Solo Travel: Paphos, Cyprus

Cat in Cyprus

I am an hour early to the airport for my return flight. A small child is screaming ‘MOMMY MOMMY NOOOO NOOOOOO’ as if being held hostage for the inevitable return home. Any broodiness I had five minutes earlier is seeping away. And I am met once again with relief. This isn’t a blog about having children. Or not having children. I am attempting to once again meet myself half way and stop procrastinating and start writing again. This website has been an empty shell of its former youth driven naive self*. As the decaying process has begun, fear consumes my thoughts. This could potentially be the youngest I will ever look and be again. Unless I get plastic surgery obviously. And I get it! I do, I do… getting older is a privilege. And this wasn’t mean to be a blog about the shallow corners of my mind either. But, whoever says getting older is easy well… really? Well aren’t you lucky then! 

*what am I talking about… I’m still naive…

Too Much by girl in red

It has been far too long since I boarded a plane and been on a ‘holiday’. Perhaps maybe around… 7 years. There was, in fairness to myself a misdiagnosed hip crumble in there and a global pandemic in amongst some other life events. And on a random meeting with a young woman who turned out to be a huge dog lover I now had the escape ticket I needed. I know when depression might be kicking in. Because the sentence ‘but… what is the point?’ starts to radiate through my mind. Winter rain lashing at the windows, gloomy skies and the cold faces of living in central London can become.. too much for anyone. Except of course maybe, sadists, psychopaths and the extremely affluent. As of which there are many. And they’re not exactly very community spirited either. So an exit plan is probably the best plan. Maybe… the only plan… (have I set the scene?).

So I decide to get the fck outta London town, and leave my surrogate dog baby behind before I start dressing him in little outfits and move towards some sun. 

Cue: Solo travel to Cyprus. 

Ok. So I could of done a bit more research in all honesty, but I’m the sort of person that doesn’t have much patience. I either have to ‘do it now now now’ or not at all. This lifestyle got me through my 20s. Every weekend was a festival, not much planning, not much thinking, just… go go go go and don’t stop. 

‘Do you ever.. not want to book a holiday? Because you get too excited? And you can’t wait and the build up is too much so you just.. you just don’t do it…’. I question my friendly neighbour. 

‘Yes’.. she replies. ‘I prefer spontaneity’… ‘but… sometimes that can feel like it’s far too soon as well’. 

We chuckle with each other about this limbo state of mind. Yet deep down I suspect there’s an annoyance at it too. 

So, after scrolling for far too long and not really knowing where to look for last minute holidays (I’ve never actually found anything on lastminute.com have you?) boredom hits. Life just seemed easier when the internet was more of a novelty. Now it’s a soul sucker. Hours drawn out by instagram scrolling, internet shopping and well. Everything seems to be on the internet. There doesn’t seem to be any avoiding it. 

So after too many hours of scrolling and review reading I decide to ‘just do it’. 

Memory interlude: I remember when Nike were so cool at school. I actually bought my first pair of Nike trainers the other week. The one’s with platforms. This isn’t sponsored by Nike. I wouldn’t mind though. That would be good. 

So Paphos then. Why not. I’m at a crossroads. I ponder whether a place like Ayia Napa might be too much. Am I now over the hill for the whole clubbing/pub scene? However, the alternative is that I may have indeed just booked myself into a retirement home and that wasn’t quite my intention either. However eligible and charming Alan (and attractive), recently widowed and early 70s is. 

I’ve come to realise there are a few things I do not enjoy about solo travelling. One of them being the al a carte part of the dining experience. When the rest of the hotel stayers are eating at a table with their family or their mates (those retired people have so many friends), having a male model looking waiter hovering around your table waiting to take your plate. Well. It can feel like all eyes are on you. 

‘Hey, why don’t you take a photo it will last longer’… 

I was actually invited to the bowling green the following morning but didn’t realise it was a serious invite. I now regret this decision. I should have gone. 

Another thing about this #solotravelling business is that there can be a lot of ‘sitting with oneself’. Either sitting watching the waves or just wandering about discovering. I did attempt to sit by the pool and read a book but I have a sense of urgency in life that never seems to go away. Is that a London after effect I ponder? 

