Timbuktu for you–

A big shout out to all of my friends in the Sahara oasis known as Timbuktu.  I hope that you can all play music whenever you want to. . .that you can sing whenever you want to. . .that you can dance whenever you want to. . .and that you can play and smile and breathe and live whatever life you like.  Timbuktu and so many other places in Mali and beyond in West Africa are the sources of most of the great music that we all enjoy today.  Please join me in sending out vibes of tolerance, reason, and celebration to the people in and around Timbuktu–things we need to enjoy the ride through this mysterious existence known as “life.”  Salut!

To see more amazing images from around our teeny-tiny planet simply click on a location of your choice in the category menu on the ‘About’ page of this blog. . .do it. . .so much to see and soooo little time.

It’s lovely out there.

Cooperation is key–

The people of west Africa are sweet, cool, chilled-out, and oh-so deserving of conditions that allow for the living of decent lives.  I know that there are not a lot of hard economic benefits to countries of the west who offer assistance in this region, but there are a lot of intangible human benefits for helping out that pay off in ways that few can foresee but all can feel.  Some of these intangible benefits include positive vibes, good karma, and uplifted human spirits. . .we always get back what we give. . .so let us always give whatever good that we can.

I send you human vibes from the nighttime streets of Mali. . .feel them. . .they are worthy of your attention.

To see more wonderful images from around our teeny-tiny planet simply click on a location of your choice in the category menu on the ‘About’ page of this blog. . .dive on in. . .you can go just about anywhere that you like right here, right NOW.

It’s lovely out there.

Happy Friday the 13th…

…to you from all of the children and people of the world.  Above, my friends from Turkey, Tibet, Mali, and Iran say “hello” and “peace to you” wherever you are this fine day.  Go visit any of these folks any time you can. . .you will love!

The people of the world are good. . .if only the systems and leaders and governments and institutions of the world were designed to bring good to the masses instead of just the lucky few. . .if only.

I send you joyous vibes from the masses. . .feel them. . .they are most worthy of your focus and attention.

It’s lovely out there.

Happy General Assembly…UN–

It is General Assembly time at the United Nations in New York City once again.  The people of the world gather here every September to speak with each other, listen to each other, and connect with each other regarding many of the global issues of the moment, and we wish all members of the U.N. luck and success in addressing the things that need attention on planet Earth.  In addition, I send out fabulous peaceful vibes to my friends from all corners of the globe. . .above you see some of them in Mexico, Tibet, Mali, and Iran.  Feel the good vibes everyone. . .they are full of vitality and joy. . .mmmm, aaaahh!!

To see more wonderful images from around our teeny-tiny planet simply click on a location of your choice in the category menu on the ‘About’ page of this blog. . .dive on in. . .so much to see and soooo little time.

It’s lovely out there.

My world cup…

…runneth over.  The people of Tibet, England, Mali, and Iran–as seen above–all send you their love and respect this World Cup season. . .plus, they would love you to come visit them some time.  If a silly little boy like me can make it to all of these places, then I know all of you can, too.  Some of the ‘true’ World Cup spirit lies in visiting and interacting with “foreign” peoples in their homelands and elsewhere. . .so, embrace the World Cup spirit whenever and wherever you can, baby!

My favorite part of the World Cup tournament is watching the faces of the players on each team as they sing their respective national anthems–everyone seems to really love their homes–fabulous.  I also love it when the captains of each team exchange small banners bearing images of their national flags. . .then everyone shakes hands. . .and then they PLAY.  Russians play with Koreans. . .Americans play with Ghanaians. . .Iranians play with Australians. . .Germans play with Portuguese. . .English play with Italians. . .Brasilians play with Argentinians. . .Japanese play with Algerians. . .etc. and so on.  Just for a few moments the world is about PLAY. . .if only it could always be this way.  Enjoy the matches, and may you travel the world and appreciate its mystery and beauty every day.

I send you global vibes from planet Earth. . .feel them. . .they are one of the most important things we have.

To see more wonderful images from around our tiny planet simply click on a location of your choice in the category menu on the ‘About’ page of this blog. . .dive on in. . .you can go just about anywhere that you like right here, right NOW.

It’s lovely out there.

Sahara Desert vibes–

Please join me in sending powerful ‘ping’ vibes from the Sahara Desert to the crews searching for the lost Malaysian Airliner.  Searching the Indian Ocean for black box pings has got to be nearly as hard as searching the Sahara Desert for a music festival, which is what we are doing above.  Eventually we will find our way to Essakane, a desert oasis with a stage and sound system that is ready to amplify the music of Habib Koite, Salif Keita, Tinariwan, and many other west-African music acts from Mauritania, Algeria, Mali, Burkina Faso, Senegal, Ireland, etc.  If a gringo like me can find my way to Essakane on the edge of the Sahara, then I am confident that maritime professionals can find the black box and the rest of Malaysian Air flight 370 somewhere at the bottom of the Indian Ocean.

