Friday 9 November 2012
and then it was November!
Oh my on my! I last posted here in August?! Wow! More bubbles of time blown by!
Well over on the ARC home page www.artsresidencycairo.blogspot.com you can of course keep up to date with course and residents much more but somehow I must have come to forget the more personal diary part here - or to be more accurate been as ever so busy and writing so many varied things that this page got neglected. Poor page! ;)
Well things are changing, things have changed. Yes, all remains with a strong schedule of courses, workshops and events and residents staying at ARC but the country is in a mess, as most of you will know, and life here feels more overwhelming sometimes. Two of the big issues are that I miss nature and civil liberties. Nature I might miss in any big city, though in many cities they have cultivated parks and areas one can go to - in Cairo there are a few small parks which due to the lack of civil liberties one cannot enjoy anyway, ie as a woman it is not easy or comfortable to go for a 'walk' and take a stroll in the park. In fact this would never happen. Other than no park sitting, I am also tired of the general street hassle, although I myself have not been badly harassed it is is just the fact that the street is 'owned' by the street people who are mainly men and walking leaves one open to constant remarks, and I mean constant. Even if the men think they are being 'flattering' it is still an invasion into one's walk. As well as this my beau broke up with me very recently and so now I find myself in a period of re-evaluation about what I want to do here and how long I want to stay. So... (!).. the ideas I have right now are to stay for some time more (as I am involved with so many good things and have courses scheduled etc etc) but I am now putting out my feelers for contacts in Paris, Rome and Berlin with the idea to either take some months away from Cairo and then return or to move. *I will be posting another post above this one with that Paris, Berlin, Rome idea explained more.
For now let me tell you about how Lia is on her last day here in Cairo and what a lovely resident she has been! Although, I have hardly seen her as she has been so busy with the W Ü S T E N project with her colleagues Nela Adams, Marcel Saegesser and Anna Schoels. Lia's work was to video document and take photographs of the project and these will be uploaded soon to the W Ü S T E N page: https://www.facebook.com/wuestenproject
Here are just some snaps from their work:
Well over on the ARC home page www.artsresidencycairo.blogspot.com you can of course keep up to date with course and residents much more but somehow I must have come to forget the more personal diary part here - or to be more accurate been as ever so busy and writing so many varied things that this page got neglected. Poor page! ;)
Well things are changing, things have changed. Yes, all remains with a strong schedule of courses, workshops and events and residents staying at ARC but the country is in a mess, as most of you will know, and life here feels more overwhelming sometimes. Two of the big issues are that I miss nature and civil liberties. Nature I might miss in any big city, though in many cities they have cultivated parks and areas one can go to - in Cairo there are a few small parks which due to the lack of civil liberties one cannot enjoy anyway, ie as a woman it is not easy or comfortable to go for a 'walk' and take a stroll in the park. In fact this would never happen. Other than no park sitting, I am also tired of the general street hassle, although I myself have not been badly harassed it is is just the fact that the street is 'owned' by the street people who are mainly men and walking leaves one open to constant remarks, and I mean constant. Even if the men think they are being 'flattering' it is still an invasion into one's walk. As well as this my beau broke up with me very recently and so now I find myself in a period of re-evaluation about what I want to do here and how long I want to stay. So... (!).. the ideas I have right now are to stay for some time more (as I am involved with so many good things and have courses scheduled etc etc) but I am now putting out my feelers for contacts in Paris, Rome and Berlin with the idea to either take some months away from Cairo and then return or to move. *I will be posting another post above this one with that Paris, Berlin, Rome idea explained more.
For now let me tell you about how Lia is on her last day here in Cairo and what a lovely resident she has been! Although, I have hardly seen her as she has been so busy with the W Ü S T E N project with her colleagues Nela Adams, Marcel Saegesser and Anna Schoels. Lia's work was to video document and take photographs of the project and these will be uploaded soon to the W Ü S T E N page: https://www.facebook.com/wuestenproject
Here are just some snaps from their work:
in the White Desert
Saleh Mohamed Mohamed in the performance at Darb 1718
some of the audience at the performance at Darb 1718
Sunday 12 August 2012
Nature Needed!
