Category Archives: Uncategorized

What do we do if your kidnapped?…

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REALLY….PAY THE RANSOM!

Heres the deal, I knew in my heart of hearts that I wouldn’t be kidnapped, it’s not in the plan and anyway I have far too much to do with the launch of my new venture “Own it ,Feel it, Live it.com” !

This story is a perfect example of my mantra and not being held captive by fear or what others think you should or shouldn’t do!

I trusted my gut and my hosts Erica and Francesco of Escape to Shape.I also knew, that anyone bold enough to step into the heat of Cartagena, Columbia  would be interesting  and fun like-minded explorers… And I wasn’t disappointed!!

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Not to say the trip didn’t start out with a little drama surrounding non-other, than the airplane Lou ! First I was “told off ” as if I were a naughty 5 year old boy, for slamming  the Lou door shut , by the male flight attendant ,who looked like he could take any of us out ! My mouth literally dropped open as I tried  not to laugh when he read me the riot act. I know I’m powerful ,but really,do you think I’m going break an airplane door off it’s hinges-well he did.

Next ,whispers floated around us as a waft of smoke escaped the infamous Lou. This time two CIA ,TV styled flight attendants marched  down the aisle ,ordered the man to come with them back to smell the scene of the crime.This investigative action was then followed by the crew confiscating his passport and luggage. When we landed, two guerrilla style  policeman with huge machine guns waited at the base of the stairs to escort  the VERY FOOLISH secret smoker off to Columbian jail.An example of pure stupidity!

We on the other hand danced through customs in all our innocence and were met by a very nice driver with an air-conditioned van who safely whisked us off to our hotel for the night.

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Cartagena is a beautiful old walled city flanked by the Caribbean ocean ,which blends the architecture  of historic towns such as Seville & Cadiz in Southern Spain , infused with the sultry vibrancy ,color and tropical flavors of the Caribbean.A  city which is considered one of the most beautiful in south america that charmed us all from her first touch ,with many unexpected surprises I’m happy to report.

Unique experiences from our first lunch whereby a friendly wild Toucan sat with us at our table, to the vibrancy of the street performers who entertained us as we dined late into the night in the local bustling town square .

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A man lip synching, dressed as Shakira in a bikini with a grass skirt and long blond wig as his belly and hips gyrated  to the pulsating sounds. Entertainment, laughter,life and  thousands of columbian dollars flowed from every corner and our wallets as we each fell into the  beat of the city.

This my friends was just day one!…more stories including “16 Woman in a Volcanic Mud Bath “,”Francesco and the Bond Girls Escape to the Forbidden islands “, “Pink champagne and 16 women in  a changing room”, “Birthday Celebrations on the Walls of the City” , ‘”Negotiations of a carriage ride”, “Staying alive and beautiful with the best Yoga and Pilates teachers” and many more !!

up up and away….and I lived to tell the tale!

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I never thought I’d find myself floating high in the sky, suspended in a wicker basket under the intense blaze of a huge flame as it burst forth into a vast balloon,otherwise known as an envelope.My daughter and I are traveling over fields and villages located between Marrakech and the Atlas mountains,in the oldest form of human-carrying air technology.Technology, which is dependent on the currents of the wind and a French man whom I’d never met before who exclaims “oh Shit”(in a rather lovely accent) every few minutes!This is the point where I pray and search for a parachute? My only comfort is that the French were the pioneers of Hot-air ballooning and have been doing it since 1783.But then again,interestingly,all 8 passengers are British…I do hope French,British relations are good right now!
I will admit,I have a fear of heights,so I’m obeying the French man’s orders to hold on tightly to the baskets leather straps with knees slightly bent and feet astride as we are unleashed into the air,luckily no ones awake to witness this highly unattractive pose .All that aside,this expedition is a tick (American translation-check) on my bucket list of things I’d like to do and fears I need to overcome in this lifetime.
It highlights the freedom and the experiences that we challenge and allow ourselves when we go beyond our day-to-day lives…even if it’s before the birds are up and singing.The sunrise and excitement is worth every wrinkle and bag forming under my eyes though.Hot air ballooning is unbelievable,the pure silence and chilled freshness of the air calms but also thrills each of us.I can honestly say I have never experienced such quietness,such peace even if it’s interrupted by the occasional burst of heat from the burner.
We see marrakech awakening on the horizon,daily life below us inside the mud walls of the otherwise hidden villages, a Shepard herding his flock to new pastures, while children jump,wave and shout to welcome us as our balloon casts shadows on the ground. This journey is magical which is apparent by the enormous grins on our faces…even if our pilot can’t seem to land the balloon after his 5th attempt!! OH SHIT!! No, none of us did…were all British remember!
stay tuned folks.

Not all those who wander are lost… I’d say,it’s actually amazing what and who you find

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Every time I travel,which as you know is frequent, I’m still amazed not just by the beauty of the landscape or the vibe of a city but by the people I meet and the conversations I have along the way.However brief.There is always something to learn and experience good and bad.
I think it’s about being open and flexible( which I am after Yoga on the beach this morning) but ultimately it’s about a sense of humor…
I really need to put my English spell check on so I can keep all my “U’s”safely in place!!

Riad Farnatchi … our Oasis in the madness

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Riad Farnatchi, an Oasis of peace and luxury in the madness of the Medina.
Stepping into the warm hospitality of our Riad, I’m speechless [which as many of you know is a miracle in of itself] by the tranquility, infusion of delicious scents and beauty that engulf us. Who would have imagined this jewel hidden behind the chaos and simple exterior of the medina’s pink walls!
Mint tea drenched with sugar, is served in small beautiful glasses to refresh our weary souls, or possibly rot our teeth if we drink too much,as we enter the first courtyard in this myriad of luxury. Original Moroccan arts and crafts from Berber tribes and Moroccan Royalty adorn the walls, while Roses cascade from the courtyard balconies creating an intoxicating cocktail to nourish our senses.
A collection of historic private homes each built around it’s own open courtyard,now connected to create an exclusive maze of stairways and passageways to 9 suites, rooftop dining and relaxation and intimate alcoves.All creating an authentic Moroccan experience.

