1986.

Tell me, when you look up, what do you see? / Nowhere in Africa have I encountered such a dedication to elaborately designed ceilings like in Mauritania. It came as a very pleasant surprise to see more than just a white wall staring down at me and I can only imagine the hours, creativity, and attention to detail that goes into crafting these designs. When you consider the fact that Mauritanians spend a good chunk of their time indoors (because of the hot Saharan sun), you'll understand why each home is a carefully crafted paradise on its own. After my first few days, the instinct was to immediately look up to discover what delights awaits. Talk about flipping the script on everyday living 🙃 🌍: Nouakchott, Mauritania 🇲🇷, July 2015

White Castle / I'm always fascinated by the dominant architecture + design of the cities, places I visit. Unless you live in a city like Accra (Ghana) where, hey, anything goes, you will usually see a common thread. In Bologna (Italy), the brick orange, red and yellow hues were distinct and vibrant, the consistency betraying the unified essence of Bolognesi. In Nouakchott (Mauritania), the white washed buildings are strategic to counter the full impact of the Saharan Sun and the box-like simplicity of their designs? Don't let them fool you - oh the grandeur that lays inside! In Montpellier (France), the city carved out into the shape of a key and leading out to the Mediterranean ocean - symbolism for ideas, education, open-mindedness, welcoming a mix of culture, and - not surprising - the birth place of Protestantism. From Venice to Rome, Dakar to Washington, the cities tell their own tales. So as we go about building our cities and urban centers across Africa, I can't help but wonder - is there an ethos for each? A word around which we build each city's dreams? A careful thought behind making sure the context is respected. Or are we just laying cement and bricks and throwing on whatever is hip, shiny, bright and new? 🏟 🌍: Nouakchott, Mauritania 🇲🇷, July 2015

Street vendors / On the sidewalks, in the middle of the highway, outside the big banks (strategic huh), wherever you go in Africa, they exist. Part of the scenery, part of the flow. The rhythmic elements that make L'Afrique home. 🌍: Nouakchott, Mauritania 🇲🇷, 31.07.15

Alvaro + Batik + Bôhten / Chez Clarisse, caught up with my former Devex colleague and fellow reporter, and showing him a bit of that West African vibe. My kinda day.🇬🇭🇮🇪 (at Accra, Ghana)

Granite / Decided to see if my newly discovered artistic skills are for real or a nine-day wonder. This time, with actual paper and a 2B pencil. Because, why not? 🎨

Granite / Decided to see if my newly discovered artistic skills are for real or a nine-day wonder. This time, with actual paper and a 2B pencil. Because, why not? 🎨

365 / Second dedicated acquisition of unadulterated Rumi bliss (3rd counting Elif Shafak's "Forty Rules of Love"). Because inspiration + positivity + conscientious living is a choice✨ (at Accra, Ghana)

Wonderland / One of my favorite aspects of traveling by air is watching Allah show off his skills. The best part is being able to identify the clouds I studied when I was about 9 years old at the Tamale International School. There's something calming in knowing that each time rain clouds gather before, just a few miles up ahead is this peace, tranquility and pure beauty - I guess that's how God sees us; through all our imperfections, stubbornness, wickedness, disbelief. It gives hope that there really are bright sunny skies, not after, but above the cloudy dark days. The good and the bad happen together, we just tend to focus on one more and draw it into our experience. But as flying taught me, there's always more going on than our human eye can see. Sometimes we just need to trust that. And for those of you who need the proof, this was shortly after takeoff from Istanbul Atartuk airport - where it was gloomy with rain. Cumulo-nimbus (thicker), cirrus (whispy) and stratus (layered) clouds playing with the sunlight, doing what they do best. Dasiba 🌤 (at Accra, Ghana)

Only Breath / The seconds, minutes, hours, days we are living can be confusing, make it seem like we are apart from one another, when in reality we are one another. And so whatever creed or cross, mystic or mosque, spirit or surrender you choose, remember that at the end of the day, the one thing that betrays our oneness - only breath. Without it, we each cease to exist. So with it, we must honor the life, the humanness that is each of us. And while others might march to a different tune and seek to leave us all breathless in their wake, remember those two powerful words and resist the fear that towards us doth creep: I am. Precisely because you are. Only breath. 🕊 // Inspired by Rumi's poem: Not Christian or Jew or Muslim, not Hindu, Buddhist, sufi, or zen. Not any religion or cultural system. I am not from the East or the West, not out of the ocean or up from the ground, not natural or ethereal, not composed of elements at all. I do not exist, am not an entity in this world or in the next, did not descend from Adam and Eve or any origin story. My place is placeless, a trace of the traceless. Neither body or soul. I belong to the beloved, have seen the two worlds as one and that one call to and know, first, last, outer, inner, only that breath breathing human being. Photo: Orthodox church, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia (at London, United Kingdom)

