Category: Humanity

Posted in Fun, Humanity, Recovery, Relationships, travel, Wisdom

Mr Chillman Chimp

Posted on by Suitcase Cally

On Sunday en route to my holiday accommodation in Lulworth Cove I stopped at Monkey World; an Ape Rescue Centre in Wareham, Dorset. I was going with the flow on my road trip, stopping wherever took my fancy and had plenty of time before I checked in. Feeling free spirited and listening to Spotify tunes I was sensing the joy; as I let go thoughts of work and to do lists.

Having driven past the centre a few months earlier over Easter, I wanted to visit the next time I was in the area. The idea of an ape rescue centre intrigued my curiosity. I’m not one to visit zoos since I was a kid; as I have read and seen some horrific stories of animals abused for selfish pleasure and profit. Some zoos get it right and yet others don’t!

This rescue centre appealed to my heart, as the centre has helped many primates globally recover and rehabilitate in a safe and loving way in an environment that supports their healing. Much like humans who have experienced trauma, neglect or abuse this centre epitomises a wonderful story of how this rehab was intimately started in 1987, and you can read more on the Monkey World Ape Rescue Centre website, the legacy of Jim Cronin and his wife.

Follow Carolyn @suitcasecally on Instagram her book is to be published in 2025

Growing up in multiple countries, loving the diversity of animals and being an animal lover; I’m all for supporting the humane treatment and rights of all animals. There are plenty of animal lovers in the world who have helped protect different species and rescued animals from harmful practices where they were abused or mistreated, or lived in habitats that were cruel to their natural instinct and survival.

I wandered around in awe engaged with exploring the park and learning more about the life journeys of the rescued primates. The centre has been actively involved over the years to bring about change to UK law to stop the abuse and trade of monkeys as pets and primates.

I found observing these ‘new primate’ friends so fascinating in their home. I likened it quite simply as ‘connection’. Humans like apes, chimpanzees, and monkeys thrive in their tribe when loved, feeling safe, validated and connected. The primates I watched were clearly content and happy. As an empath or a sensitive person – I pick up on vibes even in animals.

“Right said Fred”

The chimps (and other primates) too use their faces to express messages with body postures, and gestures alike to human behaviours and connection in their social circles. It’s about body language and sensory awareness as the way we all communicate.

In particular, there were a group of chimps huddled together on one of the high wooden platforms in their enclosure. I had grabbed my camera from the car last minute, so I was guaranteed to capture some shots up close and personal with my zoom lens.

I was delighted to watch their facial expressions and poses, as I was in my own little world; in the present moment and fully engaged.

One particular chimp was clearly besotted with his mate as I watched him send flirtatious signals. Well what I imagined anyway – likening it to ‘courting’ couples, or meeting someone in your circle or network.

Intuitively you both know there’s a connection of some sort as you navigate the social rituals of becoming friends, and exploring other more ‘intimate’ possibilities over time (or not). I named this particular chimp, Mr Chillman! Likened to my preference for making friends and/or ‘courting’ with a mate – cheeky, interesting, calm, curious, funny and sexy!

Leaning in, Mr Chillman chimp caressed her cute chimp face and picked up her hand to examine it in great detail. Up close he proceeded to give her several kisses on her hairy face, and at times she turned her cheek away looking elsewhere, before turning her face back towards him.

I was chuckling to myself as I was thinking back to my own past relationships and getting to know someone; sometimes slowly, or sometimes quickly in other cases. LOL! Now I was really going into dreamscape as I was comparing these chimps’ behaviours with my past ‘major’ intimate love relationships.

Not one myself for online app dating I was thinking these chimps had it right. Be yourself, stay authentic, know your tribe and if it happens organically, great! You attract who you’re meant to meet!

These photos are some of my favourites, and if you’re in the Dorset area be sure to visit. I won’t say anything more as I’m rambling random thoughts after a windy and sunny day out at sea today.

Much love,

Suitcase Cally xxx

Posted in Creativity, Humanity, Recovery, Relationships, travel

Twin flames and creativity

Posted on by Suitcase Cally

Wallaby dinner date

I read a long time ago we are destined to meet our twin flame on our love journey when we are in love with ourselves too. And by that I mean healthy love. A concept I learned along the way. Self care is so important for wellbeing and I had to learn to become friends with myself too.

There are three major loves we experience, young love, the love that gives the lessons, and the one we don’t see coming, true love or twinflame love. I liken it to twin flowers a journey of transformation that prepares us for the one.

Listening to music certainly raises my vibes and I feel happy listening to uplifting songs. Meaning and connection comes through music, sounds, sensations and dancing for me since I was a little girl. My family were big lovers of music as I listened to my parents’ records growing up as I played on my little SuitcaseCally recorder and baby guitar. Music fuels me as I’m a big fan of live concerts too and am looking forward to seeing one of my favourite bands next month followed by another favourite in July from my teen years!