Hello World!
How are you? Are you OK? It all seems a bit crazy these days doesn't it.. with all these people fighting all the time, destroying each other and the land, doing all kinds of lunatic stuff and so little compassion. Ah well, we can only continue with our little worlds, doing the best we can, keeping creativity and life as our light.
And so.. we are very pleased to say that there is still life at ARC and in fact after a slow Ramadan start where it felt as if all activity had ceased the ball is now very firmly rolling! There are many Creative Writing courses being rolled out over the next months (see all adverts as they get posted over on the main ARC page) and the Dutch writer Saskia Konniger www.saskiakonniger.nl will be coming for a week's residence at the beginning of October, as she is currently writing her new book and needs some space and an environment to do so.
There are other enquiries also and once they are confirmed I will post details of other visiting artists.
Meanwhile we have 6 days left of Ramadan and then we will have the crazy Eid for 3 days and then ahhhhhhh we can all get back to 'normal' - whatever normal is in this city!
I have been feeling incredibly in need of NATURE!!! And I now feel that I need to spend time in Penzance again perhaps a couple of times per year, I need a fix of wildflowers, cliffs, the sea!!!! So, I will try to work out how to get that together, maybe organising some workshops for during my stay in Cornwall to pay for the expenses of the trip.
My beau and I are planning to get away for some days next week, to El Gouna. I had (and still do want) wanted to go to Nuweiba but with all the stuff going on in Sinai it's not overly advisable right now :/ and El Gouna looks beautiful and is by the Red Sea.
Anyway, I have to edit, then eat something (as I dont observe Ramadan myself, not being Muslim or religious in any way) and then get to my Pilates class!!!
Bye bye for now!!!!
Keep posted! :)))
How are you? Are you OK? It all seems a bit crazy these days doesn't it.. with all these people fighting all the time, destroying each other and the land, doing all kinds of lunatic stuff and so little compassion. Ah well, we can only continue with our little worlds, doing the best we can, keeping creativity and life as our light.
And so.. we are very pleased to say that there is still life at ARC and in fact after a slow Ramadan start where it felt as if all activity had ceased the ball is now very firmly rolling! There are many Creative Writing courses being rolled out over the next months (see all adverts as they get posted over on the main ARC page) and the Dutch writer Saskia Konniger www.saskiakonniger.nl will be coming for a week's residence at the beginning of October, as she is currently writing her new book and needs some space and an environment to do so.
There are other enquiries also and once they are confirmed I will post details of other visiting artists.
Meanwhile we have 6 days left of Ramadan and then we will have the crazy Eid for 3 days and then ahhhhhhh we can all get back to 'normal' - whatever normal is in this city!
I have been feeling incredibly in need of NATURE!!! And I now feel that I need to spend time in Penzance again perhaps a couple of times per year, I need a fix of wildflowers, cliffs, the sea!!!! So, I will try to work out how to get that together, maybe organising some workshops for during my stay in Cornwall to pay for the expenses of the trip.
My beau and I are planning to get away for some days next week, to El Gouna. I had (and still do want) wanted to go to Nuweiba but with all the stuff going on in Sinai it's not overly advisable right now :/ and El Gouna looks beautiful and is by the Red Sea.
Anyway, I have to edit, then eat something (as I dont observe Ramadan myself, not being Muslim or religious in any way) and then get to my Pilates class!!!
Bye bye for now!!!!
Keep posted! :)))
Thursday 24 May 2012
Home!
So...
I just got back from 12 days in UK; my first visit since moving here to Cairo two and a half years ago and I am happy to be home - as in back home in Cairo.
