Eldon-Online

Where To Now - Better or Worse?

Warning! This "post" may use language or lead you to images that are offensive to some, although the words used are in the public domain and, in context, are generally inoffensive.

The many fans of Monty Python will be familiar with the work of Eric Idle, a Python of renown and voted in 2005 as one of the top 20 comedians ever, in a poll of fellow comedians. The "Life of Brian", one of their greatest successes and released 30 years ago, contains the song, "Always Look on the Bright Side of Life", written and sung by Eric. Given the year we have just been through, at least the title of the song is an encouragement even if the subject matter as conveyed by the lyrics (should you choose to listen to the song) suggests you only look at the bright side "at the end of life".

So, what sort of year have you had? One that you can sit back at the end of it and say "whew! that wasn't as bad as I thought it was going to be", or have you have had an annus horribilis? No job, more debts than you wanted or can afford to repay, no interest income? Mixed fortunes, I suspect, for many people although I continue to have a strong sense that there is more positive feeling in the East than in the West. Why? Politicians, for one, in the West are having a more torrid time of it than their Eastern counterparts. Yes, the economies in various western countries might have been spared the ultimate tsunami effect of the financial crisis, thanks to vast amounts of money having been thrown at the problems, but the end result of that spending will ultimately come home to roost. New jobs have not been created in the manner anticipated, and although I am not an economist - so someone will undoubtedly explain it to me - I still don't see how we can escape inflationary pressures in due course.

In addition armed conflicts continue in the Middle East, with an increasing loss of life amongst civilians and troops, who are fighting a war that is not theirs, but doing so in the interests of world peace. Yet I am unconvinced that there is likely to be a "winner" out of this. Will the deployment of extra troops envisioned by the USA, for example, really bring an end to the conflict? Especially once they all leave. And Somali pirates, who are getting richer by the week, and where I remain flummoxed by the reticence of the major powers who can do nothing to stop them due to some issues over international waters. 

And now we have once again the spectre of terrorism in a different format, with the attempted blowing up of the Delta aircraft into the USA. This was carried out in a manner that will soon mean us all having to wear transparent clothing to match our "liquid bags" so security officials can see we have nothing to hide! Not the prettiest thought with which to end the year.

So, a mixed and muddled 2009 - where to for 2010?

Economically we will still survive; although I am not sure the pace of recovery will be to everyone's liking. It will not be a straightforward year, and I was very taken with Tom Holland's "Monitor" article this morning in the SCMP. In a rather self-deprecating manner he took himself to task for making predictions for 2009 that he then reversed later. I am not sure that he should have reversed some of those predictions - he should merely have adjusted the timing. One of those predictions was in relation to the possibility of the rise in the Hang Seng index being premature and for a correction to follow; it didn't and today the HSI is markedly higher than where it was at the start of the year. BUT, I still think his original thinking was correct - it is a matter of time. I believe we know that the rise is not all due to magnificent results from the listed companies but a lack of alternative homes for investors' money.

I am more concerned about the politics, the social imbalances, the conflicts and the terrorists than I am about the economies. We have to keep speaking up and speaking out. We have to be vigilant in a world where we will create our own downfall if we ignore the continuing and growing divide between the "haves" and the "have nots". And we will do well to remember the words, once again, of Eric Idle in his "Galaxy Song"  and his final stanza that reads:

So remember, when you're feeling very small and insecure,
How amazingly unlikely is your birth,
And pray that there's intelligent life somewhere up in space,
'Cause there's bugger all down here on Earth.

For me, and I am one of the lucky ones, 2010 is going to be a busy year (hopefully), as I currently have plenty to keep me occupied and generally out of mischief! Being "aware" doesn't mean you have to always be miserable and serious. There are lighter sides to life, in many situations, no matter how desperate it might seem.

Thank you for reading my rants and raves this year - for next year I will start off with some thoughts on the places where I am most involved, Asia (principally Korea and China, but others too) and the Middle East.

I would like to wish you a productive, healthy and hopefully happy 2010 - and if you are lucky enough to be prosperous too, remember there are some wonderfully dedicated people in the world working for a variety of charities that need your help.

Believe What You Want

Perhaps it's not so odd that a person who is not particularly religious should choose a day like today to think about beliefs! Here we are, a Public Holiday in the Western world and a normal weekend in the Arab world! A happy coincidence for believers in Christianity who today celebrate Christmas and who live in a Moslem country where December 25th and a Friday will only happen four more times in the next 30 years. 

 I actually only started to think about it when I got a call from Dubai today, and then thought back on some of the changes that have taken place in our world over the last few decades. How parts of a majority Christian country like Britain have decided that to celebrate Christmas is discriminatory against the minority who choose to believe in other things. How it seems no longer appropriate to wish people a Merry Christmas, in case they are not believers in Christ, and default to a tamer Happy New Year instead (even though this particular New Year is based on a calendar introduced by a Catholic Pope (actually, aren't all Popes Catholic?).

It is a sad reflection on a world where, after centuries of having been ravaged by wars that have had a basis in religious beliefs, we still don't seem to have learnt one of the basic tenets of every one of those religions - tolerance and an understanding of others. 

The most recent case in point? Perhaps the fact that the Swiss, in their open transparent and democratic way,have exercised their right to ban the building of minarets in Switzerland. A motion so clearly passed, despite opposition by the Government, the mainstream political parties, religious groups and business interests, that it highlights the increasing rise of right wing nationalism in Europe. A worrying trend.