My guitar has been a lifelong passion to learn and lessons are back on the table as I keep stopping for some reason. Progress not perfection!

Recently I explored this hesitation again through the ‘Artist’s Way’ by Julia Cameron’s three month course. I had started this artistic process in Cape Town years ago when I lived there and was working in a Addiction Counselling role. I loved what I created in Cape Town and moving back to London, back on the rat race wheel I forgot to do what I love as I got caught up in working, doing, and learning again. Mental!

This time around so much more was uncovered as I reclaimed creative parts of myself again I had buried, due to limiting beliefs strongly influenced by others projecting their beliefs and comparison to others on me.

A load of BS stories I had made up again. So I made a decision to start again where I am now, there’s no right or wrong way. For me ‘selfie artist dates’ are a norm now in my week. I love the ideas that come flowing through me when I’m in the present moment, and magic happens organically leading me to navigate my life more peacefully and feeling joy.

Attracting like minded friends and souls who have experienced similar experiences and challenges has been a blessing, and I know my twin flame flower is out there soon to be united as friends.

In the meantime I keep singing, moving forward and listening to my SuitcaseCally Twin flames playlist for some great music!

The SuitcaseCally photos below are taken on my ‘selfie artist date’ on Saturday 30 April 2022 enjoying the sculptures by South African artist Anton Smit at Leonardslee Gardens in West Sussex. Well worth a visit to embrace the beauty of nature and art connected in this wonderland tucked away.

Keep creating your best life! The time is now…

Posted in Humanity, travel

Sticky koeksisters and lavender lemonade

Posted on by Suitcase Cally

As I looked into her eyes, I sensed a deep compassion and knew I had found a new friendship, which had started with an exchange of emails booking accommodation for a friend’s wedding. I was due to fly out of London to Cape Town and had been feeling the excitement for months since I’d received the wedding invite.

I was in contact with Karien, the co-owner of the family run Winterberg Mountain Inn in Wolseley. We had a few phone calls a number of months prior to my planned visit, and I sensed a genuine warmth in her voice over the crackly Wi-Fi mobile signal.

Having spent a week in my old home of Cape Town catching up with old friends, I had a feeling of excitement as I drove the romantic Cape Route 62 to Wolesley. A self-drive route through farming towns, vineyards, orchards, and the hairpin bends through the majestic mountains. There are plenty of opportunities to visit local farm stalls, wineries, or eat a sticky koeksister on the way.

Cape open roads

Driving in the heat of a 37C day it was a sense of relief to arrive at the inn tucked under the start of the Michell’s Pass/R46, 10km away from Ceres. Welcomed by the duty manager Laquita I settled into my room at the end of the terrace with old wooden floorboards, high ceilings and a huge bathroom. I felt a sense of home wash over me. 

Keen to find a drink I sat in the shade of the covered porch overlooking the lush green garden by the swimming pool. The flowers were in full bloom and I welcomed the serenity with the mountains staring back at me.

Serenity

Scanning the menu of old South African favourites; Cape Malay curries, malva pudding, homemade bread and corn fritters I was starting to feel hungry.

I asked the waiter chuckling ‘What’s the best drink?’ and Tiri responded smiling with a sparkle in his eyes, ‘The lavender lemonade. I make it myself.’

Served in a glass jar, a paper straw, sprigs of mint, lavender, and slices of lemon I felt fulfilled taking that thirst-quenching sip. Drinking in the oasis of blooming roses and purple flowers with the sparkling blue pool in view, I was so happy I had followed my gut instinct to find this gem.

The Harvest Table Bistro Restaurant at the inn is well known on this route and is popular for drinks, breakfast, lunch or dinner. Food is sourced locally and the menu has something for everyone. I enjoyed the simple, fresh home cooked flavours at every meal I had during my stay. The vetkoek with breakfast was mouthwatering!

Farmhouse breakfast with vetkoek

When I met the owner Karien and looked into her eyes I felt like I had known her before.  We had daily conversations during my stay, and the small decorative touches she weaved through the inn, home cooked food, and gentle ways her staff interacted with me, I knew this was a special close knit family. 

Nothing was too much trouble from offering to do my laundry even with drought water restrictions still in place, and on the day of the wedding Karien messaged me ‘do you need your dress ironing?’. It was these thoughtful gestures that counted.

Dressed up for love

Sharing wedding stories with the manager Laquita and Karien the following morning, it was time to say goodbye to this lovely family. 

Karien looked me in the eyes after we hugged saying ‘I feel like we always have known each other, and I hope you will be back soon.’ I felt that and left with a warm fuzzy feeling onwards to the game reserve for my safari adventure.

Sunset game drive

Back in London we exchanged a few emails and she responded with ‘You will always be remembered dearly by us all, Love Karien’.

Likewise Karien, your family inn, and the staff are forever in my heart for the excellent, welcoming and friendly service from the initial enquiries making my booking through to checking out and saying ‘totsiens vir nou’.

