Sylvia's Journal

Sometimes, when I scan the never-ending flood of email, and I find too many in there that require complex decision making, or that are full of complex human emotions, I have to fight for a moment a wave of despondency. ‘How can we manage all this?’, I wonder, while wanting very badly to run away to a faraway island without internet.

Despite all the rhetoric about work, professionalism, objectivity and not mixing these with the personal, I don’t think I have ever worked in a place where these were as intertwined as multiple strands are in a piece heavy rope. I find myself constantly listening for what is not said but shown on faces or between the lines. It’s an exhausting and difficult practice in this culture that is so different from mine.

Since I will be in Badakhshan for the next three days I am trying to attend to urgent and time sensitive emails, meetings, assignments and other tasks. I am told that I should not count on having an internet connection. So my desire for a faraway island without internet connection will be partially fulfilled.

[This also means a chance of no posts for Monday and Tuesday]