AFRIKAANS...ASSEBLIEF

Afrikaans Language Monument in Paarl, Western Cape, South Africa

Many of my readers and friends have been having the following comment "hey, what's up with this strange language that popped up on your blog?". I smile each time I read or get that kind of comment, because I also used to think like that...what a strange language...like I said...I USED to think that.

Those who know me, know how much I like to travel and discover new cultures, as well as learning new languages. For me it is natural that if you are visiting another country, one should try to find a few things about it first and try to learn a few sentences...it is always appreciated. I could find one is better welcomed when we make an effort, I have verified that in each of my travels around the globe.

Question is, why Afrikaans? Don't know my self. I was in South Africa years ago, but hadn't "click" with it, after all, everyone was speaking in English...

One morning after a conversation on different languages spoken with a friend, I got "challenged" to learn Afrikaans, I took it up. Thought I was making a mistake, because it sounded like a complicated language where "g" turns into "rhh", "v" turns into "f", etc and the grammar seems so "obscure"... I was so far from reality. What I wasn't expecting was to literally fall in love with this beautiful and so "smooth" language. Afrikaans is not harsh at all, although it may seem for the untrained ear.

With learning the language came also learning the culture and everything around it (including the recipes!!!) and letting go of some pre-conceived ideas...

How to explain the fun I am having, how much I enjoy each time I discover I understand what I am being told in Afrikaans and how much I am amazed of how automatic it is becoming for me to reply...although sometimes the order of the words isn't quite right (different grammar rules)...but that has occasioned some very good laughter moments!

So, to answer all those who have asked, there is no particular reason just the fact that I like it and that I would like everyone to discover how beautiful it is.

Afrikaans is one of the 11 official languages of South Africa. If you are interested in knowing a bit more you can visit this site (Wikipedia). Try also to learn a little bit more about the Afrikaans Language Monument here.

TUK TUK...COMING THROUGH...!!!

Coming back to my post about India, I was reminded this morning that there was much more to say about it...true, but it was not my primary intention when writing that particular post.

Nevertheless, it is true that during that week, many situations happened that deserve a little "highlight".

Many funny moments (unbelievably funny!!! One time at dinner I laughed so much - and was not the only one - I completely forgot there was important people at the table as the atmosphere was so great), many hard working moments and moments of peace and enjoyment.

So let me tell you about one particular moment...the motorickshaw ride!!!! Have you ever had the impression that you had absolutely no idea of what you were doing and if you would still be alive the next second? NOOOO???? Well, get on a motorickshaw and go for a ride in the Indian traffic...funny as hell (excuse the expression) and scary as hell!

Where to start? Maybe I should mention the fact that it seems that traffic rules are not to be respected, after all, what are they for? Or do I mention when big trucks pass by and it just happens that their exhaust pipe is at your face level and you have this incredible warm wave hitting you on the face and when you think you are going to faint because of that unusual heat there comes the second wave...the smell...ah that is probably the best part...the smell...oh smell of wonders!!!! Huh...it helps you turn red, yellow, blue...just pick the colour you like best! Preferably some colour that matches what you are wearing on that particular moment...I was lucky I was wearing black, so ...was an easy pick! Can you imagine the dilemma if I was wearing another colour????

Oh...do I also dare mentioning people rushing by in the middle of the traffic instead of using the pedestrian crossings...drivers that only seem to know one (or two) traffic rules i.e. HONK AS MUCH AS YOU CAN AND OCCUPY ANY EMPTY SPACE IN FRONT, AT YOUR SIDE OR BEHIND YOU!!!

When we reached our point of destination (after having zigzagged our way trough) and I got out of the motorickshaw, I didn't know if I was going to throw up or just plainly lay on the floor and try to recover my breath!

To be honest, I enjoyed every minute of that ride...I really did (was laughing all the way back too)! It is an experience I would recommend to everyone at least once. It was even funnier because I wasn't alone...if I was I would have "behaved" as a "lady" (well, yes...I am!) is suppose to.

Anyway, advice is, go to India, go on a motorickshaw ride (preferably be as lucky as I was to be with a wonderful person who has a sense of humour the size of the universe) and have the time of your life!!!!

I happened to be with a person (you will recognize yourself) who has a sense of humour which is as weird and as huge as mine...try that too if you can...go on a motorickshaw with a person who has a solid sense of humour....it gives another dimension to it!

I would go on a motorickshaw right now...for sure! I may joke, but I love India and all its little "tweaks"!

Don't miss the next episode of "The Adventures Of A Lady (well yes!) In India"!

Unfortunately, this time the pictures I took in India did not come out OK, so I am using motorickshaw pictures I took 4 years ago when I was in Hyderabad.

DUBAI...

...there is so much to say about it...and so little time...after all...each time you end up in Dubai you end up discovering a "new face" of the city!

I was there for one week to visit friends and have fun...which I did!!! Another story, other chapters opening and closing...a re-discovering "journey".

