U.S., but hear little complaining about the complacency of the church. The church is more powerful that you or even I understand. Christians have etched their names throughout history for causes such as the crusades, witch hunts, and other now obvious mistakes. I think it's time we take a stand as one body of Christ and make a new name for ourselves as we "loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free." (Isaiah 58:6)
Now, I may sound contradictory, and maybe I am. Please tell me if you feel that way. I am very open to dialogue, and I hope that this post sparks some discussion (that is, if anyone actually reads this!) I'm still fleshing out these feelings I have and have not yet fully come to a decision on the matter. I hope that you will join me in dialoguing about this issue.
Peace and love.
Tuesday, September 08, 2009
Has it really been a year??
Seeing as how its been about a year since I last posted on here I figured it was due time...
I'm currently doing an internship in Thailand with Go-ED. Since I am working here through the support of friends and family I started a new blog as a replacement for a "support letter." You can check out the blog here:
http://jordaninthailand.blogspot.com
I hope to post here as well, but my past record in blogging is not great. So please be understanding.
Peace and love.
I'm currently doing an internship in Thailand with Go-ED. Since I am working here through the support of friends and family I started a new blog as a replacement for a "support letter." You can check out the blog here:
http://jordaninthailand.blogspot.com
I hope to post here as well, but my past record in blogging is not great. So please be understanding.
Peace and love.
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