Yes, Baron, we have an Air Force

Yes, there is the Swiss Air Force.


We manufacture aircraft. They are called "Pilatus". Our air force pilots get trained in them. And these planes are sold to foreign countries to train their pilots. Sometimes, they modify them and use them for warfare. And then we get blamed.


We aslo have jet figthers to defend us against the bad guys. But I guess we have to figure out, these days, who they might be.


We have helicopters. Often they are used in humanitarian actions like in the Balkans or to help friendly countries like Portugal in combatting forest fires.


We have jet airliners to transport our ministers and high government officials.


And we have these crazy "Magnificient men in their flying machines" from the "Patrouille Suisse"taking our breath away when they perform at air shows. And they are as good, if not better, than "Patrouille de France", "Blue Arrows" or "Frecce Tricolore".

We are a small country, but we have a great Air Force

Baron (and others), I had to post this.

My son just sent me this photo.


Airbus A380, the "monster beauty" flying over the Swiss Alps when it came for tests to Geneva and Zurich. And of course, we Swiss love Airbus. That is why we sent a jet of the Swiss Air Force to protect this beautiful aircraft.

Qatar Airways

I am sorry, it is again about airplanes and airlines. But I have to write about it. About Qatar Airways. They say that they are the 5 Star Airline. I am always intrigued by their ads on CNN and other channels. Particularely the one where you see only half of a flight attendants face. With green eyes. It makes you think of many things. And I was eager to meet this lady. So far, I have not met her yet. I have been though flying Qatar Airways quite often. So, there might be a chance to see her.


I found Qatar Airways very convenient for me. The connection between Geneva and Colombo via Doha is good. And if you don't mind spending a few hours at Doha airport between two airplanes, you get real good fares. I made Colombo - Geneva and back in economy class for less than 1'000 dollars. And it is 11 hours to fly, one way. And flying with them suits me fine. With Emirates I have to fly to Zurich and then it is still far to reach my home. And Lufthansa does not fly to Sri Lanka.


And of course, I am flying in an Airbus. Basically it is a A330 and the cabin is very comfortable and what I appreciate is the leg room between the seat rows. A few inches more than you find on other airlines. And the service is great; food is delicious and it is definitely one of the best economy classes you can find.


Last week I experienced for the first time the "World's Leading Business Class". Let me tell you: It was simply First Class. I could go into much details to explain everything to you. Perhaps, one day I will write a hour by hour diary of a Qatar Airways flight. Just one example: When I requested a whisky, I could choose from 6 different brands. I took a Jack Daniels.


Food in business is royal and in economy class very good and tasty. You have though be careful. A year ago, I received some undefinable, boring and even tasteless food. And yet, it was presented to me by the attendant with a nice smile. And on the box was a sticker saying "Qatar Airways is pleased to present your special meal". I did not finish it. But all this is my fault. Because when I made my online booking I came to the "choice of meal" page. And found a long list of meals you could select. I did not want kasher food or vegetarian food. I simply wanted a normal meal. And I looked and found something which later proofed that my English still is not perfect: "The Bland Meal". I ticked this box and today my English is better. This meal is just things cooked in water, without spices or condiments. For people who cannot eat salt or fat or any of the nice things in food. A bitter lesson learnt for me. And I found out that if you want the normal meal, you don't tick anything in that list.


So, flying Qatar Airways has been a beautiful experience. That is why I joined the Privilege Club, their frequent flyer programme. Because I am going to fly with them more and more. Because they are more than a 5 Star Airline. They are heaven in the sky.

The suffering of people

Again, people are suffering. The terrible earthquake in Haiti has destroyed a lot. But the international community will be present to rebuild the place. But the people are suffering. They have lost their family members. As the death toll is high (some advance a figure of 200'000), almost everybody will have lost a dear one. Or more. What ever will be done for them, it will take a very long time to heal the wounds.


The war is finished in Sri Lanka and a lot of efforts are made to "repair" the past. The traces of the suffering may be wiped out slowly. But it will still take time for wounds to heal. Many people still suffer.


In Darfur the situation is locked. No chance yet for wounds to heal. And the people suffer still.


In November 2004 I was in Ivory Coast. Because of the trouble there, the international community organised repatriation flights. Switzerland joined the effort and we went and evacuated 150 people with a chartered aircraft. We brought them to safety. But I know their suffering did not end with this.


I went to assess the forest fires in Portugal to see if there is help that could be given to the population. Luckily enough there were no casualties. But many village people suffered because they lost everything; their farms, their shops, they had no more existence.


The wars in the Balkans were terrible. I spent a long time in Kosovo trying with my colleagues to attenuate the suffering of the people. The task was enormous and perhaps we did succeed, at least a bit.

Would I not have been "programmed" to return back to Sri Lanka, I might now have been sent to Haiti to help.

I have mentionned a few of the disasters where I was directly involved. But of course, there was the Tsunami, the quake in Indonesia, the inundations of Myanmar, hurricane Katharina or the terrible situations in Pakistan and Afghanistan.

Without being cynical, all these happenings make that we, the aid workers, never run out of a job. Each single one, with his contribution, makes that things can become better for people and perhaps, only perhaps, their suffering disappears one day. Please have a thought for the aid workers.

But better, and if you can, please donate to the agencies which are involved in aid work. Every dollar is welcome. There are dozens of them. Here is a list of recommended agencies. Of course, it is not exhaustive:

World Food Programme
Oxfam International
Doctors without borders
CARE International
World Vision

And of course, there are the national Red Cross institutions which will also accept donations. In many of your countries you also have specific organisations like "Swiss Labor Aid" in Switzerland, "Solidarités" in France, "German Agro Action" in Germany, "Relief International" in the USA.

I am sure you will find an agency that you will like.

2'880 minutes

That's it. I am off.


I am offline for 2'880 minutes or 48 hours.

I will be struggling with tighened airport security at departure. But this will be made up with friendly immigration and customs officials on arrival in Sri Lanka.

Meanwhile, at 10'000 meters altitude, I will be thinking of you whilst I enjoy my "whisky with some ice, please".

See you soon and take care.

All is well

My left hand is progressing very well and almost healed (99 percent). From time to time a minor "gust" of pain (not severe) for a few seconds. My doctor is pleased and the more so me. Because there are people (the one's who retired me) who don't believe in my retirement and they are sending me back to the World Food Programme for another tour of duty.


I am ok, I am ready to go. Last week I picked up my field equipment and I had to make another security training. Well, with all that is going on in this world, refresher courses are most welcome.


I am leaving next Friday. From Geneva to Colombo via Doha. With lovely Qatar Airways. With a lovely Airbus 330 (Hello Baron). In business class. Because I am travelling far, I get this benefit when going on mission.

And who knows, perhaps I will finally meet the lovely flight attendant with the green eyes. The one they advertise on CNN all the time.

Jazz on the 5th, Nr. 20

Since I have started posting jazz videos, I played mostly music from the "mainstream" period. This time we go back to my year of birth, 1943. A great video from the master of jazz, Duke Ellington. Not much to say about this giant of American music. Interesting to note the violin, an instrument that did not really make it into jazz music, with a very few exceptions.

A new year ahead

The official picture of the Swiss Government. The lady with the beige coat is our President.