Post 9. Hassan Hajjaj.

I met Hassan when I was 15 years old on a flight from Tanger to London, I remember seeing him in the airport with his long dreads and wondering if he was Moroccan, hoping that he was Moroccan. Those were the days that Bob Marley adorned my bedroom walls, now he just adorns my heart. Little did i know (coming from the north) that there were lots of Bob's down south, in fact Essaouira pays tribute to Rasta religion in every way, can't cross a square or turn a corner without hearing/feeling/seeing something Hendrick or Marley.

So we board the flight and guess who i'm sitting next to?... I meet Mr Hajjaj. At the age of 15 I was quite dubious of strangers, no matter how intrigued I was. He was Lovely. He pulled books/postcards and photos from his bag to show me and I remember being so proud and impressed by his work that I hoped he'd keep safe and carry on.

Little did i know that our paths would cross again and again and again.

Everything this guy does, I just love.

Above are pictures from one of his recent collections.

"Hassan Hajjaj's portraits from Marrakech capture the colour and spontaneity of his childhood in Morocco. His sitters – 'not just musicians but the snake charmer, henna girl, bad boy, male belly dancer' – often wear clothes he has designed, standing in spaces totally covered by patterns he has chosen, and the photographs are eventually set in a frame he has constructed."

Post 8. Attention Anne Hathaway.

Took a trip to the Souk to buy my spices and hammam essentials...didn't expect to see Miss Hathaway on the cover of, 'I love garlic, fade out fairness soap'.

Ain't no rules in bandit country.

Brilliant.

Post 7. Time With The Sisters Of Calcutta.

So last week I spent time in my home town of Tangier. Making it a tradition to always visit the sisters  and put some love and effort back into the system. 

These women selflessly give their lives over to aid people in countries worldwide, never knowing how long they stay nor even questioning why they are there. The sisters in Tangier care for babies up to the age of 4yrs, training their mothers on primary aids, nutrition and health, allowing mothers to continue to work. They support women with Cancer, they feed children on the street, offering showers, new clothes and medical assistance. 

When I walked into the room of about twenty children or so, delighted or angry to see me it's always an overwhelming experience, the sisters are flapping about trying to do ten things at once whilst screaming in broken Arabic just to be heard by the kid across the room, she hands me a few little ones to mind, play with and change diapers before lunch is served. This one kid had fallen down some stairs at home and when the sisters received him they were told he had hurt his arm, when they took a closer look they knew it was more serious then just a fall. He sat there teary eyed and trying desperately to catch his breath as he waited to be seen by some kind Spanish Doctors who visit occasionally volunteering their skills. Turned out he broke his arm and a cast was made up, he finally slept. We fed the children, bathed them, put them to bed and disinfected the room ready for the next round. I then made my way downstairs to the little babies, where you lay down and they crawl over to you either looking for some food or just to play. There are so many fulfilling and heartbreaking exchanges made but I just can't imagine my life without knowing the reality of others.

I'm sure I left out endless other duties but these women inspire me and I can't help but dream of sometimes handing my life over too when I see what it is they do. If you ever have the opportunity to visit your local sisters.......do. I can promise you the experience will be rich and maybe inspire you to do that little bit more. 

If ever you find yourself in Tangier and want to put in some hours call Sister Therese Francis before hand on +2129931013 and she will tell you when and where to visit.