Kenya

DIANI BEACH

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“What were you before you met me?"

"I think I was drowning"

"And what are you now?"

"Water.”— Ocean Vuong

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Dear Motherland, love me and lead me.

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fuchsia blossoms

scorched foliage and skin

bathed in endless sunlight

and dipped

in the sweet serenity of solitude.

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Thank you, 2020, for the growth. And the scars. Because of you, I am stronger. We are stronger.

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I want to live so densely. lush. and slow in the next few years, that a year becomes ten years, and my past becomes only a page in the book of my life.

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Lightly child, lightly. Learn to do everything lightly.

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The ocean sent me…

To be a witch
They cannot
Burn 🔥

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We are sudden stars you and I exploding in our blue black skin ✨ — sonia sanchez

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This year I’m back on land where roots are deep and the earth and skin run dark.

And this year I’m coming as all the things rooted in nature that force change and growth.

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Mexico

MEXICO CITY

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When Frida calls you out of hiding, you come... You come in the last break of light, with the breaking of everything — it creates an opening, that which speaks, beckons you to quiet dark, private wars and meet that rare power that’s meant to guide you through your life — yourself 🌹

#thereflectionseries #selfportraiture #fridakahlo

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We are in this together. Though, we remain socially apart.
Whatever and whomever is blessed to live through this resetting period has no choice but to emerge enriched, enlightened, inspired and, hopefully, healed.

I embrace whatever comes, as long as we can come away evolved. I, for one, hold hope... ❤️🕊

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Remember when you used to be able to sit outside and touch stuff? Yeah, me neither...

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One Black in Tan, please 🤎🙋🏾‍♀️

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Remembering to stand tall and let the light shine in the eye of the storm
🌪
Zola said, “Happiness is nothing but everyday living seen through a veil.” Indeed. A veil of illusion, of desire, of expectation, of greed. Before we all began sheltering in place, how many of us took our daily lives and luxuries for granted? *slowly raises hand*🙋🏾‍♀️ Honestly, I have always held tremendous gratitude for many of the things in my life. I’ve been working remotely for over 3 years, a situation I fought for professionally so I’d ironically have the freedom of movement, globally. 🤍

Now I cherish the ability not to jump a flight, but to step outside to cherish the taking of a healthy breath or holding the person I love without dread of a different kind of toxic exchange or laying in the grass with the sun on my face without fear someone will break 6 ft of space between us. For those struggling to lift the veil and breathe life fully again, I encourage you to show gratitude for all the Earth has given us by going for a short 10 minute walk and honoring her grace and generosity when you do. 🖤

Practice breathing work to help center yourself. Ground yourself in peaceful meditation when the thoughts in your head become too loud. Move your body to release stress and tension. Finally, please stay connected. Reach out to a friend or anyone outside of your immediate space, extending your loving energy and vibration outward to offer and accept help and healing.

#prequarantine #dreamingofoutside #cdmx #cityscapes #nature #springsunshine #healingvibrations #groundingenergy #happyhealthyearth #stayhome #staypositive #together

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Tanzania

ZANZIBAR

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Zanzi, you had me at breakfast 😋🍳 and I’m not a breakfast person... Well, until you introduce freshly squeezed juice, ripe tropical fruit, rich East African coffee, avocado toast, Ugali, Roti, masala-spiced beans... Repeat, I’m not a breakfast person.

#swahili #african #arab #indian #fusion #africanfood #eastafrica

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Let’s get our girls.

I was truly conflicted about posting this picture. These beautiful girls came rushing onto the deck where I was having breakfast today.

They were walking along the beach asking for money when the tallest, and clearly the oldest, girl (in the blue head wrap) saw me and stopped. She stared, astonished. Immediately, she began pointing and calling to the others. When gathered, the girls rushed past the private wooden gate, separating beach and cottage and onto my deck. They fell onto bended knees and raised their pails. It almost broke me.
I am used to getting curious stares and snickers and shocked looks and meeting glances of both envy and confusion. But begging, especially by women and girls, gets me every time. There is enough wealth in this world that no one should be poor. However, moving through certain countries, the poverty is as certain as the water there will be turquoise blue and warm.

After entering, the girls were shooed away, past the gate and back onto the beach by a male hotel staff member. I followed and when he went away I gave them money, of course. Even though, I know it wouldn’t be theirs alone to keep. However, I asked if I could take their picture. They fell together in a stiff line, like puppets. I said, “please share that money with one another and stay close. You’ll need each other. And know, you don’t have to perform. At least, not for me.” One of the girls dropped the piddly coins from her pail onto the sand and placed it her head. Then I took this shot.

#everydayafrica #documentaryphotography #beachlife #tanzaniangirl #worknoplay #friendship #zanzibar

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For the record. I’d give up everything I’ve fought for in this life to return to the sea and be a mermaid 🧜🏿‍♀️ There’s more life inside you. Go within. Go without. There’s more. More. More...

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#morejoy #lessthings #morelove #lesswaste #moreabundance #seame #seeyourself #seeothers #sealife #seetheworld #swim #flow #go #seeyouthere

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sen(t)ǝ’men(t)l. FOR SUNRISES 🌞... but not seasickness.
Where do we get off? Seriously. Where?? 😩

#motionoftheocean #thatsunsettho

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Just a reminder... you’ll never get lost if you are always chasing the sun 🌅

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#sunset #getlost #africanstyle #dhow #zanzibar #everydayafrica #checkoutafrica #blessedlife #yemanjácalled #yorubachild #ase

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Continuing to surround myself with and feed all the things that are wild, free, precious and magic, both inside and outside of me. Will you? 🐢🌿❤️

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#feedyouradventure #feedyoursoul #tortoise #sanctuary #waterbaby #search #sealife #seaturtle #dolife #softly #sweetly #magically #nungwi #zanzibar #myafrica #africatotheworld #boldlygo #traveltheworld #live

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Momentarily melancholy over Friday fantasies of bygone beaches. But calling forth more change, more healing, more growth, more intention, more greatness in this flawed, full life...

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#fridaymood #livefully #remembrance #oceanblue #zanzibar #michamvi #therock #traveldeeper #africa #everydayafrica #travelafrica #blessedlife

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