Some of my biggest impressions on the trip back to England were how quiet even Manchester was (!) - comnpared to Cairo which is one of the noisiest cities in the world other places seem positively tranquil! Also the lack of colour, the cold (!), the expense (!!!), how people are preoccupied with worries over how to pay high living costs and bills, a sense of suppression seemed present or rather dormancy; I felt that most people 'had' things but were poor in a sense of consciousness. This is not to say that people in Cairo are high on life.. but there is a sense of life everywhere - even if it is difficult.
After Manchester I then visited Penwith in Cornwall, which was my home for 12 years before moving here. Penwith is as beautiful as ever and still possesses that gentle strength which supports people who live there - but my stay there was not relaxing as I saw THIRTY TWO people in 5 days and still had more to go who I couldn't fit in!!!
Travelling back to Cairo I was lucky to be on the flight with one of my great friends here Amira, a fine writer and journalist. We finally managed to catch up (we have both been so busy recently)albeit through some severe turbulence and both arrived safely to our beloved but insane city - Cairo!
Watch out for updates of all new news and dont forget to check the main page Arts Residency Cairo also!
I just got back from 12 days in UK; my first visit since moving here to Cairo two and a half years ago and I am happy to be home - as in back home in Cairo.
Some of my biggest impressions on the trip back to England were how quiet even Manchester was (!) - comnpared to Cairo which is one of the noisiest cities in the world other places seem positively tranquil! Also the lack of colour, the cold (!), the expense (!!!), how people are preoccupied with worries over how to pay high living costs and bills, a sense of suppression seemed present or rather dormancy; I felt that most people 'had' things but were poor in a sense of consciousness. This is not to say that people in Cairo are high on life.. but there is a sense of life everywhere - even if it is difficult.
After Manchester I then visited Penwith in Cornwall, which was my home for 12 years before moving here. Penwith is as beautiful as ever and still possesses that gentle strength which supports people who live there - but my stay there was not relaxing as I saw THIRTY TWO people in 5 days and still had more to go who I couldn't fit in!!!
Travelling back to Cairo I was lucky to be on the flight with one of my great friends here Amira, a fine writer and journalist. We finally managed to catch up (we have both been so busy recently)albeit through some severe turbulence and both arrived safely to our beloved but insane city - Cairo!
Watch out for updates of all new news and dont forget to check the main page Arts Residency Cairo also!
Saturday 5 May 2012
The River Runs One Way
Dear All
How are you?
How many times do we answer that question with an impulsive 'I'm good, thanks' or some such? When actually we might have many crises in our lives.
That is how it has been for me these last 2, nearly 3, months - one of my most prolonged testing times in Egypt, and anywhere.
Why? Because I am going through various legal processes for the company and trying to do that, in this country, is a nightmare. I wouldn't even know where to begin telling the tale, but let's just say it is Kafkaesque and not yet resolved; and just as at other times of my life I used to wake up musing on a word or a dream or an idea; these last months everyday has been consumed by issues.
Nevertheless, let me focus on the accomplishments; I have created the Writers' Centre www.writerscentre.blogspot.com
and I have been continuing delivering a plethora of creative writing workshops and two new artists, Jenna Crowder and Keith Lane have been staying for a month and will stay through to mid June, whilst they deliver workshops at the Townhouse. (see the ARC home page for links to their work in 'Other Pages')
I have also got a delightful balcony of pink, green and yellow and the beautiful tree and birds that continue to soothe my days somewhat.
I go back to UK for 12 days early next week, my first trip for 2 and half years since arriving here and I am feeling rather stressed about it as it is at a critical time both for me personally with all my legal situations and also for Egypt. Things happen here every minute and also I am concerned about coming back, as nowadays the authorities can be, let's say, 'unembracing' towards foreigners wishing to stay here.
However, everything is pushing me forward to depart and to be in UK for a short time, and so inshallah it will all be well.
I am actually looking forward to visiting Primark :/ Really! :))
Ok, yalla, I need to eat. I shall write again soon and in the meantime remember to check the main ARC page for updates on what I am doing! :))
www.artsresidencycairo.blogspot.com
How are you?
How many times do we answer that question with an impulsive 'I'm good, thanks' or some such? When actually we might have many crises in our lives.
