Ceci n'est pas un blog

Every year the Nobel Prizes are awarded in Stockholm in a variety of fields from literature to economics. All but one. When Afred Nobel set up the awards given in his name, he specifically asked Norway to select and deliver the Nobel Peace Prize even though all the others are granted by a deliberative body in Sweden. He was not explicit about why he made this choice but one theory is that it was the Swedes who made cannons using his dynamite technology and he was making a statement that this was not acceptable and he would not entrust the Peace Prize to his countrymen.

This year the Peace Prize went to Muhammad Yunus and the organization he founded, The Grameen Bank. This is an excellent organization who pioneered micro credit. Their model has been adopted by micro-credit banks around the world. Grameen initially and primarily funds women who make less than $100 per year with unsecured loans to start a small business. They have to report regularly and are given some coaching in the management of their money. Many of the women, who primarily come from rural villages, found that simply buying a cell phone and renting time on it to other villagers without access to a phone has been a successful enterprise. Interestingly it has also helped village commerce since farmers are now able to find out the price of their commodities in other areas in real time.

As one woman explained to a Bangladeshi reporter, every year the people of Oslo hold a torch-light procession and gather in front of the Grand Hotel to let the winner know that the people support the choice and support the winner. Sometimes, she said, not everyone agrees and the people will gather somewhere else to protest the committee's decision. Karla pointed out that this can be a lot of fun. And so Sunday night, I ambled down to the Grand to get a glimpse of the action. I've put up a new album of pics from the experience.

Arriving early, I saw Mr. Yunus arrive by police escorted limo and take time to shake hands with the well wishers clustered around the doors. As the procession was not due for some time, I ambled over to the open air ice skating and along the main pedestrian street, half hoping to find the parade at it's start. I did manage to catch it en route and joined the crowd for the walk and in applauding the laureate and his wife when they emerged onto the lower balconey of the hotel. He was visibly moved by the tribute. Since the Grameen Bank is run by the very people it helps, several of the so-called phone ladies are on the board and I believe it was these women who joined him on the terrace, waving and smiling at the crowd who cheered him and sang songs.

Like the woman interviewed for Bangladeshi TV said, "this year, everyone agrees it was a good choice."

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On a radically different note, although not a discordant one, I am thrilled and nervous and as happy as a Hokkaido snow monkey in a thermal spring. Tomorrow is Family Reunification Day! My wife and kidlet arrive in Norway at long last and I am just bursting to see them. It's been over 10 weeks since I left little miss H. crying at the Houston airport. She is growing up and understands that we will see eachother soon but she has been worried that Santa may not be able to find her because of the move. We will surely convince her otherwise :). I'm taking Thursday away from the office in order to orient them in the town. Hopefully the sunshine will hold and they will be able to see their sparkling new home in its best light.

The old house is just about completely vacated, our belongings are either stored, sold, or on their way by land and by sea. Once we sell the old casita in Texas, the move will truly be complete.