But the move was applauded in other countries in Europe, so I wondered in this particular case whether it was actually all about nationalism, or are people just getting fed up with being asked to tolerate this and that - against their own beliefs? I know that various commentators since the referendum have called the vote an "attack on religious freedom". I would ask those same commentators to ask the Saudi Arabian authorities to let them know how many churches have been allowed in Saudi Arabia. The answer will be zero. And I recall a building in Riyadh having to be modified when I was there because part of the structure resembled a religious cross.

Ask those same people what they think of the various "laws" by which other religions abide. The death penalty by beheading, removal of limbs, stoning and, in a recent "judgement" the removal of tongues and ears. I presume that this is included and approved of in the "religious freedom" they talk about.

I am all in favour of allowing people to believe in whatever they choose to believe. And if they are a guest in someone else's country they should respect the rules and the laws of their hosts. But all too often now, people in various countries are being asked to bow to the wishes of the new minorities - without any form of reciprocation. Perhaps if Saudi Arabia allowed churches, Switzerland might be inclined to allow minarets.

When I lived in Malaysia I was struck by the fact that at Hari Raya (Eid), everyone joined in - Muslim, Hindu and Christian as well as anyone else. It was the same for Christmas and Diwali. Despite the occasional Government rhetoric, it was a pretty harmonious society.

But today we increasingly live in a world of intolerance. This is the wrong direction, surely, no matter what our beliefs. Don't we all want to live in a peaceful and harmonious world?  If we don't I would suggest there is something wrong with us.

Isn't it about time we were all allowed to believe in whatever we want to believe in?  To do so sensitively - but not to try and impose your beliefs on others.

It is just past midnight on the 25th of December. A little early for a New Year Resolution, but one that might be just worth thinking about. 

Havana Good Time!

Birthday parties aside, my recent lack of Blog activity has been due my undertaking a long awaited trip to Cuba - (followed by a stop in Dubai - about which a little more later)!

Cuba - what a great trip it was. For nationals of countries that are permitted and are able to go for a visit, I recommend you do so - but do it sooner rather than later.

Any opening up of the country due to a change in relations with the USA (although recent comments by President Raul Castro seem to put that likelihood further on the back-burner) will result in a number of conflicting situations. The additional money that will inevitably pour in will be welcome, but only if it ends up being widely distributed and therefore ultimately ends up in the right hands, rather than in the pockets of a few. The modernisation programme that will, or should follow, could bring new state of the art and user-friendly buildings and facilities to the country, but will this be at the expense of the existing, beautiful architecture where the only real problem seems to be general (and in some cases chronic) dilapidation? A sympathetic restoration programme would create in Havana a city of huge appeal. But will the pace of change be so fast that the inhabitants will lose their character, their easy going charm and amazing good nature - replacing it with greed and an increased crime rate? 

On crime, I have to be honest, I walked down some pretty dark streets quite late at night but at no time did I feel I was vulnerable to danger - maybe I was stupid, perhaps I was lucky, but other visitors I spoke to seemed to have the same positive experience. And every city in the world that you visit has areas that are "no go" anyway. I am sure that Havana is no different.

Getting to Cuba in the first place is not hugely difficult - unless you are determined to enter via the USA. In that event, swimming will be your best bet - as long as you can keep your visa dry. Canadian airports, Latin American, and of course European gateways all offer a variety of almost daily services. (And don't forget; if you are leaving from Europe remember to fly from a non-British airport, as your airport tax will be considerably lower - or non-existent). Visas, not stamped in your passport in case you end up in an immigration line where you will be viewed suspiciously, seemed easy to obtain. We got ours in Hong Kong. 

Once on the ground you sort out your currency, and off you go. Oh, "sorting out the currency" takes a little getting used to. Cuba is a cash society. If you have a credit card (as long as it's not on a US bank), you can occasionally use it in hotels, depending on how well the systems are running at the time. Friends who were with us even found it difficult to use their UK Bank cards, but happily good old Hong Kong came to the rescue and our cards were well accepted - except we hardly used them as all credit card transactions "attract" at least a 10% surcharge.

And then you have to negotiate your way through the "problem" of paying for things. This is a cash society with a difference. Two currencies; one name. The Peso (Convertible) is for the tourist and the Peso (National Money) is for local trade. As a foreigner you will generally use the Convertible Peso (the CUC). Easily changed at the airport, in hotels and at the various exchanges around town. 

But look, all of this can be found in the very excellent Lonely Planet Guide for Cuba and, I am sure, other guides too but our "Planet" was certainly up to date and informative.

For us - Havana was an experience not to be missed. Pedestrian only streets, great music, but do not go with high expectations of a gourmet paradise. The food is basic, "comfort food" in many cases, and you can eat in people's homes. The choice is not huge, but palatable. Our favourite "home" was Doña Carmela out near the Fort (visit the firing of the 9 p.m. gun at the Fort and then head down to Carmela afterwards - reservations needed, as it's popular). Our favourite bar was La Lluvia de Oro on Obispo Street. The band they had in there the nights we visited was really good, and I am told they have been around a while. Ride the 1950s Cadillacs, visit the museums, tip a CUC here and a CUC there - you will suddenly find barriers removed in Museums. And relax.

One week in Havana? Too long probably unless you have special interests - but we got out and visited Viñales, as well as Pina de Mar - and on the next visit (yes, we must go back), we want to get to Trinidad (the city in Cuba, not the Island) and Santiago de Cuba.

Visit the bars that Hemingway frequented, but drink in the bars he didn't; the prices don't have the Hemingway premium price tag - and do visit Hemingway's house. It's worth a look.

Havin' a good time in Havana? You bet.