Interruptions to the scheduled programme

Kings Cross station

With a swipe of the stanley knife I cut the tape and sealed the last of the boxes. Vinney, the moving man from Brazil hefted the last chair down to the van and that was it. A flat empty of furniture. A kitchen with no pots or pans. A bedroom with no bed. The end of almost four years in N16.

Last Sunday we moved out of our first real home, handing over the keys to the new owners and commencing a life on the streets. Well, on family members’ floors at any rate (a BIG thank you to all the people who are putting us up). And now? Now I feel discombobulated and uncertain. Continue reading

Is it right to travel to countries with oppressive governments?

A woman and her baby in Tibet

Sharp eyes look over at me from under an olive green helmet. I see fingers momentarily tighten around the but of a tear gas gun. Our guide had said “no photos of soldiers”. I hesitate then slide my camera back into the case. I was aiming at a shop across the street, but don’t want my camera confiscated at the very start of my trip.

Am I giving in to the oppresive nature of Chinese government in Tibet? Well, yes I am. But what would it do any good to snap away and get chucked out? This is a difficult post to write and it’s taken me some time to gather my thoughts. Is it wrong to visit somewhere with an oppressive government, somewhere the locals consider as occupied territory? Continue reading