Corteo by Cirque du Soleil

I've always fancied the circus. I don't know if it's the costumes, the music, the animals, the acrobats, the dancing, the lights or simply because it is fantasy made real. Perhaps it was going to Circus Circus in Las Vegas as a child. I remember going to a temporary one where RCBC stands in Makati now and never had the chance to see one since. 

When Cirque du Soleil came to Manila, my Tatay always urged me to go and watch. He said the chances of me going back to Montreal to watch them would be slim. Seize the opportunity. But I didn't. I found the tickets too expensive and I did not make time. I also prioritized other shows like Fuerza Bruta. 

So when Cirque du Soleil went to Dusseldorf last year to perform Corteo, I couldn't skip! Thankfully, my classmate O from Nicaragua had also been waiting for the chance to see them perform. Ignore the cost, ignore the distance (most venues are away from the center). So off we were to the bright white tents! 

The story was not really clear to me. The show was a mix of German and English. Pictures and videos were not allowed but I managed to steal a few snapshots! It was just a parallel world. An old man died and he dreamt of the afterlife. It was a whole new community comforting him it was fine to crossover. The performers were so engaging that they involved the audience several times. They would throw ballons or a midget over. It was like almost two hours of wows and ahs! Tense but fun! For a better idea, here's a video from their site.

What Matters

What's your criteria for a successful life? Some measure it in monetary terms, some in prestige, some in honor and integrity, others perhaps by being of service to others. Some by raising obedient and upright children. To each his own.

Today, I listened to an elderly Spaniard who just finished a European Union project overseas as a Team Leader. Of course, to become a team leader in a specific sector and country, one must have demonstrated decades of technical and management experience. He wanted to express his availability in case a project comes up. He said he wanted to make it clear he was not retiring. 

He was so humble. He didn't even mind getting sent to Afghanistan. Anywhere, even with -35C as long as it is not Syria. He said his wife will join him anywhere as long as it is not Syria. Their kids are all grown ups so he said what matters only is his wife. And his wife loves moving around, exploring cultures, meeting people. He said it was just perfect for his job. To stress the point further, he said: 

"If the wife (relationship) is ok, the project is ok. If not, the project is not."

Simple. 

A Winter Walk in Volksdorf

Yesterday, 16cm of snow fell over Hamburg. Here are a few of my pictures of my morning and afternoon walk around Volksdorf. These pictures do not do it justice - it was just so beautiful! The sun shining high, the snow against tree branches. Walking through all of it felt like I was in a Disney movie with my hood and all! There were times I was the only one around, sometimes, there were dogs, sometimes, there were kids.

Kitchen Guerilla in Hamburg

From one click to another, I found Kitchen Guerilla on Facebook. Being deprived of my culinary desires in Bochum (and totally my fault I have not explored Dusseldorf), I was on the look out for roving kitchens and satellite dinners. Et voila! 

Now that I live in Hamburg I was just so thrilled to find out that Kitchen Guerilla just hosted and will host more dinners over here. Their FB crew was so nice because I immediately received a reply within an hour after inquiring about how to join their dinners. I was directed to their website, from where I found an e-mail and requested a slot for myself. I wish I could go with more like-minded people though so I wouldn't feel so alone with my non-existent German. I think I received a reply by e-mail within ten minutes of my query - now that's client service! I just hope I get a confirmed slot or the free raffle prize slot! That would be such a gift! 

Streit's in Hamburg

It was Oscars' season and I wanted to catch up on movies. You see, I enjoy the cinema experience. I don't like downloading movies and watching them in a mini screen. Of course, there's the comforts of HBO but that's another matter. So I when my colleagues suggested Streit's, I did not hesitate.

Last weekend in Hamburg

Here are some snaps from my walk around the surroundings of Hamburg's Rathaus.

I began my walk with fish and chips from Daniel Wischer - just 5 euros! 

It always melts my heart when old people have to work or even beg for money. 

One can always count on Vero Moda 

Oh yes I was! 

I've been going LEFT and it's been so good! 

Wall to wall

Hamburg is <3 p="">

Alessi was on sale! Thank God I don't have luggage space. Or maybe I come back for something tiny?

Black and white

Naval theme everywhere

Reeperbaaaaahn!

My last stop. Streit's is an experience. 

Fork Tapas in Cape Town

The evening S and I had dinner at Little Ethiopia, Fork Tapas was full. It was another small restaurant with few tables at the ground floor and a full bar at the end. When I read tapas, I think Spain. And I love Spanish food so I made a mental note: must come back and try Fork!

Little Ethiopia, Cape Town

Personal collection as usual

One Friday evening, my friend S and I opted to have dinner at Little Ethiopia. It was recommended by our Ethiopian classmate as the better restaurant than the other one nearby. After a few turns from Long Street, we found the hole-in-the-wall eatery along Shortmarket street. One wouldn't even notice it as it was small and narrow. On a good day, one could dine al fresco too.

