With the tension at the Copenhagen climate conference so thick you could slice it with a slab of melting Arctic ice, I decided today would be a fine one to check out the meditation and prayer room. Tucked off the buzzing main hall, it's a spartan and serene white room with a few plants and a sign telling you to take off your shoes.
I sat down in a corner and observed the cross-section of cultures around me. A woman wearing a heard scarf was kneeling on her colorful prayer rug, just next to another woman meditating in a cross-legged position. A group of suited men were reciting prayers diagonally in the corner. And others were simply sprawled out on their backs, worn out—one guy was even heavily snoring.
But the peaceful feeling didn't persist. About an hour later, I walked right into a sit-in in the center of the main hall. Protesters were sitting in a circle demanding a legally binding climate legislation, surrounded by at least a dozen TV journalists. Before long the police were forcibly dragging them out by the arms, amid cries of "the world is watching!"
More protests—and several hundred arrests—occurred outside the conference center and around the city today in the driving snow. Tomorrow and Friday it will be even harder to get into the conference center as more heads of state arrive and security gets tighter. As of today nations were still deadlocked on the climate deal—what the U.N. is calling an "unexpected stop."
In general, just getting into the conference center each day feels like a small miracle. I had waited outside for more than three hours on Monday morning to get my press badge, as did thousands of others—many of whom, including speakers, weren't so lucky.
For instance, I stopped by the U.S. delegation tent this afternoon to hear National Geographic magazine photographer James Balog discuss his extreme-ice photographs—only to find out that Balog had been denied entrance. I wonder how many other folks have been left literally out in the cold this week.
—Christine Dell'Amore
What Others Had to Say
Added by The Window Man on December 17, 2009
I would love to experience these flows energy. I bet this is a "crazy" yet "world changing" experience. Let us hope all of this talk leads to progress.
"I am here to serve."
The Window Man
Added by CaHomesMark on January 20, 2010
i would like to be a part of it,I'm here to serve
Ca Homes For Sale
Ca Foreclosures
Ca Mortgage
Added by Linda on June 2, 2010
It sounds hard. I feel how heavy it would have been there for you. However lets hope for a good conclusion.
Chicago Movers
Added by somedays on June 7, 2010
Looking For Cheap and Discount Gucci Handbag or Wallet? Gucci Handbag Sale is your best Gucci Bag provider. Gucci bags
tiffany jewellery Ed Hardy Clothing Ed Hardy Clothing Gucci handbags
Added by Fabio Dantas on June 12, 2010
I like very much this article! thank you!
descontos . blog do fabio . famosas
Added by John on July 1, 2010
Of course a hard one to feel as it sound. I wish everything would be alright soon.
san Francisco movers
Added by Microsoft Office 2007 on July 16, 2010
Microsoft Office 2007
Office 2007 Professional
Office 2007 Ultimate
Office Professional 2007
Office Ultimate 2007
Office 2007 key
Office 2007 enterprise
MS Office 2007
Office 2007 pro
Windows 7 Home Premium
Windows 7 Professional
Added by laixuehui on July 19, 2010
Paul Pierce Shoes
Tim Duncan Shoes
Tracy McGrady shoes
Jason Frederick Kidd Shoes
Tony Parker Shoes
Kevin Durant shoes
Penny Hardaway Shoes
Carmelo Anthony shoes