I read on Ramsy's Facebook wall, 'You lose yourself in love, only to get lost again. Love resides within you, no matter how far you travel and how hard you look. The sea of love starts with loving you first.'
I wrote: ' Words of Love. Touches particles no other word can reach as deep. We are all one, and to love one is loving all.'
There is no I but only we.
Now, about the marvellous week spent taking part in the Cape Verde Carnival...
I wrote: ' Words of Love. Touches particles no other word can reach as deep. We are all one, and to love one is loving all.'
There is no I but only we.
Now, about the marvellous week spent taking part in the Cape Verde Carnival...
Woody, who had been in charge of organising this wonderful trip, had warned us of the reputation of TAP Airlines losing passengers' luggage constantly and packing the essentials in our carry-on. But in all positive attitude, I did not find it necessary to take extra precautions after hours of finally packing my suitcase. However, as the plane landed on the volcanic island of Sao Vincente, I insisted on having seen my navy suitcase getting into the plane on the conveyor belt at Lisbon airport. Guess whose case never arrived? Yap, yours truly!
Oh well, shit happens, deal with it. Haha.
Not only did it not arrive the next day, but two days later, I picked it up at the airport of Praia, the island we visited the following day.
Upon arrival and checking into our suite at the Don Paco hotel, a little promenade with Donna by the Atlantic Ocean, we interacted with the friendly locals under pleasant sunshine, taking refuge behind bubble-like fluffy clouds. Before I got hold of all the clothes, which took considerable hours to pack, I needed to find a couple of dresses to call me by in the warm days.
Semi-successfully purchasing two locally made summery dresses, we met up with Woody accompanied by Analee, a fellow keen photographer who had been friends since their days at uni. Ernest and his partner Milo also joined them. On the first night, we were driven to a game pitch for a practice run of the dance moves at the carnival. I should read some of the emails before simply jumping on planes at the drop of a holiday suggestion and ending up surprised at every move along the journey! Love surprises, though.
"Are we seriously taking part in the actual carnival?!" I must have inquired several times.
We left Sao Vincente the next day, back at the airport where the island's magnificent treasure, Cesaria Evora, was born, lived and died. The language is Portuguese, and most believe this dreamy-voiced singer is Brazilian, but no. Her statue stands firm in front of a mountain behind her bronzed figurine.
At Praia the next day, we checked into the Pestana Tropico hotel but had yet to get a chance to lay by the pool; the weather not permitting, nor did the runs to the airport to finally retrieve my luggage. The first evening there, our hostess from the island Noura had organised us to watch a basketball game played by the island's top two teams. That was a first for me, and we were given a reason to cheer for the blue ones. Once the game was over, we headed out in between a crowded audience and walked to the nearby Freedom bar with live music.
On our second day in Praia, Flint, who had joined us in Sao Vincente, another one of our long-term friends of Woody's who rented a car and joined by Marx and Donna, the four of us drove from the South through mountainous roads to the North of the island; Tarrafal. We stopped at a restaurant called Baia Verde, which was set at the top of the hill and had views of the blue ocean with the fishing bay below. A feast of local fried fish was to be served in the open space, covered by a roof protecting us from the drizzle in the chilly air.
Our last night in Praia was at a birthday bash in a modern, large-scale villa with a swimming pool. As we entered the white marbled floor of the gardens, the sound of excellent house music blasted the area by a DJ standing behind his turntable, and our hosts greeted us with great hospitality. Food tables were set, mainly in the open air, as were the fully staffed barmen and women putting the finishing touches to the place, candles lit all along paths. The wind was blowing, and the rain suddenly began in full force, whereas the food was carried to the roofed settings; the DJ had to pack up as his music was getting destroyed under the unexpected storm. The hosts were understandably concerned about whether the hundred and fifty guests were about to turn up due to the unforeseen weather conditions, which continued until the early morning hours of the party. Woody took charge of the music from his iPod, and the dancing continued under the heavy spells. A talented singer took the microphone and sang full-heartedly in the rain, accompanied by the birthday girls. A fabulous party, irrelevant.
Before flying back to Sao Vincente, we met at Ipanema restaurant, which is situated close to our hotel and offers stunning views over the waters. The air was still and peaceful.
Lastly, I have been super busy in London since I arrived from Italy, which came after Cape Verde. So much catching up. My mama Angel is here visiting with a very close friend whom I have always called Auntie Mage. The Iranian New Year big bang took place on the evening of the twentieth of March while I dined with Christofer, who was visiting briefly. Starting a new business and website with a dear lady who has worked in the same trade as I, full of wisdom and very spiritual. Also, I am planning possible spiritual events in London as of late, as I have an experience in Italy. Spending Thursday to Sunday this week at the Anthony (Tony) Robbins seminars at Excel, where this powerful life coach is meant to 'Unleash the Power Within' each of the attendees. Super excited at the thought.
Before I leave, I cannot express enough how stunned my new business partner and I were at the Alexander McQueen exhibition, Savage Beauty, at the V&A Museum. Truly one of the most innovative designers of all time. RIP, good sir.
