Pink (August 2017)

ISSUE154∫ AUgUSt2017

Doctor’s painful plea as pancreatic cancer patient CHECK SYMPTOMS EARLY; NO ONE IS SUPERHUMAN; DON’T TREAT US LIKE STATISTICS

COPING WITH TRANSITION Embracing change FITTING FRAGRANCE FOR THE LEGENDARY LADY BEHIND THE LUXURY

An ode to women who choose their destiny

INSIDE

August 2017 35 12

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FEATURES 12 PrivateEye patients are not numbers A doctor on the other side of the fence 19 LifeStyle sharing lives Persons with disability need to socialise too

FASHION 26 ShowStopper mellow yellow A bit of brightness 35 FashionStory what’s in a name?

The essence of Gabrielle Chanel

HEALTH 40 OnForm surmounting an uphill struggle From no exercise to mountain climbing 47 ParentingTips moving on Coping with change in children’s lives

REGULARS 9 EditorsNote 10 MailShot 22 WomanKind the paradox of Potter Beatrix Potter 46 ThinkPink health, beauty & other essentials 49 GirlTalk living well The joy of eating 52 TravelOgue sunshine, food & relaxation Cyprus from the horse’s mouth 56 StarGazer the future is pink Horoscopes 57 SnapShot business as usual Monique Chambers

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COVER Photography Andre Gialanze ∫ Styling Marisa Grima [marisagrima.com] ∫ Hair Robert Agius ∫ Make-up Talitha Dimech ∫ Model Alina @ Supernova MM, wearing shirt; skirt, both Oasis ∫ shoes, Aldo ∫ Location be.Hotel Baystreet Tourist Complex, St Julian’s

6 ∫ Pink August 2017

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wellbeing

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EDITORSNOTE

I’ve been meaning to write about this, but more ‘pressing’ issues have always taken precedence. It’s about what I think is the ultimate accessory; actually, what I think is the item of ‘clothing’ that really counts – what you put on in the morning that means nothing else matters.

Every day, I walk out of the house knowing that whatever I’m wearing, even if it’s still my pyjamas, whether I haven’t slapped on any make-up, and even if I have bad hair, something is waiting for me on the table in the hall that I feel shifts the focus, covers, cleans and spruces up the look in an instant, leaving you seeming alive even if you don’t feel it.

It’s my sunglasses, which I wear from sunrise to sunset and even in twilight, and if I could, at night too.

For decades, I have been apologising for keeping them on indoors if the light is streaming in, and seemingly not looking people in the eye because I refuse to remove them wherever I am. But I don’t want to apologise anymore.

Rather, this is my relationship with shades: they are a form of protection, not only from the sun, but also a shield from getting too close, or giving away too much, that offer a sense of ‘style safety’ at the same time.

Exposing the eyes – the windows to the soul; the most telltale part of the face, often still smeared by the faded remnants of a runny mascara even though you’ve cleaned it off twice, and the first areas to wrinkle, or lose their light – can make you feel naked. Covering them, on the other hand, instantly dresses you up; and covering them with a statement pair of shades propels your makeshift look to another level in an instant and with minimal effort.

Wear a white T-shirt, jeans and flats [the pending style subject of an upcoming EditorsNote], but it’s a good pair of sunglasses that will catch anyone’s eye and lift an outfit, a face, the hair… Don’t wear any make-up, but as long as you cover your eyes, you can look fresh – and natural – in a flash.

No need for lipstick when you’ve got killer shades. No need for earrings either. Throw on a hat maybe, and add to that slight air of mystery – another plus factor of sunglasses, cultivated by the fact that celebrities are often masked behind a pair themselves. They can change who you are, and because your eyes are hidden from the world, you can float in a sense of incognito, even though you may be engaged in a deep tête-à-tête.

But don’t get me wrong.

Sunglasses are not about hiding; they’re also about ‘showing off ’ in a simple and understated way if worn with the right balance.

Sunglasses are that one piece of affordable high-end designer wear

that most covet… and can have.

And that is not to say that even more affordable mainstream brands aren’t creating amazing stuff.

Today’s eyewear is a work of art, from delicate to funky and crazy fun. Even if you are conservative in your dress code, it’s the one area in which you can be daring and break your own rules. Even if you have to look serious and smart, it’s that one area where you can throw all caution to the wind. Show up in your suit and a killer pair of shades, which you can remove once they’ve left their impact, and revert to your other self.

The choice is endless and it’s not a question of having one pair so you don’t need anymore. Rubbish! Don’t feel bad about buying a second, third, fourth and fifth… even if it’s at the cost of not buying something else… Because slipping on the right pair of shades is what makes all the difference at the end of the day.

Invest in your sunglasses, because as far as fashion goes, they are what counts. The eye is drawn to the eye. It’s where we look when we engage with someone. And if our gaze takes us directly to some mesmerising design, we forget about the rest and what lies beneath.

So the next time you’re putting together a look, don’t bother so much with the bag, shoes and jewellery. Instead, buy that perfect pair of shades that brings it all together. This is all the jewellery you need. And believe me, today’s bling-bling it is.

August 13, 2017 ∫ Pink is a monthly magazine ∫ Issue 154 ∫ Executive editor Fiona Galea Debono ∫ Publisher Allied Newspapers Ltd ∫ Printing Progress Press Ltd ∫ Production Allied Newspapers Ltd ∫ Contributors Robert Agius, Kristina Chetcuti, Talitha Dimech, Mary Galea Debono, Marisa Grima, Stephanie Satariano, Virginia, Shelley Von Strunckel ∫ Design Manuel Schembri ∫ Photography Jonathan Borg, Andre Gialanze ∫ Advertising sales Veronica Grech Sant [2276 4333; veronica.grechsant@timesofmalta.com].

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Pink August 2017 ∫ 9

MAILsho

THE LETTER THAT TICKLED PI SUCCESS TO THOSE WHO DESERVE IT Dear Pink, I always enjoy reading your articles, exploring points of interest for all women in a sensitive and refreshing way. The July issue was no exception. I really liked the article Work What You Wear [WomensWorld] by Helen Raine – very good advice to all of us, particularly those women seeking to make a good impression at work. I was particularly intrigued by the last sentence regarding women’s outfits: “Your next promotion could be riding on it.” In view of all the campaigning and efforts to encourage more women to take up positions of responsibility in our country, it took me back to my experience at an interview about 40 years ago. I was bypassed for the job because I was a woman. The interviewer told me that I was their first choice. However, he continued, it could be that I was engaged to be married and he asked me directly. Even in those days, when attitudes were different and bias was considered fair, I thought the question was preposterous.

My answer was somewhat similar to Elizabeth’s in Pride and Prejudice, when she was confronted by Lady Catherine about her engagement… I did not get the job, which was disappointing, but I still feel a twinge of pride when I recall my words on that occasion. Despite my experience, I am not in favour of ‘quota’ positions for women. We want and need real equality. Putting women in posts ‘to make up the quota’ is condescending and patronising to say the least and it defeats the purpose. A woman, or anyone for that matter, should be given a post for no reason other than that she is better than the next person. Other reasons would be demeaning. May all those who deserve success achieve it.

ANNA MARIA MALLIA, FROM BALZAN

The writer of the letter of the month wins Montblanc’s Lady Emblem L’Eau from Chemimart; a selection of Deborah Milano make-up products from A.M.Mangion Ltd; PLUS a Paco Rabanne Million Monopoly from Ta’ Xbiex Perfumery.

wrIte I AND WIN we want to hear from you. send us your feedback on Pink and any stories that may have touched you in some way, and you stand a chance of winning a Carven L’eau de toilette from Chemimart; a selection of Deborah Milano make-up products from A.M.Mangion Ltd; PLUs a Paco rabanne Million Monopoly from ta’ Xbiex Perfumery. write to Pink, with your contact details, at Allied Newspapers Ltd, Industrial estate, triq l-Intornjatur, Mrieћel, BKr 3000, or send an e-mail to pink@timesofmalta.com Correspondence may be edited for length and clarity. If prizes are not claimed within two months, they will no longer be available.

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MY FAVOURITE REGULARS Dear Fiona, I was just reading last Sunday’s issue [EditorsNote, July 2017]. Well done! Your words about Facebook are so true, and I can’t agree with you more. Virginia [GirlTalk, July 2017] also highlights valid points on Facebook, which I find more of a ‘Fakebook’ for some… Keep up your super work [you and your team] and your interesting editorials. I love reading all of Pink, but I admit that the moment I get hold of it, I look out for the EditorsNote, The Virginia Monologues [and the fun and clever illustrations that accompany it] and PinkShrink. You are all my favourite ‘regulars’!

JESSICA GALEA, VIA E-MAIL

NEVER GIVING UP To make sure I do not miss out on Pink, I now order The Sunday Times of Malta and await with eagerness to see what each month’s magazine has to offer. In the July issue, No Piece of Cake [PrivateEye] struck me most. Maya Cachia, together with the will power of her mother, surprised me with her determination not to eat at such a tender age food that children would be enjoying. The condition, eosinophilic enteropathy, which I had never heard of, made me realise that it is sometimes difficult to decipher a disease, what the allergy is, or what is causing it. Had it not been for Gertrude, who followed her daughter’s condition, perhaps we would have never been aware of this discomfort. With her consistency, she gave us a good example of how not to give up and keep on fighting.

Yes, I can understand and sympathise with Gertrude regarding the fact that, more often than not, the description on food items is not in large print and, sometimes, is illegible.

Gertrude gave me the good idea of taking a magnifying glass when shopping. This will make reading and watching out for the ingredients that do not agree with me much easier. Well done Maya! You are a good example to children. Congratulations Gertrude for never giving up. You are a role model to other parents who may face similar circumstances.

MARY MANGION, VIA E-MAIL

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PRIVATEEYE

12 ∫ Pink August 2017

PRIVATEEYE

PATIENTS ARE NOT NUMBERS Diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, which she left under the radar for too long, Dr Tania van Avendonk moved from professional carer to also being cared for; to a patient, not just their doctor… Having moved also between anger, fear, regret, calm and living for the moment, she tells KRISTINA CHETCUTI that patients should take ownership of their treatment, express their wishes and question their doctors to be sure they are not being treated as a statistic.

