Developing World Conference

Oh. My. God. What an amazing weekend. I'm tempted to say it's up there with a few of the best weekends of my life.

The academic program was stimulating and really challenged my whole belief system - which is exactly what I was craving. Highlights for me where the debate on Neoliberalism, a talk about the ethics of aid provision and key note speaker Dr. Ganesh Devy (a gujju!).

Dr. Devy spoke in a really philosophical way, which usually doesn't hold my attention for long periods of time but he was amazing. He spoke with such passion, and everything he said made sense. Real sense.

Neoliberalism. I didn't even know what that was. How naive am I. But, thanks to the conference, now I do, and it's inspired me to try and find out more about economic models.

The ethics of aid provision was really disheartening. Really made me realise that either way, whether you care and try and do stuff, or whether you don't give a shit, you're doing more harm than good in developing communities. Basically, the world is fucked. I felt so sad after hearing that, and I still sort of do, but I am so glad I got to hear that talk, to think about these issues. The young, idealist in me is adamant that I'm going to find a way around that. I'm going to care about the world and I'm going to do minimal harm whilst doing good stuff. I have to believe that that's possible otherwise there really doesn't seem any point in being...

The people I met over the weekend were awesome, so many keepers - too many to count on both hands AND feet. People who are fun and really care about the world around us, and so many in the one place! My favourites were (listed in no particular order)...

Lou - What a fricken awesome chick. Within an hour of knowing her I felt like we'd been friends for ages. Oh shit, I better go de-worm...
Veevek - This guy is a riot! He so nice and he's done some pretty damn amazing stuff. He's gujju, and it was fun talking to him in gujarati, until he disclosed that he's learnt "shuda" (pure) gujarati cos his mum is/was a poet. Admittedly after that I felt a little intimidated... A guy I tink I could definitely be really good friends with.
Fred - Exudes warmth. He's a like a big ol' teddy bear...
Hamish - I have such a deep respect for Hamish. He is amazing, and so so gentle.
Doug - Typical rugby type, whom I seem to have a (platonic) affinity for. My definition of a rugby sterotype differs from that of the norm - I dont think they're stupid and all that. I think of a beefy, friendly, really aussie bloke. That's Doug, great guy.
Amy - Amy is young but quite brilliant and she oozes confidence. In a great way, not a cocky way. She's smart and fun and sweet.

Zeynep - Zey ("Zee") is someone who makes me hope I get in Melbourne for my internship. I think, given time and put in the same spot, Zey and I could be really good friends.

Karl - A real sweetheart.

Ah...what a great weekend. Can't wait for next year.

New beginnings...

So a new year, new circumstances and a newly organised trip warrants a new start on this blog I reckon. In all honesty, the last shot I had at 'blogging' royally sucked, but this time will be different. I promise.

I little bit of a miracle occured earlier this year and now my life has done a complete 180. No, I haven't met a man...but my Maang toll is growing by the day. No, something quite great has happened, which now means I get to do the trip that I planned last year, with some added bonuses.

The plan is to fly to Nairobi, Kenya, and do two weeks of my pre-organised elective placement. Then spend a week at the Engineers without Borders project up there which is a couple of hours drive outside of Nairobi. I'll return to Nairobi, get the train to Mombassa and then get a ferry to Lamu (I think there are ferries, otherwise, a bus). Not sure what's going to happen in between here but then I'll finish the trip with two weeks in Cape Town at a clinic which has african music and dance classes at the Community Centre attached! Awesome. I'm getting a shiver up my spine just thinking about it...

So, as I said, new trip and new circumstances calls for a new start to this Blog. Hopefully this one will be something I can actually tell people about :)