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Anticipating our every desire our impeccable hosts have prepared a private feast for us to the savor our first bites of Moroccan cuisine and to my surprise wine…dare I say,what a fine French contribution. A feast in a tiny restaurant of pure artistry where craftsmen have carved patterns within the stone walls and multi colored lanterns light our evening.The perfect ambiance for a romantic meal… Next time maybe.
We’ve truly landed in Aladdin’s cave…our sanctuary,with all it’s hidden treasures.
This is only day one!!

Marrakech…we’ve landed in a Movie scene!

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Marrakech…we’ve landed in a movie?

Exiting the arrivals hall we witness the first nuances of Moroccan culture, as our driver partakes in a ‘’cheek to cheek to cheek to cheek to cheek to cheek” greeting, interspersed with a man hug with almost every Moroccan man imaginable…even the car park attendant! I know Morocco was a French colony, but he has taken the fine art of a French greeting to a whole new level. But as I’ve come to learn, Moroccan people are truly connected to each other and their land.

Departing the airport I’m shocked by the abundance of glorious fragrant Roses that line the major roadways and walls of the Medina, rich colors in full bloom interwoven like patterns in a magic carpet.They certainly challenge any  English Rose!

It’s surreal, the chaos, noise, dust and conflicting smells, along with the gifts from the hardworking Donkeys, Mules and Horse drawn carriages entangled with bicycles,cars and motor-scooters buzzing like overgrown wasps overloaded with passengers. Travelers traversing in every possible direction, all within a hairs breath of death, without any sense of fear. They even make the Italian drivers look tame!

I feel like I’m cast as a journalist in an Indian Jones blockbuster travelling with my photographer Natalie in this life zone called Marrakech. An ancient city brimming with people and animals all cradled in the cobbled passageways, where the towering pink walls envelope you and whisper stories from the past.A city saturated in life, warmth, color and scents all vying for attention and space.

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Inside the city walls the cobbled streets narrow as we merge with merchants,city folk, children and animals of every species negotiating in everyday life; all feeding off this seamless chaos.

Our taxi comes to a halt,were in a swirling mass of mayhem as people clamor around us; our savior, a gentle man in a traditional long cream robe greets us. Our suitcases are placed in a rather large wheelbarrow, which is then pushed by a man masquerading as a donkey. Clueless as to where we are, we follow him deeper into the narrowing corridors flanked by doors beckoning us to enter.At this point I’m beginning to wonder what we have got ourselves into, but oddly I have no fear, my intuition is positive and Let’s face it, my guardian angels are working overtime.

Turning a corner into what appears a dead-end we see the discreet but beautifully inscribed words on a large arched wooden door,”Riad Farnatchi”, we are home for the next 3-nights, secure in our oasis in the madness.

England, Coworth park and all that is British

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Two nights at the beautiful Coworth Park is an indulgence every traveler should enjoy. ..however one has to admit it really is a special choice for an expat on a quick stopover in the motherland with an objective to relax and live in a bygone era.

A place west of London, where family and friends are happy to visit you and luxuriate in the perfect country hotel where the very pleasant, polite staff wear a smile,know your name and in true old fashioned tradition open the for you.Nothing is to much ..except maybe the cost of a glass of champagne ..but other than that the food is first class along with the surroundings ..a country manor that has been refurbished in a modern style of exceptional taste and quality, an estate with its own stables, barns and everything equestrian.We are luxuriating in the English countryside where wild animals roam (well as wild as they can be in England )which if didn’t know better I’d think had been to finishing school too! Where do you see one person trotting along or riding three or four perfectly behaved horses to the paddocks or polo fields.A place where ducks and Swans pumped up on steroids actually flap there expansive wings in the pond and graze like a herd of sheep on the green pastures.I have finally discovered something that is bigger in England than America…Swans …they are a fierce force to be reckoned with,as well as the property of the Queen ..maybe they’re a secret military force?Pictures to follow folks!!

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8am San Fran to Boston..OMG-Really ….Old Man?

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8am on a commercial flight San Francisco to Boston , OMG-.REALLY….OLD MAN?

Never in all my years of flying have I boarded a plane, sat in my seat to find the old gentlemen …or so I thought….reading non other than an explicit PORN magazine !

It’s 8am mister …do you really think I can stomach breakfast with you blatantly flaunting pictures of larger than life body parts? That from what I can see look more like weapons of mass destruction!

It’s so unexpected even the guy seated behind me is laughing in amazement and mouthing to me…”move seats”. To make matters even more astounding, the old dodger doesn’t even  acknowledge me or try to cover up his morning pleasure …even after 10 minutes of me clearly trying to figure out how to look anywhere other than the window .

So what does a girl do….Clearly this is an  assignment for the flight attendants. I interrupt   their morning galley gossip and share my predicament with them ….”what that old man” the ever so sweet gay attendant gasps …”OMG who’d of thought honey”

Lucky for me the flight attendant swings into action and sequesters a real gentlemen to come to my rescue. Gallantly with the four of us now huddled in the galley he agrees to swap seats for the 5 hour flight.With gratitude I simply say….”you’ll enjoy what his reading more than I “…he flushes, smiles and mission quick seat swap is accomplished

Hey let’s face it …guys will be guys …but in a public place where no one can escape for 5 hours ! As the saying goes there’s a time and a place for everything …Now it’s time for a bloody Mary.Cheers!