I don’t think I’m alone in hating Starbucks, the American coffee shop that has spread its tentacles all over the world. They haven’t lied like Volkswagen did but they are hypocrites.
The annoying thing is that I need Starbucks and if you get to the second half of this article I will explain why. (more…)
If you’re wondering how much luggage to take on your journey you’re asking the wrong question. The fact is you will fill up whatever bag you use for the journey, so the correct question is “What bag should I use?” (more…)
Writing articles is a useful skill and the ideal way for a traveller to provide updates from the road. It’s also the best way I know of organising my thoughts. Writing short articles teaches a valuable skill – how to select a universally valid point from an endless series of impressions, conversations and ideas. (more…)
British newspapers are overpriced and lacking in serious content. Why spend almost two pounds on the so-called “quality” press when you can buy a slimmed down version of the Independent – the “I” newspaper – for just 40p?
Another problem with the British papers are their opinions. I don’t mind the opinions expressed in the “I” newspaper but last Monday I objected to a full page article which argued for the decriminalisation of cannabis – a drug which poses a serious risk to public health. (more…)
For many years I thought I knew the answer to the problems faced by the Romani Gypsies: education. If we could just make school more appealing to this population their situation of marginalisation would gradually end, and they would learn the skills needed to challenge the discrimination they are faced with all over Europe.
A new book I am reading has made me realise that I was totally wrong about this – there is no simple answer to their poverty – and that I know a lot less than I assumed about the Romani Gypsy population. And our patronising, know-it-all attitudes doesn’t help. (more…)
Some of the most interesting places in the world are beset by nationalists and extremists: minority groups wanting to break away and form an independent state; high levels of anger between ethnic groups and almost everywhere you go the people hate, and blame, the government. (more…)