A

burst of explosive energy – that’s how I describe her. For the last 10 years, every time I’d meet Tania van Avendonk, she’d be brimming with stamina, overflowing with liveliness. I’d be in awe of her multitasking: stethoscope in one hand, pen in the other, her shoulder cradling her phone to her ear, and all the while listening extremely attentively to what I’m saying. To be like that, I’d need four pairs of hands, two brains and no concept of flopping on the sofa.

Tania, 52, from Rabat, is one of those doctors – she has been a family practitioner with a special interest in women’s care for 30 years – with a long list of regular patients who would only want to see her, and who would trust her no-nonsense advice before anyone else’s.

When we meet for this interview, however, it’s a very different Tania. The tour de force has been rebooted, so to speak, and replaced by an aura of calm and tranquillity. The perfect juggler of tasks is instead enjoying her quietude, and all those surrounding her are basking in it.

“Sometimes we get a break in our lives and it shifts our energy,” she says. There is a long pause and she is smiling. “It had to be this thing that transformed me.”

‘This thing’ is cancer.

Two and a half years ago, after three years of ignoring worrying symptoms, she was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. Stage 4. As a doctor, she knew what that meant.

It meant a bleak prognosis of six to nine months.

“When I got the news, I was very angry. First of all, at myself for leaving it so long to go to the doctor, and secondly, I was angry at the world – why me? But this is a question you can never answer; if you keep dwelling on it, it rots you inside,” she says.

When her anger subsided, she was overtaken by fear.

We talk for a while about her “carelessness”. As a doctor, shouldn’t she have been more sensitive to her body’s alarm bells?

“WHEN I GOT THE NEWS, I WAS VERY ANGRY. FIRST OF ALL, AT MYSELF FOR LEAVING IT SO LONG TO GO TO THE DOCTOR, AND SECONDLY, I WAS ANGRY AT THE WORLD – WHY ME? BUT THIS IS A QUESTION YOU CAN NEVER ANSWER; IF YOU KEEP DWELLING ON IT, IT ROTS YOU INSIDE” “I suppose yes. Two other colleagues of mine had been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and passed away and I just said to myself: ‘Tania, it can’t be!’ I mean what were the chances of it happening to such a small cohort of people?”

Her most severe symptom was back pain. “It was so bad that I could not even sleep at night, and during the day, I needed painkillers to carry on. At one point, Pink August 2017 ∫ 13

PRIVATEEYE corner and her daughter going abroad, she did not want to disrupt festivities and so she went for the scan in February.

The result was what it was. “It was very difficult for my colleagues to face me and tell me certain things.

It’s not easy giving bad news to a friend. They could not bring themselves to say it. They were counting on my being able to read between the lines,” she says.

But she knew the statistics. For doctors, Stage 4 cancer is inoperable and, according to medical guidelines, for a case like hers, the only option is palliative care: pain killers and chemotherapy to ease the pain, and support. There aren’t even support groups for pancreatic cancer sufferers – it is such a mercurial killer that there are usually no survivors to share their stories.

“IT WAS VERY DIFFICULT FOR MY COLLEAGUES TO FACE ME AND TELL ME CERTAIN THINGS. IT’S NOT EASY GIVING BAD NEWS TO A FRIEND. THEY COULD NOT BRING THEMSELVES TO SAY IT. THEY WERE COUNTING ON MY BEING ABLE TO READ BETWEEN THE LINES”

the pain was so agonising that I lay flat on the floor and told my daughter to step on my back.” But she put it down to stress. “I lived a stressful life. Like everyone else, I was juggling many things, but I am not one to make a fuss.”

For months, her husband of 29 years, Frans, and their two children, Jan and Tessa, now 22 and 25, went along with it.

However, when three years down the line she started going to bed early and having afternoon naps, they started worrying. “If a patient had come to me with these symptoms, I would have sent them for tests immediately,” she says.

It was her daughter who finally persuaded her to go to a doctor. “I owe it to her,” she says, whispering. Her eyes well up as she explains how Tessa insisted she visits a consultant because she was going abroad on an Erasmus exchange and wanted to put her mind at rest.

It was November and the consultant suggested a CT scan – “just so that we don’t get bitten, Tania,” he said to her. Even he thought it highly unlikely that yet another colleague would have pancreatic cancer. With Christmas round the 14 ∫ Pink August 2017

“I could not accept it,” she says matter-of-factly. It is in her tenacious character never to take no for an answer. It’s not for no reason that friends consider her to be as hard as nails. If she believes in something, there’s no backing off. “Now, it was the time to fight for the most important thing: my life.”

Going against the doctor’s orders, she felt her best chances lay with surgery. “I wanted… I needed, extensive surgery,” she says. Tania did her research and contacted the most specialist clinic on pancreatic cancer in Germany. But even there, they refused to do it for her, citing the advanced stage of her cancer and encouraging her to stick to palliative care. But she would not give in. She kept researching, studying, talking to colleagues.

“In the end, a surgeon in Malta told me he was willing to shoulder the risk of surgery,” she says. Thanks to his pluck, and to the procedure carried out in the liver by another doctor – microwave ablation – her six to nine months have so far stretched to two and a half years, and with the advances in chemo these days, it has been a relatively “good-quality life”. She has continued to work, to travel, as it was important for her to maintain normality, and not to let the disease control her.

“In the process, I’ve gone from being a professional carer to also being cared for – and that role reversal was not easy for me,” she says. However, Tania could see that people who came to her clinic were relating more to her. “I was now also a patient, not just their doctor.”

And more and more, she found herself telling her patients to take ownership of their treatment, to express their wishes, to question her as their doctor, and to question medical practitioners so as to ensure that they are not being treated as a statistic.

PRIVATEEYE

A DOCTOR’S ADVICE TO DOCTORS

Slowly slowly, she allowed this break in her life to help her become more self-aware. “It allowed me to understand myself better.” First and foremost, she learnt to let go, to live for the moment. “I used to live for tomorrow. I used to want to control situations. I used to plan my future to the minutest detail. I used to make plans weeks and months in advance. But plans can go wrong. Now I just live in the present,” she says, as we chat about her life today and how she enjoys even simply sitting on a bench in the garden.

And because she is so light about it, so at peace, we can joke about the contrast between a Tania then and now. “Can you imagine me sitting on a bench, observing life? And I am enjoying it so much!”

However, the stark reality of the present is sometimes too crude.

We see a young couple walk past us, hand in hand, and she cannot find her voice for a long time. Silent tears trickle down her cheeks. She asks rhetorically: “Will I see my children get married? Sometimes, I can’t help it; I feel jealous of people who can plan ahead.”

Although her husband and children are very supportive, and although they are all trying their hardest not to let the dynamics change, things have subconsciously shifted. “My daughter does not want to go and do her master’s abroad as she wants to be close to me all the time,” she says.

Together, they realised that family happiness is not based on what you manage to achieve financially, or your career, but on sharing the small things in life. “I count my blessings in the circumstances,” she says.

One other colleague diagnosed with pancreatic cancer died recently, leaving behind three young kids, and that keeps her perspective in place.

“I now feel I have a meaning in life.” It is one of the reasons for her doing this interview. “I want to pass on the message that with the right care and attitude, we can shift something negative.”

As a doctor, Tania knows full well what will be happening to her body sometime in the future. But she does not dwell on it. Her plan now is just one: to enjoy life.

“As doctors, we tend to practise medicine based on figures. People are categorised in boxes, slotted in stages.

You’re Stage 1; the other is Stage 3; the other is Stage 4. Perhaps we should try and put aside statistics sometimes and give more personalised, individualistic care.

As long as there is life, there is hope. So what if I only have a two per cent chance of survival? I can be that two per cent! I can turn it around!

I have complemented Western medicine with acupuncture, reflexology, homeopathy, reiki and Bach therapy. There is nothing to lose; more to gain. Of course, you have to be careful; you have to ensure that people in alternative therapy are recommended to you.

“A DOCTOR’S JOB IS TO ENCOURAGE THE FACT THAT LIFE IS WORTH LIVING” I knew that if I wanted to achieve a form of healing, I had to work on certain issues: emotional, physiological and spiritual, and not just physical.

Scientific medicine just tackles the physical aspect. But doctors also need to acknowledge that healing comes from within and support it. Because it cannot be explained scientifically, then some tend to call alternative therapies ‘ћmerijiet’. Let’s acknowledge that, sometimes, healing is more than just a physical cure. A doctor’s job is to encourage the fact that life is worth living.

But most of all, I’d like to tell my colleagues in medicine: we focus on work, on career, on friends and family, but if we have to help people, first we have to take care of ourselves.

So please don’t do like me; check symptoms as early as possible. Listen to your bodies. Nobody is a super being.”

Pink August 2017 ∫ 15

LIFESTYLE

SHARING LIVES

For persons with disability, socialising and making friends is not necessarily a given. Community inclusion still cannot be taken for granted and needs to be addressed. But thanks to Agenzija Sapport’s Sharing Lives initiative, and the involvement of volunteers, important everyday activities can be enjoyed by everyone. Pink looks into the challenges and benefits of a recent art session, which opened up opportunities most of us take too lightly.

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isconceptions and stereotypes remain the major barriers encountered by persons with disability, often also coupled with a lack of accessibility. These hurdles make it harder for them to lead an active social life and make friends, but Agenzija Sapport’s Sharing Lives initiative is meeting their need to socialise by facilitating structured voluntary experiences in the field of disability.

The idea behind Sharing Lives is to avoid social exclusion for persons with disability; it is about giving them the opportunity to be more independent, make new friends outside the family

and develop other meaningful relationships with their peers and volunteers; it is about enhancing their social support network.

“Through this project, both the persons with disability and the volunteers benefit as both have a lot to give to each other. It is about sharing experiences. It is both about giving and receiving,” says Rosalie Vella Piscopo, the agency’s marketing and communications leader.

