As of this moment (Sat Oct 4, 2008, 15:50h GMT+2) all online US election coverage will be stopped completely. No more jokes about clueless US republican nutcase Sarah Palin, no more NBC parody videos, no more wisecracks about any candidate, no more funny cartoons, no more analysis or commentary covering the ongoing US elections. At least, on this blog.
Why? Basically, covering the US elections on a blog that focuses on Belgium, Europe is fundamentally pointless. Sure, I can post my opinion, repeat a soundbite, quote a news source, but in the end my opinion or views won’t matter. I’m not an American, I won’t be able to vote [though I'd obviously vote for Obama, like most on this planet: Holland: Obama: 94%], so let’s re-focus on what really matters.
If you’re a regular reader you may know by now that I spent a “gay honeymoon”-like vacation with my SO in the WOW resort, Bodrum, Turkey last September. Given that no selection (I over-enthusiastically shot 1,000 photographs…) will ever fit one single post, I’ll serialize some of our holiday images, at least, if there’s an audience. Vacation shots can be utterly sleep-inducing 
I’ll try to upload the most remarkable video highlights to my YouTube account as well. If any of these shots [please click to enlarge] raise any questions, just shoot. Turkey September 2008, part one – departure and arrival:
The Pegasus flight to Turkey had great on board service – we were pleasantly surprised. Our experience with Brussels airport was abysmal though, as we’ve come to expect over the years. We arrived at 4 am at the airport, going through the now classic lengthy, exaggerated security checks (liquids in hand luggage are confiscated in Brussels due to the absurd notion that toothpaste might pose a security risk).
[Update October 7 2008 (source: local newspaper, not online): the EU is to propose gradually abolishing the ban on liquids in hand luggage starting early 2009 as the impact on security after almost 3y appears non-existent...]
Upon trying to photograph the Brussels airport security check I was stopped by security personnel. Thanks, Brussels airport: in addition to a recent (”we want higher wages”) abrubt luggage handling strike that caused total chaos during the peak of the summer season, along with neverending building work on the new terminals and wildly inflated food/beverage prices (Starbucks in Brussels: 9 EUR/ $16 for two cups! -Image credit: teruginbelgie.blogspot.com), I now understand why you were voted one of Europe’s favorite airports: you truly believe passengers love being treated like trash. But hey, there was a reason why we were leaving Belgium
This blog is not affiliated with or endorsed by the city of Antwerp, Belgium.
Neato! That last shot looks so sunny
I especially like the shot of the ground at night– was that in Belgium, or Turkey, or someplace in the middle? I like the idea of a serial… I’m looking forward to more!
[Blog author: "Thanks Mel! The ground shot shows downtown Brussels, Belgium at 6 am, with the last picture being the first time I wheeled my overloaded suitcase out of the hotel lobby upon arrival in Bodrum, Turkey (please click for details). I'm glad you like the idea of a serial (more exciting shots coming up), my SO rolled his eyes when I lost count at photo # 1,000
"]
Comment by Granola-grrrl — October 4, 2008 @ 5:30 pm |
I can just see you guys taking pictures of the security check and some security guard whisking you away as a threat! “Why were you taking pictures of our security measures?” “Are you a terrorist or a tourist?”
So, did they see the toothpaste in your luggage when it was scanned? I stopped putting my toothpaste, hair spray, make up, shampoo, lotion etc., in the clear plastic bags and have just left it in my carry on bag, figuring I would plead stupidity, or dumb blondness if they saw it. I’ve flown probably 6 times this year and not once was it taken out of my luggage. So, what does that tell you about the security?
Can’t wait to see more photos.
Yea, I’m getting tired of all the political ads. I was trying to get a PSA on a radio station for our upcoming benefit concert and all the free time is bought out with political ads! But, Yea, Go Obama!
[Blog author: "You know Brenda, these security guys at Brussels airport even talk with the same Dutch accent as we do, so we (and many others) felt all this security overkill has become totally ridiculous. European airport rules (so not when boarding in Turkey, outside the EU) now specify that only "translucent containers, max 100cc/ml in a sealed plastic bag" are allowed as carry-on luggage. A tube of toothpaste breaks that rule. And yes, they will find that tube and trash it at Brussels airport.. It's all so absurd, even most security experts agree.
The deluge of political nonsense ads on US TV has reached a point where it becomes too much to bear. I notice that these endless US electoral campaigns alienate US voters, confuse people and take away the focus. Up next: a month of mud-throwing ads. From a European perspective we fail to see the point. I just hope Obama will be the next US president, the country sure can use some structural change. Pictures coming up! "]
Comment by Peace — October 4, 2008 @ 7:51 pm |
Istanbul was Constantinople
Now it’s Istanbul, not Constantinople
Been a long time gone, Constantinople
Now it’s Turkish delight on a moonlit night
[Blog author: "Sounds very romantic Van
"]
Comment by furiousball — October 6, 2008 @ 4:41 pm |
I must say I’m glad to hear of another blog becoming an election-free zone (I think Di’s giving up on that coverage too).
Can’t wait to see the rest of the holiday photos.
[Blog author: "Guess that the words of an American friend made me stop commenting on the US elections Simon. "There everywhere", she said, "I've had it". I'll try to post some pictures today: I've hardly had time to sit in front of this pc."]
Comment by simonlitton — October 7, 2008 @ 9:41 am |
All airports suck these days, some worse than others, but the one universal constant is that they charge (or rather overcharge) a horrendous amount for food. Why? Because you are trapped there, especially after you go through security, and they know it. They can charge what they want, and you will pay for it.
As for photographing security, no disrespect, but what the hell were you thinking? They’re throwing people off of planes these days for what they have on their t-shirts, and you’re photographing security? Yeah, I know, it’s bullshit, and too many of the liquid container restrictions are laughable, but don’t take a pic of security, It’s not worth the hassle.
I miss the old days when, even if you weren’t a passenger, you could go through security and meet your arriving party right at the gate. It was a great way to surprise people, or to spend time with them before their flight took off. Shame it has to be this way in this day and age.
[Blog author: "I'm basically kind of a rebel I suppose
. But really, there's way too much induced fear - call it a legal act of "I'm not going to take this lying down".
You know, until recently nobody cared about taking pictures of the (quite regular) scanners at Brussels airport [there's no sign with "no pictures" and most of the time Brussels security is significantly more relaxed than the US variety: no Homeland security or immigration creeps in Belgium], but this time I ran into a die-hard. She was holding a carton and kept it defiantly in front of my camera. I smiled and whispered “I was just admiring your uniform, am I breaking a law?”. Anyway, I backed off and photographed the Turkish security 3h later: no problems there.
I know all about the really absurd, paranoid attitude at US airports these days (see CNN article below). Must really take away the fun out of flying – I’m avoiding US airports altogether until they stop treating every non-American like a criminal.
Check out today’s CNN article: “Scientists strongly question terrorist-hunting techniques in US airports”
Times have changed indeed and much like yourself, I miss the good old days when flying was real fun. Oh, the $16 Starbucks coffee in Brussels was the price before checking in, in the public lobby. Guess Starbucks believe we’re a bunch of idiots
“]
Comment by Mr. Nighttime — October 7, 2008 @ 5:36 pm |