The more I live daily, the more I realise the importance of living a positive life, filled with happy thoughts, good deeds, kindness towards oneself and everyone around, and keeping the negative away. How all this develops into everything the books write, and authors of self-help keep repeating. It really works. Miracles show up every day and in abundance, and every situation unravels to be for the best in the end.
'God never comes on our time, but he always comes on time'. Oh yes, he does!
Not only did it not arrive the next day, but two days later, I picked it up at the airport of Praia, the island we visited the following day.
Upon arrival and checking into our suite at the Don Paco hotel, a little promenade with Donna by the Atlantic Ocean, we interacted with the friendly locals under pleasant sunshine, taking refuge behind bubble-like fluffy clouds. Before I got hold of all the clothes, which took considerable hours to pack, I needed to find a couple of dresses to call me by in the warm days.
Semi-successfully purchasing two locally made summery dresses, we met up with Woody accompanied by Analee, a fellow keen photographer who had been friends since their days at uni. Ernest and his partner Milo also joined them. On the first night, we were driven to a game pitch for a practice run of the dance moves at the carnival. I should read some of the emails before simply jumping on planes at the drop of a holiday suggestion and ending up surprised at every move along the journey! Love surprises, though.
"Are we seriously taking part in the actual carnival?!" I must have inquired several times.
 |
| Sao Vincente |
At Praia the next day, we checked into the Pestana Tropico hotel but had yet to get a chance to lay by the pool; the weather not permitting, nor did the runs to the airport to finally retrieve my luggage. The first evening there, our hostess from the island Noura had organised us to watch a basketball game played by the island's top two teams. That was a first for me, and we were given a reason to cheer for the blue ones. Once the game was over, we headed out in between a crowded audience and walked to the nearby Freedom bar with live music.
On our second day in Praia, Flint, who had joined us in Sao Vincente, another one of our long-term friends of Woody's who rented a car and joined by Marx and Donna, the four of us drove from the South through mountainous roads to the North of the island; Tarrafal. We stopped at a restaurant called Baia Verde, which was set at the top of the hill and had views of the blue ocean with the fishing bay below. A feast of local fried fish was to be served in the open space, covered by a roof protecting us from the drizzle in the chilly air.
 |
| Children's carnivals take place in each village. |
Our last night in Praia was at a birthday bash in a modern, large-scale villa with a swimming pool. As we entered the white marbled floor of the gardens, the sound of excellent house music blasted the area by a DJ standing behind his turntable, and our hosts greeted us with great hospitality. Food tables were set, mainly in the open air, as were the fully staffed barmen and women putting the finishing touches to the place, candles lit all along paths. The wind was blowing, and the rain suddenly began in full force, whereas the food was carried to the roofed settings; the DJ had to pack up as his music was getting destroyed under the unexpected storm. The hosts were understandably concerned about whether the hundred and fifty guests were about to turn up due to the unforeseen weather conditions, which continued until the early morning hours of the party. Woody took charge of the music from his iPod, and the dancing continued under the heavy spells. A talented singer took the microphone and sang full-heartedly in the rain, accompanied by the birthday girls. A fabulous party, irrelevant.
Before flying back to Sao Vincente, we met at Ipanema restaurant, which is situated close to our hotel and offers stunning views over the waters. The air was still and peaceful.
 |
 |
| Gorgeous! |
 |
| Sunset on Praia |
Back at the Don Paco Hotel in Sao Vincente, our tight schedule continued with a pizza dinner at the Taverna, followed by a party night that started the carnival mood. Many people dressed up in costumes and masks were at the Oasis Hotel grounds. A live band was playing, and hundreds of people mingled all around. Oh! And free drinks.
The carnival fun will have to come in the next blog, or this one will never finish, and I will never get some sleep!
Lastly, I have been super busy in London since I arrived from Italy, which came after Cape Verde. So much catching up. My mama Angel is here visiting with a very close friend whom I have always called Auntie Mage. The Iranian New Year big bang took place on the evening of the twentieth of March while I dined with Christofer, who was visiting briefly. Starting a new business and website with a dear lady who has worked in the same trade as I, full of wisdom and very spiritual. Also, I am planning possible spiritual events in London as of late, as I have an experience in Italy. Spending Thursday to Sunday this week at the Anthony (Tony) Robbins seminars at Excel, where this powerful life coach is meant to 'Unleash the Power Within' each of the attendees. Super excited at the thought.
Before I leave, I cannot express enough how stunned my new business partner and I were at the Alexander McQueen exhibition, Savage Beauty, at the V&A Museum. Truly one of the most innovative designers of all time. RIP, good sir.
The more I live daily, the more I realise the importance of living a positive life, filled with happy thoughts, good deeds, kindness towards oneself and everyone around, and keeping the negative away. How all this develops into everything the books write, and authors of self-help keep repeating. It really works. Miracles show up every day and in abundance, and every situation unravels to be for the best in the end.
'God never comes on our time, but he always comes on time'. Oh yes, he does!
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