It happens at all levels: individual, family, group, country - one bad thing after another. Now it's ,unfortunately, Egypt's turn. The Suez Canal has been blocked by a cargo ship. If this is not enough, two trains have collided; collision resulting in many casualties.
(It seems rather strange that all this occurs during the time of the Jewish Passover , the feast of the unleavened bread . 'Pesach' celebrates the freedom of the israelites from slavery, and their exodus from ancient Egypt).
I've never been to the Suez CanaI, which connects the Mediterranean Sea with the Red Sea. I have, however, a vague idea of such a canal, since my visit in the past to a more modest and ancient one - the Corinth Canal (Greece) connecting the Mediterranean with the Aegean Sea.
I remember being totally amazed at the narrow passage through which big ships are supposed to make their way. Nowadays, modern ships cannot pass through this canal. I suppose most of the ships using the Corinth Canal are of the touristic kind.
I've never really been to Egypt, our big neighboring country, except for one or two trips to the peninsula Sinai's desert, once under israeli occupation as a result of wars in the region.
Egypt, by the way, is among the countries with an alarming birthrate. Demographics and Pollution are issues which can be successfully solved by those who care for the planet's future, but, except talking, the politicians of the world do nothing pragmatic about that.
All's well that ends well" - according to the latest news, the Suez Canal crisis is almost solved.
The Suez Canal looks like one more infrastructure than needs fixing. It's heartbreaking to hear of the flooding around in the states, too. Now the wind.. yes, such an unnerving time of the year. Oh, such fantastic dresses you wore in those photos!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for you comments in my blog too!
Yes, I think so too. The Suez Canal has probably become small for navigating big naval traffic.
DeleteHeavy rains, flooding, strong winds - are definitely 'not my cup of tea' either.
I hope you have a wonderful April. Things are warming up here. I get my second shot this week. Honestly, I am not looking forward to it, but I must. One co-worker did have a reaction to the first phizer but it lasted just a week of fever and flu like. Another co-worker who got the shot, his roommate just found out he's got COVID..so I am not sure if he'll be able to get his shot or not. Here's to warmer days..but not too warm.
DeleteA wonderful April to you too! Hope all goes well with your second shot. There might be a third dose by end of Fall - so they say.
DeleteI had to read that story today, it seems a bunch of tugboats pulled the ship off to the centre.
ReplyDeleteTugboats are more powerful than waves in displacing and moving ships. Their advantage is that they pack huge power in small size vessels.
DeleteThat ship blocking made big news -- and when you saw video of it -- it was huge! I've never been to any place with a canal like that. It's kind of fascinating. That had to be some big wind to blow that ship off so much.
ReplyDeleteWell, it is big news. The canal is very important to global economy. It is the shortest maritime route from Europe to Asia.
DeleteMaritime export is the cheapest means of transport!
Indeed, these 'man-made' canals are quite fascinating!
I read in the Breaking News about the Suez Canal. It seemed many trades and containers from every where of the worlds got stuck.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful photos, Sinai dessert looks amazing.
Take care, Duta.
True,Evi. The stuck cargo ship has blocked a lot of other cargo ships waiting to move towards their different destinations.
DeleteSinai desert is one of the most interesting and beautiful deserts in the world, according to people who've been to many other deserts.
You are so right, the opoliticians of the world, blowhards, talk big but no nothing about it.
ReplyDeleteYou have had wonderful travel experiences. Love reading baout them.
We've just had general elections. I always go to the nearest polling station to cast my vote, and flow with the other citizens, but from election to election I become more passive or desperate, or both of the campaign and of the results. Sad, very sad.
DeleteOf all the things that can go wrong in our world, I'm sure no one expected a ship so big, big enough, to get stuck in the Suez canal.
ReplyDeleteI gather,a thorough investigation of the incident will follow, in order to prevent future such happenings which could greatly harm Egypt's economy.
DeleteHi Duta, Wow that is something about that news in the area of Egypt during Passover. I hadn`t seen the news, but Glad to hear it is almost solved.
ReplyDeleteYour photos are awesome and anyway perfect for a post during Passover...With the camel and the desert views. Beautiful you in the midst, praise God for He set us free and continues to do so today.
I remember being totally amazed at the narrow passage ... that you wrote, and reminds me that doesn`t Mitzrayim, mean `narrow or restricted?` . May God speak to us if there is something He would like us to see in this news and the timelyness of it at this time of commemorating the freedom through the Red Sea from Egypt. Happy Passover!
What a timing! On March 24 - the announcement of the blockage; on March 26 - eve of Pesach which celebrates the exodus of the Hebrews from Egypt.
DeleteIt started a lot of jokes style: 'Call Moses to split the Red Sea for you, as he did for us, to enable the escape from egyptian slavery'.
Happy Passover to you, too, Shayndel!
The sheer size of these modern container ships is mind-boggling. It is freed now, however, and regular shipping can resume, much to the relief of many. Uncontrolled population growth, rampant pollution and corrupt politicians are a sure recipe for disaster. Will people recognize it and change? Of course not!
ReplyDeleteI couldn't have put it better: "uncontrolled population growth, rampant pollution and corrupt politicians..".
DeleteNothing good can ever come out of that.
Thankfully I think it is now un-stuck!
ReplyDeleteThank you for your photographs, and sharing your travels.
All the best Jan
Yes, the traffic at the canal has, thankfully, resumed its normal flow. Hopefully,this kind of blockage won't occur again.
DeleteYou're welcome, Jan, to view and enjoy my(past) photos and travels.
That was quite the mess. I like the travel photos!
ReplyDeleteYou could say that again: "quite the mess".
DeleteBetween the two of us: I Like the photos too. Then, in real time, I hated them. I was full of criticism at myself, at the surrounding nature,at the places of visit, etc..
Now, under the circumstances - my advanced age and covid-19, I'll take some of the past with both hands.
I heard yesterday that the cargo ship isn't blocking the canal anymore. I liked your photos.
ReplyDeleteThat's good news for all the parties involved: the ships and their owners, Egypt, the countries awaiting the cargo, the consumers of the goods in the containers, the canal and its administration etc..
DeleteThe main thing - there were no casualties, as far as I know.
It is good that the Suez Canal is once again unblocked. With the size of the tankers of today it is fortunate more accidents such as this one don't occur.
ReplyDeleteTake good care, DUTA. :)
I share your concern; the blockage is a warning, a red light. The canal is probably not fit anymore for all those huge tankers of today.
DeleteJust a quick comment, Duta, as most others have already made ones I concur with, such as the size of these container ships vs. the seemingly small canal size. I will ad that perhaps something will be done to either widen the canal or to place some sort of restrictions on container ships - both of which would most likely be hard to accomplish and perhaps unlikely too.
ReplyDeleteI totally agree with your opinion: either widen the canal or impose restrictions on the size of ships. Both being hard to accomplish, the neighboring countries with access to the Red Sea are also making plans...
DeleteComplicated, indeed. They say, the factor to be blamed for it, is the Canal's Authority and Administration. The incident requires a thorough investigation and clear conclusions.
ReplyDeleteso amazing photos:) and this place:)
ReplyDeleteThanks, Kathy. The Sinai desert and the Corinth Canal were amazing places! I hope they still are, as Man has a habit of destroying beautiful places.
Delete