Author Archives: Kalyaani

Morocco: Ait Benhaddou

the best of Morocco
After Todra Gorge we drove to Ait Benhaddou and arrived at our hotel by late afternoon as the sun was setting. Time in this place was short and we were to leave the next day sometime around Noon. With only 3 other destinations left after Ait Benhaddou I was getting exhausted (In a good way). Being constantly on the move plus beautiful sensory overload through out this adventure holiday was really challenging my stamina at this point but at the same time there was a sadness brewing because I had fallen in love with Morocco & I knew that soon this life changing adventure will be over.
Aït Benhaddou is a fortified city, or ksar, along the former caravan route between the Sahara and Marrakech in present-day Morocco. It is situated in Souss-Massa-Drâa on a hill along the Ounila River and is known for its kasbahs, although they take damage with each rainstorm. Most of the town’s inhabitants now live in a more modern village at the other side of the river; however, eight families still live within the ksar.

Aït Benhaddou has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1987 and many movies have been filmed here including Prince of Persia, Kingdom of Heaven & the Mummy. It is also used in parts of the hit T.V show Game of Thrones.

ait benhaddou

city game of thrones was filmed

Ouarzazate

visit Morocco

where to go in Morocco

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Morocco: Todra Gorge

Morocco Todra Gorge
After the Sahara desert we drove to Todra Gorge and arrived at our hotel as the afternoon sun was setting, it was situated at the base of the stunning flame orange canyon and surrounded by an Oasis of palm trees and tropical looking plant-life. We had to walk through this Oasis get to our hotel on the other side of the valley. The whole moment was quite surreal, it felt like we were walking through a mirage within the rocky & barren landscape. This was a time of rest & refuge for everyone because we were to stay here for two nights which was great considering most days so far in this adventure holiday consisted of traveling to destinations and full on daily activities from 7am until 9pm, I don’t know about the others but I was exhausted but it was a happy tiredness non the less. This part of the adventure was a welcome retreat. This amazing gorge plunges 300 meters down to a clear river. Pastoral villages and hotels are scattered throughout the area. This place is very popular with rock climbers.

The Todra Gorge or “Todgha Gorge” is a canyon in the eastern part of the High Atlas Mountains in Morocco, near the town of Tinerhir. The tiny glacier stream is something of a misfit, the river which once filled the gorge must have carried a lot more water. It is easy to hike in the gorge along a well-maintained paved road. The scenery is spectacular. Local people live in the area and can be seen with their small donkeys or herding camels and goats.

Once we all left our back packs in our rooms, some of us took a dip in the pool before we all settled for the night. Don’t let that photo fool you though, the water was freezing because although Morocco gets reasonably hot during middday in the spring, it wasn’t high summer temperatures plus we were engulfed in shade from the deep gorge and as the sun sets at this time of year in Morocco, it still can get a little chilly in the evenings.
Todgha Gorge

Beautiful Morocco valley

Todra Gorge trek near atlas mountains

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Lisa Park: Multidisciplinary Artist

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I adore art installations that are centered on the mind, performance, psychology, the brain, emotions and water. Lisa Park manages to bring all these subjects together creating a mandala-like structure using bowels filled with water which are then wired up to sensors and a monitor that reads Lisa’s brain waves as she provokes emotion with her mind. This is truly beautiful to watch as Lisa combines EEG scanning with speakers and pools of water to visualize her thoughts and emotions; placing five water-filled metal plates atop speakers designed to respond to her real-time brain data.

Water since ancient civilizations and in modern psychology have linked it with emotion and the subconscious and so we are given a beautiful visual of her exploration into the depths of her emotions. In the video below there is an element of peace as she sets up her installation and sits in the middle in concentration to encourage the water in the bowls to vibrate. Park is literally putting her inner struggles on display, and the whole show depends on how she deals with her feelings. This is a very meditative performance piece that gives the viewer a glimpse into Lisa’s sacred, emotional minscape.

Eunoia from Lisa Park on Vimeo.