The agency has been offering an array of services since 2003, mostly aiming to improve the quality of life of persons with disability and their families, while also promoting independent living skills.

Throughout the years, it has developed

alongside the emerging needs of persons with disability.

Apart from the ongoing accessibility issue is the fact that, because these service users are usually adults, their carers are often elderly. This programme is, therefore, also a respite opportunity for the latter, who do so much valuable work with them, especially if they still live with their family at home.

But one of the major hurdles that persons with disability and their families face is being accepted – as they are – among their peers and the community.

Lack of understanding from others often leads to further pain and isolation, preventing them from leading a life like everyone else. This reality means the issue of accessibility to leisure and cultural events is not just a structural, but also a social problem.

“Assisting persons with disability to attend such events not only increases their presence and representation, but also asserts their right to live their lives to the full and participate wholeheartedly in the community. This, in turn, challenges our stereotypical perceptions of persons with disability,” Rosalie says.

“While structured programmes and services in day centres and residences are important, we also felt the need to enhance the inclusion of persons with disability in the community. A growing issue was the lack of opportunities to lead an active social life,” she says. So Sharing Lives was created.

The idea is for volunteers to, for example, take persons with disability to a pub to socialise, or to the cinema – simple pleasures, which makes them all the more vital.

Of course, organising an activity for persons with different abilities and needs has its challenges, but this is the reason why the team from Sharing Lives invests a considerable amount of time in planning and preparation. Ensuring that every participant, be it the person with disability and the volunteer, is safe and can enjoy the experience is one of its priorities.

Those referred to Sharing Lives are always first assessed by a social worker to identify their personal interests, strengths and needs. This is followed by a matching process between the person with disability, volunteers and the activity organised, Rosalie explains.

Pink August 2017 ∫ 19

LIFESTYLE Where necessary, measures to support the person with disability are taken to increase the level of participation. After all, the success of an activity is determined by the collective effort and coordination between professionals, volunteers and persons with disability and sometimes even their relatives, she continues. It often involves several phone calls and meetings with the persons with disability, volunteers and professionals in preparation for the activity.

A recent initiative was an art session with artist Denis Calleja, but Sharing Lives volunteers have also organised a hike, a dance workshop and a horseriding session. They’ve been clubbing and

“FROM OUR EXPERIENCE SO FAR, ONCE VOLUNTEERS GET A TASTE OF THE EXPERIENCE, THEY REALISE THEY ALSO HAVE A LOT TO GAIN FROM THEIR NEWFOUND FRIENDSHIPS.” attended the Isle of MTV 2017 concert and a theatre production.

“The idea is to ensure that the different tastes of the different service users are met,” Rosalie adds.

Events have been well-attended and the feedback of participants has been positive, she says. “Clients look forward to the next activity and we have received praise from their relatives, who were delighted to see them returning home happy.”

On the other hand, for the volunteers, this is an opportunity to engage actively with persons with disability and to witness first-hand their strengths and individuality, rather than their limitations.

“It is for this reason that each group has a limited number of participants: to ensure more interaction and focus on the friendship aspect. It is a learning experience for everyone involved; it is about learning how to form new relationships, accept our differences and celebrate what makes us similar,” Rosalie continues.

Most events are organised within the community – in the case of the art session, at Bay Street Shopping Complex, where the idea was to invite the public to join in, enhancing the level of interaction as well as offering the opportunity to showcase the abilities of the service users.

Denis has held over 30 art therapy activities in Malta and abroad since the year 2000. However, this was his first activity in a shopping complex and aided by volunteers. Actor Fabian Scerri De Carlo 20 ∫ Pink August 2017

and TV personality Gertrude Borg Marks also joined in, as well as tourists and other passers-by, so the goal of inclusion was met.

“The biggest success, however, was the expression of happiness on the faces of the persons with disability. There were smiles all around and they were also happily taking photos of their artwork and speaking to anyone who stopped to admire it. The activity’s aim was for the clients to have fun, first and foremost,” says Denis.

For Sharing Lives volunteer Sarah Custo, the art activity was also a success, especially because “many individuals with disability were drawing enthusiastically, showing their work to volunteers and explaining what each drawing meant. It was a fun event, where we could all interact and get to know a bit about each other”.

The idea of voluntary work within the field of disability is quite a new concept for Agenzija Sapport. “Although we had already observed members of the public befriending and helping persons with disability within their community, the agency wanted to expand more on this potential. Awareness about inclusion has increased a lot. With some prompting, we got a number of volunteers on board, including a good amount of young people,” says Rosalie.

“From our experience so far, once volunteers get a taste of the experience, they realise they also have a lot to gain from their newfound friendships.”

Volunteers are trained and monitored, ensuring that the service they provide is of a high standard. They need to be over 16, and details about their background are required to ensure proper matching with the needs of the service users for particular activities, she explains.

“This project, although monitored and coordinated by professionals, relies solely on volunteers and, therefore, they are a crucial factor for its success and continuation.”

Meanwhile, Sharing Lives has gained momentum among the agency’s service users and their families and they look forward to the next event, so the demand for activities has increased, which means more volunteers are needed to join this growing team.

Agenzija Sapport is also working on a number of projects where persons with disability can contribute significantly to their community by getting involved in charity work and other creative endeavours.

“To make this possible, we need people to join our team and commit some of their time to embark on new initiatives, or simply be a social contact for a person with disability,” says Rosalie. “Our volunteers are students, professionals from different fields, members of other NGOs and private institutions and people from all walks of life”.

Indeed, no one is excluded!

Interested individuals can download the volunteer application form from wwww.sapport.gov.mt and send it to the Agenzija Sapport in Sta Venera.

WOMANKIND

B

eatrix Potter knew what children liked, and when she wanted to communicate with them, she often included in her letters short stories with amusing illustrations in pen and ink. Characters like Mr Jeremy Fisher, the frog, or Hunca Munca, the mouse, have their origin in these scribbled notes.

It was the enthusiasm young children showed for these stories that prompted her to attempt publishing them in book form. The first tale she chose for publication was about four little rabbits: Flopsy, Mopsy, Cottontail and Peter, who “lived with their mother in a sand-bank, underneath the root of a very big fir tree”.

She had written and illustrated it years before for five-year-old Noel, son of her ex-governess, to cheer him up when he was ill.

She made the story a little longer, added a few more illustrations and submitted it to several publishers who, unfortunately, showed no interest.

Undeterred by the lack of response, she used her own

THE PARADOX OF POTTER It would seem logical to conclude that the creator of a fantasy world, inhabited by a host of lovable characters, and endowed with an innate understanding of children and nature, had had a happy childhood in the countryside and a well-adjusted attitude to life, shared with siblings and friends. But MARY GALEA DEBONO finds that Beatrix Potter’s life was a paradox. The unrivalled author of children’s books was merely projecting her own private fantasies on imaginary animal characters to escape boredom and to retreat from a lonely life.

22 ∫ Pink August 2017

savings to have it printed. By 1901, all 250 copies of this first edition of The Tales of Peter Rabbit were sold out and she was preparing for a second edition when Fredrick Warne & Co., publishers of children’s books, offered to print it.

The adventures of Peter Rabbit became, from that moment, an integral part of the age of innocence of millions of children all over the world.

“By the end of her life,” writes

Margaret Lane in her excellent biography, “two generations of children had already been brought up on them, had their imagination first stirred, their sense of beauty and humour first awakened by these fantasies of her own childhood transferred into art.”

The charm of these stories and of many others that were to flow from her pen and brush has endured. In the days when children were confined to nurseries, these tales became favourite bedtime reading; today’s children enjoy them also as animated cartoons.

Her stories have been translated into many languages and their appeal knows no cultural barriers. There is something indefinable about the character of Peter Rabbit that appeals atavistically to all children. Could it be his heroic ways of protecting his siblings from such enemies as the sly Mr Tod, the fox who is always on the prowl to catch one of them for his dinner; or Mrs McGregor, the farmer’s wife, whose pie dish and sharp knife on the kitchen table send shivers down their backs when they remember how their own father had met his untimely death?

Rabbits are not the only protagonists of these stories.

There are also badgers, squirrels, mice and ducks, and although the author never lets her young readers forget that they are animals – the duck waddles, the rabbits live in a burrow and the mice have a long tail – she also gives them human characteristics.

Mr Tod is a dandy, who wears a cravat under his open-necked shirt and waistcoat and carries a walking stick, while Jemima Puddle Duck, who is naive and slightly idiotic, goes nowhere without her floppy blue hat with the pink ribbon plonked over her forehead. Their ‘houses’ are authentic reproductions of northern farmhouses, with proper oak furniture and

WOMANKIND willow-pattern dishes. There is also a touch of humour in the way she portrays her characters even if this is often so subtle that it probably appeals more to the adults than to the children.

It would seem logical to conclude that the creator of this fantasy world, inhabited by a host of lovable characters and illustrated with minute details, was not a city girl; that the author was not only endowed with a power of observation and an innate understanding of children and nature, but that she herself had had a happy childhood and a well-adjusted attitude to life shared with siblings and friends.

But the paradox of the life of Beatrix is that when she created this world, she was merely projecting her own private fantasies on imaginary animal characters to escape boredom and to retreat from an unhappy and lonely childhood.

Beatrix was born in London in 1866, and although the family house was in South Kensington, she could not claim to know the city well. It was as an adult that, on very rare occasions, she managed to get a glimpse of it. When she was 19 and she was taken to the theatre, what struck her most was that “it was the first time in [her] life that [she] had been past the Horse Guards, Admiralty and Whitehall, or seen the Strand and the Monument” and not the play itself.

The Potters were a middle-class family, who had made their fortune in the Lancashire cotton trade. Their house at No. 2, Bolton Gardens lacked nothing, but for her, it was virtually a prison. Restricted to the nursery on the third floor, where she spent most of the day in the company of her governess, she led a secluded life.

Spare time was the only thing of which she had plenty, and much of this was spent behind the barred window from where she could contemplate the real world.

