revenge of the killer tomatoes 13

I’m not American.  I live halfway around the world.  And this former colony of Spain and America we call our home, our Philippines, is plagued by so many other problems that deserve a hundred other blog posts. 

I closely watch the US poll movements and electoral maps showing the red and blue states.  I try to view all the major speeches on both sides.  I am curious about how first-time voters will turn out and express themselves come election day.  I read analysts’ and pundits’ blogs, even watch interviews with candidates’ families. 

I cheer when Barack Obama fires up the crowd on ’gut issues’ for Americans who bear the brunt of the economic crisis.  I get all riled up about the sleazy Republican campaign and the outright lies they spread, like Obama being Muslim (my cousin in LA still thinks he is!) or Palin being anti-earmark and anti-pork (she actually hired a lobbyist to get more pork; credible news organizations have already exposed this).   

As a woman, I am disgusted by the manipulative and deceitful posturing of Sarah Palin, who aspires to be the first female vice-president of the United States.  I keep thinking: whether you like Hillary Clinton or not, she pushed the boundaries and set the standard for women in government - what’s the fuss over an inferior Palin about?  I am amazed at how incredibly articulate and grounded Michelle Obama is, even when she’s not running for public office herself. 

It is no longer a mystery why Filipinos and citizens of other nations are so interested in the US election campaign - it’s because we are all affected by the political and economic policies that come out of Washington DC.

I first saw Barack Obama in an interview with Oprah, after he delivered that stirring nomination speech that endorsed John Kerry and catapulted Obama into the national spotlight.  After hearing him narrate his life and explain his views, my reaction was, “Wow!  Is he the real deal?” 

I was hooked.  I’ve read his so-called ‘think piece’, the “Audacity of Hope”.  While it’s not outstanding in all respects, it conveys promise that things are going to change in the US, that those reforms will send ripples everywhere.   After reading Obama’s book, it saddened me that Filipino politicians do not even try to think about reforming a system that’s broken. 

Here, all you need is a surname that sounds like a former Senator or President, a catchy slogan or an irresistible jingle blaring on the streets or some screen siren’s endorsement, and truckloads of money to ensure victory on election day.  Someone landed in the Philippine Senate on the strength of hundreds/thousands of streamers supposedly to show that her face resembled that of a popular young actress (honestly, it was a far stretch).  Our very own President began her national political career by spreading cheesy photos of her looking like Nora Aunor.  And a former President won the office because he kicked ass in action flicks.  Duh.

Before Palin proclaimed her pride in being a ‘hockey mom’ - apparently, that just about sums up her political experience - I had envied the relatively sober manner by which the Democrat and Republicans campaigns were waged.  At least the campaigns talked about real-life issues.  It was refreshing to actually see candidates speaking on the differences in their world view and their action plans for the White House. 

Apparently the battle on issues didn’t work for McCain, so he brought in Palin who is all glitz, guts and glory, without substance.  Classic Sun Tzu.   When the enemy is closing in on you, use a distraction to confuse the enemy. 

I sure wish women in America would re-focus on other women leaders in government and the private sector who are far more inspiring and deserving of adulation than Palin. 

Hillary had set a high bar - she has traveled far and struggled for the causes of women and children, and embodies the kind of intelligence and competence that is deserving of public office.  All of a sudden, Palin’s empty rhetoric is the embodiment of women empowerment?!  Hillary supporters should feel insulted. 

During the Democratic primaries, the Republicans exploited the supposed ‘weaknesses’ of Hillary - that she comes across too strong, that she is a polarizing figure, etc etc.  And now they tout Palin as “Sarah Barracuda”?!  (By the way, the band Heart has protested the unauthorized use of their song at the Republican National Convention.  Tsk, someone dropped the due diligence ball on copyright…)

Hillary Clinton put 18 million cracks in the glass ceiling.  Sarah Palin said she won’t just create cracks - she would break it.  I highly doubt that.  More like crack…pot. 

before the memories fade, i resolved to finish writing about my trip to prague last may.  to friends who’ve been prodding me for pictures of prague, here they are.