Another thing about travelling alone as a female is being propositioned by men. But it’s never the kind of guy who wants to order you a taxi, buy you flowers, take you fine dining etc. It’s the man who wants you to first purchase a tour with the company he works for. Meet you after hours down some dark alley or something. And then tries to get you to buy him a kebab. Or some crack. 

Well. That’s been my experience thus far anyway.  

The waters of the Mediterranean are captivating. Sitting watching the waves at night a storm in the distance lights up the sky and its fiery redness flashes behind the clouds.

Cyprus is not far from the conflict happening in the Gaza strip. I google whether you’d be able to see the effects of what is happening in the sky since Cyprus is approximately 250 miles from Palestine. Someone else has also asked the question on reddit. I feel a little less ignorant I suppose. It feels wrong somehow to enjoy such beauty in the world when there is so much suffering. And the world seems to get smaller the older I get. 

Scarily sad times. I’m not sure anything I write [here] will relay how awful and disturbing the events happening in this evolving strange world we live in are.

So much to learn and so much to do. A female lone traveller sits on a table nearby eating her dinner alone. Absorbed in her phone. She looks up briefly and we smile at each other. 

And begrudgingly back to London I go. 

Flying over the Swiss Alps!

Thankfully I had a Monzo card hidden in my drawer which helped me track payments abroad. I booked my flight separately with Easyjet, and the hotel – via the Booking app. The hotel – the Constantinou Bros Athena Hotel was clean, and the staff were all amazingly friendly. Cyprus is certainly a great destination to visit in warmer weather. However, I felt I’d covered most of Paphos in a few days. If you’re good at relaxing then it’s definitely a great location to just sit. Outdoor heated pools would be a nice touch. I got a bus from the airport which was 2 euros. The taxis’ are 30 euros. It’s not that hard to travel about via bus and bike which are cheap. I was recommended Staysure as a health insurance company. Twenty something me would totally have forgotten this part of the trip, however, 40 something me knows that the moment I don’t have travel insurance I’ll probably break a leg. With health conditions many companies were far too expensive. Thankfully staysure covered me despite having AS.

Until next time.

Much love, BeckiB Xx

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YAM CARNIVAL!!!

I haven’t really updated this site for a while… well. There hasn’t been a lot going on has there. Yam Carnival was the first festival I’ve been to in what feels like.. forever. With an interesting line up – I was excited to be offered press passes to head on down there, friend in tow. And when we arrived it looked like half of London had been invited down as ‘press’ or ‘VIP as the queue to get in rotated a few miles round the large exterior fence. Already late, panic set in as security guards gave us fake names and alternative routes to get in. It appeared that we might not be seeing anyone at all. Thankfully a twist of fate later (and my tenacity haha)– we bumped in to someone who could help and found our way whiling onwards to the stage! We needn’t of panicked. Times lagging and issues with sound systems meant that nothing inside was going to plan either. Yam Carnival’s first year it seemed that ‘technical issues’ stood out… That’s not a band by the way...*smirk

Inside the arena, after we had queued amongst the many queues (needing the toilet is such an inconvenience) – we managed to see Koffee, Kehlani and Davido. All three amazing artists – I am really grateful that I had the opportunity to see them. If they have not fallen onto your radar yet – consider this it.

It was one of those festivals I’d like to do a second time, with less faffing about. The vibe there was so good – and all in all the patience and friendly atmosphere of the attendees was what really made it in the end.

This week I am addicted to Koffee’s song – Rapture and am in danger of overplaying it.

Becki BXx

… I’d quite like a new lens.. I’m shooting on a Nikon D7500.. any thoughts..

Beam me up Scotty..
Camera crew…
Kehlani
Glam audience member
Davido looking happy ‘as dancing about the stage
Kehlani
Waiting for the sound to pick up
Salvation
How rude..
Davido on the main stage

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MUSIC: CHROMEO ‘QUARANTINE CASANOVA’ EP

Chromeo are one of my favourite duo’s. So when this email bounced into my inbox with some new quarantine lockdown tunes what else could I do? Yes! To not bounce it right on back – but to pass the good news on.. to you. YOU. You’re welcome. Check out the new EP below..

