Everyone is responsible to everyone for everything

  Geneva, Switzerland
Tuesday, September 4, 2007

"Everyone is responsible to everyone for everything."

This is written in stone on a wall at the entrance of the Red Cross museum in Geneva.  The first thing you see though, is this amazing sculpture called "The Petrified" symbolising the violation of human rights.

It is difficult not to be affected by the images and messages that are presented at the museum.  It is a real mix of showing the extrordinary endeavours of individuals and the Red Cross to care for people caught up in a natural disaster or war, and the absurdity of war.

I also felt a sense of pride because of the huge contribution that nurses make to the Red Cross effort. But most of all I felt incredibly sad to witness what human beings do to one another.  I had to sit in the garden for a while after I left the museum, have a little cry and a little think.  Now usually when I do this, I end up needing to write something, just whatever comes out...  And so I did.  Since you're with me on this journey, I will share it with you...

"People, human - all with hearts.  Where are they?  These hearts.... These minds that seem to forget over and over again that destroying each other fixes nothing.  They must have forgotton that they are human.  Because if they remembered, they would know that they only need look into the eyes, see the smile and feel the touch  of the children of their so called enemies to find the happiness they seek."

On the walk to the Red Cross,  you pass the United Nations.  And right across the road from there is another amazing sculpture.  A HUGE chair with one leg splintered and damaged.  It's there as part of the campaign against landmines.

After that, I went off to see Julie-Anne at work.  She works at a UN agency that supports developing countries to succeed in exporting.  She's working on a project with Pakistan.  Anyway...from there we whipped across the border to France to the supermarket.  Then home for happy hour and another gourmet meal cooked by Julie-Anne.  AND...I got to catch a glimpse of Coro!  Yes, the latest...looks like our Ashley has got himself into a bit of a pickle and Gail's David as sneaky as ever..Hayley having to face up to some home truths from the time when she was Harold.  I'll say no more...

A beintot!

Sue
xxx