Author diaries

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17 November 2003 Entry: "WPI conference"

Hello from Manila, hot, noisy, lush, with the most traffic jams in the world. Cyclists and pedestrians wear masks because the fumes are choking. Poverty and wealth side by side, but Philippinos very friendly and generous.

It’s overwhelming being in a room with women from China, India, Tanzania, Cambodia, Indonesia, Israel, Australia and all telling stories of such power.

The Cambodian woman, through her interpreter tells us after the Khmer Rouge regime there were no writers left. Only two writers exist from the older generation who are now teaching ten younger writers, of whom this woman is one, about the traditions of Cambodian theatre and writing, and how to pass on this to future generations.
The Yorta Yorta from Australia are doing their theatre to demonstrate their fight for the right to aboriginal land ownership.

We were invited for dinner by the Culture Minister in old downtown Manila last night, in the Intramuros (the old walls) very old Spanish feel.

Running our workshop and presenting my play tomorrow - amazing to meet women from Holland who say Poetry Virgins, yes we have your book !
Like being famous !