Love

“To love someone long-term is to attend a thousand funerals of the people they used to be.
The people they’re too exhausted to be any longer.
The people they don’t recognize inside themselves anymore.
The people they grew out of, the people they never ended up growing into.
We so badly want the people we love to get their spark back when it burns out; to become speedily found when they are lost.
But it is not our job to hold anyone accountable to the people they used to be.
It is our job to travel with them between each version and to honor what emerges along the way.
Sometimes it will be an even more luminescent flame.
Sometimes it will be a flicker that disappears and temporarily floods the room with a perfect and necessary darkness.”

~Heidi Priebe

Posted in Humanity, What's on my mind?

Yearning for home

Posted on by Suitcase Cally
My favourite beach in Cape Town

“Nostalgia – a sentimental longing or wistful affection for a period in the past.”

Layers uncovered I thought I had healed as I was triggered as mercury retrograde showed up today as waves of nostalgia hit me.

Sitting with the feelings I gave myself permission to release stored grief for memories of people over the years I hold close in my heart in a root chakra meditation. Tears triggered by a visit to a hospital appointment I had this morning.

The people who were there for me and me for them once upon a time. My tribe, my home and sense of security and belonging ripped away as I have been rebuilding and starting over – again. A recurring theme in my lifetime, moving countries searching for home and at times being the runner archetype in relationships when I feel my safety threatened.

Home is where the heart is and living overseas away from these memories and people has only made it harder for me to attempt to settle in a country that has still not delivered on the same feelings I experienced with my old tribe.

My living in the ‘past’ and what could have been has halted me moving forward some days it feels like. But that’s not completely true as I had new opportunities to grab and experience, and lessons to learn through growth and changing lanes. There were new people to meet – friends, coaches and mentors to show me a new path. I’ve met lovely people and they are kind to me. We get along, we laugh, we talk, we collaborate and make the effort to form relationships.

So why do I still want and chase a feeling that only exists in my memories and heart now from a time in the past? That nostalgic yearning hurts so deep some days. Perhaps it’s the parts of me that come alive when I’m thriving, living and loving fully that I miss.

It’s like I’m afraid to let people in sometimes now to the real me, as so many left me behind, or as I learnt I had a more vested interest to try and maintain relationships than they did that I had to let go. I’m learning to be more protective of who I give my energy to and who I allow to receive from. A very big lesson as I’ve learnt to trust my intuition more.

Yet my ego sometimes wants to block receiving love as a protection when I’m around certain energies and vibes of people. But it has the complete opposite affect of not feeling like I belong anywhere. And that’s not a cool feeling! In some ways travel restrictions have forced me to stay and not run away from myself and get on a plane at every opportunity I craved excitement or wanted to run away.

Is this the lesson of letting go and experiences of people I needed to face and grow as a person? The ones who come and go, the ones who stay, and the ones who show up temporarily to teach me something.

Whatever’s best for me is accepting what’s meant to have happened is the only way it could have happened in the way that it did. Yet I’m releasing tears as I miss those moments and the parts of myself that shone when I was around my tribe, and experiencing a feeling of belonging and being ‘at home in my self’. Someone once said to me I have to learn to be completely at home with me too and not attached to people or places. I felt that.

Faces I painted living in Cape Town

Having faith I find home again in me and with a new tribe I let go of all expectations and trust it will all work out. Those meant to be in my life will show up, some people stay and some may return. For now I embrace the unknown and settle into my internal home – me.

The poem by Safire Rose ‘Letting Go’ resonates with parts of me as I let go of the thoughts blocking me from my future.

‘She let go.

She let go. Without a thought or a word, she let go.

She let go of the fear.

She let go of the judgments.

She let go of the confluence of opinions swarming around her head.

She let go of the committee of indecision within her.

She let go of all the ‘right’ reasons.

Wholly and completely, without hesitation or worry, she just let go.

She didn’t ask anyone for advice.

She didn’t read a book on how to let go.

She didn’t search the scriptures.

She just let go.

She let go of all of the memories that held her back.

She let go of all of the anxiety that kept her from moving forward.

She let go of the planning and all of the calculations about how to do it just right.

She didn’t promise to let go.

She didn’t journal about it.

She didn’t write the projected date in her Day-Timer.

She made no public announcement and put no ad in the paper.

She just let go.

She didn’t check the weather report or read her daily horoscope.

She didn’t analyze whether she should let go.

She didn’t call her friends to discuss the matter.

She didn’t do a five-step Spiritual Mind Treatment.

She didn’t call the prayer line.

She didn’t utter one word.

She just let go.

No one was around when it happened.

There was no applause or congratulations.

No one thanked her or praised her.

No one noticed a thing.

Like a leaf falling from a tree, she just let go.

There was no effort.

There was no struggle.

It wasn’t good and it wasn’t bad.

It was what it was, and it is just that.

In the space of letting go, she let it all be.

A small smile came over her face.

A light breeze blew through her.

And the sun and the moon shone forevermore…’

-Safire Rose