Crimea and Clapton

We had a friend over for dinner last night. She is a pilot with Tiger. A very interesting woman. Grew up in Moscow, studied in England, worked corporate for a decade, and decided she wanted to fly. Quit the corporate life and started flying. Holland, Namibia, and now Tiger. She is 38, has two adopted sons. (Russian) Hopes to adopt one more.

So that is Olga. But over the course of the evening we talked of Crimea. Such a different perspective from her. She is Russian, she thinks the Russians are right to "rescue" Crimea from the abject poverty and lack of support from Ukraine. Crimea was given to Ukraine in 1991, and since there has been no funding or support. What once was a beautiful sea coast, with beautiful scenery and a booming tourist business, has fallen in to a poverty stricken wasteland. The Russians living in Crimea want Russia to bring them back to where they were 15 years ago.

As much as she does not like Putin, she thinks he has done a lot of good for Russia. It is safe, clean, and standard of living has improved. She can walk the streets of Moscow, at night, and not be afraid. Before you dare not drive at night with your doors locked.

As she talked, I was aware of how my perspective is so coloured by the media. Taking that thought further, how my eyes on the world have changed. When Sri Lanka is in the news, I have an experience in that country to colour my image. When I hear of Australia, Africa, Asia, I have concrete memories of experiences in those cultures. I am reading a novel about Malaysia and I know where of he is writing. I have been there. This is all so truly awesome.

We went to see Eric Clapton the other night. Great fun. Is he a very  shy man? No talking, straight playing, a quick thank you between songs, the on to the next. No intermission and 2 hours straight playing. It looks like touring has not taken the toll on him that it seems to so many. He looks trim, fit  and healthy.