There were no neighbours’ children to play with, and cousins or relatives seldom visited. She did have a brother, Bertrand, with whom she got on well, but he was five years older and was soon sent to school – but school was for boys only.

Unable to communicate with people, Beatrix developed into a shy, reserved and awkward young woman. On the rare occasions when she was invited to a dance, she would sit on a chair in a corner and leave after a short while. It is not surprising that she felt inadequate, lacked the will to face the future and suffered

Beatrix Potter at Hill Top Farm in the summer of 1913.

“THEIR HOUSE AT NO. 2, BOLTON GARDENS LACKED NOTHING, BUT FOR HER, IT WAS VIRTUALLY A PRISON. RESTRICTED TO THE NURSERY ON THE THIRD FLOOR, WHERE SHE SPENT MOST OF THE DAY IN THE COMPANY OF HER GOVERNESS, SHE LED A SECLUDED LIFE. SPARE TIME WAS THE ONLY THING OF WHICH SHE HAD PLENTY, AND MUCH OF THIS WAS SPENT BEHIND THE BARRED WINDOW FROM WHERE SHE COULD CONTEMPLATE THE REAL WORLD” from bouts of depression. Her health was also poor, and before she was 20, she contracted rheumatic fever. Its debilitating symptoms continued to plague her every two years.

Luckily, every summer, the whole household went on holiday to Scotland, or the Lake District, and it was these breaks from London that inspired Beatrix and her brother to start making a collection of plants, funguses and dead animals and insects, which they learnt to draw with the minute details of a naturalist.

Publishing her writing brought with it some money, which, in turn, gave her a degree of independence. But there were also challenges, such as problems arising from royalties and copyrights. To solve these, she asked for advice from Fredrick Warne, whose office and home were open to her. Her frequent visits allowed her to get a glimpse into a totally different type of family life – one in which all the members congregated and where she felt accepted and loved.

It was there that she met Norman, a shy, kind and gentle person, loved by his nephews and nieces. Like her, he was nearing 40, and like her, he was unmarried. Norman discussed work with her and gave her advice. He became the

centre of her life, but when he proposed to her, her parents objected on the grounds that publishing was a trade that was beneath their station.

Beatrix was a dutiful daughter, but on this matter, she acted defiantly; she proclaimed herself engaged. Unfortunately, however, the marriage was not to be because Norman suddenly fell ill and died soon afterwards of an advanced stage of leukemia.

With the money she had earned from her books, together with a legacy from one of her aunts, Beatrix bought Hill Top Farm in the village of Sawrey in the Lake District.

Her brother had already taken the step of abandoning London when he bought his own farm in the north of England.

Hill Top Farm was only enjoyed for a week or two during the summer holidays, when the family was in the Lake District and only when her parents could spare her, but she managed to carry out the necessary alterations. The letters she wrote from here are a clear indication of her contented state of mind. Readers can visualise what Hill Top Farm looked like because it also provided her with ideas for the illustrations in her books.

Gradually, she increased her holding by buying more farms and fields as well as more animals. One of these properties Pink August 2017 ∫ 23

WOMANKIND was Castle Farm. The solicitor, who drew up the contract for the sale, was William Heelis, whom she got to know very well.

Back in London, where she was forced to live with her parents, Beatrix became very lonely and depressed and it was only the correspondence with William that saved her from despair.

by her previous surname. Marriage brought a meaningful change to her life; it ushered in a period of contented companionship – something that she had hitherto never experienced.

Her creative writing period was over and she became a full-time farmer, doing much of the rough work on the farm.

“BEATRIX EMBRACED HER NEW ROLE AS MRS HEELIS WHOLEHEARTEDLY TO THE EXTENT THAT SHE FELT OFFENDED IF ANYONE REFERRED TO HER

BY HER PREVIOUS SURNAME. MARRIAGE BROUGHT A MEANINGFUL CHANGE TO HER LIFE; IT USHERED IN A PERIOD OF CONTENTED COMPANIONSHIP – SOMETHING THAT SHE HAD HITHERTO NEVER EXPERIENCED”

In 1909, William made her an offer of marriage, but fearful of a repeat of what had happened eight years earlier, she was reluctant to face a new struggle. This time, however, Bertrand, who had himself got married without informing his parents, was on her side, and when she asked a cousin, whom she trusted, for an opinion and was advised to go ahead with her plan, Beatrix accepted William’s offer.

In October, they were married.

Beatrix embraced her new role as Mrs Heelis wholeheartedly to the extent that she felt offended if anyone referred to her

She bought a 2,000-acre estate for the rearing of Herdwick sheep in which she had a special interest and on which she became such an authority that other farmers consulted her at sheep fairs.

But her greatest contribution was her work for the National Trust. She knew that the Lake District was in grave danger from the huge influx of tourists and day trippers who visited the area, as well as from developers. Aware of the danger that new hotels and roads would have on the environment, she bought as many pieces of land as she could and donated them to

Beatrix and William Heelis in 1913.

the Trust. In this, she was helped by her husband, who, as a solicitor, knew about land bargains.

To raise money for the Trust, she also sold many of her water-colour sketches, and in her will, she bequeathed her Herdwick flocks to it.

But her health began to fail, and in December 1943, she got a cold and died.

Beatrix had always shunned publicity, and when she died, few people knew that Mrs Heelis and Beatrix Potter, the unrivalled author of children’s books, were one and the same person.

PINKPROMO

A SCHOOL OF SUCCESS IN BEAUTY The International School of Beauty Therapy does not leave any stone unturned to make a success out of each and every student. And this is confirmed by the continuous requests made by most spas in Malta and Gozo to employ its graduates. Here’s the future it offers them.

T

he International School of Beauty Therapy, run by the Principal, Sharon Warrington, is one of the most successful on the island, listing a string of achievements over the past 21 years.

Students who leave this professional school are continuously being offered jobs in Malta and Gozo’s renowned spas and salons. Some have also worked in New York, Canada, Australia and Europe, running some of the trendiest spas and salons there, while others are also running their own successful business.

Graduates of the International School of Beauty Therapy are of the highest competence and their eventual employers benefit from their skills and knowledge. The students are well prepared for their final theory and practical exams, and are assessed by a foreign examiner, who travels specifically from the Confederation of Beauty Therapy & Cosmetology (CIBTAC) in the UK. Some students also further their studies and complete an intensive advanced course, which is run exclusively by the school, leading to

the world-renowned CIDESCO diploma.

Foreign examiners travel from different parts of the world to examine the students for this advanced diploma.

These examiners have always been extremely impressed by the high level of education of all the students.

Offering exceptional training in beauty therapy, all the school’s tutors are internationally qualified, running the programmes with great dedication and constant guidance, giving the students the individual attention they require.

Lessons are held in a professional set-up, which is very well-equipped and stocked with all products needed during their practical lessons, and every classroom is air-conditioned for the students’ comfort.

All courses are accredited by the National Commission for Higher and Further Education [NCHFE] and comply with the European Qualification Framework [MQF/EQF Level 3]. These qualifications vary from Level 2 Diploma in Aesthetics [Beauty Therapy Services], combined with a Level 3 Certificate in Facial Electrical Treatments [seven in total];

Waxing [hot and warm]; Manicures and Pedicures; and Make-up.

The school also offers a Level 3 Diploma in Holistic Body Massage and Body Slimming Techniques, which include body electrical treatments, where students are made aware of the correct and safe use of each and every piece of equipment prior to use; Reflexology, Aromatherapy & Stone Therapy; Fashion & Photographic Make-up, as well as Media & Special Effects Make-up [bruising, ageing, character and historical make-up; Nail Technician; Electrical Epilation and other related subjects. It has also introduced the Laser/Light Treatment Certificate.

Short courses are offered on a regular basis, including: Microblading, Indian Head Massage, Threading, Classic and Russian Volume Lash Extensions.

For more information, call on 7945 9032; or send an e-mail to sharon@beautysuppliesmalta.com

THE INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL OF BEAUTY THERAPY

Pink August 2017 ∫ 25

SHOWSTOPPER Shirt, Riaz.

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SHOWSTOPPER

MELLOW YELLOW LET THE SUN SHINE IN…

Photography Andre Gialanze Styling Marisa Grima [marisagrima.com] Hair Robert Agius Make-up Talitha Dimech Model Alina @ Supernova MM Location be.Hotel Baystreet Tourist Complex, St Julian’s *Most items are on sale

Top; trousers, both River Island ∫ shoes, Aldo.

Pink August 2017 ∫ 27

SHOWSTOPPER Top, Oasis ∫ trousers, Marks & Spencer ∫ shoes, Aldo.

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SHOWSTOPPER Shirt; trousers, both Marks & Spencer ∫ bag, Aldo.

Pink August 2017 ∫ 29

SHOWSTOPPER Shirt, River Island ∫ choker, Aldo.

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SHOWSTOPPER T-shirt; skirt, both Riaz ∫ shoes; choker, both Aldo ∫ sunglasses, stylist’s own.

Pink August 2017 ∫ 31

SHOWSTOPPER

Dress, Benetton ∫ bag, Aldo.

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SHOWSTOPPER

Dress, Marks & Spencer ∫ choker, River Island ∫ shoes, Aldo.

Pink August 2017 ∫ 33

FASHIONSTORY

What’s in a name?

The legacy of Gabrielle Chanel flourishes in a fragrance by the same name, available from next month. Pink finds it’s a fitting tribute to the legendary lady behind the luxury brand – and an ode to women who choose their own path.

SETTING THE SCENT A massive full moon is rising above Cape Suonion in Greece, emitting just the right level of light intensity to illuminate, unobtrusively, the yachts that dot the bay and the Temple of Poseidon, perched on a craggy spur that plunges 65 metres to the sea.

The balance between light and dark, between visible and invisible, is spot-on, creating evocative silhouettes, with the focus on the right elements. In fact, the surrounding landscape and ambience are so picture perfect that it’s almost as though Chanel had its hand in the creation and manipulation of the natural environment too, intervening on the setting of this scene with its trademark elegance, flair and panache.

