In the Hidden Sanctuary: A Meeting with Sekhmet
Many years ago, I followed a guide through a hidden portal in Karnak Temple and discovered a secret sanctuary of Sekhmet. A story of fire, power, and the lessons of control in the presence of a goddess.
A Trip to Egypt Can Be Life-Changing
A visit to Egypt can be life-changing, especially for the unsuspecting traveler who encounters Mara along the way
How Do I Handle the Fear that I’m Feeling?
Have you ever had an experience where it was like you were “out of body”, separate from your body and calmly standing back, watching yourself do something? Yes, I know, sounds nutty but actually I think that is what awareness is. I’ve experienced it in a few dramatic situations but these days it’s more constant…
Worry is only a habit – A Bad One
Since I started doing Dr. Joe’s work I have become aware that now I sometimes catch myself reaching for a past memory – no, reaching for a past gut experience, a bad, unhappy, miserable, worry-some feeling. But feelings are created by our thoughts, so my body is pushing me to search my memory for a…
The Power of Words – and Lack of Words
If you are wondering how I came to believe in all this stuff that I am constantly trying to talk to you all about… I would have to start by saying I think I was incredibly lucky to have the parents I had. In the sense that beyond fostering some basic human values in me,…
Feeling Grateful…
I haven’t written here for a while. My life has been a bit hectic between family, travel and business. But I woke up this morning in Mara House, Luxor. I have been back exactly 4 weeks yesterday and it has been a whirlwind of catching up with everything. My son has built us a BBQ…
EGYPT 2011 – 2016 Is it safe?
Safety of visiting Egypt through the lens of recent history, impact of media on tourism, explore a compelling perspective on Egypt’s safety for travelers.
Fear or Freedom?
Experience freedom in Luxor, Egypt—my philosophy on life, happiness, and living without fear
So Happy to be Tired!
This is a photo of me at Mara House with two lovely guests in 2010 – see how tired I looked? Well that was a lovely tiredness because it came from long hours at the computer 7 days a week, answering emails, taking bookings for Mara House and our Salahadeen Restaurant – and mostly refusing…
What Now? What Not?
Seems like today is moving day, get-up-and-go-day….but get up and go where? Ireland – kids back to school today, that seems to be the indication that Christmas has passed, New Year is no longer new and the question is what does 2014 hold for me? for you? for anyone? Soon I will be back in…
Where is the Sense in it all?
When you wonder if God is playing with you…. 1. You’re watching Nile TV – the Breakfast Show and you know that Deena Younis has just made a new film in Luxor about the tourist situation etc. and it is on this morning. You’re eagerly waiting in front of the TV and her segment is…
How are you doing today?
“Woke up this morning…feelin fine…..” I seem to remember a song with those words. Well, thank God, I did wake up this morning feeling fine – more importantly I continued to feel fine after finding two emails from two different lots of people in my inbox. Both cancelling their reservations for next week at Mara…
Nice To Be Appreciated!
My blog is like a diary (for my book that is taking so long to write!) and sometimes I use it to let off steam…. The following is an email I received two days ago and it is lovely to hear my blog helped some people come to Egypt and have a good time 🙂…
Magical Mara & the Tale of Darkness
There are 2 “Mara’s” – there is the practical adult who forgets what she is doing and gets bogged down in Egyptian/Middle East politics and ‘reality’ that is presented on the TV. Then there is there is the childlike one who comes from a magical Irish place, of faeries, leprechauns and mythical warriors which is…
Luxor is a Happier Place Today
Yesterday I went into Luxor – more accurately, I went on a bit of a joyride around town to catch up with some friends and see how the land lay. the first noticeable thing was that there was nothing to notice – as in no street riots, no burning building, no bloody or mutilated bodies…
We have been sharing in a delusion!
In Jan 2011 a revolution happened in Egypt – where I live. Overnight my life was turned upside down, and my business disappeared. My rosy future disappeared. The same could be said for millions of Egyptians, especially those in the tourism industry. Looking back on it now, the last two and a half years have…
I Just Want My Life Back!
“I just want my life back!” must be the cry of so many people around the world today. Syria, Yemen, Libya, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Mali, Myanmar, Somalia, Sudan, Gaza, Egypt and now possibly Lebanon, Turkey; all suffering from mild public unrest to outright civil war. From floods in Canada, India and right across Europe which have…
Lost Symbols of Egypt
Reflections on the lost symbols of Egypt—the Djed, Tyet, and combined Ankh+Djed+Was—and how these amulets connect us to Heka magic, offering strength, focus, and a touch of the sacred in daily life.
S**t Happened (Literally!) – what did I do?
4 a.m. I fly into Cairo, hop in a taxi and 30 mins. later I’m letting myself into my apt. – “Home at last, cup of choc and I’m off to bed!” says I to myself……..well, uh…nooo! What is that smell? I drop my bags and follow my nose……”WTF?!” Before my astonished eyes – my…