The Enemy is Ignorance

"Today in Kabul, clean-shaven men rubbed their faces. An old man with a newly-trimmed grey beard danced in the street holding a small tape recorder blaring music to his ear. The Taliban- who had banned music and ordered mean to wear beards- were gone." - Kathy Gannon, Nov. 13, 2001

Eight long years of death, poverty, and brain washing later, the Taliban are stronger than ever in Afghanistan and are spreading their power deep into Pakistan. What happened to the joy that the Afghans experienced on November 13th? The answer is simple- foreign forces pulled out of the country after a month of bombing, fighting the Taliban, and giving empty promises of aid. The US government decided that Iraq and Saddam were more important to fight.

After reading an amazing book about Afghanistan and Pakistan, listening closely to different journalists from all points of view, and speaking with (educated) French citizens about their viewpoints on Iraq and the current war, I find my opinion changing slightly. I completely supported the war in Iraq and always stood behind our troops. I still think that a world without Saddam is a better world, but was it the right decision for that time? Most everyone knew that Osama was hiding somewhere in the caves of Afghanistan and not in Iraq, feeding off the money the Taliban started to receive by the millions in support of their terrorism. We originally started the war in order to avenge the death of thousands of Americans in New York and Western Pennsylvania. What exactly were the motives of the ‘war’ in Iraq? Oil? Democracy? Human rights?

So, the US spent billions of dollars ousting Saddam for the past 8 years and practically ignored the rise of power, once again, by the Taliban. The rise of the Taliban is to be expected in such poor uneducated countries. Afghans and Pakistanis have been lured into ‘education’ in the form of madrassas -a breeding ground for future Taliban terrorists- they brainwash young boys, filling their minds with hatred toward ‘infidels’ and particularly the US. The courses are taught by jihadists who teach the boys extreme Islam, Arabic, weaponry etc. They graduate from these schools having no knowledge about geography, history, math, and science. The Taliban give money to the students, which is normally sent back to their poor villages like the one pictured at the beginning of the post. The only taste these now Taliban students have of the US and of Democracy is what they are taught in their madrassa. Madrassas are now everywhere in Afghanistan and currently taking over Pakistan.

Greg Mortenson, the co-author of his biography ‘Three Cups of Tea,’ is currently fighting against these Islamic fundamentalists who recruit through the madrassas. Mortenson’s philosophy is this: if he builds secular schools and promotes true, free education, for girls as well, in one of the most dangerous areas of the world, support for the Taliban will eventually die out. He has built over 81 schools in both Afghanistan and Pakistan, and is constantly building more.

The scariest part is that the time to act in Afghanistan and against the Taliban is either now or never. A shockingly large majority of the money that the Taliban receives is from foreign donors, and the amount is constantly increasing. It’s impossible to track where all the money comes from. If we don’t act now, the Taliban will become so powerful that it could end up being one of the deadliest and bloodiest wars in history. So the next question is this: What is our government doing? Why is Obama ignoring General McChrystal’s request for more troops? Why has Obama only spoken to him ONE time during his presidency? The longer we wait the more ‘martyrs’ there will be in the name of jihad.

Check out the website www.threecupsoftea.com for more information about Greg Mortenson and his awesome work in the Middle East. Also be sure to listen to the news- both the left and the right.

Okay, well this post doesn’t really have anything to do with my actual experiences in France, but it is something that I have come to learn more and more about while being here. Next time, which will be very soon, I will tell you about teaching and my little French students.

Here are some pictures of Pakistan and Greg Mortenson. The last picture is of a Taliban Madrassa.

A Bit of This and a Bit of That

Well, there is no particular theme to this post...just a general update on life post-Northern Ireland.

Upon my return, I had a slight scratch in my throat, but I wasn't concerned. I was dehydrated and figured it was just a result of that. Wrong. The next day I was sick in bed with muscle aches, chills, headache, sore throat...all the symptoms of the A flu. Just super. I tried not to panic...I drank as much water as my body could handle and Marco waited on me hand and foot so I could rest as much as possible. Fortunately, the next day I felt a bit better and realized it was just some sort of 24h bug. Somehow I am somewhat disappointed that it wasn't the A flu so I could now be immune from it. Oh, how we always want what we don't get.

Besides that, I set up my bank account and registered for my Tuesday/Thursday evening French classes. With a French cell phone and now a French credit card, people are really going to think I'm French. I like blending in so I quite like that idea. Just they wait until I open my mouth - boy are they in for a treat they don't expect :).

This past weekend was "Les Journees du Patrimoine." That's pretty much just a fancy name for saying 'we normally close these things to the public, but for this weekend we'll let you tour it so you can quench your curiosity.' So, Pascale and I went to as much as we possibly could. We went to a few late night concerts in a few not normally opened gardens, we visited an 18th century apartment, took a late night stroll around the castle, visited the 'Hotel de Ville' (which, by the way, is NOT a hotel...I didn't figure this out until AFTER the tour. I asked Pascale where the 'hotel' part was - she just looked at me and started to laugh. It is actually just the town hall. Go figure!), etc. We also took a boat tour of the Loire (the river that goes through Nantes) - or what I thought was going to be a boat tour. When I think boat, I think of a decent sized piece of floating transportation that can comfortably carry at least 20 people. Nope. Try a wooden gondola with a small motor, steered by a beard sporting, beret wearing, French speaking burly man. I hope the picture amuses you as much as it does me.

