International Communications

It’s incredible how today we take for granted the ability to travel from one end of the planet to the other in 24 hours. It might not seem like that when one is cooped up in an economy class seat for 13 hours or more at a time, but given that not that long ago, it took 6 weeks by boat to travel between the UK and Australia, this is now remarkably quick. And it has also become progressively cheaper too.

I think of these issues at the moment, as I am about to depart from a somewhat soggy (but beautifully green) England for Australia again. En route, I am staying in Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia, where I am looking forward to catching up with Patrick, an American friend whom I have not seen for about 12 years. Again, thanks to the internet, I was able to track him down again: when we first met in the early 1990’s, emails and websites didn’t exist. How life has changed.

This reminds me of the impact that mobile phones are having too. All over Africa, the very poorest members of society now have access to mobile phones and the huge benefits that this gives them. It is helping to democratise these countries and provided previously unprecedented access to business opportunities. Increasingly, access to mobile phones is possible in even in the most remote of areas. It is good to see how this rapid adoption of modern technology has destroyed the previous public sector monopoly of the old telephone company, which was immensely incompetent and inefficient (and often corrupt too). And this technology has opened up a dynamic, competitive telecoms market, with cheaper and cheaper services. Long may it continue!

Another sign of better communications is the spread of internet cafes throughout all but the most remote of rural communities in developing countries. Here is a photo taken in an ancient square in the historic city of Bhakatpur in Nepal, in September 2006. Mixing the old with the new!

All these improvement help to integrate our international community. We are exposed to the ideas, thoughts, views and values of other cultures and in so doing, increase our understanding of other societies. This exposure is a double edged sword: better understanding of others helps us to realise that we are basically all the same underneath the veneer of cultural differences, but it can also make us feel that our own cultures are threatened. It is interesting to note that although the wealthy Western countries appear to have a growing sense of cultural threat, their impact on the cultures of non-Western communities is substantially greater, and these Western values are often adopted with considerably less resistance than we emit in our apparently “open” and “tolerant” societies!

Kampala’s Irish Pub Made a Teetotaller, at least for a week!

What is it about Irish pubs? They seem to have spread into virtually every country on Earth, including those countries that don’t really have any association with Ireland, or the Irish! Why Irish pubs? Why not, say, English pubs, or maybe even Saudi pubs?! Don't get me wrong, I’m not complaining: they are often a fine place to congregate and imbibe a few jars (or more)!

The Irish pub in Kampala is run by a team of very pleasant and competent coal-black Celts with thick Ugandan accents! It is also, unfortunately, within easy staggering distance of where I stay when I'm in town. This can be seriously damaging to my health…

Last week I gave up alcohol and became a teetotaller, following a very lively evening of revelry held at this fine establishment, where rather more was imbibed than is perhaps prudent! But in my defence, I have to say that it wasn't entirely my fault. (After all, in these days of litigation and passing the buck, it never is my fault – someone else is ALWAYS to blame!). You see, it was a pub quiz night (I know, it's sad to admit it, but I rather enjoy them!), and my team kept winning the rounds, for which the prize was a free drink. I did (quite reasonably) point out to them that as our team only had 3 members on it, (as compared to the other teams with 6 or more members) it was only reasonable for each of us to get 2 free drinks, rather than just the one, for each quiz round we won. Given such a reasonable point, the management had to agree! So, it wasn't my fault that my team kept winning because everyone else in pub was so stupid, ignorant or drunk (or all three)! What was I supposed to do about that? Lie? Act stupid? I have a responsibility to spread knowledge and wisdom around the globe, and this was a good opportunity to do so, in a multi-cultural environment! The episode finally came to its pitiful conclusion at about 3 o’clock the following morning, so understandably, I wasn't feeling 100% the next day. My new-found commitment to being teetotal lasted an entire week!

Greetings from Kampala, Uganda

I arrived in Kampala again yesterday. It has been almost 3 years since I was last here and it is interesting to see how this place has progressed since then. There are some good signs around, especially the presence of new buildings, and it is good to catch up with those who still remember me (favourably)! I like the Ugandans: they are very friendly and very capable too, and often willing to work towards a better future.

I guess that for many African countries, it is just good to see the place remain peaceful and not to degenerate back into chaos and economic collapse, as sadly seems to be all too common in this part of the world. I just hope that the economic growth here (and elsewhere) will be strong and long enough to create a critical mass of 'middle class' people, who are sufficiently well educated to understand the wider implications of their actions, and sufficiently well off and confident in their futures, to be able to look beyond their own personal and immediate needs. However, I was reminded yesterday (by a local) that Uganda has never seen a peaceful transition of power in its history. It is sad to see how common it is for political leaders to hang onto power well past their "sell by" date, through various shenanigans, fair or (more usually) foul, with the sad result that the good that they often do in their early days of power (and their reputations) is overwhelmed and undone by their later years. We can but hope for the best and help.

Uganda, here I Come!

Yes, having spent 2 hectic weeks in the UK, I am now about to leave for Kampala in Uganda, a country that I have visited 3 times previously (between 2001-4) and that is OK! Given that it is surrounded by lots of rather unstable neighbours (e.g. Congo and Sudan) and is landlocked, it is doing ok for itself, although it seems that the economic growth is somewhat skewed towards Kampala. Still, it is a really beautiful, lush green country and the locals friendly and competent (although alas, like so many other places, it suffers from corruption and weak governance too).

This photo is of the Sipi Falls on Mount Elgon, near the Kenyan border. It was taken at sunset. Well worth a visit. There are lots of other places to see too in Uganda. (I hope I'll get a commission from all this free advertising on behalf of the Ugandan government!)

Next blog will be coming from Kampala - Inchallah!

The Netherlands & Amsterdam

Visited Amsterdam last week: boy is that a beautiful and civilised place?! Indeed, I thought that the whole country was (even if it is flat!). SO many folks cycle and the tyranny of motor cars is tamed in the cities, many of which retain their stunning, beautiful and ancient centres.

Amsterdam is well worth visiting (for those who have never been before), especially if you can chose a nice day to go (which fortunately, I got). It's all very walkable and of course, the Red Light district is fascinating! Oh yes, I do so like their relaxed and non-judgemental approach to one of life's most important pleasures! It's a pity that so many other places appear to have such an outdated and often hypocritical attitude towards sex. But I guess I ain't gonna change the world!

I'll try and post some photos here...!