i took a walk

I've been down lately. There's a pit inside my chest, and it has been difficult to know what to do to get rid of it. So I started feeding some pushy little buntings on my balcony, which made me feel better. I tore apart my classroom and reorganised it to open up more space, which my students seem to appreciate, and that felt good. I bought some rose tea, and orange oil for my incense burner, which has been soothing. I painted a picture with some new watercolours, and that sparked some creativity.

I took a walk.



Beauty is everywhere in Rabat— from intricate geometric architectural elements, to the cascades of bougainvillea that never cease to bloom, there's a lot of loveliness to get lost in on a walk.



I ended up at the Jardin Botanique d'Essais, a green, shady strip of tranquility that feels worlds away from the motorbikes and beeping taxis.



The scent of leaves and layers of birdsong lifted my spirit, and I began to feel like a girl again, inspecting beetles and examining owl pellets under trees. The last couple of days have been brighter— lighter.

the friends you fly for

Ever since we moved to the outskirts of Istanbul, things have been quieter and increasingly isolated. Friends were now two hours away, and the idea of facing the brutal traffic keeps everyone where they are. But then there are the dear friends, the ones you will fly for. The ones from home, the ones who know you— and I've been lucky to gain a whole host of new friends through Pedro. Pedro has good people.



You need good people.

a space to breathe

There comes a time when you need a break from the noise, dirt, and dust of Kathmandu. Thankfully, the botanical gardens at Godavari Park are a taxi ride away in what feels like another world— no more beeping and honking, no need for a face mask. Birds, bees and butterflies. Cool, green shade and leeches. Yes, leeches.

I got two that day.