Publication Month
- April 2024
- February 2024
- January 2024
- November 2023
- April 2022
- March 2022
- January 2022
- November 2021
- October 2021
- September 2021
- July 2021
- June 2021
- November 2019
- October 2019
- May 2019
- November 2018
- April 2018
- February 2018
- January 2018
- November 2017
- June 2017
- March 2017
- January 2017
- September 2016
- August 2016
- July 2016
- May 2016
- March 2016
- December 2015
- November 2015
- September 2015
- August 2015
- July 2015
- June 2015
- March 2015
- February 2015
- January 2015
- December 2014
- November 2014
- October 2014
- September 2014
- August 2014
- July 2014
- June 2014
- May 2014
- April 2014
- March 2014
- February 2014
- January 2014
- December 2013
- November 2013
- October 2013
- September 2013
- August 2013
- June 2013
- May 2013
- April 2013
- February 2013
- January 2013
- December 2012
- November 2012
- October 2012
- September 2012
- August 2012
- July 2012
- June 2012
- May 2012
- April 2012
- March 2012
- February 2012
- January 2012
- December 2011
- November 2011
- October 2011
- September 2011
- July 2011
- June 2011
- May 2011
- April 2011
- March 2011
- February 2011
- January 2011
- December 2010
- November 2010
- October 2010
- September 2010
Routine
A couple is giving a final touch to their sunburn reading a book under the sun while children are playing around the pool. I'm reading my 5th book of this break and my legs are sore, thanks to 3 days walking/bicycling around temples (strangely always hidden on top of a hill with 5 billion steps...). It feels great. I walk and read to compensate all what I haven't while in Yemen but for once, I don't do the same with food and drinks (especially with drinks).After almost 8 years working as a "humanitarian", these breaks have become a routine, although I keep improving them, detaching myself further and faster of the previous months. I now frequently wake up, not sure of where exactly I am, between Yemen, Djibouti, Sri Lanka, Thailand or somewhere in Europe. But I start missing a routine. A cafe where to read the news or a favorite restaurant with a waiter knowing my name.Few months ago and for the first time in 8 years, I spent 3 consecutive weeks at the same place, sleeping in the same bed. With a longer break in the coming months, maybe now is finally the time to work on a place I could really call mine.
P.S: Tomorrow, Nourane will have been missing for 8 months. 8 fucking months...
Namaste
End of mission. No sniper, no airstrike, no shelling, no kidnapping, no responsibility. A long break to empty my mind, stretch my body and discover something new.And then arrives Nice, and then Turkey. And while I feel deeply sorry for the victims and their families, I can not help but getting annoyed by the reactions, once again. Indeed, it seems that the truck also drove over the French media's deontology and people's brain. Pathetic and unfortunately an increasing trend around the world. But well... let's focus on my breathing and get angry another time. Namaste.
Celebration
This blog has always been first about pictures and then text (and sharing my thoughts). But the past months have been rather poor in pictures, with an environment and a work in Yemen not exactly encouraging me to go out and to capture moments.Today, for the first time in a year, I discovered a place I didn't know before and where I could take pictures without jeopardizing my work (and security).I would lie saying it didn't feel great to try to capture something special, making something mine.
Intrinsic Rules
No new music purchased, no new picture taken (at the exception of some quick Instagram shots). The previous 4 months have been a bit exceptional, with a particularly heavy workload and some unpleasant situations to deal with. For a few days in Djibouti, I suddenly realize how much I miss playing with my camera, trying to show the world around me in a different way..
A year ago, a break between 2 missions made me realize that some adjustments were needed in my life, to find a better inner balance. Maybe now is the time to continue working on it, a bit harder.
Resistance
When people talk about the 2nd World War and about resistance, many are sure that they would have been a great resistant, hiding weapons and Jews in their cave and fighting the Nazism, putting their life at risk.But today, when refugees, fleeing the war in Syria, are trying to enter Europe, it seems that many of the same people consider that their country is not in a position to welcome anyone and that it doesn’t concern them. “We are facing enough problems in our own country not to have to deal with the rest of the world” they say.Hypocrisy? Maybe. It certainly is easier to dream of being a hero than to actually accept the related risks to being one. Ignorance? More certainly, when people do not understand the difference between migrants and refugees or consider that all Muslims behead Christians for brunch over weekend.When Hitler was elected, people thought he would be able to solve their problems. Easy comparison maybe, but before voting for your favorite candidate, maybe ask yourself if the problem is really one, or if someone isn’t just playing with your fears. Maybe the world is not that black and white after all.It certainly never has been easier to access information and to try to understand the world surrounding us. But that requires curiosity and to accept to challenge our pre-conceptions, without being naïve neither. The new definition of a Resistant, maybe.
Inspiration
One week in Perpignan, for the traditional photo festival Visa pour l'Image, admiring the inspiring work of great photojournalists and improving my understanding of the world, in its best and worst aspects.Back at the office, the portraits of two of my colleagues stand next to a condolence book. Another source of motivation. We better have to be outstanding now...
Grandpa
One of the beauty of working with a humanitarian organisation is that it gives you tons of stories to tell to your future grandchildren.The problem is that it also makes you question the idea of raising children in a world like this.Or, maybe more optimistically, it makes you wonder what kind of grand father that would make you, sharing those stories with them... ;-)
But don't think it makes me reconsider my career choice (or blame my grandpa)... quite the opposite.
Chronicle of a Sunset
Life is hard
And so am i
You’d better give me something
So i don’t die
Novocaine for the soul
Before i sputter out
…
Intifada
The room smells like books (Wonderland, At War) while Chet Faker is competing surprisingly well against an inspired Bonobo (listen to the last minutes). I feel my heart beat slowing down.My two phones have been switched off, new symbol of a laissez aller, encouraging my brain to let go and to enjoy the fresh breeze. I wish I could be dancing in a cold fjord.After 3 months and 7 days, my plane-free detox stopped, with a return to Europe announcing the beginning of a new mission. I am, finally, going to Yemen.And the music get louder…