On the tailcoats of their resoundingly successful daytime travelogue series, Grannies à Gogo presents two evening travelogues.
On May 6, it’s “Morocco: A Sensory Treat” by Gail Short, and on May 13 it’s “Ethiopia – A Land as Ancient as Humanity Itself” by Glennis O’Neill.
Short will bring to life the exotically vibrant country of Morocco. Her montage will look at historic medinas and casbahs that brim with the sounds of Arabic languages, the clip clop of donkeys and the horns of urgent vehicles. We’ll see ancient buildings and alley-ways that overflow with colourful fabrics, ornate vessels and fresh produce that scents the air with gentle spices for wholesome cuisine. The beauty of the countryside spreads through productive farmland, over snowcapped mountains and into the utter silence of the Sahara Desert. The flavour of fascinating Morocco will enliven Okanagan armchair travellers.
The following week, O’Neill will explore the diversity that is Ethiopia, spanning all of human history. She will look at the bustling modern city of Addis Ababa, then rush backwards 3,000 years to visit the Queen of Sheba’s home, walled cities, churches carved in stone, and unique cultures that have lived for hundreds of years. Ethiopia is where the current year is both 2008 and 2016; where there are castles, mud and stick homes, and the Hilton Hotel. It is a land of 88 languages and cultures; where the pulse of the country is religion – Christianity, Islam, Judaism, Baha’i or traditional faiths. This is a land where you are as likely to be served a spicy wat as you are a pizza and where coffee is not just a drink but a ceremony. Through her stories and photos, O’Neill will share portraits touching on both the modern and traditional ways of life in Ethiopia.
Join in as we share adventures of immense scale and visual splendour. Whether you are an appreciative armchair traveller or scouting for new travel adventures of your own, you’ll enjoy the view from here. All presentations are at the People Place, 3402-27th Ave., lower level, at 7 p.m. Admission is by donation at the door and all proceeds directly support AIDS-bereaved “gogos” (grandmothers) in South Africa. For more information about Grannies à Gogo: the Vernon - South Africa Connection. go to www.granniesagogo.com or e-mail granniesagogo@gmail.com
Susan Fenner is publicity rep for Grannies à Gogo.