The Motorcycle Diaries

If I said Crash was an art-y movie, then I spoke too soon, because Motorcycle Diaries takes the cake. The movie is about Che Guevara and his friend Alberto who undertake a motorcycle journey of South America, with a long stop at a leprosy site. The movie, although it may not be true -- even though I think it is based off his actual writings, is very realistic. The movie shows how they were able to see people of all sorts - rich, poor, healthy, sick, oppressed, etc. and Che Guevara was obviously touched by what he saw on his journey that probably influenced him later in life. It was a marvelous movie and had all the great elements and was truly heartfelt. This movie is one I recommend even more.

Crash

Wow. My reaction all through the movie was just: "wow." It's quite astonishing, well done, and it touches on a lot of issues. Crash is a movie made up of several storylines: policemen, both racist and not, men who are car thieves, a married couple, a family with a little girl, etc. They're really well interwoven and the themes that the movie touches on are mainly racial. Although I know it can't be real, the movie was very realistic. It had won a lot of awards, but I thought before that it was more of a documentary, and I hadn't been too interested; but it was suggested that I watch it, and I've finally done it. I highly recommend that everyone watch it.

Illness, Canterbury, Adventure Weekend

So, I've been busy. At least retrospectively. I've gotten some kind of illness that's no good for me and won't go away even after two weeks. But even so, I went on a bus trip to Canterbury, spent time in the city with my aunt and our family friends, and went on the "adventure" weekend trip organized by Butler. It was really lovely in the country even though it took 10 hours to get there in a bus. See my photo album link on the side for more pictures of what I've been up to.

Awards Around the World

So, the past week has been full of announcements of winners. The winner of the Booker Prize was Kiran Desai. The winner of the Nobel Literature Prize was Orhan Pamuk. People who've written about issues that involved around their cultural lives -- in the case of the first, her heritage, the latter author going against the Turkish government and writing about Armenian/Turkish relations (and conflict). [And before I go on, I'd like to say that these books are so so on my list.]

People have been making a difference everywhere. Then I go and read about the possibilities up for the Nobel Peace prize, people who really have made a difference in the world. A Negotiator, representatives, a presidents, musicans, a leader of a church, and general human rights campaigners. What a bunch. It makes me think that I should do something that can really make a difference. Yes, there are those scientists who make a difference, and engineers are behind everything and everyone in essence, but is it really a attainable goal. I just don't know.

Read the BBC Article about the Nobel Peace Prize Candidates.

Seven Brides for Seven Brothers

I loved the movie, and now I can say I loved the real live musical. The dance numbers were big and colorful and showy (with lots of jumping splits by the guys) and surprisingly carried out perfectly. Thirty people dancing on a small stage in a coordinated manner is a serious spectacular feat. It was truly fantastic. Plus American accents by British people, and southern/mountain accents at that, makes it even humorous.

Nisha, Zane and I went together as Zane had come to visit us from lovely Paris, France. And we had a splendid time.

Exciting Weekend

A friday spent doing karaoke (although we were all too chicken till the very end before they closed). A saturday spent at Hampton and Windsor, see the picture above, as that is a picture of beautiful Windsor. Sunday was spent at Spitalfields Market, (the rain), then a quiz at night with two of my flatmates -- not as dorky as it sounds, and much harder than expected. Especially since I'm not up on British geography, tv, or culture really. We weren't even close to winning, but we'll try again another week. It's nice to know that London isn't all rain and clouds.