E-Paper
We, the cocooned
RIO DE JANEIRO: While there may be reports floating around of journalist buses being attacked by projectiles and a bullet making its way into a press box, the majority
RIO DE JANEIRO: While there may be reports floating around of journalist buses being attacked by projectiles and a bullet making its way into a press box, the majority of us are cocooned from the ground reality of Rio. All venues are sanitised zones with strapping army-men on guard. We travel on designated buses that only allow access to those with the right accreditation and the Main Press Centre is a self-contained world unto itself. The danger of being mugged and held up is very real away from the venues but if you float within this cocoon, one seldom gets to realize the nasty reality of an Olympic hosting nation. But back home they are worried on account of news reports and my mother-in-law has been hassling me asking for constant safety updates. And that’s a summon difficult to ignore! I have typed out a polite template which I cut and paste every time some pesky relative pings. Perhaps after this small piece they will all stop!