Global conversations
“Why am I doing this?” I ask. There’s no-one listening of course – it’s a private conversation with myself, the sort that people running on their own often have I suppose. My legs have turned to warm lumps of tissue paper, my lungs heave and burn like bellows cast into a fire, and I’m sure I have an aneurism somewhere waiting to go. As if this wasn’t enough, I’m now … Read more »Running Commentary
Her name was Bimla… I think. It has been 26 years since I saw her so my memory may have distorted the truth. What I am certain of is her image – high cheek bones, deep hazel eyes, pure skin, long dark hair. She wore a green sari with gold trim and worn sandals. She was soft spoken with head usually bowed a little, and her steps were small and … Read more »International Women’s Day – Remembering Bimla
As January ends, it is already too late for discussion of new year’s resolutions. For many of us, the quickly laid plans for health and financial prudence have already slipped away. But a recent collection of disparate events, which reminded me how fortunate I am to be doing this job, also left me with a thought I will try to recall at least once a month for the rest of … Read more »Dickens, Dancing and Development
There’s a Chinese proverb that says: “When the wind of change blows, some build walls while others build windmills.” It reminds me of Darwin’s theory which states that it is the best adapted of the species that survives. Every change to the context of our existence provides an opportunity to flourish or the potential to wither. I tend to think the world is in a constant state of flux anyway, … Read more »Walls and Windmills
Our twin-prop airplane cut through low cloud and descending darkness, to touch down in Prince Rupert. Having reclaimed our bags from a hole in a wall we boarded a shuttle bus, wound our way along a black forest-lined road, drove onto a slothful ferry, and were finally off-loaded in a deserted street in the middle of town. A light shone from the National car hire office nearby, so I entered … Read more »Northern Paradox
I have loved the James Bond movies since I was seven: the lone man fighting for a just cause, willing to sacrifice himself for what he believes; the distant and exotic foreign worlds, filled with mountain peaks and tropical forests; the deadly animals and deadlier villains; the even more exotic women – my goodness; and the humour, dry and understated – shaken not stirred. Which young boy wouldn’t want to … Read more »Shaken Not Stirred
Only a few weeks ago I settled into my new office at the UK Consulate General. In addition to the usual desk, chair, IT and telephony, it’s home to a struggling Yucca that I will doubtless see to a drawn-out dehydrated death, a framed painting of Her Majesty the Queen, and a corner window overlooking downtown Vancouver. It’s a five minute walk to almost anywhere – Canada Place, The Vancouver … Read more »Inside out
Rupert Potter has served as British Consul General in Vancouver since July 2012.