You can visit Lisa’s website here to see more of her work: Lisa Parks

My Tarot Reading with Dale Jackson

I was actually rather surprised at how good this reading was, I didn’t expect it to have any meaning for me what so ever, It was supposed to be a 20 minute’s worth of fun as I didn’t actively seek out a psychic or reader for answers which a lot of people do. Dale is a very lovely lady, very warm, gentle and down to earth. The sort of person who makes time for you even if she may be busy, you feel very welcomed straight away. Her room is covered in books, photos, crystals, porcelain dolls dressed as Gypsies, a gypsy caravan statue and so much more. She is just so lovely, she even offered to teach me more about the Tarot as she saw I already knew the basics and had an interest.


*She allowed me to make notes so that I can blog about the reading here.

She starts the session by figuring out your birth chart in a great big text book full of complicated tables depicting the alignments of the planets.
With the year I was born, the month & the day she told me this:

Sun sign: Libra
Moon: Virgo

Rising: Scorpio
Mars (+ 2 other planets) in Scorpio
3 more planets in earth signs (2 in Virgo & 1 Capricorn)
I also have Sagittarius in Uranus.

This means:
As a Libra I am agreeable, fair and gentle. I try to find balance in every aspect of my life. I am peaceful and Just, always seeking to help others rather than myself. She said “you are a sign of partnership, you learn about the world through sharing part of your life with others and you always think ‘How can I help this person, how can I be a better person for them. Which doesnt always work because then you end up being a doormat, don’t be a doormat Katie, Libra’s are strong women too, in a world of men the Libra woman shines, look at Margaret Thatcher, she’s a Libra, you have the ability to encourage others to do things or be a part of things without raising your voice or making others feel inferior, this is a very powerful leadership quality.”

Moon in Virgo: Raw, earthly sensuality, introverted, but stands out from the crowd- an innocent sensuality. I express myself through my moon sign. “You even have the unruly Virgo locks, like you’ve just made love in a forest or something, just look at your beautiful curls!, even the way you dress is different, a very creative yet gentle soul you are”

Having 3 planets aligned in Scorpio (Mars, Saturn and Neptune) the day I was born means on the inside I am a very deep and mystical person. I have an uncanny sixth sense with an element of suspicion towards others. This is good as it makes me a great detective at sussing out who can be trusted and I am usually always right when I uncover who is being deceptive or toxic. The Scorpio in Mars makes me seductive and sensual towards the opposite sex “Men find you alluring & mysterious which can make women around you jealous.” I am a passionate soul towards the man I love.

Having 3 planets in earth signs (2 of which in Virgo) makes my personality friendly and approachable yet critical. The Capricorn side to me is slightly sceptical about the mystical aspect of my personality and there comes a point where yes I believe in some “other worldly things” but it stops at believing in fairies and the down right bizarre, I need evidence to support such theories. She told me “This is good you have kept grounded and set boundaries but in order for your sixth sense to flourish the Capricorn in you needs to stop rationalizing your gut feelings because they are very strong and you have a tendency to doubt yourself and your intuition, you need to open up more and go with your gut.”

Sagittarius in Uranus: Uranus is the planet of Chaos and Sagittarius is the sign of travel & culture. These 2 mixed together means, I will travel a lot in life and I will enjoy it but expect disruption & chaos.

The Reading:

The first 2 cards are aces. A very good start. The very first card is the Ace of Wands and she said “See; you are a Libra but I see you more as fire and this just confirms it, a gentle burn, wear red more. Deep within you you have bundles of confidence, you are glorious! Your presence is commanding and you burn with so much creativity! Also very big change coming your way between now and Christmas, you will be thrown into a very new & different world, a part of you will think you are not fully qualified but stay confident and keep your flame burning, you do have what it takes. Ace of wands means action, ‘what’s in it for me’, new projects, chance. As a Libra you put others before what you want. Now is the time to act and be selfish for a change, be more like Aries which is your opposite sign, they take charge and do what they want, you need to tap into that regardless of what others might say to stop you. The Ace of Wands also works with the Queen of Wands which will be mentioned later in the reading. “I think this is you, you are the Queen of wands” she said.

