First Impressions: Marrakesh

 
I See... 

Arid, red-brown earth
Buildings the same colour as the earth - as if they've grown from the soil
Ancient olive groves, palm trees, cacti
Citrus trees laden with fruit (reminds me of Spain)
Chaotic traffic (reminds me of India)
Camels and monkeys
Patterns - everywhere

I Hear...

The haunting call to prayer of the muezzin
The cacophony of noise in the square
Drums
People importuning me on all sides

I Smell...

Hedges of rosemary
Incense

I Taste...

Warm spices
Savoury food sweetened with dried fruits
Freshly squeezed orange juice

I Feel...

Sunshine on my skin
The jostle of crowds about me
An unfamiliar camera in my hands

I Sense... 

A culture far removed from my own
Centuries of tradition unfurled before me
The mystery of Marrakesh

First Impressions: Instant Photography

I bought a lovely, reconditioned SX-70 (Polaroid camera) to come to the Instant Love retreat.  Bought it last summer. I've been staring at it and occasionally stroking it ever since. I hadn't dared actually open the precious object, though, in case I somehow broke it.

Yesterday, however, I learned how to do just that and my camera and I greeted each other warmly. With great ceremony, it offered up a first photograph....then promptly died. Which is a bit of a bummer, really, given that this is essentially a Polaroid retreat.

Never fear, I also brought with me a back-up camera - a last minute purchase I didn't think I'd actually need: a Fuji Instax (the new S50 Piano Black for those interested in such things - and, yes, I bought it 'cause it was called 'Piano').

After yesterday's despondent start, I've been having real fun with this little baby today. And I'm already dreaming up uses for the cute, credit card-sized images it delivers with such a satisfying whirr.   They have more of an instant, vintage look than I expected.   In fact, I could get quite addicted to these.

Which is, I guess, the whole point of this retreat.  (And at least the film is a whole lot cheaper than film for the now deceased Polaroid!)

Monday Meditation (2)

‘The world is mud-luscious and puddle-wonderful.’

( e.e. cummings )

Marrakesh, here I come!

I'm on my way to Morocco!!!

My first ever stash of Polaroid film is cradled in my bag and I'm heading towards Africa.  A week of Instant Love awaits me....shooting Polaroid and other instant photos in the stunning setting of Marrakesh.

This will be my first ever foray into the world of analogue photography.  At least, the first since I began taking pictures two-and-a-half years ago.  There was the box Brownie I owned as a ten year old (and, goodness, I wish I still had that camera!).  But nothing since.

I'll have fabulous guidance.  Susannah Conway, Jen Altman and Amanda Gilligan - joint leaders of the Instant Love retreat - are all brilliant and experienced Polaroid phtotographers (as are many of the other women attending).  I couldn't be in better company.

Of course, the thought of a week's sunshine isn't exactly a hardship, either!

Expect pictures as the week progresses.  Expect lots of them.  I'll post as and when I can....

The Hat

I’ve been meaning to show you this for a while.  The hat, that is.  Not the head.

I’ve always been a hat girl.  In fact, at one point in life, my nickname was Helen Hat because I wore so flippin’ many of them.  Including some very grand ones.

But I’ve never been into woolly hats for the simple reason that most of them don’t suit me.  Got the wrong-shaped head.  Or face.  Or something.

But this one, I like  Not only does it look half-way decent, it’s amazingly soft and cosy on account of being cashmere.  Even better, because the cuff turns back, it’s DOUBLE-LAYERED, super-snugly cashmere.  Keeping me way warmer than toast ever did.

Found it in Venice at Christmas.  My lovely husband bought it on the spot as my Christmas present. BIG smiles!

There was an alarming moment at new year when my sister-in-law’s dog was found chewing it under the table and refused to let go…but the hat survived unscathed (the dog, too - we were kind).

Doesn’t blow off in the wind, packs easily, can even be washed.  This one’s most definitely a keeper.