Tuesday, December 1, 2009

Optimism in Banda Aceh

My friend in Aceh told me the following:
a) Banda Aceh had a population of 250,000 before tsunami. Today, the population had increased to 400,000. More people came during the reconstruction. Some are likely to stay over the longer term.
b) The city is buzzing at night. The traffic is quite busy, although not as congested as large cities around the world.
c) Aceh is now peaceful, with the end of the insurgency and independence movement. The Governor of Aceh is a local person.