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Archive for the 'Inspiration' Category

Carpet chronicle

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Friday, May 4th, 2012 by Brenda Burrell

Sidi Bou Said, Tunisia

I have a love of fabrics and carpets, so when I travel to countries where carpets are part of the culture I do my best to find something small enough to carry home. Tunisia is such a country. Oh to be flying home first class with an unlimited baggage allowance!

I’m staying in Tunis, not far from the picturesque, upmarket town of Sidi Bou Said. It comprises winding, narrow cobbled lanes of white buildings, blue railings and window shutters. Souveniers fill the shops at street level and although there are many people trying to sell their goods, the atmosphere is laid back and not at all pushy.

The locals are fluent in Arabic and French but struggle a bit when it comes to English. Either way, their English is miles better than my French.

I discovered a nice, quiet carpet shop off the main street and settled in to enjoy the ritual of carpets being pulled from colourful piles and laid out on the floor for viewing. So much to appreciate and oh, the battle of making a selection.

I selected a small Berber carpet and when it came time to pay, I used a credit card. However the transaction didn’t go smoothly so a colleague was brought in to look at the machine and the bank was called to discuss the problems being experienced. No joy. As an alternative, I offered to walk down and get cash from a nearby ATM. This seemed like the only option, so the shopkeeper and I walked down together.

When I handed over the cash, the shopkeeper asked for my phone number as he was concerned that the credit card transaction might have actually gone though and debited my card. Although he seemed nice enough, it all felt strange enough to feel like some kind of scam. Still, I couldn’t see any harm in exchanging numbers and did so.

About 30mins later, back at my hotel I received a call from the shopkeeper saying the credit card transaction had indeed gone through and now he needed to return my cash to me. I became deeply suspicious – especially as we struggled with our mismatch of languages. He promised to send a taxi driver to my hotel the same afternoon with my cash.

True to his word, he did, leaving me and other veterans of market rip offs equally stunned.

Sidi Bou Said street

Sidi Bou Said street

Purest form of art

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Thursday, May 3rd, 2012 by Bev Clark

Media activism

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Thursday, May 3rd, 2012 by Bev Clark

Chen Guangcheng, whose given name means “Light, Truth,” has become a powerful symbol of a common man standing up to the state. The following collection of Chen images, many widely circulated online, vividly illustrates the powerful emotional reaction his situation elicited from many Chinese netizens. Despite widespread censorship, Chinese Internet users are skilled at evading the controls and expressing themselves with creativity and humor. Since Chen was released from prison and placed under de facto house in 2010, numerous cartoons, drawings, photographs, and other images created by supporters have helped bring his story from rural Shandong province to millions of people in China and around the world.  (Source: Foreign Policy Magazine)

Check out the funky slide show that includes a spoof of Nike.

#HIFA 2012 on First Street, Harare

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Thursday, May 3rd, 2012 by Upenyu Makoni-Muchemwa

…’what is HIFA?’

Yesterday during the First street performances I asked some people in the crowd if they knew that HIFA had begun. None of the people I asked knew about HIFA. There were just happy to see a different kind of entertainment on First Street.

@ HIFA 2012

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Thursday, May 3rd, 2012 by Upenyu Makoni-Muchemwa

Two minutes with…Aubrey Stanley

Aubrey Stanley has performed at HIFA since 2006. This year he was performed in the Opening Show as a backing vocalist.

How did you get involved with HIFA?
I’ve been a part of HIFA since about 2006, performing every year. I started when I was 16, and I was part of the Prince Edward School Jazz Band. My last year to perform with them was in 2009 I was captain of the band. This year Vimbai Mukarati was directing, we had worked together before, so he called me and asked me to perform.

What has been the best part of the festival so far for you?
I enjoyed everyone on stage for the Opening; we’re all friends. We just have a good time. At the end of it we were a bit depressed because we knew that it was the end.  The bonding is the best part for me, we get closer as friends. After rehearsals we didn’t want to go home!

What keeps you coming back every year?
It’s the atmosphere. I think it’s the greatest event that we have in this country especially since they bring in artists from all over the world. There’s so much going on, and it’s so well coordinated over so many venues. I haven’t seen anything run so well that’s this big in Zimbabwe.

@ HIFA 2012

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Thursday, May 3rd, 2012 by Upenyu Makoni-Muchemwa

Two minutes withMaria Wilson

Describe yourself in five Words
Bloody minded, tenacious determined, stubborn courageous.

What is the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?
If you believe in something fight for it to happen.

What is your greatest extravagance?
My greatest extravagance…erm…Clarins face products.

What were you like at school?
Quite quiet, shy and reserved. I loved school. I’m not sure I liked the people I went to school with.
Are you friends with them now?
No.

What are you doing next?
The next HIFA.