Cop21 #Intheirshoes

So, the COP21 meeting has been able to do what even the threat of climate change has been unable to achieve: a virtually car-free city centre with people travelling instead on foot, by bike and public transport.

This is due to the incredible way the police have carved up the city and its immediate surrounds. 

They've basically shut the whole périhérique to the west of 2pm, right around until 6pm on a clock face, also closed the main road in from the airport (which goes past Le Bourget airport where the conference is held), and all traffic on the main thoroughfares marked in red has been diverted. The centre of Paris is carved along a north-south axis from 12pm to 6pm. East-west traffic can only cross at certain checkpoints. Parisians have been encouraged to work from home on Monday and Tuesday. and to not make any unnecessary journeys.

Along the axis, all crossroads have been sealed, making it really impractical to travel by car over the next couple of days. Instead, all public transport is free and trains are running every two to three minutes. Which is so not an incentive for staying at home.

The axis runs between home and Church, home and work, home and our Thanksgiving Dinner etc etc

Attention will now be on Paris for the next couple of weeks, but for different reasons than a couple of weeks ago. In light of the events of 13 November and the ongoing state of emergency, all marches were cancelled. So here is how Parisians showed solidarity for the climate change conference: a silent march of sorts at the Place de la République. Quite powerful.

It's quite an emotional time to be living in Paris really. As we emerge from the horror and terror, we turn now towards the future: towards advent, preparations for Christmas and the future earth our children will inhabit.

Yes, well, those children were contemplating shapes, colours and numbers by the light of our Christmas tree this morning: 

Got it! #Ohwait...

A roundup of our week #Ifeelflucomingon

Apologies for this rapid update of the week. I feel the flu coming on and I'm off to bed.

Fingerling sleeps in the sling wearing her cosy new hat and scarf

On Tuesday I went to see Cirque du Soleil with some friends. There was a moment of hesitation (lots of people, in a big tent, in the middle of a field: sitting ducks!) but I'm so glad we went: it was really amazing. I'm a big fan of acrobatics and this is seriously artistic, musical and feminine (70% of the cast are women).

Thanksgiving: tick! Now that it's out the way, the Christmas trees have arrived! That's our Saturday afternoon sorted...

Night night!

Turning 3 with friends #Iwannabe3

11 friends, their parents and some of their siblings, plus Pacotio, Moon and Abuelo all joined us for Small Fry's 3rd birthday party, held in our Church hall.

This was the cake. It's not super clear in this overhead shot, but it's the number 3 as a race track (the party theme was Disney's cars). The number 3 was made of 3 layers of cake in red, amber and green (like traffic lights) and the rest of it is only 2 layers high (amber and green) and covered in dessicated coconut (i.e. grass). And I lined the track in jelly tots because, you know, everyone loves jelly tots. 

And it was only just enough for us all.

The boy, showing off his loot (favourite aeroplane, Fireman Sam's boat and wooden guitar not pictured).

And so I spent Saturday evening organising toys - collecting old/broken/ge inapproporiate ones and bagging them up or storing them for later, and the same for the books. I'll cycle them every so often so that there is some change, but still plenty to keep both Small Fry and Fingerling occupied.

I'm going to quite enjoy getting him into games like 'snap!' although I think he's going to quite enjoy trying to break his arm on his new pink (his special request) skateboard!

Reflections on faith #beingcertainofwhatwedonotsee

Taken from Trocadero, looking towards the Eiffel Tower

On Wednesday morning we were woken by the sound of helicopters flying overhead, and we knew that something was going on somewhere. We could only hope that it wasn't that close and it wasn't that serious. But, well, it was close enough and serious enough.

I think that the raids in Saint-Denis did make some sort of a difference, even though public transport, parks and Paris in general still feel half-empty. On Thursday, Wendy's mum and I went to an expo in a large expo-venue on the edge of Paris. I was a bit scared before I went, but it felt good to be out and about - and see other people being out and about. 

It was also very good to chat with someone else about all the conflicting feelings that have been swirling around this week, and to share encouragement, faith, trust and hope. I think that is what this week has been about: counting the loss amongst friends of friends and mourning those who have been lost, injured and affected. It has also been about accepting a certain loss of control, and our thoughts are now also with those in Brussels. But in both these things, this week has also been about talking and sharing together. And that has ultimately kept pointing us back to God. Not just because of the promise of eternal life, but knowing that we need not be afraid because God is with us; that he loves us and nothing can separate us from that; that he hears and answers our prayers; that he is good and he protects us; that he has already defeated the powers of darkness. This is our hope. This is our faith, even when it doesn't always seem it or feel it. 

