2013
Footsore but still in the running
15 October 2013
Am tiring of the up-and-down-the hill slog! How I miss Josh and the motorbike! But worth the effort to hear the great sessions. Today's discovery, the beautiful Sebastian Faulks. Some of you may have heard one of his sessions on ABC Radio National with Michael Cathcart today. Missed that one but he was with Nuri Vittachi talking crime and thrillers this afternoon. Somewhat lighter than the politics and journalistic panels, but love those too. Fabulous feisty Egyptian woman, Mona Prince with more of Lydia Cacho, Mexico's champion of women and children who are victims of sex trading. Did you know that there have been 71,000 crime-related murders in Mexico in recent years? Her life has been threatened numerous times but she perseveres in investigating these crimes and helping the victims in a very personal way. Mona Prince was very involved as one of the leading women in Cairo's Tahrir Square during the Arab Spring - pretty disillusioned now, but by no means giving up the struggle. Inspiring! Our Anne Summers on the panel with them had to admit Australia's feminist issues don't have quite the same danger element as her fellow panelists from Indonesia, Egypt, Iran and Mexico. Jennifer Byrne chaired this session too. She must have learned a lot about the struggles of our sisters in other parts of the world. It is always good to get a far more international perspective on issues than a purely Australian one.
Some of these women were also on a panel today on Dangerous Ideas, along with an ex-Sinn Fein Irishman who has won a case for wrongful conviction against the British army, but admits to storing weapons under his bed in his youth!
Some of these women were also on a panel today on Dangerous Ideas, along with an ex-Sinn Fein Irishman who has won a case for wrongful conviction against the British army, but admits to storing weapons under his bed in his youth!
Went to a book launch last night of Bad Lands with Tony Wheeler recounting his journeys in the world's most dangerous places, starting with Bush's 'Axis of Evil' countries, Syria, Iran and North Korea. There’s a second book that includes Haiti, Pakistan, Columbia, Afghanistan, etc. His stories were so detailed and lively I don't feel I need to read the books! Or visit the countries! ( Though i have been to Afghanistan, Iran and Syria in the past when they were quite safe.)
A highlight of today was the panel on translation, which dealt mainly with how Indonesia can possibly get ready in time to fulfil its invitation as ‘special guest’ at the 2015 Frankfurt Book Fair. John McGlynn was on it and Leila Chudori and the German woman, Cristal Mahnken from the Goethe Institute in Jakarta whom I met last year when she was so interested in what I had to say when I was on the Translation panel. John acknowledged Pam and me, the translators in the audience. There are apparently not enough Indonesian to German translators for Frankfurt and somehow lots of books are going to have to go into English first - so much could be lost in translation - twice! The panel was very well balanced and lively, everyone arguing productively. Lots of laughter and gestures of despair! Great audience participation too. It was in the smallest of the three venues, hence more intimate.
The day did not start well. You will recall I signed off hastily this morning to rush down the hill to contribute to the language breakfast class. The two volunteers in charge of setting up were there, desperately trying to locate the source of electricity to heat the urn and find out where the food was. We waited an age and realised no students were turning up. After some time someone passed by and told us there was no class as no one had booked for it today! I sent a message to the organiser from the language school and his reply was that the volunteers should have checked at the box office to see if there were students enrolled! Box office not open at 7.30am! Saw him later and he apologised for the lack of communication, but repeated they should have checked the afternoon before! At least I had time for a leisurely coffee before the first panel of rainforest activists. There is a class tomorrow, and I will go because I said I would. The tables in the open pavilion are all on old Singer sewing machine stands!!
Many hazards on the footpath walk between venues, gaping holes into foul drains below, broken paving, endless ups and downs, parked motorbikes, etc., etc. One is constantly stepping off onto the narrow road with motorbikes and vehicles speeding by. And yes, all the pavements right in the centre of town in front of all the cafes and festival entertainment venues, are torn up for repair. Hazards and dust galore!
Off to bed exhausted. I did come home late afternoon for a shower and a short rest, ate a few bikkies and cheese, then went back down to see a much lauded film doco Jalanan on street musicians. However the outdoor venue was packed. I stood in the hot crowd for half an hour unable to see the full screen and had the good sense to fight my way out and leave. Never even caught a glimpse of any of my friends I was going to meet there. My idea of a nightmare. Hell of a time finding transport home and the guy had no change so had to give him a big note. (I'd got a ride down with the neighbour on his bike.) Will see the film another time. Probably on DVD in Oz. It will hopefully get a wide distribution.
A highlight of today was the panel on translation, which dealt mainly with how Indonesia can possibly get ready in time to fulfil its invitation as ‘special guest’ at the 2015 Frankfurt Book Fair. John McGlynn was on it and Leila Chudori and the German woman, Cristal Mahnken from the Goethe Institute in Jakarta whom I met last year when she was so interested in what I had to say when I was on the Translation panel. John acknowledged Pam and me, the translators in the audience. There are apparently not enough Indonesian to German translators for Frankfurt and somehow lots of books are going to have to go into English first - so much could be lost in translation - twice! The panel was very well balanced and lively, everyone arguing productively. Lots of laughter and gestures of despair! Great audience participation too. It was in the smallest of the three venues, hence more intimate.
The day did not start well. You will recall I signed off hastily this morning to rush down the hill to contribute to the language breakfast class. The two volunteers in charge of setting up were there, desperately trying to locate the source of electricity to heat the urn and find out where the food was. We waited an age and realised no students were turning up. After some time someone passed by and told us there was no class as no one had booked for it today! I sent a message to the organiser from the language school and his reply was that the volunteers should have checked at the box office to see if there were students enrolled! Box office not open at 7.30am! Saw him later and he apologised for the lack of communication, but repeated they should have checked the afternoon before! At least I had time for a leisurely coffee before the first panel of rainforest activists. There is a class tomorrow, and I will go because I said I would. The tables in the open pavilion are all on old Singer sewing machine stands!!
Many hazards on the footpath walk between venues, gaping holes into foul drains below, broken paving, endless ups and downs, parked motorbikes, etc., etc. One is constantly stepping off onto the narrow road with motorbikes and vehicles speeding by. And yes, all the pavements right in the centre of town in front of all the cafes and festival entertainment venues, are torn up for repair. Hazards and dust galore!
Off to bed exhausted. I did come home late afternoon for a shower and a short rest, ate a few bikkies and cheese, then went back down to see a much lauded film doco Jalanan on street musicians. However the outdoor venue was packed. I stood in the hot crowd for half an hour unable to see the full screen and had the good sense to fight my way out and leave. Never even caught a glimpse of any of my friends I was going to meet there. My idea of a nightmare. Hell of a time finding transport home and the guy had no change so had to give him a big note. (I'd got a ride down with the neighbour on his bike.) Will see the film another time. Probably on DVD in Oz. It will hopefully get a wide distribution.