I’ve spent the past 2 long, sticky, blazing hot days volunteering for Amsterdam’s beloved frisbee association during the biggest annual tournament we’ve got. And while sometimes it seemed as though no one was paying attention to or even remotely troubled about the events unfolding in the world, within the tournament and the games, I took notice of all the different countries and how wonderfully we all came together for this purpose.
There were plenty of disputes, plenty of cultural differences. Yet it was exciting to see how these conflicts were resolved and differences were never allowed to become excuses for huge bitter disagreements. In the end, we all speak this common language – ultimate frisbee.
I just wish the citizens of the world could do similar… seriously decide to speak the language of understanding, mutual respect, and peace. Instead of pretending these are the goals which can only be achieved through death and destruction. Such a concept is a wonderful political tool for creating many open-ended wars.
A podcast is forthcoming. Many interviews this week before I disappear to Portugal. The conversation with Afghanistan is coming very soon… the rest.. just stay tuned.. or better yet.. subsribed in your favorite newsreader.
Speaking of 4 wheeled vehicles that I normally avoid. You often hear about how the US has too many cars or too many big cars. Yet I think one point that deserves more attention, is Europe’s car addiction. Take the Netherlands; Im sure everyone things of bicycles.. but in fact.. highways full of traffic is also quite characteristic of the country. Today, en route through Belgium, near Antwerp and Brussels, huge traffic jams. And of course, on the outskirts of Paris.. I could have gotten out and walked here faster. Although all these countries have excellent rail systems, and even a decent bus option for collective international transport.. people still insist on the car. Even down in my dear Portugal… there are cars everywhere. People don’t even have money to buy them, but the wonders of credit will help to bring every man, woman, and of-driving-age child, a little hatchback with which to sit in traffic somewhere. 
Someone needs to make a musical version of tonight’s Portugal versus Netherlands match. I hate talking sports, but in this case we are talking musical theater. Like West Side Story meets Hamlet. Actually maybe not Hamlet. 
But contrary to the neverending amount of writing about the games and the players and the stadiums, I will be doing no such thing. While I like watching the matches; I suffer watching Portugal, I root for the Australians, I love the Côte D’Ivoireans, there are many aspects surrounding the games that I do not like.