Today we celebrate life! #love #gratitude #hope

O God, our help in ages past #thehymnsstillsayitbest

O God, our help in ages past,

Our hope for years to come,

Our shelter from the stormy blast,

And our eternal home.

Within the shadow of thy throne,

Still may we dwell secure,

Sufficient is thine arm alone,

And our defense is sure.

Before the hills in order stood,

Or earth received her frame,

Frome verlasting thou art God,

To endless years the same.

O God, our help in ages past,

Our hope for years to come,

Be thou our guide while life shall last,

And our eternal home.

We choose life and hope #prayforhumanity

There are so many conflicting emotions in my soul today. I feel such revolt at the scale, mercilessness and injustice of the carnage. We may be at war, but people in bars and concerts are not soldiers of that war. I am overwhelmed by the stories and images of those who lost their lives, and of those who risked harm to help others; the stories of kindness and compassion even by the injured. I am grateful that us and those whom we love in Paris are safe, but was painfully reminded at Church this morning at how many have lost friends, colleagues and family. Above all, we must live our lives, not our fears, remembering that our trust in God is not futile.

We search for comfort and meaning in the sacred, in relationships, in community, in solidarity. So I offer another thought from the Anglican Church, this time the Archbishop of Canterbury. 

The sorrow in Paris is heartbreaking and the evil of those who planned and perpetrated the Paris atrocities is beyond measure or words. We weep with the victims and with the bereaved. 

France is deeply wounded but will prevail with that courage and strength she has always shown. Wherever there is such wickedness Christ suffers afresh in the suffering of every human being. In solidarity let us be the source of consolation.

The violence of this evil group brings terror to all, including in the Muslim world where its cowardly acts are opposed by many. This is a global and generational struggle against an evil cult that chooses death and fear. 

We choose life and hope, to overcome their hate with the power of God's love. In solidarity across all faiths and none, and with all human beings, rather than in the victimisation of any, we will find the way to defeat the demonic curse of terrorism. Christians are called, like Jesus, to stand with the suffering and broken and to oppose evil and fear with all their strength.

Darkness will not overcome the light #mayloveriseup #prayforparis

Today, my children woke up in a different world to the one they went to sleep in.

Yesterday evening hundreds of people were killed and injured, and hundreds more lives will never be the same again. What kind of world will our children grow up in? What about the children for whom death, carnage, loss and suffering are daily occurrences?

We pray for peace.

All of us are shocked. We are in mourning. We grieve for our innocence and frivolity. The Charlie Hebdo attacks in early January were unnerving, but they were somehow still separate. Last night, a way of life was attacked; bringing chaos and fear. The fear of simply being in the wrong place at the wrong time.

Today, all municipal buildings are closed and activities suspended. This morning, the streets were silent. We hardly slept at all, following social media and news reports until there was no new information to share. Instead we responded to kind friends and family who wrote beautiful messages of support, reminding us that we are not alone, that we grieve together, that love is still stronger.

It was only when the kids went stir-crazy mid-morning that we left the building and went to join friends for lunch. Being together always trumps being alone. I heard children shouting and playing in the street. I saw people eating their lunch on the terraces outside restaurants. Others went about their usual weekend lives of food shopping and bread buying. I found all of these symbols reassuring. Because as much as killing innocent people was a symbol that no-one is safe, there were many, many more symbols of solidarity on our street, in our neighbourhood, in this city, the whole country, and even from across the globe.

El Puma called me last night from his rehearsal studio in the 10th, not far from the first shootings. He said he was staying put in their underground room until it was safe to leave. He finally got home around 4am. By the grace of God we were together again, safe and unhurt, though not emotionally unscathed. In the Lord our God we put our trust and hope. And we pray together:

We grieve,

for the lives lost in senseless violence.

Our tears are shed

for those who have been wounded.

Our hearts ache

for those who are consumed by hate.

Lord have mercy,

Christ have mercy,

Lord have mercy.

Lord give wisdom,

to those who must make decisions.

Lord give your strength,

to those who seek to protect.

Lord give guidance,

to those who must respond.

Lord have mercy,

Christ have mercy,

Lord have mercy.

Amen.

Bed head #gettinggirliehair

Remembrance Day #remindersofwhat'simportant

I'm not very good at remembering. Actually, I have a terrible memory. Not spatially - I seem to do alright with remembering the way I've come. But names, sometimes things people have said to me, and numbers are a bit trickier. All it would probably take is a bit of practise.