The Ace of Pentacles works harmoniously with the Ace of Wands. Through action and positive change comes financial gain (pentacles means coins/money). This is a time to do what you want not what is best for others dear Libra. A time to be active, self confident, no holding back, act upon your moon in Leo, express your true self.Can I also say that it is true that for you to be fulfilled you need to do something in life where it has your name behind it. YOU ARE WHAT YOU DO. Do you understand that? Your idea of success is not money, cars, houses, materialistic things. Success to you is knowledge and using that knowledge and your name with your title, YOU ARE WHAT YOU DO. (I laughed and said ‘yes I understand’).

This year (2014), a lucky turn of events will happen, more profit, new & bold adventures unfold, travel, somewhere with a desert?

You need to start attracting others like yourself, be bold, do not be afraid to show your individuality. Attract people with strong & creative auras like yourself. Rid yourself of those who dampen your spirit and have weak auras, they are like cobwebs to you, don’t let them drag you down, put them in the past.

The Moon card comes up around Christmas, an aspect of The Star and Death Card. You need to close a part of your lifestyle and put it in the past. There is a death of something about to be put in your past, let it happen. In order for the new to arrive something (not someone) needs to die. This is a new you and your new world. Also be a little bit guarded and on the defensive, bring out the intuitive & suspicious Scorpio in you, look into the underworld and be discrete when sussing an individual out for someone is being shadowy & deceptive around you. You are surrounded by jealousy, you need to toughen up. This is a time to be private, be careful who you trust, be the dark soul, be like a hermit from within. You will close that door 4 months on, and you will be ruthless because of what you have uncovered. Don’t let others know of your private life and finances, be a bit more distrusting over who wants to know your business. I replied “I already am, a lot of this is already happening, I am sussing out who is untrustworthy already”.

The Hermit Card Outwardly you’ll still be exuberant and vivacious. Inwardly you’ll be like the Hermit by not letting the nosey into your business. A time for Privacy whilst looking back in time and shaking off all those Gremlins.

The Empress combined with The Queen of Wands depicts me in a new found state of grace, calm confidence yet reflective. A very strong woman you are and you will feel it soon to.

Wheel of Fortune Card Tie up loose ends, look forward, new projects (I keep getting this in my readings recently). A great change is on the horizon, it has been a slow process and you have felt like nothing is moving, it has and now it will hit you like a tornado. This has not been a steady or gradual change which is hard for you because you are methodical, but now this new change will come at you like a gust of wind, hold onto your hat!

Prince of Cups: This is a man, a moody Pisces around you. He wants to talk to you but not sure how, he is up and down in his mind most of the time and finds communication difficult. Watch out there is no undertone, he wants to talk and level with you. Don’t let this person drain you. He is a water sign and will put your fire out if you let him. You are a Libra and with that have been agreeable around him so not to stir commotion, you now need to stand up for yourself, don’t let him take your energy, your fire. Evaporate his water, do not let someone dampen your spirits and be agreeable for the sake of peace. Take initiative, change the picture.

The Star Card: A lovely card, wish upon a star, try something different. This is an international picture, this is the world wide web but first check legal side to it first. New people, wild card, eccentric, different, not your usual boring lifestyle, start thinking big about your life and your career. You could be a little star in this big world, push yourself and keep confident. The Star also represents something of a charitable nature to your career which co-insides with you as a Libra wanting to help others, on a personal note it is also something to do with understanding human behaviour, helping someone in a psychological area, that someone needs to take their medication to start getting better, they need you right now to help them see the light in the dark world that is surrounding them.

The Knight of Cups: depicted on the card as an Angel of Love and this man is just that. A very kind man who could make a good father, green eyes but look dark? That’s unusual isn’t it? Green eyes that look dark? He will come into your life through a friend.

End Card, Queen of Cups: A state of grace, a wonderful card to end with for a Libra Lady- You can and will walk on Water. This mermaid can live in a lovely peaceful lake.
You have a lot of fire cards (wands) and Queen Cards in this reading. A very positive reading this is, yes there will be a time of shadow between now and Christmas but it is the fire in you that will combat it. You have a lovely warm glow in your aura, don’t let other dampen it, you will stay strong like these Queens and you will take command and control over what you want for a change. You will cut away from people you don’t want in your life and keep up your confident spirit for there is great change coming very soon.

 

© 2014 sunflowerteeth & Dale Jackson.