That is how it has been for me these last 2, nearly 3, months - one of my most prolonged testing times in Egypt, and anywhere.
Why? Because I am going through various legal processes for the company and trying to do that, in this country, is a nightmare. I wouldn't even know where to begin telling the tale, but let's just say it is Kafkaesque and not yet resolved; and just as at other times of my life I used to wake up musing on a word or a dream or an idea; these last months everyday has been consumed by issues.
Nevertheless, let me focus on the accomplishments; I have created the Writers' Centre www.writerscentre.blogspot.com
and I have been continuing delivering a plethora of creative writing workshops and two new artists, Jenna Crowder and Keith Lane have been staying for a month and will stay through to mid June, whilst they deliver workshops at the Townhouse. (see the ARC home page for links to their work in 'Other Pages')
I have also got a delightful balcony of pink, green and yellow and the beautiful tree and birds that continue to soothe my days somewhat.
I go back to UK for 12 days early next week, my first trip for 2 and half years since arriving here and I am feeling rather stressed about it as it is at a critical time both for me personally with all my legal situations and also for Egypt. Things happen here every minute and also I am concerned about coming back, as nowadays the authorities can be, let's say, 'unembracing' towards foreigners wishing to stay here.
However, everything is pushing me forward to depart and to be in UK for a short time, and so inshallah it will all be well.
I am actually looking forward to visiting Primark :/ Really! :))
Ok, yalla, I need to eat. I shall write again soon and in the meantime remember to check the main ARC page for updates on what I am doing! :))
www.artsresidencycairo.blogspot.com
Sunday 1 April 2012
Launch Party for the Writers' Centre and Khamsin Winds...
Well!!!! Things ARE moving on with the Writers' Centre Launch Party now decided for Tuesday April 24th (you can follow the Writers' Centre blog here: www.writerscentre.blogspot.com
I went over to the space a few days ago and there are still some refurbishments being made, but it felt good and also very quiet and peaceful for Cairo!
Today there is a strong and sandy wind blowing (known as a Khamsin) and the tree by my balcony is lurching like a shipwreck and there is dust on my laptop keys ;) I've been editing this morning and have class tonight and soon I have to take a router over to the Writers' Centre - I have realised that it will be quite a lifestyle change for me, this Writers' Centre! My daily habit has been to get up late, edit and write and then go out about 6pm to teach class then home late evening. On the rare day off I am catching up with things or see friends and unwind. Being responsible for the Writers' Centre means I shall have to start getting up earlier and get out of the house faster to go over there. I hope I can find some volunteers at some point to do some shifts so that I don't have to go over there everyday, lovely as it is ;)
I guess I should get more 'normal looking' now and go take this router! Or maybe I should further decorate the work room/studio space and stay inside - as this Khamsin is very sandy!!!
Bye bye for now!! :))
I went over to the space a few days ago and there are still some refurbishments being made, but it felt good and also very quiet and peaceful for Cairo!
Today there is a strong and sandy wind blowing (known as a Khamsin) and the tree by my balcony is lurching like a shipwreck and there is dust on my laptop keys ;) I've been editing this morning and have class tonight and soon I have to take a router over to the Writers' Centre - I have realised that it will be quite a lifestyle change for me, this Writers' Centre! My daily habit has been to get up late, edit and write and then go out about 6pm to teach class then home late evening. On the rare day off I am catching up with things or see friends and unwind. Being responsible for the Writers' Centre means I shall have to start getting up earlier and get out of the house faster to go over there. I hope I can find some volunteers at some point to do some shifts so that I don't have to go over there everyday, lovely as it is ;)
I guess I should get more 'normal looking' now and go take this router! Or maybe I should further decorate the work room/studio space and stay inside - as this Khamsin is very sandy!!!
