Af-riikka

Incredibly enough, I'm now in midway of my New York experience. Although tomorrow marks the beginning of my 7th week at the UN, I still have difficulties telling people what I'm exactly working on there. The work part will most likely be easiest to wrap up after I've finished my internship, so that will have to wait. But something I would like to share at this point are my musical encounters here in New York. I will just list them here, by date, place and performer, with a few comments on each of them and links (MySpace or homepages), if available. Tue 30th September, Garage restaurant (West Village): un-known jazz band. My first live music experience in New York was in this restaurant/bar offering free jazz concerts every night. Not bad. I liked the atmosphere (not too classy, not too hipster); the band whose name I have already forgotten played enjoyable jazz, nothing too unique, but just nice. Wed 1st October, Drom (East Village): Ansambl Mastika & Watcha Clan. One...

Oh well, I'll just continue with the topic of politics. Besides the economic crisis, there is obviously another main topic in the news here - and all over the world - The Elections, with only three weeks to go. It annoys me a little bit that I'm here, in the heartland of the Obama zone with no real competition from McCain, which makes discussions quite boring. As for the campaign paraphernalia, Harlem is definitely the ultimate place for Obama-shopping, you can find practically everything around the 125th street... Particularly Sarah Palin is relentlessly mocked in the NY free newspapers (yes, unfortunately I don't have time to read the NY Times during my subway ride to work, so I must content myself with the free ones) - but you've surely had the chance to read all about her in Finnish or whatever countries' newspapers. It seems that the US elections are perhaps even more passionately followed abroad, or at least Obama is embraced with an amazing fervour. I attende...

Finally, a short report on the meeting with H.E., the President Ahmadinejad of Iran. Him being labelled after Osama bin Laden as the most dangerous enemy of the USA, I have to say I was quite surprised when all UN interns (we are 270 or so in the fall) were invited for a "friendly meeting" with Ahmadinejad. After all, he is commonly being referred to as "terrorist", and even liberal newspapers in New York were comparing him with Hitler - no doubt because of his anti-Zionist leanings. So, there we went, to the glistening Manhattan breakfast room of Grand Hyatt hotel, to enjoy our free pastries, cakes and fruits and eventually to listen to the distinguished guests addressing us. Besides UN interns, there were also other (American) students who looked ridiculously young and asked somewhat silly questions during the discussion part. I'd estimate that we were around 400-500. The event began with several hig-level people, Iranians or affiliated with Iran, speaking. Th...