Morocco: Sahara Desert

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After Midelt we arrived at Merzouga in the late afternoon. We spent an hour freshening up and sitting all together with Mint tea in the hotel that our backpacks were to be stored in for the night and then preceded to pack smaller overnight bags with essentials & a sleeping bag. Not long after we were designated our camels whilst awaiting our guides to lead us through the stunning dunes and to our camp where we were to spend the night.
I have ridden camels before whilst living in Cyprus so I am used to the awkward holding on tight as the camel stands up or descends back to the floor but never ridden across desert dunes! It really gives your thighs and solar plexus a good work out because you kind of have to move with the camel. Going down hill of a huge dune was both exhilarating & a little scary because the sand is so fine and the camel with your weight is a reasonable amount it is bound to be a clumsy and slippy experience! No one fell off though, hurray! Going to the Sahara during this time of year (Early March) is a good time to go if you have sensitive skin and find hot climates difficult. Early March is a cooler climate, still warm but you can comfortably handle the heat, I’d still wear sun lotion though to protect your skin from UV rays because lets be practical here, you would be riding a camel in the Sahara Desert!

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Morocco: Midelt

Intrepid Tours, the best of Morocco
Arriving in Midelt in early afternoon everyone was pretty tired yet happy. We were welcomed with some warm Moroccan mint tea by the family we were to stay with and slumped on their sofas in the living room of their Auberge.
Midelt is a town in central Morocco, in the high plains between the Middle Atlas and High Atlas mountain ranges. With an estimated population of 44,780, Midelt serves as the commercial centre of a large agricultural hinterland. It is also one of Morocco’s principal cities for the mining of several minerals.
The town within Midelt that we visited is called Berrem, this was quite a traditional village with many lovely, sand-coloured buildings. It was great to get a glimpse into the locals general lifestyle & actually spend quality time with real people of Berber ethnicity. It was the happiest & most emotional day on this adventure for me. I do remember this place being exceedingly cold at night though and with about 5 heavy blankets Jon & I still couldn’t get warm (I could see my breath!) so if you go here in early March pack thermals! Like most people who visit Morocco, it sounds warm and spicy and coming from a dreary, damp and cold country like the UK where we have little no summer months and lots of rain you forget other countries get cold & rainy too because you want so much to escape to somewhere with better climate and make friends with the sun again! However Morocco has seasons just like most countries in the world, their summers are ridiculously hot and they have some pretty chilly winters, especially in the mountains. You can see from pictures on this blog that the mountains in the background have snow on them.

Moroccan Auberge

snoozing in Morocco
After our mint tea we were told to freshen up before we were to go on a walk. The family dog joined us and the walk was relaxing with breath taking views of the mountains in the distance.

terrain of middle atlas

walking around Midelt

trekking to Berrem town in Midelt

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Morocco: Fes

Moroccan exterior architecture
After our day in Meknes & Volubilis we travelled in the evening to our next destination, Fes. Arriving at around 7pm, it was dark and we were all hungry! Our guide took us through some windy back streets of narrow walls with an array of tangled electrical wires poking through the surface like over grown ivy and cobbled footpaths of leaky drain pipes and many stray cats. Where were we being taken? If we didn’t know we were in the safe hands of our guide, this would have been a reasonably unnerving walk akin to being lost in precarious alley ways of London.
Finally we arrived at a door with other ‘tourists’ merrily stepping out into the street, I was intrigued. One by one we ventured inside and it felt like we had been transported to a magical world, I really did feel like Alice falling down the rabbit hole and waking up in Wonderland. We were surrounded from ceiling to floor of hand made and hand carved mosaic walls and furnishings as well as lovely locals. This magnificent place hidden away like a secret box belonged to a family who open it up to travellers to experience authentic Moroccan hospitality, cuisine and décor. They were so gracious and welcoming and We dined and lounged like Royalty on their delicious food before saying our goodbyes and driven to our hotel for a good nights sleep in preparation for the wild unknown maze of Fes.

a feast in Fez

Moroccan hand carved ceiling

Moroccan family home interiors

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Katie Ness: Inspiring Belly Dancer

Katness, Inspiring Belly Dancer, 2014 from Katy Jane Larcombe on Vimeo.

