Cedric vs. Nabateans

Cedric the Gnomad has been on the road again and was literally dwarfed by the ancient city of Petra.

Over 2300 years old this enormous city is breathtakingly beautiful, listed as one of the new seven wonders of the world and I can now fully understand why... Together with my sweet mother (it was so good to see her again!) and a family friend we walked around for hours and still did not get to see all of it. Imagine, only 15 percent of it has been excavated and that more is yet to be discovered... All of us were in awe by the sheer magnitude of this historical site and I wish I could go back and spend a couple more days wondering around and seeing more of it.
I am embarrassed to say that I'd never heard about the Nabateans (yep, even after taking several archaeology courses in university) before I came to Jordan, and let me tell you that as stone masons/carvers they kicked ass big time. It is HUGE. Carved out of the stone cliffs. It is so, so beautiful...

Here is a link about Petra. It even mentions Harrison Ford. And Sean Connery. And Indiana Jones.

Hey Mr. Postman

I am all for hand-written letters. I grew up in the tropical boonies and when I left my parents at an early age it was drilled into me: WRITE.
I did.

My father has the most beautiful handwriting ever. I have tried in vain to copy his handwriting style and for a long time I have wished for certain chosen words in his writing to become transfixed as permanent ink on my skin. His writing is overly unique & elegant and one day it will grace one of my forearms as a tattoo.

When I was a teenager the parental unit bought me a Parker fountain pen that my classmates during high school loved to borrow: It was so well-seasoned that it was like butter in your hands when writing. I vividly remember going to the local stationary store and buying the ink cartilages and ultimately my devastation when the housing of my trusted writing device broke. Seventeen years later I still have it in my possession and for over a decade I've wanted to replace the broken bits.

Over time my diligent letter writing went downhill. Correspondence became sporadic and email replaced delicate stationary and indigo ink. In 2012 I decided to start afresh and picked up the pen again. Postcards and letters filled with love were sent from Egypt, N-Ireland, Holland, Mexico, Aruba and now Jordan.

Every month the main head office brought me handwritten letters from my friends and family. I would jump up and down with excitement, run to the nearest hammock and immerse myself in the words on the pages. It provided an almost physical link to my loved ones and (I'll admit it!) I smelled the pages and held the envelopes close to my heart.

The Mexican and Aruban mail were notoriously unreliable and some letters were either months delayed or took a detour; others never made it. Jordanian post is smooth in comparison. Try it and write to me.
I will send you one back and when you close your eyes and hold the envelope close it will hopefully put a smile on your face.

Red Roaster

Coffee beans. Add Veronica. Perfect blend.

The lovely Ms. Vee has recently become the proud owner of Red Roaster Coffee, a micro roaster company that has its roots on Gabriola Island, BC. If you like your cup of java to be fresh, organic, fair-trade and ethically sourced you've got yourself some magic beans here! Next to that Red Roaster delivers the freshly roasted goods to your doorstep and donates to local organizations such as People for a Healthy Community (PHC). It is a win-win situation plus you will be supporting a local business run by a talented young entrepreneur with a heart of gold.
Go to the website to get your caffeine buzz details

Shakespearian Dissidence

When I was seventeen & lived in Holland I wrote the final thesis for my history course on the dissuasion of fictional characterizations regarding Queen Elizabeth I. It was a choice mostly propelled by the different accounts of Elizabeth's character in history books, novels and films. I am still drawn to the myth surrounding this woman, the turbulent and hazy political atmosphere during the time of her reign and how history was recorded and none the least, by whom.
Recently I watched the film 'Anonymous'. It was splendid and I thoroughly enjoyed it, mostly for breathing life into one of the facets that make me enjoy historical interpretations even more - Where do facts end and fiction begin?

During Elizabeth's rule a certain playwright flourished and became a legendary figurehead of literature:
Shakespeare.
His plays (and play on) words, poetic lamentations and iambic pentameter used to make me cringe when I was a teenager in high school. Now I can spend an evening with Othello, a few candles and a heap of mature cheese and red wine (we all have our vices)

After watching 'Anonymous' I had to write this post. There is this young woman who I have been keeping track of for a while. The energetic prose that she infuses some of her performances with is a style of contemporary Shakespearean bardolatry.
Her name is Kate Tempest and she knows how to bring it, slicing into your soul while you hang on her every word. Find out more about Kate here. Or watch the video that got me hooked and riddled with goosebumps.
Perhaps this is what audiences experienced whilst watching Shakespeare's plays in his time. A certain enthrallment, when words move you to the point where you become speechless.

