She spends the majority of her life underground. Up to 12-17 years for some. A tiny little worm feeding on root sap. Happily slithering in the warm dark belly of Mother Earth. Safe, comfortable and content. Then the day comes when she yearns for something different. Something in her DNA tells her there’s more to … More That LOUD noise!
I was dancing in the “Playroom” like nobody’s watching. Moving whichever way the music inspired my body to move. Mostly with my eyes closed, only glimpsing when I felt I needed to avoid collision. I felt his presence in my energy field. My body was a full “Yes”! So we made eye contact and I … More The Magic of Touch!
Casa Latina is part of the Global Ecovillage Network (GEN) yet a world apart from GEN Europe. Reflecting and magnifying the cultural differences between the 2 regions. Attending the Ecovillage Gathering in Europe the last 2 years, then in Latin America this year made for very interesting and contrasting experiences. Time is, indeed, an artificial … More People vs. Structures
One of the best things about getting old is that you eventually run out of fucks to give. It’s like we’re born with a finite number of fucks, like eggs in the ovaries. When they run out, you discover a new level of freedom you didn’t even know was possible. Having reached that level, I’m … More Basura Cero!
The minute I set foot there, my whole body relaxed. As if in the warm loving embrace of a beloved. A woman lying half naked on the swing. A couple of people in hammocks. Cat cleaning itself in the sun. After quick introductions, I walked all over; touching the trees, greeting the mountains, taking it … More El Valle de Sensaciones
During the pandemic, most of us were forced to slow down in fear and isolation. But what happens when we CHOOSE to slow down in love and community? That was the invitation at the European Ecovillage Gathering 2024!At the beginning, I felt some resentment. It manifested as boredom. “Why are they speaking soooo slowly? Do … More Growing Roots
How can a species survive and compete for resources in the wild when their only defense mechanism is playing peek-a-boo? They can’t run, they move very slowly, quite clumsy actually, they can’t really hurt you, they’re not herd animals, they’re not even cute (until you get to know them) so the sympathy card is voided. … More Slow and Steady!
My first impression was “this is depressing. I don’t want to stay here for too long”. Since it was raining outside and I paid $10 entrance fee, I figured I might as well wait for the guided tour and see what happens. Little by little, I could hear the images come alive… Oswaldo Guayasamin is … More Oswaldo Guayasamin; Ecuador’s Picasso
As a devout Nature lover, the Galapagos Islands are my Mecca, Jerusalem, the Vatican or the Ganges. The harmonious coexistence of all forms of Life restores my faith in the power of Love and Abundance. There’s plenty for all creatures when we love, respect and share. It stands in stark contrast to the predominant culture … More Galapagos High Dose of Nature!
Sea lions on the Galapagos Islands are like street dogs in Latin America or street cats in Mediterranean cities; they roam the streets (and ocean for the sea lions) freely, and share space with humans and other creatures. In order to protect and maintain the wild nature of Sea Lions, humans cannot touch them, as … More Galapagos Sea Lions
We drove up a steep narrow gravel road to get there. When we finally arrived at the beautiful villa nestled in the woods, we were greeted by stunning views of the Pacific ocean. As we climbed up the few steps leading to the deck, the host pointed to a tiny brown protrusion between 2 wooden … More A Bee Moment!
I enjoy slowing down. It amplifies my pleasure, enjoyment and gratitude. I often find myself reminding myself and others to do so. When I am in cities, I feel like everyone around me is moving at the speed of light and I’m barely crawling. It’s quite lonely and frustrating. When I saw the workshop “How … More Mind out of Matter!
“Nature is God. It’s not to control, it’s to love! We are Nature. We’re here to love, not control.” Rajendra Singh, the Waterman of India, eloquently said. He pioneered the greening of thousands of square kilometers of Rajasthani desert in India. Bringing back rain, Nature and Life to previously dying villages. By merely working with … More Water is Life!