I've never had problems remembering the 11th of November. I find that a moment to pause and remember the past and pray for peace are significant and important to me. Maybe it's got something to do with growing up beside a military school, but the bugle (especially The Last Post) can send shivers down my spine.

For obvious reasons, it's been harder the past couple of years to join any official remembrance service, but I have noticed when it's 11am and I of course have valued the day off.

Today we went to visit pacotio's new apartment in the 19th. Place des Fêtes is at the top of a rise overlooking Paris from the north-east (seen here to the left of the red box in the centre right of the picture).

But I suppose today's pictures are really more about being than doing:

Small Fry being both mama and papa (see shoes)

Our little jedi knight (check out the hands) on the metro

Fingerling being papa (imitating his touching-his-nose habit)

Both kids being er mama (comatose in front of the TV)

Another day to remember in G-K land!

Scuttling #thenandnow #familyresemblance

 

A perfect siesta #together #endoftheweek

The 5th of November #OldtraditionsNewways

So it's not how we used to do it, but did manage to have a cursory celebration of bonfire night with sparklers...inside*. 

I know, I know, not really how it's meant to be done. In fact, the last time we had: 

freezing feet and numb fingers despite wrapping up in hundreds of layers; burning faces when looking at the bonfire, baltic ones when turned away; long walks from car park to the bonfire site; aching necks from craning at the fireworks; hot steaming mugs of chocolate topped with cream and marshmallows when we get home to get some warmth back in our bodies

was 3 years ago, when I waddled down through Bridge of Allan with my enormous belly. Even though I loved it as a bazillion memories from childhood all came back to me, this time the 2 hours of standing around did me in though and I remember Oma racing up ahead to bring the car down from the University to help me out

*I was smart enough this year to remove the smoke alarms first.

New shoes #startingearly

Fingerling is just starting to take a few unaided steps and so we've moved from her slippers to some soft-soled shoes. Her new shoes. Which she loves. Generally by eating them but also by unsticking the velcro and trying to put them on. Or just walking around admiring them.

Local news #dailybread

She can't walk yet, but she can climb! She can get up this structure and down the slide and then work her way right round and do it again. Although it's much faster when mama helps, which I wasn't doing while I took the picture, hence the grumpy face.

And in other local news, this little fella has just arrived in the park: a rather beautiful specimen of duck I thought to myeslf! Because that's how exciting things get round here....

OECD #recruitment

Every Monday I go to the OECD for my pilates class and it's one of the few things from before babies that I've been able to keep up (especially exercise-related), thanks to the help of many different people. My ex-colleague Michèle kindly watches her for me and gives her lunch while I crunch and stretch. 

Today we arrived a bit early and as it was so cold outside we decided to wait inside and start on lunch. And that's how Fingerling got a couple of job offers :) Keeping it in the family...

The blink of an eye #Dubai

Abu Dhabi is the largest of the seven emirates, but Dubai is the most populous and just over an hour's drive to the north-east. Too close for us to ignore (no surprise). Dubai is probably well known for its standout construction including the Burj Al Arab and the Burj Khalifa (the tallest building in the world), its malls, those famous palm islands, and being the home to a number of England football players.

So for all these reasons we headed instead for the old centre and Dubai Creek, where the Bani Yas tribe settled in the 19th century and established the Al Maktoum dynasty. The creek was first dredged in 1961 to accommodate larger vessels, and pretty much led to the Dubai that we know today. Oil revenues only began to flow in 1969 so before then and still today, 95% of the economy is based on tourism, aviation, real estate and financial services.

Looking from Deira Corniche up the creek

The Deira side of the creek today

A traditional dhow

Fishing vessels

Enjoying the creek from the Dhow

A local beverage: mint and lemonde. Perfect for the low-30s temperatures and 60% humidity

But there's no escaping the malls, even if it's to make use of the air-conditioning while the babies nap. In Dubai Mall, the world's tallest waterfall:

The absolutely amazing aquarium's free-for-all-to-see main water tank

It's huge

And then it was out to the fountains at the base of the Burj Khalifa to watch the evening fountain and light show.

View across the lake

Waiting at sunset

The G-Ks and the Burj Khalifa

The fountain and light show

It was an easy drive home though: get on the 7-lane highway in central Dubai, stay on it, arrive at home in Abu Dhabi. What a brilliant part of the world.