CHROMEO’S QUARANTINE CASANOVA EP OUT TODAY FIVE NEW SONGS WRITTEN AND RECORDED UNDER LOCKDOWN PROCEEDS TO BENEFIT KNOW YOUR RIGHTS CAMP’S COVID-19 RELIEF FUND 

June 12, 2020—Legendary funklordz Chromeo debut Quarantine Casanova, an EP of five new tracks written and recorded under lockdown, today. In solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement and in recognition of COVID-19’s disproportionate impact on Black and POC communities, 100% of net proceeds from digital downloads, physical sales and merch will be donated to Colin Kaepernick’s Know Your Rights Camp COVID-19 Relief Fund. Chromeo is also working on an animated short for the National Alliance on Mental Illness, to accompany the EP and raise awareness about mental health issues surrounding the global pandemic. Stream Quarantine Casanova here and get physical formats, merch and digital download here.

“Honestly, it started as a joke,” says Chromeo frontman Dave 1. “At the beginning of quarantine, we hunkered down in our studio, freestyled a song called ‘Clorox Wipe’ and posted it online to cheer people up. The response was overwhelming. So we wrote another one, and another one. Fans kept asking if we were going to release them for real, so after a couple of weeks, we obliged.” “As usual, it’s a high brow-low brow thing with us,” adds synth master P-Thugg. “These are obviously the funniest tracks we’ve ever written, but they connected in such a visceral way. We figured if we were to put them out, there would have to be a charity and an awareness component.” The band took two weeks to properly record and produce the tracks, and Quarantine Casanova was born. With titles like “6 Feet Away” and “Stay In Bed (And Do Nothing)” the songs touch on all the topics du jour, including paper towel shortages, social media cooking crazes, avoiding Zoom meeting and yelling at people who don’t wear masks. But they’re also disarmingly honest about anxiety, depression and existential ennui. Set to Chromeo’s signature catchy melodies and analog grooves, they happen to be the funkiest synth jamz this side of 2020.  The EP is the first new music from Chromeo since 2018, when their fifth album Head Over Heels was released to critical acclaim. Since then, the duo has kept busy with two years’ worth of shows and more recently, the launch of their very own label Juliet Records, which will see the release of inaugural signee Ian Isiah’s forthcoming AUNTIE project this summer. This marks a new chapter for the band, and the first time they’re stepping out to produce and mentor other artists. Chromeo is the Grammy-nominated duo of Montreal natives and high school best friends David “Dave 1” Macklovitch and Patrick “P-Thugg” Gemayel. The group — now 15 years into their storied career — rose to prominence with their seminal 2007 release Fancy Footwork, heralding the dawn of the ‘80s electro-funk revival. Their five LPs have been hailed as modern funk masterworks and Chromeo has toured the world over.

CHROMEO—QUARANTINE CASANOVA             

1. Clorox Wipe
2. 6 Feet Away
3. Stay In Bed (And Do Nothing
4. ‘Roni Got Me Stressed Out
5. Cabin Fever

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NEW MUSIC: Artcha ‘AVALANCHE’ ft. Benny Bizzie

Artcha James

“Don’t fall a victim to your fears… must be a story to your tears”

The song is called Avalanche to depict what can happen when one event goes unnoticed and can lead to catastrophic events.

Current location: North London
Current happiness levels out of 10: 6
Favourite film: Do The Right Thing (Spike Lee)
Favourite musician: Difficult but I have to say the late great TY was and is phenomenal 
Favourite artist: I am obsessed with Eska. She is out of this world
Favourite book: Brave New World
Favourite colour: Blue

Hey Artcha how you doing!? How is 2020 going for you!?!?! So your new release Avalanche was released at midnight ‘last’ night. What’s the track about?

