Madagascar

So I spent the last month in Madagascar

I've been preparing to go for the past two years, spending every weekend raising money and organising projects.

During this process, it became apparent to me that very few people recognised Madagascar as a 'real' place. I'm not entirely sure how to explain this, but all I know is that when you tell people you're doing charity work in Africa, people rarely ask whereabouts. They see it as a massive area of the world that doesn't apply to them. Madagascar, to most people, is a tiny island with very few inhabitants. In reality, the country is of a similar size to France, with a population of 23 million. I'll admit, before given the opportunity to go there, I had given this country little thought. However, I now believe it to be one of the most magical places on our planet.
In the western world, we have a certain understanding of Africa, we view it as a poverty ridden world filled with sadness and loss. While the outcast villages I spent time in are definitely below the poverty line, the families living in them are by no means unhappy. I found this to be really inspiring. Of the many things I have learned from this expereicence, one of the most important things is to just be grateful for what you have, and focus your energy on what you DO have, not what you lack. These outcast villages are hidden behind brick walls and house families who are banished from society because they are believed to be unclean. These same people are among the happiest I have ever encountered. We entered their environment and were met with singing and dancing; a very warm welcome. All the children look out for one another and you can really feel the love and positive energy generated from their strength.
As the day drew to a close, we had lots of hugs, and then all piled into the back of a Toyota and bumped down the muddy track back to the convent where we were staying with the Malagasy nuns.
Out of all the things I took part in while in Madagascar, this is one of the things that will stay with me forever, I will never forget the people that I met and how they made me feel.
Thank-you, Madagascar.

all the world's a stage!

Helen Mirren in Julie Taymor's film adaptation of The Tempest.

"I think children's experience of Shakespeare should always be in performance, in the theatre, or on film- mostly in theatre, but it should be a performance because it makes it alive and real" -Helen Mirren 

I'm a total Shakespeare nut and I'm not even slightly ashamed to admit it.
As much as I adore the subject of English Literature, when people in my classes groan about having to study 'Macbeth' during the lessons, I can see where they are coming from.
Shakespearean language is divine, and can transport you to a new height of imagination and emotion. It simply can't be captured or appreciated within the constraints of a classroom.
I don't have a problem understanding Shakespeare's monologues now, but I can honestly say that the ability to read his plays with ease has come from an education in Theatre Studies.
I adore the theatre and I especially love seeing Shakespeare's plays on stage. If done well, they're brilliant.
When you read the words for the first time, they don't always makes sense, because they are made to be illustrated by the human voice, not read inside your head.
I totally agree with Helen Mirren in her belief that a person's first experience of Shakespeare should be from the perspective of an audience member.
So do me a favour, and before you whine about having to study Shakespeare, or claim you can't understand it, get yourself to a live performance and then feel free to criticise it all you like.

Adieu

travelling + memories

I had a thought this morning.
I'm seventeen, and struggling with this whole positivity thing. Lately I've been desperately trying to find things to focus on that will keep me happy. Over the past few years I've discovered that one of the things that makes me happier than anything else is travelling.
I love visiting new places, and I can't think of anything more valuable to the process of finding yourself than exploring fresh cultures and ideas.
In 2010, I spent three weeks in California with my family, it's probably my favourite place in the world. San Francisco Bay is beautiful, and the people there are so effortlessly happy that you can't help but be infected by their infectious laughter and friendly attitudes.
In 2012, Morocco was entirely different, but by no means better or worse. The people there seemed closed off to us, but we got to know our driver: Hamid, and he told us all about his family, he was so grateful for everything he had. He hardly ever saw his wife as he was always working, but he never complained or questioned it, merely accepted it. We had the privilege to go to the Atlas Mountains, and visit the tiny village of 53 people that live there. The man that showed us around and took us to see the nuns that made Argan Oil walked past a tiny shack and rapped on the door. When several very young children answered and proceeded to shake our hand, I realised that this was his home and his family. It was so flattering to be shown to his personal space and it was extremely inspiring to see the pride he held towards his family.
This year, I'm going to Madagascar, without my family, to work with a charity and spend time in an orphanage, a leprosy colony, a mental hospital and a TB clinic.
The point of me explaining this is to encourage you to travel, however far away, even if you drive a few miles from your home just to appreciate a new town. I am so lucky to have seen these things, and whenever I'm feeling low, or unmotivated, I think of all the amazing things I've seen and the people I have met, and how they can inspire me. Striving to explore as much of our planet as possible is really important, and you must do so with no prior expectations of a place. When you go somewhere, buy a postcard, and write down your thoughts about somewhere, even if you completely disagree with the way of life, think about how they might perceive you, and what you can learn from your experience.

Happy travelling

Georgia