I almost jumped out of my skin upon knowing the news...
AUSTRALIA
15 December 2014 Last updated at 12:03
Sydney siege: Hostages held in Lindt cafe
A gunman is holding staff and customers hostage at
a cafe in Sydney, Australia.
The Lindt cafe in the city centre is surrounded by
armed police. Officers have made contact with the gunman.
Five people have been seen running from the
building. It is not clear how many remain inside. A black Islamic flag has been
displayed at the window.
Prime Minister Tony Abbott said it was
"profoundly shocking" that people were being "held hostage by an
armed person claiming political motivation".
He was speaking after chairing a meeting of the
national security committee in Canberra.
Earlier Mr Abbott said: "Australia is a
peaceful, open and generous society - nothing should ever change that and
that's why I would urge all Australians today to go about their business as
usual."
Sydney
was such a graceful and unique city to me, this year I was kept under extremely
high pressure, either in work or in private. I hate myself complaining, and I usually
hold on until the last moment I freaked out and
catch a flight to fly away....Before my trip to Australia half year ago, there were several
times that I questioned about myself, and I thought I was so close to giving up.
All
of a sudden in the middle of the year (July),
thanks to a budget ticket(HKG-SYD, round-way, fax-included
all-in-400USD), I decided to fly to Sydney to catch a breath. And this was the best decision I've made so far in 2014 (Travels can save your life!). I took a
deep fresh breath, I found my pace and had a blast in Sydney. This city indeed
gave me a lot of fun and unforgettable moments.
Sydney
was so vibrant in a way that it was somehow contradictorily peaceful in its own
style. My mom complained about my solo trip to Phuket, talking about personal
safety, but she was completely easy when I told her I will be going to
Australia alone. And it turned out completely okay, or even greater than what I
expected. In my mind I never intend to "use" my identity (a
solo traveler, a girl, foreigner, whatever) to receive any advantages from the
local people there. As always, I planned my routes, I avoided asking; I tried
not to bother local people as my own travel should only be my own business. But
my last time in SYD it was not happened in that way, not what I've imagined.
This trip in the year was *revolutionary*to me, and that impression lasts long.
For most
of the time I was still alone, however I didn't feel alone at all. At the pier,
an elderly couple waited with me at the 5th wraft to Darling Harbor, just to
ensure a Hong Kong girl took the correct ferry. For my selfie.....After the SYD
airport and got into the city centre, I seldom self-photoed because when I hold
up the camera, very likely the people around would come and take the cam for
me. I bought a ticket to fish market, and looked confused about the ticket (it
was not a usual underground ticket... the train to fish market is on a
light-rail), an old lady just came to me and comforted, "We always buy
it(the ticket) on board...no worries, if your ticket cannot pass the gate, just
insist the magnet inside the ticket is wrong!(or similar meaning)"; At a restaurant
near Bondi beach, I had the difficulty to choose either the veggie or potato
chips, I finally decided one of two and the chef ended up gave me both! and he said I deserved;...on
the other day I ordered more than I could eat, and when I was waiting for my
last dessert with a full stomach, the waiter by miracles came to me and said
"I knew your little stomach cannot hold and I didn't order it for you at
the first place";, I traveled to the Blue Mountain with an incredible guide....You see! My memory of Sydney just slipped out of my typing hands and it is so full of warm
welcome, even I stayed for three to four days only! I strongly recommend any one I know
visiting Sydney, no matter you're my friends or my enemies, just go there and
enjoy what you encounter!
From now on, this news will keep me alerted until it is solved.
The hostages could be any body, could be people at the business building, or
tourists like me wandering around this lovely city. My prayers go to the
families with their beloved one inside the coffee shop, waiting for an
escape or a satisfying solution.
Seriously,
please, no hurts.
Peace
not war. In hopes we pray.
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