Strange times, right? Understatement. Weirdly enough Avalanche was written and recorded before recent events (lockdown, George Floyd) which actually speaks for itself as this is exactly how I felt in general back in February. I had written the first verse in Jan originally for an extended freestyle I wanted to record but the more I read the lyrics, the more it was obvious this was actually the beginning of ‘a’ song (the music had not been written yet). As the year progressed and I found time to compose, the melody hypnotised me for a week and I hadn’t written any drum pattern or baseline, I was just obsessed with this melody that was forming. It felt haunting yet angelic and there was something anti-cerebral about the process.

It sounds cliche but the song began to write itself…

I just need to catch up to the pace of mind. I heard it before it was finished. From this point I knew I had a song, it was just missing another verse and a chorus. Originally I wanted several artists on the song so I sent it out to about seven artists… but no-one replied…Lol (there is a lesson here).

Released 5th June 2020

Anyway I continued adding to the record with various sounds and different arrangements and finally an artist came back to me. Benny. However we are now in full lockdown so collaborating in the studio was a no no. Thankfully, Benny has his own set up and was able to record at home. For context, Benny was planning to have a musical break at the moment he received my call… thank God he changed his mind! Our chemistry from a distance was great, we began to be in constant communication about ideas, direction, details in my verses that would shape his chorus. Long story short through various voice notes, texts and emails we began to shape Avalanche. 

You’re releasing this during the George Floyd tragedy in America and #blacklivesmatter. Was the timing of it’s release purposeful?
What is so uncanny, is the timing of the song. We scheduled the release at the beginning of May – song was mixed and mastered, artwork had been signed off and the campaign had begun.

All before the disgusting murder of George Floyd and the protests in America and now London. As time was getting closer to our release date I became nervous and felt uncomfortable releasing music at such a time. I did not want to self promote when there were bigger more important issues to focus on. However, talks with the Club FRSHRZ team and Benny made me realise, actually, this song in retrospect was prophetic and was timely and spoke to the feelings of the time. We must release it.  

Can you introduce us to @bennybizzie
I love the fact you picked out “Don’t fall a victim to your fears… must be a story to your tears” as it is one of my favourite lines from Benny. Benny Bizzie is an incredible singer-songwriter from North London and you all need to follow him and listen to his extensive catalogue. I am really thankful, proud, overwhelmed and empowered about Avalanche, the responses have been incredible, many connected with the song personally. 

You mention MC Hammer – was he a big influence in your music?!

Lol. Yes! MC Hammer was a legend growing up, me and my sister used to practise dance moves to his videos. I also admire what he did for popular Hip-Hop, a really important link in the chain to many artists after him. Plus its a great double entendre. 

 
What are your influences musically wise – and who should we be listening to!? 
Undoubtedly, TY, Radiohead, Mos Def, Nas, Kendrick Lamar, Wretch 32 and you all need to listen to ESKA and her 2015 album of the same name. 


How is your corona lockdown going!? 
It’s tricky. I’ve experienced personal tragedy so of course I feel cheated. My big bro TY was just one of those tragedies. On the other side it has forced me to be more creative. I became a film-maker. lol. Filmed, edited, storyboarded and animated my first music video/short film. Thank God for Amazon prime, YouTube tutorials and bottomless creativity!

So sorry to hear this. Xx

 You’re releasing this during the George Floyd tragedy in America. Was the timing of it’s release purposeful? 
This is a great question and the question I expected from many, but as I explained earlier this was completely unplanned by me, us, but I do believe God has a different plan. I believe that more now that it has been released from the reactions we are receiving. The making of the video was heavily influenced by recent events hench the phrase ‘I can’t breathe’ because I wanted to document this moment in history more explicity than the lyrics of the song.


“Enhance the youth and tell the truth to yourself and mean it…”I love that sentence.. can you expand on this.. 
Thank you. It is a motto I try to live by. I think our responsible is to ensure the next generations have guidance and encouragement but in order to be fully effective we have to be true to ourselves and admit where we have gone wrong.

“I see injustice and my blood boils and curdles they speak more Gummidge than Wurzel.. I got my ‘Blue Peter’ Badge in survival…” can you expand…
Ha. Yes I do like to include pop culture references for those of a similar age or experience. The start of that lyric is raw and really reflects how much corruption we have experienced, this is countered with ‘Gummidge’ suggesting sh*t or rubbish and by saying I got my Blue Peter badge I am suggesting we have been here before, we have the t-shirt, the official badge! More metaphors and double entendres. Sometimes only I get it.  


