So far from home....

Hello all

Well this last week my thoughts have been very much in my beloved England for many reasons. Firstly with one of my best friends being very ill back home the distance became very real, not being able to be there for her and having to rely on friends to keep me updated with her progress. Thankfully she is now out of hospital so I have been able to speak to her via skype, and although she is still in a lot of pain it seems she is on the mend, she continues to be in my prayers and thoughts. Also, another friend has got engaged recently and I have not been able to be there for her either at this time which also makes me sad, and also wont be there fore the wedding. 


On the upside I was able to see England's under 20's football team take on Mexico in the Under 20s FIFA world cup which is being held here in Colombia. This is a great opportunity for Colombia to show the world that this is a safe country and can compete in the world level (they are top of their group and unbeaten in the competition at the moment) and host international events. I went to the match with Deborah from England and Rosa from Mexico with tickets given to us by the visiting speaker this week at the DTS school who has contacts with FIFA, this meant we had some of the best seats in the house, the VIP tickets we thought we were having didnt appear, but the atmosphere was much better in the stands (although I did miss out on meeting Gareth Southgate who was in the VIP area!) It was great fun chanting for England alongside Rosa in her Mexican sombrero chanting for Mexico, many of the Colombians around us laughing at us. Unfortunately the game wasnt so interesting with a 0-0 result, however England did have a good defence but didn't seem to want to attack! so very frustrating!! 


Naturally we followed the match in true English tradition by going for a Curry! thanks to a twitter contact in Canada (random) I was able to find an Indian restaurant here in Cartagena, and therefore was able to have a very nice chicken korma :D 


Now over the last 24 hours I have been watching the news on twitter and BBC news website about the riots spreading across London and now other cities. How depressing and as they say in spanish "que pena" (how embarrassing) to see the youths of the UK acting like this. To see that most of the "rioters" are actually young teenage "hoodies" who have no political aim, and no understanding about the economical situation, but merely have been given an excuse to steal - I refuse to call it looting as that somehow makes it seem less serious, no it is THEFT pure and simple. The "interviews" that I have heard with people involved all seem to say the same thing "cos we are just angry innit" "showing the rich we can do wat we want" proves that they dont have a clue about any political reasoning. I think that girls actually said it all when she said "it was a laugh weren't it" that is why they are doing it - for a laugh, well it isn't a laugh for those whose lives and businesses are being destroyed!


However, this morning my heart is warmed as I hear about the riot clean up operation, normal average people going out of their way to help clean up the areas affected, even a call from a union of tradesmen urging their members to go out and give up a days work to help repair shops and businesses affected free of charge. It is great that these normal people are coming out and showing these kids what it REALLY means to be BRITISH.  


Well rant over, I guess in summery I may not be in the UK anymore but my heart is still very much there with my friends and family and I am proud of my fellow country men, but am sad and pray for the youth of our cities who need direction and help. 


God Bless England and the whole of the UK
Petra