Reminiscing Uppsala

In 2008, I had the rare opportunity to visit Uppsala, Sweden because of the sponsorship I got to participate in the Top Level Seminar on Peace and Security at the Uppsala University.  Prior to this I had my readings about Sweden and I was impressed by the history of the place.  Before leaving for Sweden I was already armed with knowledge of the history of the country and of the locality of which I am staying.  I never expected to arrived on a snowy day and much more on a snowstorm.  They said it was unusual to have that kind of weather early December.  Usually the snow comes later in winter.  Uppsala is a wonderful city.  Indeed it is a University town,  Home to the famous Uppsala University.  I visited some of its important landmarks and I will share with you some of this pictures.  Hope you enjoy.  These are my photos.

Uppsala Cathedral, the National Shrine of the Church of Sweden (Lutheran)

Probaly part of Uppsala University?

The facade of the Cathedral

The Nave of the Cathedral

I observed that sometimes they used different altar tables for Mass

This is the High Altar

The Ornate pulpit at the Cathedral.  I attended one of the noon masses here.  After the mass I greeted the organist and complemented the beautiful music.  I introduced myself as a Filipino and all of a sudden he mentioned about the famous bamboo organ in Las Pinas, Philippines.  That's how popular the Bamboo Organ is even  this Swedish organist knows something about the bamboo organ.

This is me.  While taking a little walk I requested two students to take my photo.

A monument in Honr of Karl Gustav XIV

Unforgettable Aceh: Nuggets from my Short Visit to Banda Aceh

This Ship was pushed inland by the great tsunami that struck
Aceh several years ago, nos a Museum Piece

My memories bring a year's back to my visit to Banda Aceh in Indonesia.  I really appreciate the opportunities given me by East-West Center in Hawaii to participate in their Summer Institute on International Humanitarian Law in Bali, Indonesia.  This field trip to Aceh was part of this program.  So when they offered this as an addendum to the activity I immediately applied.  I was pretty sure that I dont want to miss this occasion of visiting a wonderful place of which several years ago occupied the headlines because of the tsunami and the subsequent peace agreement beteween the rebels and the Government of Indonesia.  I've read so much about Indonesia and I appreciate its diversity.  from end to end you see a country so vast with different cultures and subcultures.  No wonder the founding father of Indonesia adopted the philosophy of Pankasila - Unity in Diversity.  For no one can really unite this archipelago except for a philosophy of unity that would bind its people.   Aceh has has seen some separatists movements and the later part was more bloody.  But fortunately after the tsunami the rebels and the government went into the negotiating table to talk about autonomy and self-rule. 

The Party Offices of the Ruling Party in Aceh

The photo above is the party offices of Parti Aceh.  We did some focus group discussions with its leaders during our visit.  The itinerary of our visit was so hectic and we only had three days of field trip.  We were so tired but I did my best to keep awake as I did not want every moment of my stay in Aceh escape my attention.

The Capitol Building of Aceh

We did visit also the government house in Aceh.  We had a dialogue with the vice-governor who himself was a former rebel.  After the Peace talks he was elected into various offices.

The Grand Mosque in Aceh.  The Acehenese People are staunchly devout Muslims.  This huge and impressive structure provides inspiration and becomes a source of pride for the people of Aceh.

The people of Aceh are devout Muslims.  I had wanted so much to enter the mosque during Friday prayers but I was not able to get inside since the guard won't let me in because I am not a Muslim.  We stayed outside for a while and listen to the sermon.  After the services were over, we were then allowed to get inside.  I was very curious because I have never been inside a Mosque, having lived in a predominantly Christian environment, I never had the opportunity to be inside a mosque.  But I admire how the men and women of Aceh love and respect their religion.  

The Streets of Banda Aceh are wide and clean.  It is a small city and  in less than a day anyone can go around the city.  Motorcycles are popular means of transport.

There is also a dress code in Aceh.  Islamic way of dressing is enforced by some form of local ordinances.  I think I have no problem with this.  In fact how I wish there would  also be a dress code in our country.  I

Motorcycle is a common means of transport for both men and women

Some Morrocan Inspired Architechture 

How I wish I could visit again this beautiful city.