The Modenus Blogtour London: and a tale of people and places

Oh, we were in London on BlogTour to look at design.  But it was so much more than that.  

Our fearless leader (and den mother extraordinaire) Veronika Miller of Modenus, soberly went over the ropes.

And then we put our papers away.  And it started.

There were amazing sights.

that brought pure pleasure.

And spots with funny names 

or funny messages....

that provoked bouts of laughter.

There was fierce playing in the streets....it's true.

requiring a never ending stream of food and booze for replenishment....

And even special dinners....just for us...

presided over with gusto.

and met with appreciation.

There were new friendships made.

And old friendships rekindled.

And while the new world order might be the enemy of humanity.

This world order was as pretty....

                                                           as a picture.

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Siwa: a tale of an Egyptian oasis in a book

She was impossibly beautiful.

He was turban wearing debonair.

They signed their book for me, Siwa.  

A tale in words and images of an oasis, an Egyptian oasis.... 

Oh.

So very...

sublime.

I can't wait...

to make tracks.....

for Siwa.

What about you?

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Siwa: Legends & Lifestyles in the Egyptian Sahara

by Rawah Alfalah Badrawi with photography by Omar Hikal and Khaled Shokry. 

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PS Just back from Egypt (Can you tell?) and off to New York tomorrow.  See you there.

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The Moroccan Moussem of Tan Tan: a surreal tale

Oh I could try to tell you.

I could try to tell you about the Moroccan Moussem de Tan Tan, the world's largest gathering of nomads.

I could try to put it together in words.  To tell you about the Bedouins.  To talk about the children with their koranic boards.  To describe the dromedaries -- the way they moved on the field in tight formation.  And about the cameleers with their origami-like turbans. I could try to explain about the horses and the charging on the fields. About the pagentry, and rifles, and golden tassels.  I could say something about the tribal girls with kohl-lined eyes who couldn't stop themselves from dancing.  And about the tents filled to overflowing with people greedy for more.  People like me.

Oh I could try to tell you.  But the words would never, could never

                                                                                                               be enough.

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The Moroccan Moussem de Tan Tan: and a tale of warriors on Peace and Prosperity Square

It's on Peace and Prosperity Square that I watch them -- the Saudi dancers.  Because the Moussem de Tan Tan is not just for Moroccans; nomads, Bedouins and distinguished guests from countries north, south and far afield have been invited. 

The dancers move with precision and unerring discipline. They stamp their feet in perfect unison. There’s a  bang on the drum... 

and a flash of color.

Their voices rise in a kind of symmetrical chant. 

Then they hold their sabers upright. 

One dancer adjusts his saber so it can be just so. 

But no one goes astray.   No one.  

                                  It's all strangely hynotic.

    What is this dance, I ask. 

     It’s the Dance of Warriors, I’m told.

     Oh, I say, nodding my head.  

There are no women in this Saudi dance of warriors.    

And so the men dance their dance of warriors.  Dancing and dancing...

                                                                         on Peace and Prosperity Square.

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