Earlier / First encounter with AU headquarters. Impressive architecture 🏙 (at African Union)

The hand that writes your fate / Yours or "God's"? Are we in control of our lives or simply being swept away in the current of the uni-verse? Does what we do matter or is it just one of millions of billions of trillions of stars glimmering in the night? Can we turn circumstances around or do our happenings define us? The mad man, the wealthy investor, the girl raped, the boy on high - a bad lot or did they choose these incarnations before they arrived? A resource-full country that progresses not and a forgotten nation forced to innovate. Is survival really for the fittest - or the one that understands the many dimensions of living? Outwardly, changes could be for naught. But within? Storeholds of stories told, lessons unlearned, fates exchanged, identities redefined. For not choosing, aye, is choosing still. Tell me then, whose hand writes your book? Photo + Words: 🙋🏾 #Destiny #Musings #Life #Inspiration

"Unfold your own myth" / About two months ago I put in notice to my employers that I would not be renewing my contract with them. It was a hard decision to make and one I had pondered for months. Why would anyone leave a well-paying job with a prestigious organization? That's a question I've asked myself whenever I've read about folks doing that. A few weeks after my decision, the answer popped into my head: self-sabotage 😂Other times it would be "passion" "risk taking" and what have you. There are days when I still think someone took over my brain and body these past few months and made me do things I shouldn't logically do, but I have also come to a very important realization about myself: I'm at my best when I'm learning and creating. If either of both of these elements are not present I die a very slow, almost imperceptible death. The kind Anais Nin refers to. Today is one of those days where I see things crystal clear, why I had to leave to (hopefully) arrive and I felt moved to put this on here (I wasn't going to publicly mention this transition until, I don't know, I'm in a situation that sounds logical? Lol). So for those of us figuring it out, finding our way home, trying to balance who we are with who should/want to be - you will likely do more than accuse yourself of self-sabotage. You will probably attempt to self-sabotage (like when your body refuses to get out of bed and you have a slumber party with self doubt). I have many of those and its very weird answering the question "what are you up to these days?" largely because I'm still figuring it out for myself. But then there are moments like this one when it's crystal clear and I know I honored my truth. So, on the days when your truth is standing with you in the light, write it down or record it somewhere - your raison d'être, what keeps you going. In the darkest of moments it will help you find yourself and unfurl your wings. Don't give up, don't limit yourself, don't rely on expectations. Always strive to be better. Cos ultimately we are souls in the making, each trying to unfold our own myth. / "Don't be satisfied with stories, how things have gone with others. Unfold your own myth." - Rumi 💛

When the cock crows / Stopped by Legon to run a few errands and meet up with one of @circumspecte_ 's writers. Had an interesting discussion about how dumsor (power outages) is affecting studies and student life. Spotted this statue of a cockerel while heading out. The cock has served as timekeeper for many African societies - signally the dawn of a new day. Yet in these days of dumsor, the rhythm of many University of Ghana students is disrupted due to little scheduling, planning and information regarding electricity availability. All this in the midst of mid-term exams and preparations towards final exams. The cock crows each morning true, but one can't help but wonder when the cock will hark a different tune. (Legon Hall, University of Ghana) #GHLivin #Education #Ghana #Dumsor (at University of Ghana)

Sowing your oats / Start off the day with oats, honey, and nuts - you can also include banana - and you'll reap all the energy you need for the morning! Bonjour! ☀️ #CulinaryCreative #Breakfast

Door No. 1894 / There are days when you would rather stay in bed , or better still, hide away from the world and its troubles. Days when you feel small, very very small. And it seems there's little else in existence than yourself. Moments that stretch into eternities. Of loneliness, doubt, fear, helplessness, and demons resurrected. On such days, you question who you are, what you've done (or not done), and whether you really, truly matter at all. On such days, perhaps more than any other, remind yourself that you are here. You were chosen to be in the exciting era we find ourselves in. And regardless of failed dreams or dreams unfulfilled, YOU ARE WORTHY. It will take superhuman strength, but you have to get up, get dressed and get going. Because the stars - no matter how invisible - continue to shine. And besides, how else will you know what's beyond Door No. 1894? #KeepGoing #Inspiration #TheTruth (at Accra, Ghana)

"I just wanted to create a space where people can come chill + enjoy simple food." - Yvette Ansah, @lovecafekwae. Interview coming soon. #Ghana #CoffeeShops #Circumspecte #Visionnaire (at Café Kwae)

Café Kwae / What's the story behind @lovecafekwae? Stay tuned to @circumspecte_ for our upcoming Visionnaire feature with founder Yvette Nana Ama Ansah! Take it from me, it's definitely insightful + inspiring. Just your cup of ☕️! #Circumspecte #Visionnaire #Entrepreneurs #Ghana #Africa