If the Ancient Greeks knew how to choose a site for a temple, the House of Chanel knows how to choose a venue for an event. The 5thcentury place of worship is, in fact, the backdrop to the launch of the Gabrielle Chanel fragrance, out next month, and a fitting tribute to the legendary woman behind the luxury brand.

Across the bay, under the gaze of the slender, elegant, Doric-style, marble columns, in a series of pure white rooms, quotes from Gabrielle’s life form a labyrinthine pattern on the floor, goldtinted glass and mirrors cast mesmerising reflections and another equally evocative scene is set to introduce the lady whose essence has been captured in – and spills over – the fine glass that encapsulates it.

Chanel fragrance expert Hervé Barthélémy’s soft-spoken introduction to Gabrielle exquisitely gathers together the bouquet of white flowers that creates this floral blend – ylangylang, jasmine, orange blossom and a touch of tuberose – which captures the rebellion, freedom, passion and allure that characterised her life and remain an inspiration for women.

Gabrielle is now a fragrance – an ode to the Chanel woman, to its creator, and through her, to all women of all ages and all walks of life.

THIS IS GABRIELLE… To choose, to desire, to be: these three verbs characterise Gabrielle, who is quoted as saying, “I decided who I wanted to be, and that is who I am.”

A rebel at heart, she set her course for a destiny she instinctively knew was hers. Her audacity, her thirst for freedom and her irreverence were the source of inspiration and the birthplace of her creativity.

Pink August 2017 ∫ 35

FASHIONSTORY

Avant-garde to the depths of her soul, she would invent a style and look, revolutionise fashion and shake up the traditional codes of jewellery and fragrance.

Gabrielle functioned according to her own intuition in every domain, refusing dogma and established rules. It was Gabrielle who encouraged women to claim the freedom to be themselves and to dare to choose their own lives. She would become their role model and remains an icon to this day.

More than ever, Gabrielle is not just a simple first name: it’s an incentive for all women to fulfill themselves, to have faith in who they are and to listen to their own voice. And Gabrielle Chanel is the scent that bags all of that.

ANOTHER FACET IN A FRAGRANCE Gabrielle is the name that defined her more than any other, giving her the wings to fly away from the modest circumstances 36 ∫ Pink August 2017

into which she was born and synonymous with her conqueror facet, which transformed her rebellion into an art.

If society had had its way, she would have been a humble seamstress, but Gabrielle decided otherwise. She did not wait for Paris to come to her, but set out to conquer Paris with her hard work and bold character. “I want to be part of what happens,” she liked to say.

If Coco is meant to be Chanel’s spirit, then Gabrielle is the true incarnation. She was the one who led the way, and Coco, the creator, owes her existence to Gabrielle. It is the name on her birth certificate and the authenticity of Chanel, stripped of any artifice.

It evokes an intimate and unpolished truth; the sincerity of those who have decided to openly express who they are, without any masks.

Over time, each Chanel fragrance has evoked a chapter in the story of Gabrielle, but this one conveys her complete

FASHIONSTORY

“FLYING IN THE FACE OF SOCIAL CONVENTION, GABRIELLE CHANEL IS A FRAGRANCE FOR WOMEN WHO CHOOSE THEIR OWN PATH – A REBELLIOUS HEART THAT BEATS IN EVERY WOMAN, REVEALING A UNIQUE IDENTITY. IT INVITES WOMEN TO HAVE FAITH IN WHO THEY ARE BECAUSE, AFTER ALL, SELF-ESTEEM IS WHERE STRENGTH AND AMBITION TAKE ROOT”

personality, her public and private facets, her temperament and her soul.

A NEW FEMININITY Whether as Gabrielle, or Coco, she feared nothing. But Gabrielle was, indeed, the one who instigated a new femininity that incited women to break free and live for themselves. She became their model and still is.

Gabrielle was a free woman above all, with a thirst for the independence that women of her time could not claim.

Avant-garde in her soul, she was defiant in the face of obstacles blocking her path. Put simply: “I have chosen the person I want to be and am.”

Flying in the face of social convention, Gabrielle Chanel is a fragrance for women who choose their own path – a rebellious heart that beats in every woman, revealing a unique identity. It invites women to have faith in who they are because, after all, self-esteem is where strength and ambition take root.

With Gabrielle, women discovered that luxury is what is not apparent, preferring the simplicity of a black dress, the comfort and elegance of a tweed jacket, or suit. They cut Pink August 2017 ∫ 37

FASHIONSTORY Olivier Polge plus Sylvie Legastelois equals Gabrielle Chanel.

their hair and could finally move; they were freed from the hindrance of a handbag, now worn over the shoulder with a long chain. They sunbathed, perfumed themselves, nonchalantly wore their diamonds with faux pearls. They had fun, rode horses, skied, breathed and smiled at life.

FOUNDING A FLORAL DREAM In a House that is adamant about perpetuating beauty and rendering its formulas timeless, the concept of heritage resonates strongly. And Chanel’s in-house perfumer, Olivier Polge, has always had an acute awareness of this responsibility.

He was only four years old when his father took over the reins as Chanel’s perfumer. As a student, he worked summers at the Chanel Fragrance Laboratory, studying the molecules that composed the formulas. Then, in 2013, Chanel brought things full circle by asking him to join the laboratories where it all began.

With Gabrielle Chanel, Polge composed a whirlwind of petals, taking his dream conception of white flowers further by increasing the intensity of the jasmine, adding more velvet to the ylang-ylang petals through the use of white musk notes, accentuating the creaminess of the tuberose with milky sandalwood and boosting the freshness of orange blossom with mandarin peel, grapefruit zest and a hint of blackcurrant. The result is a floral halo.

GOOD THINGS COME IN SLIGHT PACKAGES This solar, floral and luminous scent naturally resonated with Sylvie Legastelois, head of packaging and graphic design creation, and the cooperation between perfumer and designer continued to flourish.

As always, she took on the project from pencil to production, devoting seven years to designing, trimming, inverting the shape, balancing volumes, guiding the glassmakers, 38 ∫ Pink August 2017

pushing innovation ever further and thinking through every detail.

After all, this rebellious fragrance needed a bottle like no other. In fact, its glass has never been so fine, allowing Gabrielle Chanel to almost radiate from it.

While the concept of luxury is often associated with the weight of the glass, Chanel took the opposite approach, taking years to develop such a thin ‘wall’, in line with the idea that “luxury is what you don’t see”.

“SHE TOOK ON THE PROJECT FROM PENCIL TO PRODUCTION, DEVOTING SEVEN YEARS TO DESIGNING, TRIMMING, INVERTING THE SHAPE, BALANCING VOLUMES, GUIDING THE GLASSMAKERS, PUSHING INNOVATION EVER FURTHER AND THINKING THROUGH EVERY DETAIL”

The square shape, which evokes the lines of the iconic Chanel fragrances, is the result of technical feats. The slightly curved bottom was pushed outwards and polished; every facet of the label reflects the light; and the stopper is a matte lamé in colour, hovering between gold and silver, while the bottle is nestled in a perfect imprint of its silhouette.

Delving passionately into the history, heritage, artistic and emotional legacy that Gabrielle shaped, Legastelois’ aim was to keep with the spirit of the times while maintaining desire, combining modernity with timelessness, inventing firsts and renewing classics, suffusing the original line with a subtle, novel touch…

Her mantra is, after all, to remain humble before the House, its style, and codes, and never forget that “we didn’t make Chanel, Chanel made us”.

ONFORM

SURMOUNTING AN UPHILL STRUGGLE Justine Bartolo had no experience in any form of physical training, had never even camped and has never really been a fan of the outdoors. A year ago, her friends would have probably laughed if she said she would attempt to climb a mountain for charity. And even though she admits that, from a fitness point of view, her downfall is actually climbing, she’s about to embark on the Kilimanjaro Challenge. Step by step, trek after trek, she’s determined to reach the summit.

W

hat inspired you to take part in the Kilimanjaro Challenge 11? Are you sportive by nature? Are a you a climber? Are you fit?

This is an initiative that combines fitness and philanthropy.

Which of the two is strongest in you and which are you working on more?

The organiser of Kilimanjaro here is Keith Marshall, who has been a friend of mine for quite a few years now. Every year, he would try to push me to join the climb, but every year, I had a reason not to. I was either finishing my studies in interior design, or else needed to focus on my job. Then this year came along and I realised there would always be a reason not to do it. No time is going to be the ‘right’ time, so I decided to commit to this challenge. I am not naturally sportive and I absolutely detest the gym. I’ve always eaten whatever I wanted and never really given much importance to exercise, unfortunately, so I knew training for this challenge was going to be hard. But I didn’t want it to be easy. Nothing worth doing is easy!

Philanthropy has become more and more important in my life as the years go by. I gradually grew into the idea of wanting to help others when I started to realise that real happiness comes from giving and not from taking. The idea of contributing to the world, either by helping those in poverty, or doing things to aid the environment, are both close to my heart now. My first experience of this is when I volunteered to help ‘slum’ children in India earlier this year. Being around these happy kids, who have no idea what a phone and a TV are, just put everything into perspective, and has encouraged me to keep helping out in the small ways I can.

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ONFORM

The challenge is scheduled for next January. How long have you been training for it and what is a day in your training life like?

We have been training since March and will continue all the way to December. We started off just training once a week, going on Sunday treks that lasted around three to four hours.

Now things have gotten tougher. We are training three times a week, doing different things. One day, we’re doing hill climbing, and the next a gym session, and obviously, the Sunday trek, always!

trekking days can be tough, but one of the toughest for me was when we spent a weekend in Gozo and trekked for 17 hours on the first day. My feet felt like they were about to fall off.

What is your weak point and your strong point and how are you working to bring out your best?

