LCOMMtUN\ITY r'Mediterr *rea y Areaý turmoil hîts strong chord with women who visited countries just weeks earlier By Christina Commisso CANADIAN CHAMPION STAFF While exploring the ancient ruins of "" - Libya, Egypt and Tunisia, three Miltonians bad no ides what would be in store for the Mediterranean nations mere weeks after their departure. Spurred on by widespread cor- ,, - ruption, higli unemploymnent rates, food inflation and a lack of political freedorns, revolutions in northern Afica have brougbt about dernocra-a cy wbere there was once dictator- ships, but not before dernonstrators took to the streets for weeks of desdly protesta that are still ongo-AL> ing. News of the uprisinga and subse- quent causalities have made hesd- lines around the world, but it bas bit a particular note with rural residents Anne Taylor, Barbara Alderson and Councillor Cindy Lunsu. T i m e s e n s ti v e t n pP H O T O s U sm -r t o e V B A R B A R A A L D E R S O N In November, the women spent GLOBE-TROTTING TRIO: Miltonians Barbara Alderson (front), Cindy Lunau (Ieft> and Anne Taylor visit Sabratha, LUbya. 17 days touring the Mediterranean coast and visiting ruina in Sicily, sitive this trip was," said Lunsu, ture. "lt will be a long tirne if it ever we were there." Malta, Tunisia, Libys and Egypt. skimming over hursdreds of photo- bappens again. The revolutions Added Alderson, "You feel lucky "We didn't realize how tirne-sen- grapha from their ancient adven- could bave easily bappened while you bad thse opportunity to be there and sad that its now in tbe state it s.1 She said shes flot surprised by what transpired shortly after return- ing to Milton. Citing a fairly young population with soaring unemployment rates, Lunau said, "lt was a recipe for unrest."1 "For a young population thats underemployed, whats tbeir future?" The Nassagaweya residents said their time away was relatively prob- lem-free, but in Libya, tbey did bave some issues witb the "touriat police." Police presehce unnerving An increased police presence in the now rebel-controlled eastern part of the country had the women on their toes. "We were told flot to leave tbe tour group or we could be appre- bended by police as an insurgent," said Taylor. Lunau said billboards of Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi were present at every turn. Along with a number of pictures and souvenirs, the women have corne back with a renewed appreci- ation of Canadian freedoma. "I don't look at democracy the samne way and 1 don't look at our comforts the same way," said Lunau. "I realize how fragile it is. For a lit- de bit of freedom these people are standing in front of bullets, and we don't make our way down to a vot- ing station." Alderson said the events in the Middle East remmnd ber that democ- racy is a privilege, and voting is a responsibility Said Taylor, "I bave a cynical view on politics, but I will vote to respect the people who fought for that right." Christina Commisso can be reached at ccommsogýntong,,mJp ancanplozLcom.