Mostrando las entradas con la etiqueta Israel. Mostrar todas las entradas
Mostrando las entradas con la etiqueta Israel. Mostrar todas las entradas
martes, 26 de agosto de 2008
lunes, 28 de julio de 2008
s'inquieter
Ahmedabad in shock after blasts
This is the city i'm going to for next semester. The organization i'll be working for focus their effort exactly on this kind of problem: the tension between the hindu and the muslim communities. Yes, i'm fascinated by their work and that's why i chose to work for them. But, to be honest, i'm scared, not sure if i'll be able to deal with all the complexity of the situation, and also for my own security. Except that i'm not saying any of these things to my parents lest they be worried.
That's how it is in my family. We deal with problems by ourselves because we don't want to trouble others. My parents try to encourage my sister and me to confide in them and consult with them, especially since we're away most of the time, but they always do exactly the opposite. This has been going on for so long that now i've ended up with this habit: either i don't talk about the problem, or i'd make it lighter and put on a bold front. This helps in another way since my parents don't seem to understand that i can be happy with my choice and be worried about what it might lead to at the same time. Like, i've been really stressed out about finding a job in Vietnam after i graduate. Let's face it, a degree in sociology doesn't mean much here. And all the NGO jobs i've been checking out requires years and years of experience which i don't have. I'm not at all confident that i'll be able to live out my idealistic life. My parents don't need to know this: they've always talked about why i should regret not majoring in something like economics. No, mom and dad.
On a different note, kinda related to the first news:
Israeli force kill two Palestinians on the West Bank city of Nablus; Islamic Jihad threatens retaliation
I almost stayed there as well, at An-Najah university where they had the camp. I don't think this even made to the headlines, a trite story probably.
This is the city i'm going to for next semester. The organization i'll be working for focus their effort exactly on this kind of problem: the tension between the hindu and the muslim communities. Yes, i'm fascinated by their work and that's why i chose to work for them. But, to be honest, i'm scared, not sure if i'll be able to deal with all the complexity of the situation, and also for my own security. Except that i'm not saying any of these things to my parents lest they be worried.
That's how it is in my family. We deal with problems by ourselves because we don't want to trouble others. My parents try to encourage my sister and me to confide in them and consult with them, especially since we're away most of the time, but they always do exactly the opposite. This has been going on for so long that now i've ended up with this habit: either i don't talk about the problem, or i'd make it lighter and put on a bold front. This helps in another way since my parents don't seem to understand that i can be happy with my choice and be worried about what it might lead to at the same time. Like, i've been really stressed out about finding a job in Vietnam after i graduate. Let's face it, a degree in sociology doesn't mean much here. And all the NGO jobs i've been checking out requires years and years of experience which i don't have. I'm not at all confident that i'll be able to live out my idealistic life. My parents don't need to know this: they've always talked about why i should regret not majoring in something like economics. No, mom and dad.
On a different note, kinda related to the first news:
Israeli force kill two Palestinians on the West Bank city of Nablus; Islamic Jihad threatens retaliation
I almost stayed there as well, at An-Najah university where they had the camp. I don't think this even made to the headlines, a trite story probably.
jueves, 29 de mayo de 2008
i've tried my best
so it doesn't work.the Paris consulate no.
the Marseille consulate no.
Zajel said up front that they would not be able to help. FFIPP confirmed that they were aware of the situation but never followed up.
Friends no
Couchsurfers no
the only thing that i didn't do was go to the local synagogue. but who'd have the guts to go begging people they don't know, especially when it's such a weird request? i know i don't. although the people on couchsurfing that i asked were basically strangers as well, they belong to a certain kind. well, they're not humans. who would be stupid enough to put up stranger and treat them like old time friends? oh, maybe they're humans, and they're among the best.
to Israel/Palestine, all i can say is maybe another time.
Vietnamese passport
Up to this point, the only time that i've felt thankful to my vietnamese passport was when i went to Algeria. French nationals have to pay 30 euros; i got it for free (plus a handshake from the guy). Never before had i felt so welcome, but they didn't cut me any slack either.
Other than that, it always make me want to cry...
Except for ASEAN countries, no matter where i go, i have to scramble around, going through all the hassle, and paying a not so insignificant amount of money. Perhaps partly because tourists from other countries (a.k.a. U.S. and Europe) don't have it that easy with Viet Nam either. It's not like Latin America or North Africa where they can just lug their suicases/backpacks up to the border (or airport) gate, get a stamp, and they can good morning Vietnam.
I've always been against the whole visa thing for ideological reasons but i've never been more frustrated than recently.
For a tourist visa to Israel, the consulate requires that i have a carte de séjour valid for at least 6 months after the date of return. I'm simply here for a semester and my visa lasts until the middle of june. I'll peace out and I'm not coming back. I tried to explain that i'm done with France but apparently, that was not good enough for them. I "terrorize" them almost every day with phone calls. They must find me really fucking annoying. I can't get hold of them anymore and they don't even care to return my messages. Don't know if i should be sad or angry.
In necessity, invent! Well, "invent," (i'm not much of a creative person). I thought about going to one of Israel's neighboring countries (there are 3 of them: Egypt, Turkey, and Jordan) and once I was there, I'd try to apply for a visa saying I was traveling in the Middle East, hoping that it'd look more legit. Un petit problème: Vietnam is among 20 countries (out of 200?) whose citizens need a visa prior to their arrival. And the guy i talked with at the Israeli consulate said that even if i got to the border, no guarantee that it'd be easier. How pathethic is this?!
Other than that, it always make me want to cry...
Except for ASEAN countries, no matter where i go, i have to scramble around, going through all the hassle, and paying a not so insignificant amount of money. Perhaps partly because tourists from other countries (a.k.a. U.S. and Europe) don't have it that easy with Viet Nam either. It's not like Latin America or North Africa where they can just lug their suicases/backpacks up to the border (or airport) gate, get a stamp, and they can good morning Vietnam.
I've always been against the whole visa thing for ideological reasons but i've never been more frustrated than recently.
For a tourist visa to Israel, the consulate requires that i have a carte de séjour valid for at least 6 months after the date of return. I'm simply here for a semester and my visa lasts until the middle of june. I'll peace out and I'm not coming back. I tried to explain that i'm done with France but apparently, that was not good enough for them. I "terrorize" them almost every day with phone calls. They must find me really fucking annoying. I can't get hold of them anymore and they don't even care to return my messages. Don't know if i should be sad or angry.
In necessity, invent! Well, "invent," (i'm not much of a creative person). I thought about going to one of Israel's neighboring countries (there are 3 of them: Egypt, Turkey, and Jordan) and once I was there, I'd try to apply for a visa saying I was traveling in the Middle East, hoping that it'd look more legit. Un petit problème: Vietnam is among 20 countries (out of 200?) whose citizens need a visa prior to their arrival. And the guy i talked with at the Israeli consulate said that even if i got to the border, no guarantee that it'd be easier. How pathethic is this?!
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