My weak point is hill climbing, but thankfully, we are working on that with our hill climbing sessions. Once a week, we spend two hours climbing a very steep hill, which takes around 10 minutes; then going back down and climbing it again. We

“ONCE A WEEK, WE SPEND TWO HOURS CLIMBING A VERY STEEP HILL, WHICH TAKES AROUND 10 MINUTES; THEN GOING BACK DOWN AND CLIMBING IT AGAIN. WE USUALLY MANAGE TO CLIMB IT SIX TIMES IN EACH SESSION” What are your biggest fitness challenges at the moment, which hurdles have you managed to surmount already and which are you expecting to face on Kilimanjaro and are most scared of?

Ironically enough, my downfall is climbing! I remember being on my second trek and having to climb a steep hill and just blurting out: ‘I much prefer it when we don’t climb.’ Of course, I was quickly greeted with an array of sarcastic responses to the tune of: ‘You do know Kilimanjaro is a mountain?’ That’s when the reality of what I was doing really kicked in. Our

usually manage to climb it six times in each session. Although it’s super tough, I know that when I’m on that mountain, I am going to be feeling and needing that stamina. I think maybe the hardest task we find as a group is waking up at 4.30am on Sundays in summer, so we can try to beat the heat and get our trek done early. Unfortunately, it still gets hot very early into the trek, but it’s much easier than going at midday. My strong point is probably a lack of fear for cliff edges and I carry a certain curiosity for the adventure side of it all, so the excitement and motivation are definitely there.

Pink August 2017 ∫ 41

ONFORM Tell us about the €75,000 school in Ethiopia, which the funds raised from KC11 will be directed towards. How close is this to your heart and how does it inspire you to keep going?

This is, after all one of the main reasons we are all doing this.

I know that I am going to feel so fulfilled once we build the kindergarten we are trying so hard to raise funds for, and proud that, as a team and as a country, we are making a difference to those less fortunate. Education is everything, and I truly believe that opening schools for children is the root to create a strong foundation for them and their own children to grow on. We are not just helping these kids, but also the overall standards of these countries.

Acts of charity are often associated with physical challenges, which include sacrifices, stress and ultimate personal satisfaction. What do you think of this combination, which seems to be a win-win and is a popular way of drawing attention to a cause and raising funds?

Keith, who has organised the Kilimanjaro Challenge for the 11th year now, has done an amazing job at creating huge awareness for this cause, with the help of Austin Cachia, who is there to support us with anything we may need. Having to raise a large amount of money for a project each year is not easy, but we are lucky to have so many generous people around, who are so supportive of what we are doing and are more than happy to give us a helping hand and donate. We even have past team members, such as David Schembri, who so kindly help us with guidance and advice and in any way they can. It is through the generosity of others that each team can thrive and keep on reaching the charity target and doing so well when climbing the mountain. I think the fact that we are working so hard to get this done does somehow motivate

“ANYONE CAN DO IT, WITH ANY FITNESS LEVEL AND AT ANY AGE. IT IS MORE ABOUT PERSEVERANCE THAN ANYTHING ELSE”

I honestly do! I have no experience in any form of training at all, or even camping for that matter. I have never been a huge fan of outdoorsy stuff, and if you asked my friends if I would be doing this a year ago, they would have probably laughed and said there was no way. But here I am, surprising everyone. So yes, anyone can do it, with any fitness level and at any age. It is more about perseverance than anything else.

others to give a little and help us in our quest. Maybe they see that we are ready to put the effort and time into this and, therefore, feel a certain amount of respect for us; that we are not just simply asking for money, but we are doing everything we can to raise it and create awareness. Most of us have fulltime jobs, or are at university, so the training and fund-raising we do all come out of our free time. Although it is very rewarding, it does take up a lot of our time, but we are so dedicated to this cause that I am glad to say we are all sticking at it and supporting each other.

What is your biggest motivation and drive to accomplish this initiative?

How has your life/lifestyle changed since you decided to join the team?

I am highly competitive and I don’t like quitting, so more than anything, it is my own targets and goals for myself. If I quit halfway through training, I would feel I let myself down as well as the charity we are doing this for. The fact that I am helping makes this challenge so much bigger than myself, and so it’s easier to think about the bigger picture and not just about how I feel and how this is impacting me.

My lifestyle has changed immensely, but definitely for the better. I have become more aware of choosing the right habits. There are less late nights and junk food and more focus on healthy decisions, be it diet, alcohol, or exercise. We are a great team; I feel I’ve forged some long-term relationships here, and that is such a great experience! When we meet to train, or have our meetings on fund-raising ideas

Do you think anyone can just get up one morning and decide to climb Kilimanjaro – with adequate time for training of course?

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ONFORM The Kilimanjaro Challenge 11 team on their Sunday trek.

etc…, I feel we have formed into a big family. We are all completely different and from different walks of life, but it is amazing how people can integrate so well and are capable of having such great experiences together.

Are there moments when you want to give up and just feel like being a couch potato, rather than working out?

And how has the summer heat affected training? How do you counteract it?

There are plenty of times when I want to give up! I run my own business, so there are moments when I feel I am so busy.

Kilimanjaro, in a way, can be like a part-time job, especially when you decide to make it such an important part of your life. Working out is tough for me, but knowing I will be around people I have a good time with definitely helps. There is never a dull moment; we are always laughing and joking and time just flies during the treks. The summer heat is a killer, and although we will not be facing high temperatures up on the mountain, it is still good for us to train in this environment, as it helps build our stamina and perseverance.

Mention some upcoming fund-raising activities.

We are so proud to say that we have reached over €40,000 of our €75,000 target to build a kindergarten in Ethiopia. We have had a fantastic Summer BBQ, amazing sponsorships, as

Taking a breather…

well as our own personal fund-raising events, such as bingo and a car wash. We will continue organising great events throughout the year, from parties and brunches to speeddating and Halloween balls. So, to keep up to date with what we are doing and join in the fun, please like our Facebook page Kilimanjaro Challenge Malta and donate whatever you can!

Pink August 2017 ∫ 43

PINKPROMO

APEROL SPRITZ APERITIF PJAZZA PARTY Italian aperitif lifestyle comes to town. Get a taste of the fun at the vibrant orange party in the square… topped up with the refreshing and sparkling Aperol Spritz.

S

hoppers, passers-by and tourists at Pjazza Sant’Anna in Sliema were surprised to find that they could join in the fun at the first Aperol Spritz aperitif party, which ran for two afternoons in July.

The square was transformed into a vibrant orange party, with live entertainment, delicious finger food, gorgeous prizes and refreshing Aperol Spritz drinks.

Representing the distinctive colour and spirit of the drink, orange was everywhere. Beautiful rows of upside-down orange umbrellas created shade from the afternoon sun, while striped deck chairs, soft cushions and Aperol Spritz hostesses were all in orange.

“Our first Aperol Spritz aperitif pjazza party was a great experience.

We wanted to give people a social and light-hearted occasion to remember. The sparkling, refreshing flavour, the low alcohol and bright

orange content make Aperol Spritz the perfect drink that replicates the Italian lifestyle in Malta from the aperitif hour to an evening in the pjazza,” said Claudia Attard, Aperol brand executive at Farsons Beverage Imports Company.

Live music was provided by guitarist Mark Rapa and Antonio on Thursday, while Kiko and Emma Muscat played on Friday. Giorgio’s Cafeteria provided free finger food, while San Carlo crisps were given out. Patrons had a chance to try their luck at the Wheel of Fortune as winners received handsome prizes.

Aperol Spritz is one of the most widely consumed cocktails in Italy and is fast becoming a cult drink in Malta. It is made by mixing Aperol with Prosecco and a splash of soda, and topping it up with a slice of orange. Light in alcohol, sparkling and refreshing, it’s the ideal drink for every occasion. It can be enjoyed before a meal, including lunch, as a

real Italian aperitif before dinner, or simply as a lighter option at an after-work get-together with colleagues and friends.

Aperol is produced by Gruppo Campari.

In Malta, it is imported, marketed and distributed by Farsons Beverage Imports Company [FBIC] Limited, a member of the Farsons Group. For trade enquiries, call on 2381 4400.

Pink August 2017 ∫ 45

THINKPI

1

HEALH, BEAU & OTHEr ESSENTIALS

3 ALL ABOUT CONTRAST

2

Chanel’s Ombre Première, created by Lucia Pica, Chanel Global Creative Make-up and Colour Designer, are all about contrast.

With their complete effect, yet nuanced way of dressing the eyelids, they invite you to explore all their creative options. These eyeshadows have two specific textures, cream and powder, that allow women to play endlessly and to give more boldness to the eye. Ombre Première also features two new brushes, an eye pencil with a soft lead and an eyebrow gel. Chanel is distributed

by Alfred Gera & Sons Ltd.

Pink picks out all you need to feel good: from a unique combination of vitamins and minerals to ensure the right balance in the body to the ultimate in skin caviar luxury, and contrasting creamy and powdery eyeshadows to enhance the eyes; from affordable and fun mobility with the new-look Dacia to year-round peace of mind for frequent travellers, we’ve got it covered!

4 BOUNCING BACK

3

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Biotherm skincare is exclusively distributed

by Chemimart. Call on 2149 2212.

5 AFFORDABLE MOBILITY

4 5

Dacia, the fastest growing brand in Europe, is the new word for affordable mobility.

The range includes the Duster SUV, Sandero Hatch, Stepway Mini Crossover and the Logan MPV. Specifications include air conditioner, power steering, radio with Bluetooth, central locking, traction control, front airbags and ISOFIX seats. Starting at €9,990 for the Sandero, you will be hardpressed to find a better new car bargain.

Service packages for the entire range are also available. Call on 2331 1126/131 for more information and/or a test drive. For Gozo enquiries, call on 2155 0962.

6 PEACE OF MIND FOR TRAVELLERS

6

1 A WELL-BEING MESSAGE

2 A SIGNATURE COLLECTION

Vivian Corporation has signed an exclusive distribution agreement with one of Italy’s largest well-being companies, Pool Pharma.

