The Notes from Angelina Jolie’s Travels

After reading Bianca's blog, I searched for a copy of Angelina Jolie's book, Notes from My Travels. For me, she's blessed to be the Goodwill Ambassador for UNCHR (UN High Commissioner for Refugees. And I'm glad I've read parts of her journey to Africa, Cambodia, Pakistan and Ecuador.

Her mission to Africa:

"At lunchtime, I went to a small market to buy some local crafts. While standing in one place too long my ankles began to itch. They were being bitten by bugs so small I couldn't even see them. In some areas the smell was rancid. I felt sick. The strength of survival here is amazing to me. They don't complain. They don't even beg. Contrary to our image of this country, its people are civilized, strong, proud, stunning people. Any aggressive feeling is pure survival."

"Army helicopters are the only aircraft in this airport. Finally we landed in Freetown, Sierra Leone. As we drove through the streets we spoke of what has been happening here. Revolutionary United Front (RUF) called it "Project No Living Thing."
I notice hundreds of people walking through the streets holding hands–survivors!
Painted on cars is GOD IS GREAT and LOVE FOR EVERYONE–HATE NO MORE.
You would think these would be the last people on earth to believe that, and yet you realize they have a deeper understanding because of all they went through. "

"Girls are educated and taught skills. They are being helped to be independent. Most of these young women were abducted and raped. When I was in the classroom I was introduced as the Good Will Ambassador with UNHCR. Maya, the woman with me, was introduced as the protection officer with UNHCR. All the young women were very welcoming. It was then explained to them that I am also an actress from California. The woman who runs the school told them I was there to learn about them so I can support their programs.
They hardly know any movies. I hadn't wanted it brought up, but it did seem that my being an actress made my visit more fun for them. What I do is a strange job for them to imagine doing. Sometimes being an actress seems strange to me too, but I was happy about it today."

And here are the words she wrote that touched me, too. These lines are written at the back cover of the book.

And here are excerpts from other travels. 

Her travel to Jordan:

"At home, I looked up Human Rights Day it led me to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. It begins, “Whereas recognition on the inherent dignity and of the equal and inalienable rights of all members of the human family is the foundation of freedom, justice and peace in the world.” I encourage anyone reading this to look it up if you haven’t already. And if you have maybe read it again as I did.' 

Her travel to Sri Lanka:

'We visit a younger group of girls, they all have lovely, smiling faces. What have
you done today I ask? “Got up, showered, prayed to God, had breakfast, and studied.” They tell me they love to sing so I ask them for a song. They sing and clap in their language. I ask a translator what the song means. I realize it is
Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star. Oh! They sing again, this time in English. It’s one of
the sweetest things I have ever heard. '

'Tiny little kids are gathered in a door way, like all kids that age. Just the sight of them makes you smile; they are so curious and playful. I’m the newest person so they are testing me out. Coming close and looking, then backing away. I’m not sure how to break the ice, so I draw a silly picture in my notebook and show it to them.'

Her travel to Kosovo:

'Our journey from Croatia was very difficult; many people were leaving. Around 700,000 Serbs left Croatia at the same time. A lot of bad thins happened during the trip. A lot of people died and were left along the road. There was no time to bury them. Women had babies. They could only stop to have them, and then they had to get up and keep walking.” She was looking down and says “some died.” What are you hopes now, I ask? After last year, their family  was pushing to be sent to a country abroad but they were denied. “So then we try to have local integration but what will that be like? We don’t know when they will rebuild Serb homes. We don’t know if we have to be on a list to maybe get one. So maybe we stay here.”

Jolie on her mission to Russian Federation

source: www.unchr.org