I send you all positive searching vibes from the Sahara Desert. . .feel them. . .they will never give up.

To see more wonderful images from around planet Earth simply click on a location of your choice in the category menu on the ‘About’ page of this blog. . .dive on in. . .you might learn a thing or three.

It’s lovely out there.

No more stabbing, please–

Please join me in sending calming vibes from Timbuktu, Mali to all school children who have been bullied and are considering doing violence to classmates.  Bullying is bad and violence is bad. . .violence done in retaliation for being bullied is ridiculous.  Above you see me wandering around an historic town in one of the world’s poorest countries, Mali. . .a place that was colonized by the French–they survived this occupation and now have their independence. . .and now the Tuaregs, Libyan fighters, Algerians, and other nomadic desert peoples are trying stir things up here, but the Malians keep rockin’ on with their amazing music and vital human spirit–upward and onward, always.  Kids, try this. . .use your favorite music to sooth you and know that one phrase applies to any and all situations that people face: “this, too, shall pass.”  No matter how bad things seem, “this, too, shall pass.”  Know this. . .feel this. . .it can be helpful to remember this phrase when things seem to be darker than dark.

So, feel the good vibes coming to you from Mali. . .they have the power to move you away from violence.

To see more fascinating images from around planet Earth simply click on a location of your choice in the category menu on the ‘About’ page of this blog. . .dive on in. . .you deserve a virtual trip right here, right NOW.

It’s lovely out there.

Afreeeecaaaaa!

KAZOWY!  Above you see children in Bamako, Mali. . .me posing with a musician in Dogon country. . .and a sunny view of a grassy airstrip in Tanzania. . .mmmm, aaaahh!  The people here, the music here, the fragrance of the African bush here all rock my world. . .all make me feel the powerful vibes of the cradle of humanity.

Scientists have announced the discovery of ancient human DNA in fossils found in Spain that are somewhere around four hundred thousand years old.  Supposedly this discovery is creating ‘confusion’ in the scientific community regarding the migration of ancient humanoids. . .do we all really come from Africa?  I gotta tell you that when you travel here in Africa there is no confusion regarding our origins. . .you can feel it here. . .we are all African.  Be proud. . .we are all African. . .this IS the cradle of humanity.

I send you original vibes from Africa. . .feel them. . .they are palpable.

To see more fun images from around planet Earth simply click on a location of your choice in the category menu on the ‘About’ page of this blog. . .do it. . .it’s sooo easy to take a virtual trip right here, right NOW.

It’s lovely out there.

Mopti, Mali Monday–

  JAAA!  There is no better place to spend a Monday on planet Earth than Mopti, Mali on the edge of the Sahara Desert here in west Africa. . .c’est bon!!  Mopti is a rustic town on the banks of the Niger River, which you can see above.  Rivers are the life blood of so many people in Africa, and the Niger is definitely one of the most important ones.  So atmospheric and vital as I take in the life-giving vibes of this river and this town.  Mmmm. . .aaaaahh. . .I love Mopti, Mali, and you will too if you ever find yourself wandering around in this part of western Africa.

I send you ancient vibes from the banks of the Niger River. . .feel them. . .they are deep in the DNA of us all.

To see more wonderful images from around our tiny planet floating in space amidst the 14 billion light year vastness of the universe, simply click on a location of your choice in the category menu on the ‘About’ page of this blog. . .dive on in, people. . .you deserve a virtual trip NOW.

It’s lovely out there.

Rock-and-roll General Assembly!

Globehuggin’ for peace, people–POW!  The vast majority of the 7.3 billion people on the planet are super-chill, in my humble opinion.  And the dudes above from Mali, Tibet, and the Philippines are shining examples of folks who just want to get along and enjoy the simple comforts of life: friends, family, good food, good drink, music, lovin’, etc.  So, I send out super-chill vibes from these 3 locales to all of the world leaders hangin’ out in New York for the General Assembly. . .feel them. . .we would love for you to embrace them and include them in all of your global wheelings and dealings.  Thank you!

To see more fabulous hugs from around our tiny planet simply click on a location of your choice in the category menu on the ‘About’ page of this blog. . .dive on in. . .the hugs will make you feel slightly better than you feel right now.

It’s lovely out there.