As we approach the festive season it feels like the world has very little to celebrate. The tragedy that has befallen Paris and its citizens will weigh heavily on our minds, along with earlier atrocities in that same city, as will the plight of those fleeing conflict in Syria. It’s only days since a plane was apparently blown apart over the Sinai peninsula killing all on board, and here is another disaster on a heartbreaking scale. This weekend’s news was riddled with more sadness in the shape of a train derailment in France and a light aircraft crash in Somerset. The disturbing events of 2015 raise a lot of questions to which there are no easy answers. I should travel to work in Central London tomorrow with a renewed sense of unease: this is one of the many dark things the terrorists wish for. Their wishes will not be granted.
However there is a glimmer of hope among the macabre headlines. After years in opposition to the military government in Burma (Myanmar), Aung San Suu Kyi’s National League for Democracy has won a fulsome election victory. ‘The Lady’, as she is affectionately known, is finally poised to become leader (if not president) of Burma, having endured over 20 years in detention for her efforts to bring democracy to this beautiful country. The weight on her shoulders can never have felt greater. The expectation is that she will negotiate a peaceful transition, navigate ethnic tensions and bring much needed prosperity to the country she loves. This will be no mean feat, but let’s hope for the sake of Burma’s people that she will succeed. In this season of ill will we could all do with a little good news.
The photograph above was taken on Inle Lake in 2012 when we visited Burma on holiday. Read more here.
Categories: Flowers, Musings, Photography, Travel
So good to read an optimistic post. The closest I have got to Burma is the other side of the river at Mae-sot (Thailand).
If you ever get the opportunity again, cross that river! Burma is still a magical, largely unspoilt place. Whatever happens next it is unlikely to remain that way for long. I would love to go back and see some of the more far-flung areas.
Yes, I think whatever happens it will change 🙁
Good news is very welcome on this very somber weekend. 🙂
Sombre is a good word. I felt that way today, especially when we had a special minute’s silence at 11am to honour the dead and pray for the injured.
good, you mentioned this. One tends to forget the good things all too easily.
Yes, we do like to dwell on bad news don’t we? Of course there is an appropriate time for that, but we need to keep hope in our hearts.
If we forget the good things those who advocate hatred and violence will win. We have to be resolute and most of all defiant, and make our voices heard. Je suis toujours Charlie – Liberté, égalité, fraternité
Bravo!
‘their wish will not be granted’ – absolutely. Thank you for pointing out cause for optimism. It’s easy to forget.
Yes, easy to overlook happier stories in the aftermath of such horror.
Thank you for expressing in words what I feel and couldn’t find the words for. In addition to all that, have you noticed China doing good, helpful things like build roads, canals, etc., in countries we attack? Now that China and Russia…. and the Putin/U.S. thing…. ugh… It’s hard to think about. I was disconcerted to see that France attacked ISIS, bombed Syria last night.
Hugs, Dan. I’m with you on this. Safe travels, and world be darned, all you can control is your own life. Much love and peace to you guys.
Thanks Sandy, we are a tough bunch here in London and in Paris, but it would be wrong to get used to such a threatening situation. I hope there will be happier times ahead.
Thank you for your thoughtful and optimistic post, we have to look out for good in this chaotic world. Travel safely in that wonderful city of my birth. Though I now live in rural Devon after over 20 years in North Yorkshire I still love London.
You are welcome. I can’t helping thinking that I would feel much safer in Devon just now. Travelling on the tube today was not a pleasure …. but then it never really is!!