A Brit Abroad

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My name is Terry and I'm a 50 something year old dis-enchanted ex-pat Brit living in Cyprus. Why am I dis-enchanted? You'll find reasons enough throughout my tumble log, along with quirky items that amused me and things I think need highlighting, and occasional quotes from some of my favourite novels. Oh, and maybe some original work of my own.

For my personal family blog please visit me at
A Mediterranean Sunset

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CARE: Defending dignity. Fighting poverty.


Sat Dec 31

Happy New Year from a lonely Karachi hotel room

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Sat Dec 10
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thealeafherbivore:

jalibella:

Heartbreaking… and that this post only has 8 notes, speak volumes about some people’s mentality on Tumblr. Ignorance is bliss.
It saddens the shit outta me too!

This is a fucked up world we live in.

I’m losing the will to live

thealeafherbivore:

jalibella:

Heartbreaking… and that this post only has 8 notes, speak volumes about some people’s mentality on Tumblr. Ignorance is bliss.

It saddens the shit outta me too!

This is a fucked up world we live in.

I’m losing the will to live

(Source: ouch-charliee, via eddyizm)

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Tue Dec 6

One Week in Karachi

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT INCIDENTS

Karachi Incidents (From the British Consulate Security Bulletin this week)

 25 Nov 11 – North Karachi: Two persons were shot dead in separate incidents of targeted killings by armed assailants.

 25 Nov 11 – Korangi: In a robbery, Cash carry car of a security company was interrupted by a motorcyclist and accomplices in a follow up car. They took away Rs 15 million after killing one of the guards of cash car.

 25 Nov 11 – Hassan Square: A gang of robbers looted Rs 4.4 million from a bank after making the staff hostages on gun point.

 26 Nov 11 – Ibrahim Haideri: Two fishermen lost their lives in a dispute over money in Ibrahim Haideri area.

 26 Nov 11 – Airport: A small airplane of Schon air made crash landing in Malir area in a ground.

 27 Nov 11 – Lines Area: A Naib Qasid of city courts was gunned down by unknown near his home.

 27 Nov 11 – Numaish Chowrangi: In a sectarian violence the religious gathering of Shia sect was attacked and two scout volunteers were killed outside the congregation. The incident sparked violence resulting in burning of 40 motorcycles and 5 cars in different part of city. Shia leaders are protesting.

 28 Nov 11 – Gulshan e Iqbal: Two MQM workers from Gilgit area were shot dead. Their bodies were found in block 4.

 28 Nov 11- Karachi: Two young men were killed by firing in different parts of the city.

 29 Nov 11- Korangi: Car owner and a passer bye were shot dead on resisting car jacking

 29Nov 11- Nagan Chowrangi: Police and Rangers rounded up many suspects from a mosque.

 29 Nov 11- Artillery Maidan: Special Investigation Unit of Police arrested Five persons belonging to banned outfit of JundUllah. Maps of Central Prison and arms / ammunntion were also recovered.

 30 Nov 11: Orangi Town : A Police Sub Inspector was shot dead near him.

 30 Nov 11: Orangi Town: Police recovered a large number of arms / ammunition and explosive hidden buried in a grave yard.

 01 Dec 11: Nazimabad : A bank was robbed on gun point. Dacoits walked away with 5.3 million.

 01 Dec 11: SITE Area: CID Police claims to have arrested two target killers from SITE and also recovered weapon and ammunition from them.

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A little over half way through through the job here now and man I am getting SO FUCKING DEPRESSED!!!

I travel between a hotel room and a training centre just 500 mtrs away but I have a vehicle pick me up with an armed escort. I can’t go out like a normal person because it really isn’t safe. When I’m not at work I stare at the same four walls of my hotel room and wish my life away. The TV service is crap and the internet service even worse. I’m even running out of books.

My reward for all of this? A client who can’t even be arsed to sign my timesheet and expenses in a timely manner so that I can even get paid. It seems that being paid is an optional extra as far as they’re concerned.

In fairness, the ordinary people here, the hotel staff and the guys from PIA are great. I just wish I could say the same for the arseholes back in the UK. I’m hanging on because at nearly 58 years old and working in such a specialised field I’m going to find alternate work somewhat more difficult to come by and if I can make it to the end of this job then maybe it won’t matter. 

But I’m getting close to walking away. 

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Tue Nov 29
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Fri Nov 25
gotraveling:

Karachi, Pakistan

Where exactly? I’ve now been in Karachi for 7 weeks and I’ve yet to see this. 

gotraveling:

Karachi, Pakistan

Where exactly? I’ve now been in Karachi for 7 weeks and I’ve yet to see this. 

(via the-sexpat-life)

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sowideasea:

hippity-hoppity-brigade:

canaderp:

youthiswasted:

Emotionally intense images of retired Philadelphia police captain Ray Lewis - who has joined the #OccupyWallStreet protests - being arrested by the NYPD.

Captain Lewis has been outspoken against the NYPD’s wrongful use of violence against peaceful protesters.

From what I have seen, Ray Lewis’ conduct defines honor, bravery, and dignity.

There is a media blackout on images of his participation in the protest, and on his arrest:

crosscrowdedrooms:

It’s proved impossible for me to get this shot of former Philadelphia Police Cpt. Ray Lewis being arrested, published anywhere.  I was adamantly rebuffed by the Philadelphia Inquirer, NYT, local NY papers, and Newsweek, before even looking at the photograph.  One of the only published photos of this paradoxical and intense event is located here at the NYC Observer:

http://www.observer.com/2011/11/former-philadelphia-police-captain-ray-lewis-arrested-ows/

His face is almost scarily serene, even as he looks right into the camera.

Reblogging not necessarily for the arrest, but for the media’s refusal to cover it. That is not how journalism works.

Welcome to media in the US.

Welcome to human rights in the US

(via the-sexpat-life)

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Wed Nov 23

Shots fired outside the hotel this morning. Scary

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Mon Nov 21
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