Getting Away fromTornadoes

As those who keep an eye on news know, Indonesia seems to be in the process of making its case for being the most naturally dangerous land on Earth. As I have begun to research the archipelago's history, I am coming to the conclusion that things have always been this way. One phrase that fits into most recent stories somewhere in the initial two paragraphs is "located on what is known as the 'ring of fire' ..." So, how does one remain calm while accepting that one's new home is liable to shake violently sometimes? The answer: by not thinking about it, and by drinking lots of Sumatran coffee. If I'm always shaking, I figure that tectonic upheavals will be less jarring--I may come to look forward to them, or perhaps not.

A few good questions have been posed to me recently. One, how did the Dutch manage to be a global player in the age of colonization? I don't really know, and will do some research on this. Aside from holding Indonesia, of course, the Dutch had early footprints in New York (once New Amsterdam, why'd they change it? The English liked it better that way.) The Dutch also took South Africa and we all know the wonderful things they did there. The Portuguese ruled Malaysia and Formosa (now Taiwan), not to mention a large part of South Africa. These tiny nations had successful navies and the money to colonize, but they also had the very large companies. Indonesia was known for years as the Dutch East Indies--the west Indies located in the Carribean--very far away; so there was global reach. If anyone wants to take the time to do some research regarding this issue and inform me, I'd be ever so grateful.