A-Z 2018 - Theme Reveal

Hi folks! Today’s the official pre-party before the real A-Z monthlong party begins. This is when all A-Zers (who have a theme) get together for the theme reveal and yup, I’m joining in (for my 5th year!) and yup, I have a theme.

Last year, my theme ‘Arabiana’ was a tribute and trip down memory lane as I completed two decades in the Arablands. I steered clear of poetry on the blog for one whole month (a greater challenge than the A-Z!) but the results were surprising – I didn’t shrivel up and die, had a fun time in fact, and, if I may say so myself, so did my readers, relieved at not having to read the versification probably :)

Anyhow, this year I thought I’d skip the torture of skipping poetry, and delve a bit deeper into my past. Sadly, I’ve led a pretty boring life so no juicy tidbits... don’t worry, M-i-V will continue to be itself - a totally family-friendly place.

Talking of places – I’ve spent a large chunk of my life in Africa, all but a smidgen of my schoolyears have been spent there. I’ve sent my child to school in Africa as well. Apart from living, I’ve holidayed there, and read about it, and still have many things about it occupying prime positions on the bucket list. Always been fascinated by the continent since age 6, and having spent such life-changing times there, I see no reason to downsize the fascination yet.

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The Africa I’ve been privileged to know is not limited to dictatorships and disease, poverty, unemployment; soaked in crime, scams, tribal conflicts and cynicism. I’m not saying some of these aren’t issues for Africa, they certainly are in many places. But there’s so much more to Africa than just the poverty and the problems. The Africa I know has a deep joie-de-vivre that you’ll find nowhere else, a passion for music and dance, the richest of histories and legends and literature, the ability to snatch joys from the sharp jaws of crippling life situations. And my god, it’s gorgeous! – its wildernesses are mesmerising, ask anyone who travels regularly there.

Well, if you haven’t guessed it by now, my theme for this A-Z is….

~ Africana ~

Come with me again as I travel down memory lane to the continent of my childhood and my dreams. Come on a safari of literature and poetry and song and music. Of the deepest history and natural history, more than 3 million years old! - so ancient that the mind can barely grasp it.  Of majestic and varied geography, of stunning wild landscapes - the magical beauty of rolling grasslands and deserts, and lush rainforests. Come tripping on a land of depth and diversity that are beyond breath-taking, to a land where all our origins lie, the grandmotherland of humanity. Come on a safari that’s a feast for the senses and above all, the soul.





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