Water-the simplest and most essential things of life-the earth is made of mostly water –so are most of the living creatures on earth-including us-its hard to think of water as a killing force and not a life giving force-but for billions that is how it is- there is plenty of water in the world but not enough drops to drink- it takes filters and wells to make that possible and bottled water does not help the situation-
I remember that I bought bottled water in Egypt because local water would make us sick- and we just assumed it doesn’t make locals sick because their bodies are used to it-what is that is not true-what if they have developed a resistance to it but this has led to other problems in health when they get older-or causes more risks in children dying? Then also there is the issue of plastic bottles-why do we ship and distribute this to thousands in a crisis instead of giving them water filters to use the water that is all around them-teach the tools to boil and treat the water that surrounds them and is muddied up?
It is suppose to be a life giving force and with help can be restored back to its original purpose –to help bring life- Water is a crisis world wide-only a few weeks ago I read an article on BBC about conferences going on about the Nile and its sources and the fight over it as a resource among North African countries –I think of how polluted the water was in Cairo and no one could even swim in it let alone drink from it-yet it is one of the largest and most important water sources of the North Africa- I think of how water pollution is often on the list of issues and obstacles to peace as well. To learn more about the Nile and the treaties and talks over this resource see below links:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/8187984.stm
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/8682387.stm
An organization that is making a difference in all of this is Wine to water, led by Doc Henley, a former bartender, who was named one of the top 10 CNN HERO's this year- this organization is building wells and distributing filters, all over the world and in so saving lives.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=esjYt62JMD4
As Doc has explained more Gov. funding for research on disease is being done for HIV, Malaria, AIDs etc. then research into water sanitation/disease control –these do not kill by themselves as many people as unclean water does each year. Another staggering truth is that every 15 seconds a child dies as a result of lack of clean water. Wine to Water is using money made through hosting wine tastings and selling their own wine to have wells built by local communities with local resources. They are training locals how to build the wells, and where to find the supplies to keep them running.
To find out what can be done go to: http://winetowater.org/
Thanks
Sunday, May 23, 2010
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
photos
so I have no new posts today but I have gone back and updated old posts with a couple of pictures-my hope it to have a slideshow of pictures to put onto this blog at a later time.
Tuesday, May 18, 2010
review: Turkey
So I am having to go into the far reaches of my mind and look at my journals to remember the crazy schedule I kept up this last semester-as I sit I my PJ’s feeling lazy in light of the constant business I had just experienced.
So in review: Turkey
Turkey was such a difference in culture, geography, and politics then any place I had been to before. I was surrounded with brick buildings, a Latin script based language that sounded almost Slavic, cobble stone streets, and ancient castle-like ruins of Constantinople. There was moss growing up trees, clouded over rainy and windy weather, and homes built on the hills leading down to the Bosporus straight. In some ways the weather and terrain reminded me of Seattle and Kirkland near Lake Washington. The narrow cobble stone streets and dress of the Turkish people reminded me of Eastern Europe and of Italy. But I also saw many beautiful Byzantine style mosques from which calls to prayer came from throughout the day.
The day after touring Koc University and speaking to the students we went to one of the AKP ‘s center (the current ruling party of Turkey) and spoke with a representative about the political realm of the country and its current relations with other countries. After this meeting we went on a tour of the Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque in Old Istanbul.
The Hagia Sophia is very unique for the locations use for religions over the years-it was once a Christian Basilica and Roman Catholic Cathedral over the years with similar styles in architecture to the ones I had seen in Italy years earlier. But it has also over the years been used as a Byzantine Mosque after the fall of Constantinople by the Ottoman Turks. In the center front of the building where an alter used to be now stands a mithrab and on the four corners of the building are large wood plates on which are in detailed Arabic calligraphy the names on Allah and Muhammad and other well known figures in Islam. It is a very unique and beautiful place that has seen many world events and wars and has still stood. Many churches stood there previous to the current building the oldest being from the 4th century. There are many cracks in the floors from fires and earthquakes and half deteriorated mosaics from the period of its use as a cathedral depicting Mary and Jesus. It also was once the owner of four bronze horses that They originally belonged to the Hagia Sophia but were plundered during the 4th crusade and now stand outside St. Mark’s Basilica in Venice Italy (which I have also seen).
For more on this amazing building and its history:
http://www.guide-martine.com/istanbul_3.asp
Immediately following this tour we went to the Blue Mosque which is within the same area. This mosque is in amazing condition and gets it name for the wonderful beautiful blue detailed tile work found through the whole inside of the building. It was also the first place I had been to where I’d seen stain glass calligraphy designs in Arabic. It is also unique for its 6 minarets which is uncommon most mosque have 2 some have 4 but very few have 6 which makes people believe that this mosque could have been modeled after the famous mosque in Mecca which also has 6 minarets.
