Listen to the Heartbeat.

Listening to foreign news programs is great to familiarise the ear to the sounds and flow of another language and has sometimes given insights into the content of the broadcasts. A certain fondness has arisen for the Russian news reports all hard and stern and then to look and not just listen, and find a heartwarming cat rescue or helping disadvantaged people story. Interest is piqued and prompts further investigation into what may be happening in the countries we will be visiting. Are there floods, fires, strikes or festivals? Is there an axe murderer on the loose or places to avoid? What are the people having to endure or enjoy?

Paris is in Paris along with other famous people. She has rented a seriously expensive apartment. Some singer (Beyonce?) has renewed some vows in the city of romance, but there is also bleaker news. Body bits and canals are featured. Must avoid canals. Public transport further east is praised, looking good for our eastern bloc travel as it will all be public. The British news is royal in England - all fuss and fluster and frantic anticipation of the wedding. Faded confetti in the gutter may be our only reminder by the time we get there. None of that such nonsense fanfared in Scotland and Ireland. Corrupt and clean government features first and foremost. Green is the colour of one such flag and party interest. Apparently clean and green - or cleaner than the rest. There is a really expensive road that leads to nowhere and nary a sign to warn you. The murders, neglect and spouse assaults are everythere - all shocking and would be foreign, except we have our share and all too close to home.

The ebbs and flows of all our lives laid bare in one such shape or form. The glossy picture postcards seem a little less likely - as if we live that here. What postcard would you have to represent your life - the best, the real or just a little of what might be nice? What news would you project from heart and head and mind? Does the snippet really represent a fact or send us wide off course? The news it seems reflects the line that must and should be drawn. The mothers, fathers, friends and foes have feelings and beliefs held dear that echo over miles and mountains, oceans, seas that resonate with us. Some same, some strange but common ground be found in sensational, serious, strange and silly. We draw it out and sing it loud to keep the keel a-steady and rock and roll between the waves and try to ride the current. The effort such extends ourselves and sends the pulses racing, and so much so, we hear all too clear, the echo of our heartbeat.