homend still a little blurry....

We are finally home and have internet access again...ohh I do miss some of India's luxuries like cheap and easy internet access anywhere, anytime, someone to help carry the bags and other such treats.

I am in the office...so much to catch up on, lights are on but not much is happening in the mind. Can feel the coffee inside me...but wheels not slotting into gear yet...so sitting here looking busy and hoping this familiar location will result in something constructive starting to happen.

We had a great trip- very busy, as you would expect looking after people and trying to keep everything running as you would like. Think generally we succeeded- yippee!

Then 2 weeks in France as a research trip for a new idea...it was a good idea as we were in the neighbourhood but also ambitious as you are always exhausted after a tour....so first 2 days in Paris we grumbled at each other and then started to get our breath and into the work and fun of exploring our new idea.

Now home, no mind but it will come.... Home looks great, monsoon is early and everything looks so happy and green, there was a huge downpour a few days ago and Praveen's work fixing the house roof and the workshop roof has been successful...rain was only on the outside of the buildings not flooding in through any roofs. What a relief!!! I can't add enough exclamation marks for that comment.

When I arrived at the workshop this morning, gate was newly painted and locked, I had to knock to get in and there were many smiling faces and a shower of rose petals...what great guys we have on our team - BIG SMILES all around.

 

I am staying with our time line...last talked in Marrakesh

 We had dinner one night with another couple from our group...foodies as well and keen to try some of Marrakesh's many great restaurants -this one took Praveen's eye as they has an evening performance scheduled as well. Boy did he get a surprise- he did not realise it would included the dancers coming up and interacting- embarrassed or what!
 I have another picture of the gentleman we were with as one of the other dancers came up and he was tucking money into her skirt waistband- he looked like a guilty schoolboy caught red handed. I sent it along to his wife- good blackmail material. I have a similar one of Praveen and have informed him- if he mucks up I will show it to his Mum!! hahah

 Our riad - cosy

 some of our companions- good for fun

 Rick's Bar in Casablanca may have all been fiction but there is one there now and it is lovely- all the movie would demand and a great place for last nights.

A weary bunch of travellers, we travelled far, across sand dunes, over mighty mountains, through many a crowded bazaar.
I learnt a great lesson through this group...you just have to get on with things...no matter how they might upset you, make you fed up and even sick...life is here to experience and you need to do just that!
One of our people loves travel, has a real bubbly excitement to explore and see everything, also suffers terribly from motion sickness, heights, riding camels, many things ... you would think it difficult to leave home. Yet she just gets on with the experience, works through or around the difficulties and is a fabulous travelling companion. I admire her immensely and really appreciate the chance to learn from her example.

home sweet home...time to get back into gear...I have lots of pictures and stories yet from the last few weeks but need to ration my time for telling stories and savouring the journey with picking up projects, catching up with people and many new samples to make from various new clients- all lots of stimulation...and tours to plan
ohh la, la :) 

just lately we have had snow and sand

 The journey continues and we have had the most extraordinary experiences. Mohamed a master calligrapher shared the merest hint of the wealth is Islamic culture and the art of Calligrapgy...great day and then luch at the lovely Ruined Gardens....

 surprise, surprise, snow as we headed over the mountains to Erfoud...really snow- gob smacked would some that one up

 2 hours later over the Middle Atlas and in the Ziz River Valley and sunshine

 carpet flurries

 guests at Mohamed's house with his lovely family....

 Camels on the Sahara---yeh

 photos over the shoulder of our group - look at my mad Arab...has not stopped smiling and grinning since we left home

 cooooooooolllllll

 donkey parking lot at Rissani always makes me laugh

 some of our group brought supplies for school children...these lovely kids will greatly enjoy and appreciate them- good stuff

 fossils by the side of the Sahara around Erfound- quite beautiful...and 360 million years old

 another oasis....

 Todra Gorge

 silly us

 stunning scenery

 top of the mountains weaving family

 The wonderful Fatima Mellal- Berber artist extraudinaire

off to dinner...great place....after the snow weather has been very kind - fingers crossed :)

Tarifa to Tangiers

 and then on to Chefchouen....notice the blue sky...last we have seen

 Some of our gang- delightful colourful group...in tine or what :)

 We crossed the Straights of Gibraltar through rain and wind and have toured through Chefchouen in rain coats and umbrellas.

 Rather good of Mohamed to organise this for us, the colours are so rich....did see some blue sky this morning so very hopeful for today.

Really beautiful here..

Granada evenings....

 As you can see our tour is progressing nicely....every one is very inclined to having a good time and the group feels like old buddies already.

 Started off with a few groups of friends and a few separate people....but the blend is happening rather easily. really nice to experience the ease of the group and enthusiasm.

 Just put a story of this picture on FB...have a read there if you like...still having a giggle

 Some of these pictures are for my boy Zac- he loves street art.

Praveen...hmmm really some of our ladies, old friends now bring him out of his shell.

He keeps bragging about an old guy in one of the hotels asking if all the women were with him....you can imagine the answer.

funny....he used to be so shy.

on the road again...

Big yep, we have arrived, settled into new time zone and started on the road with our new gang, all good things

 Street performers are great- we have made lots of new friends.

 

Best looking kitchen in the world...finally had the chance to point it out to Praveen....similar idea at our place??

 

 and then we start....Mosque cathedral in Cordoba...I can't look at the place enough...the pillars and arches fascinate me...the juxtaposition of Christian cathedral on mosque is wonderful.

First night's dinner together in Spain - lovely...and many more to come :)