After this several of the MESP girls students and I toured the grand Baazar which was a winding maze inside dark and slightly musty but warmer than it was outside. Everywhere you turn there is jewelry, stain glass lanterns, pipes, hookahs, pottery, silk scarves, restaurants ,Turkish tea sets and so much more. That day we just took it all in and wandered and found out prices of things. Afterward myself and one other student walked around and found another mosque nearby known as Sultan Faithas and also found Istanbul University. We got a snack at a local fast food place that serves mostly pastries stuffed with cheese meat and vegetables or potato. We being cold and tired ventured to discover the transit system and found where to buy tickets got tokens and took the metro back to the other side of the Bosporus then took a wire car/trolley up the hill to the hotel.
The picture to the right is of the blue mosque exterior-the one on the left is me in the Hagia Sophia
Ok well that believe it or not was one very long day-so I will make these shorter than my previous entries and work at one thing at a time
Next: visiting the Ottoman Palace grounds and the Bazaar and Souq shopping.
So in review: Turkey
Turkey was such a difference in culture, geography, and politics then any place I had been to before. I was surrounded with brick buildings, a Latin script based language that sounded almost Slavic, cobble stone streets, and ancient castle-like ruins of Constantinople. There was moss growing up trees, clouded over rainy and windy weather, and homes built on the hills leading down to the Bosporus straight. In some ways the weather and terrain reminded me of Seattle and Kirkland near Lake Washington. The narrow cobble stone streets and dress of the Turkish people reminded me of Eastern Europe and of Italy. But I also saw many beautiful Byzantine style mosques from which calls to prayer came from throughout the day.
The day after touring Koc University and speaking to the students we went to one of the AKP ‘s center (the current ruling party of Turkey) and spoke with a representative about the political realm of the country and its current relations with other countries. After this meeting we went on a tour of the Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque in Old Istanbul.
The Hagia Sophia is very unique for the locations use for religions over the years-it was once a Christian Basilica and Roman Catholic Cathedral over the years with similar styles in architecture to the ones I had seen in Italy years earlier. But it has also over the years been used as a Byzantine Mosque after the fall of Constantinople by the Ottoman Turks. In the center front of the building where an alter used to be now stands a mithrab and on the four corners of the building are large wood plates on which are in detailed Arabic calligraphy the names on Allah and Muhammad and other well known figures in Islam. It is a very unique and beautiful place that has seen many world events and wars and has still stood. Many churches stood there previous to the current building the oldest being from the 4th century. There are many cracks in the floors from fires and earthquakes and half deteriorated mosaics from the period of its use as a cathedral depicting Mary and Jesus. It also was once the owner of four bronze horses that They originally belonged to the Hagia Sophia but were plundered during the 4th crusade and now stand outside St. Mark’s Basilica in Venice Italy (which I have also seen).
For more on this amazing building and its history:
http://www.guide-martine.com/istanbul_3.asp
Immediately following this tour we went to the Blue Mosque which is within the same area. This mosque is in amazing condition and gets it name for the wonderful beautiful blue detailed tile work found through the whole inside of the building. It was also the first place I had been to where I’d seen stain glass calligraphy designs in Arabic. It is also unique for its 6 minarets which is uncommon most mosque have 2 some have 4 but very few have 6 which makes people believe that this mosque could have been modeled after the famous mosque in Mecca which also has 6 minarets.
After this several of the MESP girls students and I toured the grand Baazar which was a winding maze inside dark and slightly musty but warmer than it was outside. Everywhere you turn there is jewelry, stain glass lanterns, pipes, hookahs, pottery, silk scarves, restaurants ,Turkish tea sets and so much more. That day we just took it all in and wandered and found out prices of things. Afterward myself and one other student walked around and found another mosque nearby known as Sultan Faithas and also found Istanbul University. We got a snack at a local fast food place that serves mostly pastries stuffed with cheese meat and vegetables or potato. We being cold and tired ventured to discover the transit system and found where to buy tickets got tokens and took the metro back to the other side of the Bosporus then took a wire car/trolley up the hill to the hotel.
The picture to the right is of the blue mosque exterior-the one on the left is me in the Hagia Sophia
Ok well that believe it or not was one very long day-so I will make these shorter than my previous entries and work at one thing at a time
Next: visiting the Ottoman Palace grounds and the Bazaar and Souq shopping.
Wednesday, May 12, 2010
In review . . .
So I know it has been months since I have last written (or posted pictures) and for that I apologize. The schedule and constant moving of travel component got to me and the next thing I knew the semester was over. So short and sweet update: travel component ended, went back to Egypt for 2 weeks, finished papers, said goodbye, went home, went up to Seattle, graduated.
So that is the short of it- now for those who are nervous that I am about to dismiss this blog based on that summary-don’t be. I will be review and reflecting on what I did not write about so that I can remember it and I will (for real this time) post pictures with it as well.
So you can look back on my last semester with me from my journals and memories starting at the point I left off at - from the beginning of travel component.
So that is the short of it- now for those who are nervous that I am about to dismiss this blog based on that summary-don’t be. I will be review and reflecting on what I did not write about so that I can remember it and I will (for real this time) post pictures with it as well.
So you can look back on my last semester with me from my journals and memories starting at the point I left off at - from the beginning of travel component.
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