Africa – Lady Bird

Greetings from Afro-Pfingsten

June 9, 2019June 9, 2019Daniela - the Lady behind the Bird

It is that time of the year again… you hear drums, your body and especially your hips move with the rhythm, you smell fire, fish, and sunscreen, you see more colourfully dressed people than usual (thank goodness!), and you see smiles and content faces everywhere.

It is when Africa takes centre stage in a Swiss city.

It is Afro-Pfingsten Festival in Winterthur.

She stole my heart. Do you see the elderly lady looking out the window in the top middle image? I dared to take a picture without asking her as she had this big contagious smile in her face moving her body with the rhythm of Ma belle chérie we were all listening to (on stage in the photo to the right of her).

Let’s do it like her: Keep smiling and dancing forever!

Are you in the mood now to listen to some African rhythms? Then watch the videos in my other Afro-Pfingsten post.

Warm greetings and have a wonderful (long) weekend,

Daniela

Going bananas

May 24, 2019May 25, 2019Daniela - the Lady behind the Bird

Hello lovelies

How are you?

It has been a while as I was fully absorbed in Uganda. Honestly, there was no way to wrap my head around anything digital or social really, I was simply so overwhelmed by the many sights, sounds, and odours my body, soul, and mind gathered. And I was focused on the people I met, hugged, and connected with, the amount I learnt, the work I did, and sometimes I was busy with the challenges the tropics have in store for me.

Back in Switzerland, I think I am ready to share some stories with you. Today, I would like to tell you a bit about one of the staple foods in Uganda: Bananas. Read more →

Warm greetings from tropical Kampala

May 5, 2019June 9, 2019Daniela - the Lady behind the Bird

A quick hello from the lush and tropical capital of Uganda.

As I get news that some of you are experiencing winter when it should be spring, I thought to at least pamper you with some digital warmth.

With African love,

Daniela

Sweet dreams

April 7, 2019April 6, 2019Daniela - the Lady behind the Bird

in wild places!

What is the craziest or funniest or the most amazing place you spent the night(s)?

As you can probably relate from the heading photograph, I treasure fond and deep memories of sleeping in veritable wilderness surrounded by nature’s sound – which can also be absolute stillness – watching the sun go down and rising over breathtakingly vast and wonderful landscapes sharing the outdoor lounge with wildlife of all kinds and sizes such as spiders, mosquitos, birds, baboons, crocodiles, kangaroos, lions, elephants…

Pure abundance. Read more →

Crafting change

March 17, 2019March 17, 2019Daniela - the Lady behind the Bird

In the beautiful and lush region around Fort Portal in Uganda over a 1000 women craft change by producing handmade high-quality baskets that are exported to England every three months.

daniela, danielamuehlheim, mühlheim, ladybird, exploring, earth, abundance, nature, culture, africa — The greater area of the Rwenzori Mountains in Uganda

Initiated and developed by Anne, the ladies develop their own natural colours, dye the raw material made of raffia, banana fiber and papyrus into a rainbow of colours, and handcraft the baskets. The products therefore come in stunning combinations and patterns.

Pink and turquoise

Blue and red

Yellow and blue

Talking to these wonderful souls is very inspirational. They kindly open a window into their lives when we visit for my husband‘s amazing social enterprise Communauts.

Creating change-9 — Meeting some of the women of the Rwenzori Sustainable Trade Center

Welcome to Kla

February 3, 2019February 28, 2019Daniela - the Lady behind the Bird

Do you know that feeling of itchy feet?

There are two “pathogens” I don’t know a cure for….. the travel bug and the Africa virus, except for packing up and hitting the road, of course ;0).

Sometimes a brilliant movie like The Queen of Katwe filmed authentically in the very location helps ease my wanderlust and brings me back to being grateful for all the moments and memories I have already collected in all kind of corners on this beautiful Planet Earth. So I dove into these memories by watching the true story of a girl growing up in Katwe, which is an area of Kampala or Kla (pronounced Kala) as the capital of Uganda is also known among locals.

Have you been to Kampala? Read more →

Leaving Masoala

November 30, 2018February 28, 2019Daniela - the Lady behind the Bird

The reasons why people leave – and in the worst case have to flee from – their home country to live somewhere else are many.

Which ones come to your mind, when you think about it?

War? Political turmoil? Suppressive regimes? Work? Compulsory military service for life? Economic crisis? Hoping for a perspective and a job? Health issues? Business? Freedom? A different lifestyle? Family? Love?

They are all real, as far as I am concerned. But did you know that conservation sadly is another reason to leave everything you love behind? No?

Then meet Augustin. Read more →