Among the first to develop food supplements for the Italian market, the iconic MG.K.VIS is a unique combination of vitamins and minerals to ensure the right balance of salt and energy content in the body. The range includes sachets and drinks for children and adults and is designed to meet every individual’s needs. It’s a concentration of well-being. For trade enquiries, call on 2258 8600; or send an e-mail to info@viviancorp.com; www.viviancorp.com

In 1987, La Prairie’s Skin Caviar Collection was born and has since earned a reputation for its lifting and firming abilities, luxurious textures and profound results. The legend continues with the launch of the Skin Caviar Absolute Filler.

Designed to target the loss of the volume and substance that gives skin its youthful appearance, it returns lost density, plumping while helping reshape and refine the contours of the face. La Prairie’s latest caviar technology, used for the first time in the Skin Caviar Absolute Filler, features an advanced technological process that captures the most potent nutrients found in caviar. La Prairie is locally distributed by A.M.Mangion Ltd. For trade enquiries, call 2397 6000; www.laprairie.com

46 ∫ Pink August 2017

The more you’re on the road, or in the air, the greater the chance that something unexpected will happen. Now, with GasanMamo’s Annual Travel Insurance, all frequent travellers can put their minds at rest. Introduced to complement GasanMamo’s existing product range, this policy offers flexibility and convenience for the frequent traveller, providing a 12-month annual policy, with automatic cover for an unlimited number of trips. It covers all trips to Europe with a maximum duration of 15 days and also offers free cover for children under 16 [if parents and/or guardians are insured under the annual policy]. It can be extended to cover Cancellation of Service and Winter Sports.

For more information, call on 2134 5123. www.gasanmamo.com/personal/travelinsurance/

PARENTINGTIPS

MOVING ON Educational and child psychologist Dr STEPHANIE SATARIANO tells parents how to cope with and embrace change in their children’s lives… and help them to do so too.

T

he role of parents is full of change – they watch their little ones grow from tiny beings, who are completely dependent on them, into individuals who are increasingly less dependent.

Understandably, this can be an emotional roller coaster for many, apart from for the children themselves.

Each year is filled with lots of change, with the most obvious being the start of school. This may be the beginning of pre-school; the move to ‘big school’, or from primary to secondary. But even the smaller yearby-year transitions can be tough. For parents, it is a constant reminder that their little one is growing up; for children, it is about lots of new beginnings, filled with unfamiliarity, and endings to the familiar.

So how do we embrace the change?

And help our children learn to do so?

The first thing is to acknowledge the change; although it may seem easier to just ‘push’ through and ignore the difficult emotions associated with what’s happening, this can be a lovely learning opportunity for you to teach your child how to cope with endings, and look forward to new beginnings.

Most people will feel a mix of positive and difficult emotions; excitement mixed with apprehension; joy mixed with grief. Acknowledge these and normalise them for your child. Speak openly about your feelings so that they will feel safe and confident to speak about theirs – remember there is no such thing as a ‘wrong’ emotion.

try to capture all the little special moments that you have appreciated about their time there through photographs and videos. For example, if you’ve enjoyed your walk to preschool together, savour it.

Look ahead; while closing the chapter, also begin to look ahead to all the new beginnings. Should this be a change in school, take them to their new school. Count down to the day they start. If they have uniforms, prepare everything and get them excited about it. Buy a new school bag and stationery. Take photos/videos of their new school that you can show them in the build-up so they can get used to the idea.

Accept that it may not all be rosy and easy; children may find it difficult to cope with the change despite your best efforts. If this happens, you need to do more of the above. It will also help to understand that change and lack of familiarity can bring about feelings of insecurity and fear. To reduce this, make their environment as familiar as possible, increase routines, don’t add any changes, and make their world as predictable and safe as you can.

Answer all their questions, and try to give them as much information as possible [in a way that is developmentally appropriate to them]. This may be through talking,

“SPEAK OPENLY ABOUT YOUR FEELINGS SO THAT THEY WILL FEEL SAFE AND CONFIDENT TO SPEAK ABOUT THEIRS – REMEMBER THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS A ‘WRONG’ EMOTION” Close the chapter; give as much advanced warning as possible [as much as they can understand at their stage of development] and prepare them. This can be illustrated through a countdown calendar. Create memories – a book with pictures and/or drawings, souvenirs, cards to the people they are leaving behind. For example, if it’s the end of pre-school, store all their art and crafts in a box that they can decorate.

Appreciate that you may be feeling quite apprehensive and sad about the change, and take your own time to grieve it. Do your own countdowns, and

or pictures, or the use of cartoon characters, who have gone through similar experiences. Give them that extra attention and comfort they need; no harm will come of that!

In times of change, it helps to realise that there are a mix of emotions, and helping your children acknowledge these will help them process the change and cope with it as best they can. Parents will then need to compensate when they find it too difficult to cope.

And don’t forget about yourself…

Always acknowledge your feelings and emotions.

Pink August 2017 ∫ 47

GIRLTALK

THE VIRGINIA MONOLOGUES

LIVING WELL Y

ears ago, I remember becoming very irritated at my [then] partner’s decision to cut down on carbs. My intense irritation surprised me – as it may surprise those of you reading this. Still, not so fast! You may find yourself agreeing with me when you’re done reading.

You see, I think to a certain extent, we can all find it in ourselves to sympathise with the ‘loss’ – for that, indeed, is what it all boils down to. You grow to depend on partners, friends, co-workers and colleagues for many things, so when you can no longer share these with them, a sense of bitterness and resentment may and does ensue.

Imagine you and your partner shared a passion for diving, or drama, swimming, or mountain climbing, and he suddenly bailed out on you and declared that he was throwing in the towel, or hanging up his flippers, tap shoes, or mountain boots?

Where would that leave you, if you had spent the last nine or 19 years going for a morning walk/swim/run? Wouldn’t his decision to leave you in the lurch risk shattering your future together [or a

substantial chunk of it]?

And why should food be any different, more so if food is your shared passion and something you both delight in – both cooking it and eating it?

I am inclined to think that these are decisions that should be discussed and taken together.

You see, going on a diet together is perfectly acceptable because you are united in your battle against the bulge. But if his diet, or his sudden switch to vegan, takes you unawares, or is suddenly unannounced at a dinner party where you learn about it with the rest of your guests, that is a completely different story.

So yes, I can well understand someone being quite teed off with her partner’s decision to give up meat and dairy products. I use ‘her’, but of course, it could just as easily happen to ‘him’.

I remember when a girlfriend of mine became vegetarian some years back. It was no skin off my nose of course. We didn’t live together and I certainly was not cooking for her, so her decision to eliminate red meat and fish from her diet was hardly going to affect my life or my culinary habits. And yet, I do recall being mildly irritated. I was also quite relived when she announced, years later, that she had eased up on her no-meat policy, lifted the ban and had reintroduced bacon and fish into her diet, which she admitted having missed terribly.

and on Monday night, he casually announces he’s not going to eat fish or meat again for as long as he can help it.

His explanation: he thinks it’s a far healthier option. You inwardly [or not so inwardly] wince and share a private thought about how he might be better off giving up the tobacco in lieu of the tuna.

You see, the thing about food is that there isn’t really much else to do, is there?

Much of the pleasures of life hinge around food and drink. Whether you’re home alone, out to supper, entertaining guests, or a guest yourself, it’s all about food.

When you’re studying that menu and debating whether to have a juicy steak, or a rack of ribs, the last thing you want to hear is: ‘I’ll have the avocado and walnut salad.’ How bloody boring!

I admit I’m a little strange. Or perhaps I’m a lot strange. You see, some women are turned on by men in cycling shorts, displaying a solid six-pack. I, on the other hand, am turned on – and consequently turned off – by the most unusual things.

Cycling shorts don’t really do it for me, but I like a man who enjoys his food and who looks like he does.

If I had to pick someone to go on holiday with, I don’t think I’d pick the fussy eater, or the one who didn’t eat meat, or who didn’t enjoy a bit of booze. So why the hell would I want to share my life with someone like that?

Now, I’m not an overly big eater and I’m certainly not a big boozer. And yet, I enjoy my food and the occasional bottle of wine to share. I like to be able to share a fish, or a nice

“CYCLING SHORTS DON’T REALLY DO IT FOR ME, BUT I LIKE A MAN WHO ENJOYS HIS FOOD AND WHO LOOKS LIKE HE DOES” I admit that, as a rule, I find these fads a bit off-putting, particularly when it’s someone you live with, or share a life with.

But I find all extremes a little nauseating. I can totally understand and appreciate someone not liking the taste of meat and not ever wanting to eat it [consistency rules], but there is something quite selfindulgent, immature and ultimately pointless about someone who goes from being passionate about meat and fish for half a century to eliminating it completely from his system overnight.

On Saturday night, you’re out to dinner having a fish feast and raving about how amazing the tuna tartar and prawns are,

medium rare chateaubriand. I also am a firm believer in moderation; I pride myself on never having to give anything up on account of not being addicted to anything. I can go months without meat, fish, booze, or cigarettes, but would never dream of ruling them out completely. What for? And that pretty much applies to every aspect of my life.

You won’t catch me sweating profusely on account of some intense training session, but I can walk for hours on end quite effortlessly. Everything in moderation, including moderation. Now that’s a healthy way of looking at life, isn’t it? ginantonic@live.com

Pink August 2017 ∫ 49

TRAVELOGUE

SUNSHINE, FOOD & RELAXATION Getting to know a country through the eyes of a local is usually the best way to enjoy an authentic experience and gain a real feel for it. Sofronios Potamitou gives Pink some inside information about his secret top spots and what he thinks are the most unique aspects of the Cypriot lifestyle and culture that visitors should definitely get to know.

A

s the owner of hotel accommodation in Cyprus, constantly meeting and interacting with tourists, what do you think hits them most about your island, and how does this differ from your own view of the highlights of your country? I think 52 ∫ Pink August 2017

they are most hit by the sun, the sea, the beaches and the friendliness of the Cypriots. Even though I have a more complex picture of my own country, it does not really make a difference, as these remain the highlights of Cyprus.

Of course, there are many more aspects I could talk about, but I risk going into too much detail.

In a way, part of your ‘job’ is to introduce people to Cyprus and make sure it leaves a lasting good impression. Where they stay and their experience could make or break this.

