The holy season

The last time I visited India I spent a lot of time watching holy men as they went around performing their very unique role in society. And as I kept following them, I could only come to a very harsh conclusion: faith and human credulity cost a lot of money. Particularly, to the poor and the uneducated.

I remember that fact now, as we get into our own holiday season.

Brussels: life goes on

I walked the streets of central Brussels last night and was happy to see so many people enjoying the festive spirit of these days leading to Christmas. That´s how life in our part of the world is. That ´s normalcy. And that´s what I would like to see in other corners of the planet as well: people enjoying the freedom of being together in peace. 

Mourning

Today´s crash of a German airplane on the French Alps is very much in the news in our part of the world. The shock is deep. Everyone thinks of the families that have been so dramatically affected, in particular those parents who have lost their children in the accident.

 It is time to mourn. It is also time to call for a full disclosure of the findings once the investigation on the crash has been completed. People have the right to know. And so often people think that in these matters they are kept away from the truth of the facts. 

A bit of fresh air

This evening in Stavanger people are just sitting outside by the fjord and enjoying a few drinks and some food. It is not a big crowd, but it is interesting to see them enjoying the cold but relatively dry weather. Like in any café terrace in warmer places.  Pleasure in life is sometimes made of just some fresh air and a relaxed approach to the one´s destiny.