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Prague, Czech Republic -   

Just before I stepped into my sleeping cabin on board the inter-city train from Cracow, the train attendant handed me a Prague city map.  It looked like something Nancy Chandler could’ve made (her maps are excellent guides for Bangkok and its labyrinthine markets).  I thought my Prague map was just as reliable until I lost my way.  A kind lady at my hotel reception replaced my map after letting out a good laugh. 

                         

my hotel room in prague and the church just across the street, which i initially used as a landmark.  there must be a dozen structures that looked like it.     

         

our Prague city walking tour group passing through a tunnel.  view from a cafe, waiting for the tour to start.

walking tour

I must say our tour guide was a great disappointment.  His occasional sexist comments aside, I couldn’t help comparing him with our excellent guide in Berlin, whose cohesive and insightful narration was also immensely entertaining.  Oh well, at least I saw most of the major Prague attractions in one day.  Prague is at the same time postcard-perfect and intriguing - the beautiful and the bizarre actually live side by side in that city.

           

There were exhibits of Salvador Dali and Alfons Mucha at a gallery in the Old Town Square.  

   

the astronomical clock

As the crowd waited for the Astronomical Clock to mark the hour, a newly married couple ran to the bottom of the clock’s tower and posed for photos.   We didn’t know them from Adam, but we cheered as they kissed. 

     

Don’t expect the clock to deliver a mind-blowing mechanical show - it is, after all, nearly 600 hundred years old!  Four figures represent things that were despised in the 15th century: Vanity (adoring himself in a mirror), Greed (holding a bag of gold), Death (a skeleton that strikes the time), and a Turkish man (gasp, this is said to be antiquated racism).  The 12 Apostles march behind tiny windows to mark the hour.   Far more fascinating than the old animatronics is the astronomical clock itself, which has a zodiac calendar in addition to telling the time and season. 

        

Like Cracow, many structures in Prague were spared by World War II and have been preserved.  While walking on Prague’s cobblestone streets, I couldn’t help thinking about home.  Manila, former capital of the Philippines, was the second most damaged city in WWII.   

        

the haunting

                   

I’m Catholic but I didn’t feel at all comforted by the religious references I found on the Charles Bridge, a 14th century bridge that looks like it sprang out of the gates of Mordor.  A website says that an evening stroll on the bridge would be a romantic one, what with the breathtaking views of the river and the Prague Castle.  Maybe I have an overly active and bizarre imagination, but those almost-pitch-black, looming figures that lined the bridge would look menacing in the evening amidst an eerie floating mist!

st. vitus’ cathedral

St. Vitus’ Cathedral is certainly an architectural masterpiece.  Beyond that though, I did not have the same moving experience as I did in Cracow.  St. Vitus’ Cathedral has amazing stained-glass windows, vaulted ceilings and ornate carvings but because it was practically run over by tourists, gone arethe solemnity and reverence that would otherwise appeal to people of any faith.  That said, the cathedral is a memorable lesson in Gothic art.  I especially learned a lot about gargoyles! 

    

                            

I paid for a ticket to a classical concert at St. George’s Basilica within the Prague Castle grounds but was too exhausted at the end of the walking tour to see it.  Too bad.  But there will be other opportunities to listen to Vivaldi et al anyway. 

I spent my last evening in Prague savoring my early dinner and resting my cobblestone-sore feet.  By morning, I was back in fighting form.  I dashed quickly to a shopping mall near our hotel (as if I didn’t have enough clothes in my suitcase!), made a work-related stop, then counted my last few hours in the city with leisurely steps along the river. 

I donated half of my enormous pizza lunch to the lady at the hotel reception desk who kindly replaced my Prague city map.  Good deeds, after all, should be rewarded.