It wasn't full yet so our food arrived quickly. We opted to share a big platter with a little of everything. My dear friend from Botswana was equally to hungry to remember and figure out each viand in our big, big platter. All I remember was that everything seemed so delicious with the ingera, the white sticky bread (like pita but gooey) that we ate with the stewed meat and vegetables. There was a wash basin within the restaurant and enough tissue paper, which was very helpful because one would inevitably use one's fingers. 

My advice: come with an appetite and an open mind. If I were to return to Cape Town, I'm definitely eating there again and will bring more friends! 

Little Ethiopia, 76 Shortmarket Street, Cape Town. Tel: 021 424 8254

One Afternoon in March

Personal collection as usual

Sometime in March 2006, I was in Madrid on holiday. During the same trip, I made a courtesy visit to the Philippine Embassy (PE). I exchanged views with one of the of the Madrid PE staff (career minister level), which I suddenly remembered on this March winter afternoon in Hamburg.

You see, while supposedly reading up on materials on development cooperation, I found myself reading a STRAFOR article on Gaza, Catalonia, and Romantic Nationalism. Then I realized, about six years or so after I decided to skip international relations (IR) and diplomacy for development work, I inevitably find myself drawn to IR stuff (if I’m not drawn to food and travel).

While in Madrid, I told the Madrid PE staff that I wanted to be part of the Foreign Service because I really enjoyed dwelling on international affairs and at the same time, do public service. And her response? “Just stay in the family business (which is inter-regional anyway) and just read the newspaper for global affairs. Look at [President] Ramos, (he attended the World Economic Forum then), do you think he can shape or change the world? You’re better off doing what you’re doing.”

Of course I was stubborn enough to move on and find my own path. But some things will never change.

The Killers in Hamburg

I did a harebrained decision to watch The Killers a day before the show. I don't know when I'll ever have the chance to see them again and I was so glad I braved the long journey (thanks to HVV) to the O2 Arena.

I'm not a big fan of The Killers.  I've just been a passive listener the past few years except for one song that really brings me back to memories of a specific period of my life that need not be mentioned here. So when the first song they performed was Mr. Brightside, I was floored! If the concert started with that song, the rest would just be overwhelmingly great! And it was!

It was so good I regret not buying a ticket closer to the stage. I usually just prefer to hear the live performance and not to see the band up close but Brandon seemed so hot in his tight pants, just so polished! Singing, playing the keyboards, dancing, jumping, rousing the crowd incessantly. 

The band was performing in Germany, even if it was Hamburg, so Brandon was practically begging for the crowd to lighten up and dance. So many times he made reference to dancing shoes even on a Monday night. Towards the end, the crowd sang to the old songs and danced to this rock band's music. Strange but really, I associate The Killers to dancing too. =) Most definitely not a quiet Monday night. 

From Hamburg with Love

119 impressive pages on the political economy of the aid system of Afghanistan from 2002-2007. I've spent the past few days reading the PhD dissertation of a woman I’m becoming to admire more each day.

I'm always in awe of anyone who has nearly perfect or absolute command of a foreign language in terms of understanding, speaking, and writing. Written entirely in English, I do not have the words to express how amazed I am with her ability to communicate the difficult context of state-building in post-conflict Afghanistan interspersed with themes on good governance, democracy assistance, aid effectiveness, and the overall development cooperation climate depicting the disconnect among the donors’ domestic constituencies, the multi-layer/contractor implementing agencies, the central government, and the rural communities to which aid must reach.

It is almost like a summary of what I have been striving to do the past ten years except the regional cooperation part, which is a little bit more complicated to tie in an in-depth study such as that even if  Afghan history has largely been shaped by the powers that controlled its regional neighbors.

I’m here sitting in a warm office in Volksdorf, supposedly one of the wealthier neighborhoods of already rich Hamburg – the city with the highest per capita income and highest concentration of millionaires in Germany. Sometimes aid efforts must be ‘backstopped’ from this comfort, far away from the communities intended to benefit from the help.

Yet here I am also away from my comfort zone. Or maybe not.

Hamburg reminds me of my three favorite places: Amsterdam, Antwerp, and Stockholm. It’s culturally diverse but not as shocking to me as Rotterdam even if it has the second largest port in Europe. Hamburg has plenty of bridges, rivers, and canals. It’s also cosmopolitan and old at the same time. I saw very few people wear Jack Wolfskin jackets even if there’s a very big store near the Rathaus. Although I do not expect much from Asian restaurants, I can pretty much eat everything here.  There’s a lot of meat and a lot of seafood. (Even a store that sells dulce de leche but no alfajores.) If only there were crabs, I’d be very, very happy. But who needs to be very, very happy? Being happy alone is enough.

It’s just been almost 3 weeks since I moved here doing what I enjoy doing most – development cooperation in my favorite continent working on my region – Asia. Just what I always tell everyone: “I couldn’t ask for more.” Well, perhaps if my friends and loved ones can all be here too (even for a visit) but that is asking too much.

I was sitting in Cape Town, specifically during a class on public policy and reform management at the University of Western Cape thinking, “this scholarship was God’s way of reminding me that His plans are better than mine.” And He continues to surprise me every single day through the people He sends my way.

And for that, I am very thankful.