Bye bye for now!! :))
Friday 23 March 2012
The Writers' Centre
The Writers' Centre
opening soon in El Darasa, Old Cairo
www.writerscentre.blogspot.com
A space for writers to hang out, write, use and contribute to the private library, network and share with an ongoing menu of events, readings, workshops, courses, salons and surgeries
Also offering:
Writing days out in places of inspiration and interest
Residential writing holidays to various places in Egypt such as Bahariya oasis, Nuweiba, Aswan, Siwa and Fayoum
On site residencies available to both emerging and established writers
Writing holidays at the Writers' Centre with accommodation provided in the hotel below
Choose membership with benefits or pay as you go. Some things will be free.
Menu of prices available soon
opening soon in El Darasa, Old Cairo
www.writerscentre.blogspot.com
A space for writers to hang out, write, use and contribute to the private library, network and share with an ongoing menu of events, readings, workshops, courses, salons and surgeries
Also offering:
Writing days out in places of inspiration and interest
Residential writing holidays to various places in Egypt such as Bahariya oasis, Nuweiba, Aswan, Siwa and Fayoum
On site residencies available to both emerging and established writers
Writing holidays at the Writers' Centre with accommodation provided in the hotel below
Choose membership with benefits or pay as you go. Some things will be free.
Menu of prices available soon
Saturday 25 February 2012
The Tree of Life
Hmmm, contented sigh as I sit on the balcony which is finally filling with warmth after these cold days in Cairo that have gone for too long and loving the tree that spreads across the street. I am sipping my peppermint tea and amazingly only have 2 pieces to edit today before going out to writing class at 6pm. I haven't written a poem or prose piece myself for a long time, as each day is full of activity and editing and the prime goal this last while of finding a place for my new good thing: The Writers' Centre - a place for events, readings, courses, salons, surgeries, hang out, networking, chill space, private library. And there will be a membership with benefits or pay as you go and some things will be free. This centre will bring together all my activities into one space and also allow collaboration and outreach.
However, as strong as this idea is (as there are many writers here who would love to have a place to gather and work) and as ready as I am to go for it - the issue of a suitable place is critical.. and I have been on several wild goose chases... My partner is a real estate broker and we are actually setting up a British Egyptian real estate company HOME. But I called in some other 'brokers' to widen the search and it ended up as a fiasco with people telling me crazy stories about amazing places that were so cheap because they had a ghost (!) but when I asked to go see them the place went PUFF! Into thin air... This happened numerous times and the whole fustrating and tiring experience has only served to make Shady, my partner, feel 100 times better about his professionalism in his broker work!!
Anyway.. hopefully a place is being arranged now, details as soon as it all goes through..
Other than this life has been courses, courses, courses with new venues requesting me to deliver writing courses including The Left Bank cafe, bakery, bookstore - owned by Sequoia restaurant and with an amazing modern design right on the Nile.
Yes, spring is arriving and all is rising - the return of Up On the Roof (open mic night), creative writing courses, The Writers' Centre, HOME real estate, and more artists asking to work on projects at ARC.
I think I need more tea ;))
However, as strong as this idea is (as there are many writers here who would love to have a place to gather and work) and as ready as I am to go for it - the issue of a suitable place is critical.. and I have been on several wild goose chases... My partner is a real estate broker and we are actually setting up a British Egyptian real estate company HOME. But I called in some other 'brokers' to widen the search and it ended up as a fiasco with people telling me crazy stories about amazing places that were so cheap because they had a ghost (!) but when I asked to go see them the place went PUFF! Into thin air... This happened numerous times and the whole fustrating and tiring experience has only served to make Shady, my partner, feel 100 times better about his professionalism in his broker work!!
Anyway.. hopefully a place is being arranged now, details as soon as it all goes through..
Other than this life has been courses, courses, courses with new venues requesting me to deliver writing courses including The Left Bank cafe, bakery, bookstore - owned by Sequoia restaurant and with an amazing modern design right on the Nile.
Yes, spring is arriving and all is rising - the return of Up On the Roof (open mic night), creative writing courses, The Writers' Centre, HOME real estate, and more artists asking to work on projects at ARC.
I think I need more tea ;))
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