Category: Music and dance

Time for my own African sunset…

On By dhanya8In farewell, Friends and Family, Lagos, Meditate, Music and dance, Travel1 Comment

It’s a fascinating thing, this life we lead. Some people never leave the town that they were born in, some never return to it. Many around the world still firmly believe in the marriage and children model, yet there is also an increasing level of individuals who opt to live without this, either through long-distance lives and reunions, or by simply directing their energy onto other facets of the human experience.

Personally, I don’t fit the standard boxes and have long-since accepted, and in fact celebrated, my blog’s namesake – a wondering wanderer. (I did give it to myself after all!) Though this causes deep pains for me at time, it also brings me divine joys. And this chapter is more of the same. Plus, who says life has to be any of the above? I’m writing the pages as I walk them….

  • Don’t wait for the sun to shine, or the occasion to celebrate….
  • …this should be my tag line…
  • be passionate with all that you’ve been given and find the champagne of your own songs….

Since fully recovering from the life-changing month of March, many things became softened, simplified and greatly emphasised. Certain energies around me left or were excused, and alignment felt more in my reach than I believe I’ve ever had at my fingertips before.

And upto this present day as I write, the time period from then until now has been the setting sun upon my African love affair, at least as I currently know it, and as I walked (flew) away, I can tell you without shame – my heart shattered into a million pieces.

Continue reading “Time for my own African sunset…” →

It’s all in the way that you feel.

On By dhanya8In Adventure, Disconnection, Music and dance, Recovery1 Comment

“I live here, I may as well like it”, I retorted as I discussed the chaos that can be life in Lagos, to my newly-found friend who was visiting me from my beloved Uganda. And herein opened the can of worms that my mind and body has been keeping a rather large lid on.

I haven’t actually been liking it at all. Not inside. Not in my heart. Not in my inspiration.

Was it the fault of Lagos? Was it the fault of the artificiality  I feel from ex-pat lifestyle? Was it the fault of my continued chronic pain? Or was it just not “there”, wherever that happens to be?

Perhaps in fact, it was the fault of the intensive physio program I was ensuring I followed, due to my determination to be fully fit, flexible and mobile, so that I could get my life back…

Continue reading “It’s all in the way that you feel.” →

Making the best of a mishap, Milege calling…

On By dhanya8In Culture and customs, Music and dance, Taking timeLeave a comment

With my knee being so vulnerable and unpredictable, it has been a little troublesome to move around and enjoy the spirit of Uganda in ways that I have been doing previously. However, the approach of the Milege festival, hosted at the beautiful Botanical Gardens, Entebbe, has been a goal for me over this episode. Come rain, shine or fall (hehe excuse the pun), I was determined to get there providing it didn’t feel like it would be a setback for my physical health. As I knew that the set-up that it would bring to my mental health would be fruitious and rewarding. One of my closest Ugandan friends was part of the crew, and although sadly another one was unable to attend (due to performing in another amazing festival in Rwanda; talented young man that he is), it was important to my heart to get there, even if it meant me sitting on a chair for the whole time.

I had visited the Botanical gardens on my very first day in Uganda, so I already knew about the magic I felt in that place. And I so wanted to absorb more arts, culture and music from the Ugandan people. Continue reading “Making the best of a mishap, Milege calling…” →

Twists and turns of Africa

On By dhanya8In Music and dance, Unexpected challenges2 Comments

As I have been stating on more than one occasion, I have been developing a love affair with Uganda and all that it has brought into my life and before my eyes.

I have made conections with a multitude of people, and feel blessed to have so many dear friends around me, especially given that I am only just entering my fourth month here.

It  has been such a joy, especially after some turbulent times in work situations, to experience yoga on the hill at sundown, to share supper with a friend and his sons, to sit on the veranda of a South African friend’s and partake in a Braii amongst friends, to go and dance and soak up art and culture with my Ugandan friends, to meander around markets and start to finally get offered items at their actual prices rather than the mzungu price, to zip around town on the back of a boda with the wind in my hair and the sun on my face, to listen to beautiful music whilst I watch the birds overhead as I sit on the rooftop of my apartment, and so on.  Let alone to consider all of the amazing trips I have been so lucky to have already been on, with relative ease of last-minute decision making and minimal costs.

However, when illnes strikes, all of this fades into the background. Continue reading “Twists and turns of Africa” →

A city of artists

On By dhanya8In Culture and customs, Music and dance1 Comment

Festivals, as I mentioned in a previous blog, are close to my heart: through the fact that they allow a meeting of like-minded souls and trusting open connections; an expansion of enjoying life itself; through celebration of all that is on offer, which is generally a plethora of magic, music and jollities.

I adore them and so you can imagine my delight that all of a sudden I seem to be swept up in a series of different festival events occurring over on this side of the globe.

A lovely Ugandan friend of mine, (that I met at Nyege Nyege), had told me of the upcoming Bayimba festival as we headed back to Kampala after dancing the weekend away. It was to be hosted at Kampala’s National Theatre, and he insisted that not only would I love it but that I must be there! And of course that was true. Continue reading “A city of artists” →

Nyege nyege – the feeling of a sudden uncontrollable urge to move, shake or dance

On By dhanya8In Culture and customs, Music and dance3 Comments

One of the main things that has excited me about a new home in Africa, has been the opprtunity to see/hear the amazing music firsthand. Over the past few years I have been going to more and more African music events, and I have repeatedly felt the rhythms and sounds stir within my blood. I do not, as yet, have the freedom and fluidity of many African dancing styles, but I am a dancer all the same. One of my singing teachers used to frequently refer to an African phrase – “If you can walk, you dance.  If you can talk, you can sing.” And this resonates with me deeply. Continue reading “Nyege nyege – the feeling of a sudden uncontrollable urge to move, shake or dance” →