{April A-Z Challenge} The Letter V

V is for ... Venetian Mask

Since before I went to Italy, I have always been fascinated with the Venetian Masks and I have always wanted my own so that I could get all dressed up and attend my very own masquerade ball.

The first thing I did when I got to Venice was begin the hunt for the perfect mask. I had no idea what I wanted, but I knew I would know it when I saw it. (Kind of like wedding dress shopping, you know)

We saw ornate masks, creepy masks and gorgeous masks. I saw the perfect one! A cat mask. Featuring little black velvet ears, sequins and black lace, it was the most exquisite piece I had ever seen. I was bitterly disappointed to discover that the store was already closed.

The search continued - and I found my 2nd perfect mask.

I have had it since 2005 and I have yet to attend an event where I get to wear the mask. Go figure!

It has always been a dream of mine to visit Venice and attend the annual masked balls, it must surely be something spectacular to experience.

{April A-Z Challenge} The Letter U

U is for ... Uncomfortable Shoes

We've all done it. 

Given in to impulse and bought a pretty pair of shoes, only to wear them once, experience extreme levels of pain and throw them into the back of your cupboard.

Mine are pink - obviously

One of our bookless club themes was Uncomfortable Shoes; giving us the opportunity to wear these shoes again and get some extra mileage from them so as not to feel too much buyer's remorse.

Because we sit a lot of the time, our feet get to look pretty, but without the pain. 

Win - Win!

{April A-Z Challenge} The Letter T

T is for ... Tarot Cards

I have the most gorgeous set of Arthurian Legend Tarot Cards. All watercolour illustrations by Anna-Marie Ferguson depict the legends; Kind Arthur, Sir Lancelot, Queen Guinevere etc.

These cards are a piece of art in their own right - soft colours and romantic scenes. I almost wish I could have them framed.

Tarot requires you to constantly practise and to become attuned to your intuition. Like anything, if you leave it, you become rusty.

I have not practised for years, and really wish I made the time for it again. Maybe someday...

 

My last prediction was that a friend of mine would get a new job and finally move out of her 7 year hell-hole and she did.

Are you familiar with Tarot? Do you consider it evil?

{April A-Z Challenge} The Letter S

S is for ... Solitude 

I am 1 of those people who is comfortable being by myself. 

I remember always being told when I was younger that you are not ready to be happy in a relationship, until you are happy with yourself.

How true those words are.

I have travelled solo on numerous occasions and I am grateful that I was able to experience foreign countries and new experiences because I was willing to travel alone. Too many people hold themselves back by not wanting to be seen alone. 

If only they knew how liberating it was!

One year I spent a few days in Cape Town after a business trip and I visited the beach every day. It was a pretty quiet week.

One day as I was basking in the warmth of the sun I looked up and saw a lady sitting on her own, gazing out at the sea.

I always wonder what runs through a person's mind when they watch the sea or a fire - there is something hypnotic and soul-soothing when doing this.

Was she thinking about her late husband, or was she wishing she had taken that tomboy many years back? Is she wishing she had learn how to tap dance or is she wondering how the new rosemary bread will taste when she bakes it for the family?

What do you think she is daydreaming about?

{April A-Z Challenge} The Letter R

R is for ... Rhino

There are not many times in my life when I have been terrified.

But there was a particular moment that I distinctly remember that feeling as a small fission of fear tickled it's way up my spine.

I was on holiday with a friend at a private game reserve called Welgevonden. We had been out on a very enjoyable game drive and were anxious to get back to our rooms to have a nap and freshen up- in anticipation of our evening feast in the outdoor Boma. 

As we were driving back into camp, we were greeted by the incredible sight of a rather large rhinoceros. She was having a bad day and was clearly PMSing.

As we stopped to take some photos, she suddenly turned and began to rake the ground (Warning sign #1) and blow out large gusts of air that disturbed the sand beneath her nose. (Warning sign #2)

Before we could even blink, she was charging towards us and as the driver raced our bulky vehicle away, she continued to gain ground on us. I recall thinking to myself, "As long as I am in front of one other person, she will get them first" Survival 101 - HAHA!

Luckily the camp's entrance was on a steep hill for just this occasion (we had all thought the ranger had made up that story) and she was eventually forced to slow her pursuit until she could not continue to follow us any further.

Nervous laughs and shaky hands and we all alighted the vehicle safely. But phew! I will never forget this large lady:

{April A-Z Challenge} The Letter Q

Q is for ... Quad bikes in Mozambique

This is me making my maiden voyage as a Quad Biker:

I think I was the only one in my entire circle of friends who had never ridden a quad bike.

I just never seemed to have had the occasion to - and I have not since then. 

I am extremely accident prone and I think in some way, the universe has kept me away from these beasts. 

I have fallen while standing still on my roller-skates (read; skates, as in 4 wheels per foot) and broken a ligament in my coccyx. It remains broken to this day, which means my coccyx jiggles loose.

I have fallen on my butt whilst ice skating and as a result, the bottom 5 vertebrae are usually fused by inflammation.

So on holiday in Mozambique, I decided to try it out and had the most incredible experience. 

We rode on sand dunes on the beach, we rode through a poor neighbourhood, catching a glimpse of the sadder side you never usually see when on holiday. 

We rode along the rocks on the coastline and stopped to watch the waves violently smashing themselves up against the cliff face. It was a beautiful moment to reflect on the power of Mother Nature.

I only walked away with 1 teeny tiny injury - I had burnt my leg on the exhaust pipe - note to self: wear longer jeans when riding.

I look forward to having another opportunity to ride again - what adventurous activities do you like to partake in?