A few months back I worked with a young film director & editor Katy Larcombe on an interview video and a possible dance video. It was an absolute blast working with this young woman who is so energetic, hard working and has an extremely contagious positive attitude that you can’t help but be upbeat, smiley and full of exuberant energy when you are around her. Within my interview I discuss how as a belly dancer, belly dance has been inspiring to me in many different ways; one in which it has encouraged an inner strength against adversity, an inner confidence in my body and a desire to teach that in a therapeutic way to other women with Yoga & Meditation. I would really love to one day organize expressive art workshops that also involve the Belly Dance and Yoga around the UK and perhaps find a way to run retreats perhaps in a lovely quaint town in the south of France or Prague one day?

Kinfolk Issue 11 & 12

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Having finished my short course in Art: It’s Place in Therapy (amongst other day courses and training workshops during April to June) I am taking a couple of weeks rest from study and giving time to myself to reflect on what I have just learned and allowing myself a breather before I commit to my next life changing course in Hatha Yoga Teacher Training.

So at the moment my schedule is more relaxed and I am spending time writing letters to far away friends, illustrating and reading both Kinfolk Issues 11 & 12. The sun is shining, I have hope for the future and I am reading Kinfolk with a cup of Chai at hand which is sending me into a hazy, dream-like state. Kinfolk is one of a kind, I have never come across a magazine like this before and even Jon (who is extremely fussy when it comes to design and photography) approves! This beautifully designed tome encourages a more peaceful & simple way of life with cascading short prose and poetry, complimented by sweet illustrations, mouth watering food imagery and captivating, bohemian lifestyle photography. This magazine encompasses everything Jon & I strive for and live by, OK my cooking skills are not up to scratch but even the recipes within Kinfolk are simple & humbling. Kinfolk’s entire approach to life is that of not needing to be materialistic or doing, making & buying extravagant things but instead they are about being humble, kind, seeing the small things in life as precious and to understand the importance of gatherings whether big or small. My favourite part of reading the issues are articles & photographs of how others live, what they do, what the inside of their home looks like and what their interests, values and aspirations are because it is a like a secret they have chosen to share with readers and it is nice to see how other creatives live around the world, seeing their style and reading how they became successful within their chosen field of the creative industry.

Each Kinfolk issue is usually dedicate to a theme, so issue 11 “explores the meaning of home, what it looks like, how different people arrange them and the qualities that the best ones share. Your concept of home will change with every coat of paint. It’s what (and who) you fill it with that counts.” explains Kinfolk
discovering new things to cook, make and do

Kinfolk volume 11, the home issue

Kinfolk lifestyle, portland

And issue 12 is entitled ‘the salt water issue’ and delves into our most beloved season-summer and how we enjoy interacting with the refreshing sea from BBQ’s on the beach to installation art with sand, recipes to make snow cones and interviews by fishermen.
Kinfolk issue 12

the salt water issue

the summer volume, fishermen, the sea, sand art

All in all Kinfolk is a delight to read, whether in the home, lounging in the garden or enjoying a picnic in the summer sun, I highly recommend you guys purchase a copy or subscribe on their website.

Morocco: Volubilis

Soon after the morning site seeing within Meknes our group took a short drive in the afternoon up to Volubilis. It was a warm sunny day with some mild rain showers & a thunder cloud in the distance. I love visiting old ruins & ancient places because it makes me feel nostalgic and imagine what life must have been like in past civilizations.

Volubilis (Arabic: وليلي‎ Walīlī) is a partly excavated Roman city in Morocco situated near Meknes between Fes and Rabat. Built in a fertile agricultural area, it was developed from the 3rd century BC onwards as a Phoenician (and later Carthaginian) settlement. It grew rapidly under Roman rule from the 1st century AD onwards and expanded to cover about 40 hectares (100 acres) with a 2.6 km (1.6 mi) circuit of walls. The city gained a number of major public buildings in the 2nd century, including a basilica, temple and triumphal arch. Its prosperity, which was derived principally from olive growing, prompted the construction of many fine town-houses with large mosaic floors. This was once a very sophisticated & grand city.
landscape around Meknes and Volubilis, travel and tourism in Morocco

wild flowers in Morocco

natural landscapes in Meknes

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