Nevertheless, aim number one was to have fun...how to describe the amount of fun I had there...? Could mention so many things...but maybe I can let you discover it through the photos of this post...enjoy it...more photos are coming...so hold on!

Off she goes...around the corner!

Two more days and off I am to the other side of the world!

After having been in India (Hyderabad) 4 years ago, I am returning to that wonderful and magical country. A country I learned to appreciate and where I felt good, but had so little time to discover.

I still remember the warm welcome and the joy that greets you daily...the easy laughter, which is something that actually goes well with me as I laugh quite easily. I will also never forget the way life is enjoyed by each and everyone day by day although faced with problems that seem endless. A good lesson...that we tend to forget...too easily!

I will never forget the eyes of the children amazed to see "gold" hair and their need to touch it to find out if it was real. I'll never forget feeling incredibly good with the children's laughter.

Children saying good bye to "gold-hair" in Hyderabad

I will be back in incredible India (this time in Mumbai) in only two days. Although for work, I cannot wait to return to a place that really resembles "Shangri-la"!

After India, off in another plane I will be. I will go to my beloved Dubai. Discover a city that you can absolutely not know as it changes daily, a city that keeps you in an turmoil of fun and mystery...everyday one wonders what new discovery it will bring...

Burj Al-Arab

If I am writing these few lines is to let you know that the blog might not be maintained during the time in which I will be away.

I will take my camera and try to take as many pictures as possible and to keep you posted on what is happening in India and Dubai, but don't be too disappointed if you have to wait for my return! I promise I will surprise you with wonderful stories and pictures!

So...off she goes...around the corner!

On Travel...on travels!

While abroad, enjoying my own private farniente, looking at the sea and being surprised by how much I had succeeded in forgetting work (OK, couldn't help verifying my mails one day and to even answer to a few people), I found my self thinking of all the travels I have already done and how much my life has changed because of it.

I often wonder what really made me leave to Greece that spring of 1999. The person I was at that time was not one to take risks. Quite the contrary. Was it a risk to go to Greece? Yes! Do I regret it? No.

Looking at the sea today, the thought came to my mind, that if I hadn't accepted that invitation to go to Greece, I might not be where I am today, I might not be doing the work I am doing and I would surely not be the person I am now. Για πολλούς λόγους, η Ελλάδα θα είναι πάντα ειδική...είναι ένα "δεύτερο" σπίτι.

I am not saying that that adventure was the only responsible factor. All the other steps taken after that contributed to the person I am and led me to the career I am currently building. In those steps I include all the mistakes done along the way, all the successes (proud to say they were many) and all the travels and experiences coming from them and which enriched my life.

Then, I couldn't help thinking of the trip I made to India. I discovered an incredible country. One goes to India with definite ideas of what it is and once there all the pre-conceived ideas are simply wrong. I found my self in a country so welcoming, people with such a philosophy of life (and here I am using the larger meaning of the word) that once again I felt like being "home".

I will never forget those children I met in that village in Andhra Pradesh and their wonderful smile or the way they were touching my hair because they had never seen hair that colour and wanted to know how it was possible, what it felt like once one touched it. One of the best experiences I had during that wonderful discovery of India.

I don't even regret having used a motorickshaw, although I several times felt like it was the end seeing the way the driving rules are...heuh...what might be the appropriate word? Ignored?!!! Yet, that is one experience one should really not miss out on if going to India!

There was also that incredible trip to Brazil, to Salvador in the state of Bahia. Estar em Salvador foi como estar em casa...sensação incrível! The "Pelourinho" in Salvador is the reminiscence of the portuguese culture with that zest of life which is so proper to Brazil and its mix of cultures.

There, we discovered that incredible programme that aims at taking children out of the streets. The group "Olodum" has a school where children can learn how to play drums (among other things, music being "le fil conducteur"). (Olodum is famous for having taken part in one of Michael Jackson's songs and video). Seems like something very simple, but the programme is quite complex when one thinks of all it brings to those children and it has achieved unbelievable results.

I couldn't conclude this post without talking about Italy and Uganda. Both these countries are important to me for many different reasons. Uganda, brings bitter-sweet memories, so you will forgive me if I don't talk much about it.

As for Italy, for many years I thought of going there, but life was always taking me to other countries, to other continents. Peró, per diversi motivi (che non appartengono in questo blog), l'Italia é sempre stata molto importante per me. Ed un giorno, sono andatta in Italia (Lisa, non ridere se dimentico una lettera!). Diciamo che...é un paese che vi fa vivere le vostre aspettative...durante tutto il tempo che ho passato in Italia mi sembra come se fosse stato in un "roller-coaster"...phheeewww!

All the above, is a good conclusion on why I enjoy so much to travel, to go to new places, to discover different ways of life which are completely opposite from the way I live mine. Most especially, all the travels (and the ones mentioned above are only a few among all those I undertook. Yet, I leave those for another post, for another subject) were important steps in my life.

"Broaden your horizons if you want to succeed in life" my father always told me. I surely will never regret to have taken the decision to go to Greece...that was only the beginning!