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Podcasts from the edge

Last Modified: 18 Jun 2007
By: Kylie Morris

Kylie Morris - the new face of More4 News - recalls her time on the road in Gaza, Afghanistan and beyond.

What foreign correspondents know

If foreign correspondents learn anything, other than how late you can leave for the airport, the importance of a good luggage trolley, and of good underwear in a war zone, it is to avoid any easy, all encompassing truth.

It's caused by something like reverse short sightedness. The further away an event is, the more in focus it appears from London. But if it's on your doorstep, the complexities are what you see first.
Listen to 'What foreign correspondents know'

I moved to Gaza and lied to my mother

The Madness. How else to describe the thing that takes hold of reporters' lives when they begin covering the Middle East?

When I moved to Gaza, just after the start of the intifadah, in 2001, I lied and told my mother (in country Australia) that in fact I was living in Jerusalem. I thought this might avoid unnecessarily upsetting her.

After about six months, she telephoned and asked how many parked cars I walked by, on my way to the bureau. I realised she'd become concerned at the risk of car bombings in downtown Jerusalem. To avoid the lie getting any bigger, I caved, and admitted that in fact, I lived in Gaza City.

Her reaction?
Listen to 'I moved to Gaza and lied to my mother'

What Kabul really needs is a Starbucks

It's a little strange to sign up to living and working in a place you've never been. But it can happen.

It's properly strange though when that place is Afghanistan. Particularly when you notice that not everyone on your flight that's coming into land at Kabul airport is seated.

Men of all ages, with beards, and dressed in shalwar kameez, are moving about the cabin like it's their living room. And the flight attendants can't help because, of course, they're standing as well, holding the doors of the overhead luggage compartments closed.
Listen to 'What Kabul really needs is a Starbucks'