Shiv off

I lived in India for nearly 3 years. It's a country that I love and respect. The people are beyond compare for their spirit, passion and genuine belief in free speech and democracy - the world's largest.

All that is except for the bullies of the fascist Shiv Sena movement. The intimidatory antics of this party are endlessly documented, but today they excelled themselves. The lawyer who had, with incredible bravery accepted the brief of defending the one living terrorist had her house surrounded by these people, and has now been forced to withdraw her defence.

What sad people they are. Democracy demands a fair trial. with representation, for even the most dubious of defendants. However these thugs disrespect that spirit and letter in order to... what?

Wet dream

One of Tokyo's more unusual days out is Oedo Onsen Monogatari. A very tacky Oedo era village recreation, but a superb onsen with some excellent baths. My friends even tried the feet-eating fish... I wish I had discovered this with a little more time left before leaving.

Travel metamorphosis

Worst airport in the world? That will be the Franz Kafka international airport in Prague. Watch why, here.

My favourite web page

Ice scream

The day after Christmas Day (Boxing Day), a bunch of raving lunatics plunge into the lake called The Serpentine in the heart of London's Hyde Park, for a swim in the freezing waters. Sheer, eccentric, madness.
Which therefore doesn't explain why, at 1.30 this afternoon, my daughter and I plunged into the freezing waters of the swimming pool at The American Club in Tokyo for what they aptly call the Polar Bear swim. Four hours later, I'm beginning to defrost.

Study together

In case I didn't mention it, I started a distance-learning MA in Islamic Studies at the beginning of this year. This week I got my first homework back. It was a bit of a shock to have a piece of writing critiqued in an academic way, once again. The comment that I hadn't included enough relevant dates was a bit of a throwback.

In unrelated news, my daughter has taken up knitting. Youngest of the young fogey's.

A new world?

Escaping from the relentless misery of the daily news, (best satirised by Rory in this piece), I have spent a couple of interesting days at the 5th World Islamic Economic Forum in Jakarta. It's the only place where I have sensed a feeling of guarded optimism about the future.
Two clear strands emerged. Firstly, that there is a clear belief among the delegates that the end of this turmoil will see a clear re-balance in favour of the new economies of the East and the South, away from the discredited economies of the West. Secondly, that Sharia, Islamic banking has been clearly vindicated as an ethical alternative to the corruption of Wall Street, the City of London and their branches in Frankfurt, Tokyo, etc.
Inshallah...