It was also Pascale's 50th Birthday on Sunday. I included a picture of that too!

And for today's little anecdote, I am going to talk about French people and their teeth and smoking. Okay- normally I love almost all aspects of France and French culture, but these two things just repulse me, to put it somewhat bluntly. Keep in mind that this is just SOME French people and not all. It's kinda like obesity in the US- it's easy to find but it's not nearly everyone either. So, I walked through a high school yesterday and had to wave through literally hundreds of smoking teenagers. All of these young people killing their bodies before they've even finished growing. You can hardly walk outside without seeing someone smoking. Or you'll see the train conductors running out of the train for the 10 minute wait before they next depart to suck up some more nicotine. Or mom's carrying a baby in one arm and a cigarette in another (fortunately this is much more rare). For a country that prides itself of being 'rational and intellectual,' I find this to be quite contradictory. So, because of the tendency to smoke, and probably the coffee and red wine that is consumed, some French people have not so great of teeth. Not just like a little yellow around the edges, I mean, I have seen teeth on people who have been dead for 10 years that look better than that! Okay, I haven't seen teeth on someone dead for 10 years and that's quite an exaggeration but you get the point. Example: Pascale and I visited a young French couple - probably about 30- the other day. They were both sitting smoking their cigs and drinking their tar-like coffee. And then they opened their mouths. Oh, what a surprise. At 30, they had the teeth of someone of 95 years in the US. They were completely discolored, deteriorated, and brittle looking (this is an extreme example). And the next thing they'll ask me is how I keep my teeth so white. DUH! Do I really need to explain that? Come on France - for the land of fashion, your teeth are way out of style.

Ok. End of harsh words.
I am off to make some tomato pie for dinner!

Picture of Kris

I didn't include a picture of Kris. He probably didn't even notice but just so I don't insult him and so people know what he looks like, here is a picture!

I will include another update about France in the next few days!

Seeing Kris and Jane Was Such a Wee Treat!

I think I will always have a love affair with the entire island comprising of Ireland and Northern Ireland. I don't know if I can exactly put my finger on why, but the scenery is amazing, driving on the 'wrong side' of the road is a bit exhilirating, realizing I can't understand accented English very well, and the people are incredibly hospitable. I think I had about 6 cups of tea a day because I just couldn't say no when people asked me if I wanted one. But, of course, the major hi-light of this trip was seeing Kris and MJ. Getting to meet their families, to see their homes, and to see their everyday living was very important to me. I don't think I could ever fully know someone without having a small glimpse into that world. During my time there, they took me to the 'cinema', Giant's Causeway, Carrick-a-Rede rope bridge, Port Stewart, downtown Belfast, got a traditional N. Irish 'Belly Buster' breakfast, met some of their friends, etc. I am looking forward to heading just across the ocean again sometime in the next few months. And I most definitely expect the opposite too!

Pictures:

5- Sitting at the edge of a cliff with Kris (don't worry Mom, I was safe!)

4- Carrick-A-Rede rope bridge
3- Giant's Causeway 2
2- Giant's Causeway

1- Belly Buster breakfast

Hello Northern Ireland!

Well, after a fun weekend of seeing Grove City kids, hanging out with Marco, going to the beach with Pascale (Marco's mom), and walking around downtown, I am headed to NORTHERN IRELAND!!!! Tomorrow I depart for the land of luck and will return on Sunday evening. I am so looking forward to getting to see Kris and Mary Jane's home town and country. Ah, the life of living in Europe is so hard sometimes......

I'll update more (with pictures!) upon my return.

Bises!

Well, I don't have too overly much to say but here is a little update since my arrival...

The past few days have been pretty rainy which has made it a little difficult to enjoy the city and to get things done. I was able to set up my French cell phone and after one failed trip, I was finally able to get my Tan pass (public transportation). Now I can go on any public transportation in the city whenever I want for just 30 euro! We seriously need to upgrade our public transportation in the US. That is less than what I pay for gas in a month (well, pre-Corolla anyway...). Before I can do much more, I need to set up a French bank account which may be a bit of a feat. It is hard to find banks that don't require a year commitment, but fortunately the program has provided us with a list with those that NORMALLY are okay with the teacher assistants and allow them to have a shorter contract.

Besides that, I have been hanging out with Marco, his mom (Pascale), and the cat (Chaterton)....watching movies, eating more yummy French food, reading, having interesting conversations about French government etc.

It is normal to be here but almost somewhat weird. It is taking awhile for me to realize that I am here for such a long time and need to set up some sort of life for myself here. It is a little overwhelming and can make me slightly stressed from time to time. The first month with be the hardest, so I just need to make it through this in one piece and then I will be good to go :).

4 days down, many more to go....

I just wanted to let everyone know that I am safely here and have already consumed a plethora of yummy french food:) more later!