Category: UAE

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Daily Coffee Talk~75/364

Liwa Desert~ UAE

There must have been a time when humans were born on this planet with a clarity of purpose and a constant awareness of purpose for this journey we find ourselves on.

It feels that something has occurred to cause a derailment of the human story, sometime, somehow, we took a wrong turn and we find ourselves lost to purpose, oblivious to the truth and determined to go on a path towards self destruction.

Were all the attempts at religion failed wakeup calls? What is next? Will we eventually wake up to the values this incredible and sustaining planet we live on? Or is abdication responsibility the way of tomorrow too?

From a pondering mind on a cold German evening…

Wishing you all well.

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Daily Coffee Talk~ 55/365

free at last~

Hi my friends,

Lea’s quarantine ended today! We have a negative covid test and the birds are singing again in our neighbourhood. You don’t realise the importance of human contact till you go 10 days without it.

We have been smiling a lot today, hugging and being silly. I am grateful for her recovery and wish for this global pandemic to disappear and allow for a new kind of normalcy to return.

Stay healthy and well. Happy and gratefully signing off from Germany.

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Daily Coffee Talk~ 52/365

Good day,

I don’t think I have ever used the term ‘good day’ ever before. So here it is, good day to you.

I am still caring for my quarantined child on day 5, trying to come up with creative meals and snacks, getting used to washing my hands 25 times a day, running down my ‘to do’ list to remain sane and doing my best not to get infected with covid.

As I do all this my mind wander to thoughts about life, our state of the world, the planet, and as always, the future.

I wonder how much of what the future is trying to tell us goes unheard, undelivered and just plain missed. How do we tune to what is trying to speak to us? No matter how skeptical you may be, you know that sometimes, somehow, something is trying to tell you things, right?

Hoping ti have a better receiving system and wishing you a wonderful day.

Write you tomorrow!

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Morning Coffee Talk~48/365

Good Morning,

So for those of us who think we are sitting at home or standing still, ponder this:

Our planet is spinning around its axis at a speed of 1000 miles/ hour

It is also rotating around the sun at a speed of 67,000 miles/ hour

and our Milky Way is spinning around at a speed of 130miles/SECOND or 1.3 million miles/ hour!!!

And you, me, and the neighbour’s cat can stand still and balance on one foot (well not the cat) !

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Morning Coffee Talk~ 44/365

Taken near the empty quarter, Liwa, UAE

Good Morning,

Have you ever felt the need to back things off when so much tries to claim your time, attention and energy? That is the time to use the power of ‘NO’.

So many of us find it very difficult to say no, maybe in fear of upsetting someone, the worry of not being liked, not living up to someone’s expectations or thinking simply that being a good person dictates saying yes. It doesn’t.

At certain times in my life and when it is needed, I like to imagine a portcullis dropping in front of me to offer me a space to be, to think, to gain clarity and to feel a sense of containment.

Our first responsibility is to ourselves and our own wellbeing because if we are crowded and overwhelmed, we can only make clouded decision.

I wish you a clear day filled with inspiration and joy.

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Morning Coffee Talk~43/365

At the gate of Expo Dubai~

Good Morning,

Today my thoughts wander around the subject of intactness. What does it mean to be intact? How vulnerable do we allow ourselves to be with the onset of change? How does one become intact? Is it a permanent state or something we need to keep working towards in our personal development?

All these ponders take be back to the importance of reconnecting to the very basics, like the truth and meaning of life. Why are we here? What are we meant to be doing? What are we supposed to be collecting in our lives? And what do we leave behind as a legacy?

One thing is for sure: we are born alone and we die alone, so relationships matter and clean human interaction is vital during our short lives here on this unbelievably unbalanced planet.

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Morning Coffee Talk~ 42/365

At the Pacita Abad exhibition in Jameel Arts Center~ Dubai

Good Morning,

I am back in Germany getting readjusted to my routine and processing the 13 day journey I just had in the Emirates. Before it blurs into the halls of my memory, I thought to list 9 words that I would choose to describe the trip and my experiences. It’s a challenge to do this live here as I write the blog, so here goes.

1. Art

2. Sister

3. Reconnected

4. Warmth

5. Innovation

6. Future

7. Overwhelming

8. Tradition

9. Otherworldly

Luckily my camera will keep so much of this extraordinary experience alive. That’s another reason I love photography.

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Morning Coffee Talk~ 41/365

Photographed: Brigitte at Etihad Museum in Dubai

Good Morning,

Today I am writing from a higher place, from above the clouds. I just had my morning coffee on the plane that is taking me back home.

The last 13 days have been like a magic carpet ride of new impressions, inspiration and learning. I have seen a glimpse of what the future might look like and how the past continues to have its grip on present day generations.

Returning home is a process that is not only physical but also mental, emotional and spiritual. It’s a coming back to a gold state of stability that one works on building all their life.

I journey now back to my internal state, to my containment, to the gold.

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Morning Coffee Talk~ 40/365

Good Morning,

We were treated yesterday to a beautiful tradition of Dukhoon where incense was burnt on our arrival and several times throughout the day during our visit and the midkhan or incense burner was passed around to allow us to incense our hair and clothing following the example of our hostess.

Dukhoon has a very long tradition in the Arabic culture of being used in religious ceremonies as well as social events and it’s use is reputed to heal, repel bad spirits, enhance smells and increase creativity and motivation.

There is something quite haunting about witnessing and being part of this tradition and obviously I go back home tomorrow with a variety of oud and incense to burn in my home and keep this tradition alive.

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Morning Coffee Talk~ 39/365

Liwa Desert~

Good Morning,

We are in the desert today in Liwa, close to the border of the emirates and Saudi Arabia, the empty quarter (الربع الخالي) and very close to the Tropic of Cancer.

The sand get more and more red as you drive towards Liwa due to its concentration of copper and the world gets more and more quiet. All you see are sand dunes a blue sky and a bright yellow sun.

We had privilege of the hospitality of a local lady who is a force of nature with her incredibly powerful presence, her utter pride of her culture, history and tradition and her generous nature that she gifts in abundance.

We were shown around, offered food continuously since we arrived and were directed to have a rest before we continue our journey into the desert until it’s time for dinner and a bonfire after sunset.

It is an amazingly beautiful experience to add into the archives of good memories and photography.

Photograph from earlier today of the beautiful granddaughter of the Lady.