You’re based in Tottenham – how has it been in that area with the protests and lockdown? 
Tottenham is a real community area contrary to media publicity, people generally look out for one another – it is so diverse it would be extraordinary to witness blatant racism or discrimination. A few protests have passed through the area, all calm and specific. I have noticed a heavier police presence all of a sudden. Regarding lockdown, again the community has complied with government rules, forming nice queues outside of Tesco.  

How do you believe we can all support #blacklivesmatter … how can people become more educated – do you have any links to films or significant documentaries that you believe are an important watch? 
I truly believe more open forums are the best ways to learn and educate ourselves. I think not having the conversation at all is unhealthy but I understand some people may be uncomfortable, but regardless the conversations need to be had, not lectures, but conversations with questions and informed responses. There is too much online and I would not want to direct people to unvalidated sources. Speak, talk, discuss, learn. I think we should all invest in Black owned business, media platforms and of course education. The curriculum in the UK urgently needs to change to reflect the ethnicity of our schools. The song is called Avalanche to depict what can happen when one event goes unnoticed and can lead to catastrophic events.


How do you write your music – does it just flow!? Or do you sit down to write?
How long is a piece of string? It varies. Lines will come to me shopping or walking through the park. I do like to write lyrics to music to really capture the energy of the song and the cadence but Avalanche came in parts and I put it together like a meal or a puzzle, Benny added the spices. Benny and I recently talked about the writing process and it seems I lean more into writing on my phone then on paper; a sharp contrast from the yesteryears of multiple A4 books (I still have these from the early days).

What book are you currently reading?! 
At the moment I am reading ‘Battlefield of the Mind’ by Joyce Meyer and recently finished ‘Shoe Dog’ by Phil Knight – I like contrasts.   

Favourite 80s film!
Oooh. This is almost impossible. My favourite century of film. For today it will be ‘The Breakfast Club’, tomorrow it will be Platoon.  

Your song talks about the PM and him being untrustworthy – thoughts on Boris.. and er Trump..
….I have no good words to say about them.

Heh heh. Fair enough. If you enjoyed this – then please share, tweet and support.

You can purchase Avalanche HERE! Watch the video again HERE!

If you enjoyed this – then please share, tweet and support. Oh I just said that.

Thanks for reading.. BeckiBXx

#avalanche #blacklivesmatter @Artcha @clubfrshrz and distribution @believemusic_uk

You can hear more from Artcha here:

My albums #urbantalesvol1 and #urbantalesvol2 are now on my artcha.bandcamp.com

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Love Is a Dirty Word.

Kew Gardens

Love.

Love is a dirty word.
It started out in childhood
And it got. All very confused. 

If it was ever said at all.
It was easily misconstrued.  
And was either half hearted or never really said in truth. 

And when she grew up.
And she was urged to trust.
It all just felt… far too much. 

As she tried to figure out
How love was meant to touch. 

Her heart. 

She finally figured that she was stuck 
The narcissists trap suffocating her in it’s clutch
Perverse amusement as darkness thundered 

A magnificent web of lies the master of deceit 
As he whispered in her ear 
A dirty pool licked at her feet 

Lost souls imprisoned attempting to escape
As water turned to quicksand and the clock jumped a beat 
The future already here, the narcissist long gone

A story planned out since time begun.
A contradictory perverse mind
Some souls sinking deeper as the narcissists song echoed on.

Her mind harmonised to a frequency she hung on
Trying to gather her energy up.
Listening to others that claimed to hold the key that would release the devils evil clutch.

The gate of freedom she was told was not far 
The bright yellow suns warmth holding her there… 

Love. 

Love was a dirty word. 
She’d always felt. 
But not anymore she understood as her heart started to melt. 

It was only then she could see.. 
That she was starting to break free…
From the narcissists clutch.

Becki Bx

© All words and images copyrighted and owned by Rebecca Burrows 2020 and not to be used without permission.






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