Giant Napoleon (Cheilinus undulatus)

A couple of days ago I took two Scandinavian divers out for a dip on Rainbow Reef where we found ourselves in unusual company. The three of us were surrounded by a huge school of gorgeous fusiliers when suddenly out of nowhere a 2 meter Napoleon wrasse and his Significant (and much smaller) Other appeared. They decided that we were a welcome distraction and kept coming back for another curious look. Napoleon or Humphead wrasse have large expressive eyes that are akin to googly eyes, and we were certainly being ogled tons! (not as a potential snack, mind you)
It was the first Napoleon I've come across here in Jordan and his massive size was impressive. His girlfriend was a bit more coy but she warmed up and after spending minutes gazing into each other's eyes we parted ways. Aquatic encounters such as these bring a big smile to my face...

Snow in the Desert

As soon as it snows I am one of the first to run outside and jump around in it like a lunatic new-born lamb. I am known for starting epic snowball ambushes, making impromptu snow angels & you can always count me in for a midnight tobogganing session with my pals.
Snow sculptures are awesome too. One year I made a roasted pig out of snow, complete with an apple stuffed in its mouth which was neatly plucked out by deer every night (I lived in an orchard then so the stolen apples were easily replaced).

But snow in the desert? Yep. It is pretty crazy. January brought the white stuff to the Middle East and even the ancient city of Petra got dusted. Roads were closed off and many Jordanians were having a lot of fun sledding around.
The unusual weather has also created serious problems. Most affected are the tens of thousands of Syrian refugees. Snow, rain, and wind have battered the refugee camps and in Zaatari tents were flooded and people were evacuated. The situation is worsening. I've been told that many Syrians need to 'pay' to get their families safely across the border. These people, who are running for their lives, leaving all they have behind in a desperate attempt to escape the war that is raging in their home country are being bribed by Syrian custom officials... An amount that most can't afford to pay (Read more about it here)

For an article and video about the Zaatari refugee encampment in Jordan click here.


 

Great News

Ever wonder why you feel depressed after watching the evening news? Do you feel as if wherever you turn there seems to be more violence and disasters happening worldwide? You are not the only one.

Situated in a relatively peaceful & stable place in the turbulent Middle East we are surrounded by neighboring countries where conflict rages: Reports filter in of locals who have family members in Syria that are killed by snipers, their houses destroyed and people fleeing their lands...

I am not sure how accurate this study is but according to an article published by Morocco World News "Arab nations are the most affected by melancholy" (stats provided by the World Health Organization).
It is a depressing report.

So today at work I decided to go on an online hunt for Great News. News that would lift spirits and make folks here smile. Click the picture below to find out where we ventured...

And if that did not rock your boat I have a back up plan to put a spring in your step...

Click on these babies:

Great News Network 

Daily Good News

Capsicum annuum

Red sweet bell peppers are obviously one of the best things EVER. Their scent, crunchy texture and sweet taste makes my mouth water even thinking about them (Actually I have just finished one off for breakfast).
I can eat them everyday, anytime, anywhere as long as they are not consecrated in a cooking pan - I like them raw. Growing them is a pure act of patience: Watching unripened peppers slowly turn color takes a long time when all you can think of is stuffing your face with one.
Whilst living in the Mexican outback I could only get green peppers which are of course contemptible compared to the vibrant ripe red ones. Imagine my joy when I arrived in Jordan and was suddenly surrounded by them. Add some jarjeer (arugula) that grows on little vegetable plots all across the city and is sold straight from the wheelbarrows behind the mosque and you have yourself a union made in heaven.

Interesting fact: Christopher Colombus was the muppet whom mistakenly gave this fruit (yep it IS a fruit) its name, wrongly associating it with peppercorns.

Perspective

Jason Isley is an underwater macro-photographer who has created a whole new series with a humorous twist. Check it out! (Click here for the entire scoop on the story)