We arrived just as the sun was rising above the horizon. The van parked on a dirt road by an unmarked 1 storey building. There was a a river along which we walked for about 10 minutes. On the other side of the river, fields of green stretched as far as the eyes could see. … More Jasmine Village
“We paid the heaviest price for the revolution” he said. “We (Egyptians) all paid a very heavy price”, I responded. “But not as much as we did”, the man from Arish replied. After only 1 day in Al Arish, I totally agreed with his assessment.Al Arish and North Sinai had been closed off as a … More North Sinai, Egypt
Being sick sucks! Being sick at the Sexibility Festival sucked even more. Being sick at the Sexibility Festival where it was cold and rainy non-stop in August sucked triple bad. All the amazing potential connections, networking and indulgence in yummy-ness at my fingertips and all my body wanted to do was sleep. So sleep I … More Counting Blessings
“I am just one person. How can I change the world?”, a little girl stood up and said. After 3 times, another girl stood up and joined her. A few more repetitions brought more people in, and more, and more. Before long, we were all standing together. Not just one person anymore. I was in … More The Future is Cooperation!
“You keep pushing me into the deep end of the pool”, my partner said half jokingly. “And you keep swimming”, I replied with a smile. Of all our adventures together, Senegal was the deepest pool. After traveling 20+ hours, he arrived at a place where he doesn’t speak the language, doesn’t know anyone, nothing is … More A Matter of Attitude…
“How can African countries become united like the United States?” He asked me. I felt sadness, which surprised me. He’s 20 years old, studying English (unusual in Senegal where most people study French) and, apparently, believes that the USA has got it made in the shade. “Don’t!”, I said instinctively, “Don’t try to be like … More Consider This…
The first week was baptism by fire! My imagined romantic getaway; warm beach, sipping coconut juice and dancing to Senegalese music (one of the reasons I chose Senegal to rendezvous with my beloved), turned out to be everything but what I expected!Because my partner’s luggage didn’t arrive with him, we decided to stay near the … More Expectations and Disappointments
I finally found the trail that my friend told me about. She said it’s an easy 2 hours hike to the lighthouse. “Don’t hike by yourself” A man coming the other way advised. “Why?” I asked. He said things about it being dangerous but I wasn’t convinced, especially that my friend did it and highly … More Love or Fear – Cabo Verde
Lac Rose (Pink Lake) or Lac Retba is supposed to be pink in color but when we went there, the water was blue grey (normal lake water color). What’s up? We wondered. It’s supposed to have a special kind of algae that makes the water pink. Is it the time of day? Will it be … More Lac Rose Senegal
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How often do you get a chance to go inside a working lighthouse? They’re usually “Restricted Areas”, too noisy with all the machinery or the interesting parts are sealed and automated. But not “Le Phare des Mamelles” (the lighthouse of breasts) in Dakar, Senegal. How can one resist such a name? Right?The best part was … More Lighthouse of Breasts
Fadiothe (pronounced Fadiot) Island is made entirely of shells! People collect clams, eat the meaty part, throw the shells on the ground. Over thousands of years, an island of shells formed and rose out of the water. The ground is made of shells, houses are built with shells, people still collect, eat and create with … More Fadiouth: the Shell Island
#senegal #westafrica #africa #joalfadiothe #thiesregion #baobab #sambadia #tree #bats #biggestbaobab #insidethetree #bouyé #baobabjuice #travel #nature #baobabfruit #naturephotography #travelphotography #travelblog #travellife #traveladventure #traveltheworld
After a grueling “set plus” ride, we arrived tired, sweaty and hungry at Mbacke Kadior. An Eco community in the Senegalese desert. Lucky for us, they were about to eat lunch and invited us to join. Many trays of “Thiaboudienne” kept appearing, placed on the mats and people gathered around in circles around the trays. … More Worship through Service
Young boys wearing torn dirty clothes carrying tin cans, plastic containers or cups asking for money. A common scene at every corner in Senegalese towns. As soon as they see a foreigner, they hound like scavengers on a carcass. I learnt to say “etcho” (go away) which seemed to work most of the time. It … More Spiritual Opportunism
If there’s anything people in Senegal are passionate about, it’s football (aka soccer). Any empty space doubles up as a football field; a beach, an empty lot, a non busy street, a yard, a driveway…etc. It doesn’t even have to be flat or big. Boys of all ages gather around and play. Some in flip … More Senegal Football (Soccer)
We’re sitting in a circle on a straw mat on the ground. A piece of fabric is spread in the middle. A big round covered tray is brought from the kitchen and placed in the center of the fabric. The cover is lifted revealing a pile of vegetables and fish (or chicken) on top of … More “Teranga”: Senegalese Hospitality
Unconditional Love 