Monday, November 17, 2008

Addicted to music

What would I do without my daily shot of music? I honestly wouldn't know. That's why I am especially happy with inventions such as Ipods and YouTube so I never have to do without. This specific trip I've been addicted to several songs, which are all so beautiful that I thought I'd share them with you...





I added two videos of Julieta Venegas, who I think is just fantastic. Too bad I didn't know of her existence when I was in Mexico, otherwise I would have bought every song she ever made (yeah, I know, I can still so that online). Both songs are great, but that duet with Marisa Monte.. wow! Due to a copyright issue, Sony has had the one posted here before removed - not sure how long these will be available...


Mariza - Minh' Alma


I first heard this duet by Jason Mraz and James Morrison on Singapore Airlines In Flight Entertainment and then had it entertain me for hours in a row - together with 'I'm yours' of course! Once a song is in my vains, just can't get it out again....


Red Hot Chili Peppers - Hard to concentrate works especially great in airplanes - but anywhere else too actually

View is nothing new


Since I have been staying at the same hotel in Jakarta several times, it's getting more and more difficult to offer you, my dear readers, a new view every time. This time I am staying on the 17th floor which allowed me to take these beautiful shots of the outside world. If only I could add the sound of traffic coming by and of five mosques starting their call for praying at the same time, all in their own different way... For now, it's just a view, so feel free to use your own imagination for audio.

Thursday, November 13, 2008

View in KL



It's the second time that my room provides me with a view on the Petronas towers (Malaysian's Twin Towers). Hope that I can finally get high up there today and look out over Kuala Lumpur from there...

Wednesday, November 12, 2008

Christmas and Crocs





So, I did miss something indeed: Christmas is a big thing amongst Buddhists! Not only was there a Christmas tree in front of the mall near our hotel, all malls seemed to have at least one. And that was only the beginning! Back home we have this rule; no Christmas stuff before Sinterklaas. We celebrate this holy man's birthday on the 5th of December, after which Christmas craze can officially start (By the way, Sinterklaas arrives this Sunday in Amsterdam!). This leaves us only twenty days for preparing, which is - considering the amount of fun some us find in it - rather short. However, being all set in the beginning of November is perhaps a bit too enthusiastic.



And then there's another thing that I don't get: Crocs. The hype seems to have somewhat passed back home, but here in Asia... Crocs are hot! I can see why my brother and sister wear them when we go camping; they're easy to slip in and out of and seem pretty comfortable. But why do Bangkok's coolest wear them while trotting the mall? And the skytrain, for that matter?

Saturday, November 8, 2008

Bangkok



It's become a nice tradition, posting pictures of my hotel room views... This is my view at the Imperial Queen's Park. Must say that I haven't had the chance to try the pool - yet. However, my time here is very well spent, meeting and speaking with journalists and advocates of press freedom. At dinner tonight, we were even addressed by the Secretary General of ASEAN! Good to know he's only journalism's side...


Here's a glimpse of the airport, a great mass of concrete and steel.


Did I miss something, or is it Christmas already?!

Friday, November 7, 2008

Yes, we can!

It's been a long time coming... but change gonna come. What a miraculous moment when it was made know that Barack Obama has been elected the next President of the US!! Of course there isn't much I can contribute to everything that's already been said more eloquently by others. I feel that the citizens of this world have learned to live with a lack of self esteem, as we allowed George Bush to govern the world's most powerful country for eight years.... Now it's time to start believing in our own potential again, coached by Barack Obama. If we just put our minds and hearts to it, anything is possible.

All I can do is refer to my favorite series of all times; the West Wing. I thought it was fiction, but apparently it can be real. This is a time for (American) heroes...