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August 22, 2006
A peaceful abode
I must be tired. I've been browsing last year's vacation photos. Within a month last year, we managed to visit friends in 4 cities. My shoulders still ache of the load we had to haul for 2 adults and 2 small children going on a 4-week vacation. Fortunately, travelling in Asia, or anywhere else for that matter, was far less stressful than flying through New York. I know... what else can be expected from the only city on Earth that has been on high/orange alert since 2001?
Imagine the fear if the future was read to me 20 years ago:
In 15 years, there will be a major city on earth that would be put on high alert for several years beyond the reach of current crystal ball technology. You will live in that city for more than 5 years. You will raise children in that city. That city will not improve its essential infrastructure despite warnings. If a natural disaster strikes, people will not have a plan to refer to.
And for those planning to visit, this may help. Or not. Well, actually, this could, and it would be a good idea to visit the site.
Here in the States, we were told "freedom" comes with a price: among them, numerous security measures put in place since 2001. Shoes must now be x-rayed. Coats, and belts, and even your unthreatening sandwich. (And pretty much the same thing can be expected before boarding a ferry to visit Lady Liberty on Liberty Island.) I once asked if I would get sick from eating radioactive sandwiches that came out through the x-ray machines. The TSA officer didn't use a single smile muscle.
Passengers are now "randomly" selected for secondary screenings. I've put "randomly" in quotations because I know friends who have been consistently unlucky to be picked out for this second layer of security measures. Last month I was told that the airlines with which I was travelling was considering extracting my luggage - that was, until I finally showed up after being held up by the TSA. My hand-carry's lock had gotten stuck during the "random" secondary screening and they held me until they could open the lock.
I have to admit though, the TSA has improved in their handling of the whole process over the years. Officers now seemed to be better trained at dealing with passengers. And passengers have been sensitised and are more adept at avoiding prolonged screenings.
I do understand that those security measures are necessary for the safety of every regular, law-abiding, peace-loving passenger. But does someone in New York have, or enjoy more freedom than he or she would in any other city (cities in war zones and nascent states excluded of course)? I realise there couldn't be a definitive answer, but many people that I've talked to who have spent significant parts of their lives in other countries have found it hard to say yes.
Anyway... back to the photo. The Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddien mosque in Brunei is located by the centuries-old water village. Built by the Brunei river and completed in 1958, the mosque exudes tranquility. Immerse yourself deep enough in its surroundings, and you can expect a cool breeze to pay a gentle visit. I was waiting for N and the kids outside the shops when I took this handheld shot. We didn't get to do as much as we wanted during our brief stay, but we managed to enjoy the food and meet up with old friends.
Posted by quickness at August 22, 2006 08:32 PM
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Comments
Nice picture man. So after 5 years, orange is just a color for you huh???
Posted by: Skalo at August 24, 2006 02:05 PM
More or less, and you know it... it's a fact of life. Thanks, hope to see you in a couple of weeks.
Posted by: quickness at August 26, 2006 02:26 AM