How do you ensure that Cyprus, through you, will leave a good taste in their mouth? Cyprus is known for its

friendly people, which is what we try to

TRAVELOGUE experience of Cyprus, its lifestyle and culture, and not only the guidebook’s point of view.

For a ‘job’ where your role is to ‘sell’ your island, do you have to be patriotic, so to speak. And if so, how does your patriotism come across?

There are different aspects of patriotism.

By talking to my guests and suggesting individual excursions and activities that they won’t find in a travel guide, they can feel the love I have for this island as I usually get quite excited about its beauty and variety. I certainly am proud of everything Cyprus has to offer!

Of the obvious historical landmarks and archaeological sites, of which there are plenty, which are your favourite and why? My favourite

archaeological site is probably Curium. It is the most impressive excavation and it has an amazing viewpoint, overlooking the blue waters of the Mediterranean Sea. Curium reminds me of how historically rich Cyprus is and makes me imagine what life used to be like thousands of years ago, with kings ruling over the island, and its importance as a trading post in the area.

And a secret place you love that foreigners don’t really visit? The

white rocks at Governor’s Beach are a secret place I love to visit. Not many people know about them, but the endless coast of white rocks in contrast to the blue waters is amazing! They are actually only around 10 minutes away from Tochni and Kalavasos villages.

focus on at Cyprus Villages, starting with a very warm welcome upon their arrival.

I try to maintain this welcoming feeling throughout their stay by speaking to them as often as I can, either at breakfast at Tochni Tavern, or when I see them around the village, truly creating a friendly and personal bond with the guests. I want them to feel that I honour their decision to book a holiday here and I hope they understand that I am always there for them – in true Cypriot style.

Getting to know a country through the eyes of a local is usually the best

way to have an authentic experience and gain a real feel for it. What do you think are the most important aspects of the Cypriot lifestyle and culture that visitors should definitely get acquainted with? It all starts with

the tourists’ stay at the traditional-style houses in the villages of Tochni and Kalavasos [some 35 minutes away from Larnaca airport], where they automatically experience the true style of living. By being integrated into the village life and getting to know the locals on an individual level, it is easy for them to feel and live the authentic

Which would you say is the region you would like to visit more? I would

love to visit the Troodos Mountains more. I do love the sea and the beach, but Cyprus also has a mountain range covered in forest trees that shows a very different aspect of it. Nature changes higher up at almost 2,000 metres and it is so interesting to see the difference between the coast and the mountains, especially the drop in temperature!

What is your most recent discovery about your own country? The

Akamas Region on the northwest Pink August 2017 ∫ 53

TRAVELOGUE

From the horse’s mouth: Sofronios Potamitou and the things he loves about Cyprus.

coast of the island is a breathtaking peninsula, covered in thick woodland, with a unique wildlife. There is a protected national park and endless beaches to discover. My favourite is Lara Beach, with its golden sand, and if you’re lucky, you will even see baby tortoises hatching from their eggs in the summertime. It is less than two hours away from the Cyprus Villages apartments and definitely worth the visit.

Talk us through an ideal free day in your life in Cyprus. My ideal free day

starts with painting in my atelier for a couple of hours in the morning. Then, I love to spend some time with my family on a lonely beach, where I can relax and take my mind off work. My love for food also plays an important role, of course, so eating fresh fish in my own fish restaurant at Governor’s Beach always makes me happy and thankful.

And now that it is summer, what is the most appealing thing about your island? What can visitors expect in autumn? The most appealing in the

summer are certainly the various 54 ∫ Pink August 2017

beautiful beaches the island has to offer. There is a new beach to explore every day and it is the perfect chance to relax in the sunshine. In many ways, however, autumn is actually the best time of the year as the temperatures are perfect for any kind of activity and the sea is still warm and beautiful.

Of the main Cypriot cities, which has the most charm and which do you think appeals most to foreigners? To

me, Limassol, with its very central location on the island, is the city with the most charm. It is definitely the most picturesque and has the most to offer tourists, especially the beachfront with its Marina and Old Port, which have been newly renovated and modernised.

For tourists, it is an attractive place, where they can stroll along the coastline and pathways and spend time at the cafés and restaurants.

Cyprus has a rich history, but the impact of the Turkish invasion in 1974, which resulted in the occupation of around 40 per cent of the island, the expulsion of about 150,000 people and its division along what is known

as the Green Line, is still strongly felt.

What is your own personal experience of all this? If it is possible in a nutshell, what was your story and how do you feel about the situation today? My

own story is that I used to play football with Turkish Cypriot kids in my village, Pentakomo, which had a mixed population of Greek and Turkish Cypriots before the invasion. There were no problems between the two communities and life was very peaceful.

When the invasion took place in 1974, all the Turkish Cypriots were taken away by bus to the northern part of Cyprus.

They could only take some personal belongings with them and left behind their homes, farms and animals. As a child, I just couldn’t understand why this all happened. Of course, I was not as affected as the Cypriots in the northern part of Cyprus, but I still vividly remember how life changed after 1974.

Today, the situation is different. Greek and Turkish Cypriots can cross over the border now, but only few do so. Many Greek Cypriots, especially the refugees that had to move to the south, are reluctant to go back to the northern part as there are too many painful

TRAVELOGUE memories. There has never been any real hostility between the two communities, but after more than a generation of living apart, contacts have faded and everybody has continued with their own lives in their respective parts of Cyprus. tourists can easily cross the green line. how do they live this experience generally? and how have you lived it?

complex history. Many different settlers, conquerors and civilisations have left their trace and influence here, and shaped it into the country it is today. In the last few years, tourism certainly has had a big impact on the island. The fact that Cyprus has become a popular holiday destination has certainly aided in its economic recovery and overall modernisation.

As most car rental agencies do not how would you describe the cypriots in general, with their mediterranean blood, but also closeness to the middle east, europe and africa?

Cypriots in general are very friendly and hospitable. They like foreigners and their hospitality towards tourists will always remain, especially in the villages. Cyprus has a very central location on the world map, and we can see a lot of international influences within the Cypriot lifestyle and culture.

For example, Cypriot cuisine shares a lot of similar tastes, herbs and spices with Middle-Eastern cuisine.

“there is just no other country i can imagine living in. cyprus has everything that makes me happy: sun, sea, good food, safety and my cyprus villages to which my heart belongs entirely” recommend visiting the northern side in a hired car, only very few tourists cross over. They are worried that if something happens to them there, they won’t get any assistance from the Greek part and no insurance will cover any damage. The tourists I know who did cross over were all fascinated by the beauty of it and none of them have ever had any problems. I myself have often gone over the boarder. The first few times, I was quite shocked about the differences between north and south.

Many settlers from mainland Turkey now live there and the standard of living is much lower than in the Greek part. In the meantime, though, many big tourist developments have mushroomed and there are now huge, luxurious hotels along the northern coast, which should be bringing more economic stability. who do you think had the most influence on the country as it is today? Cyprus has a very rich and

religion plays a big part in the life of cypriots. what can visitors take out of this? Religion is a very important

aspect of the Cypriot people’s lives as is evident from the number of churches all over the country. There are so many important churches and monasteries that tourists can visit.

Many of them are very impressive with their icons, shrines and altars, but also from an architectural point of view. Anybody is welcome to visit the churches and monasteries on the inside and to experience the services and ceremonies. food also plays a role, and you take great pride in that in your restaurants. what do you recommend tourists try and how can they be sure they are getting the best [even though it may not be yours]?

Food is one of the most important things for Cypriots! In my restaurants, I make sure that the ingredients are

always fresh and from local farms.

There are so many traditional Cypriot dishes. To try them all, the best way is to order meze, which offers a little bit of everything. Meze adds up to a lot of tasty, traditional dishes, such as Stifado, Moussaka, Melintzanes and, of course, all the various starters like tahini, tzatziki and many more. In most of the taverns and restaurants, the quality is very good, but there is certainly a difference between the tourist areas and the villages. So, I always recommend restaurants I enjoy going to myself. you spent a while studying in the us and your wife is swiss. has this foreign touch changed your view of cyprus and has it ever crossed your mind to leave? if so, where would you go? The foreign touch in my life

definitely had some influence on my view of Cyprus. But there is just no other country I can imagine living in.

Cyprus has everything that makes me happy: sun, sea, good food, safety and my Cyprus Villages to which my heart belongs entirely. when you do leave cyprus, what do you miss most? As it usually rains

when I visit a European country, I do miss the sunshine, the light and the positive energy of this island. draw us a picture in words of how you see your own country – one scene that sums it all up. Strolling

along the picturesque, stone-paved roads of Tochni after a traditional meal in the sunset. if you had to encourage someone to visit cyprus in three words, what would they be? Sunshine, food,

relaxation.

Emirates flies on a daily schedule from Dubai to Malta via Larnaca, Cyprus. The Boeing 777-300ER aircraft is configured in three classes – with eight private suites in First Class, 42 lie-flat beds in Business Class, and 310 spacious seats in Economy Class. To further ease the journey of Business Class travellers, Emirates offers complimentary chauffeur-drive transfers to and from Malta International Airport, as well as on arrival/departure from most of Emirates destinations. For more details and bookings, contact Emirates Sales Office at MIA on 2557 7255 or visit emirates.com/mt

Pink August 2017 ∫ 55

STARGAZER

THE FUTURE IS

PINK ARIES MARCH 20-APRIL 18 Focusing on boring details isn’t your favourite activity. However, in several situations, things have reached crisis point, which means both arming yourself with facts and becoming an expert on these matters. Tedious as this seems initially, you’re soon learning so much that you realise these insights, and who you’re meeting, make it all worthwhile. What’s more, this raises questions about certain long-standing arrangements and alliances that would also benefit from a rethink.

Here, too, the options you discover are thrilling.

CANCER JUNE 21-JULY 21 Before the powerful Full Moon on September 6, you were unsure of your priorities.

But events around that date bring existing ideas and hopes out in the open for everybody to discuss and kick-start a dynamic cycle. True, often this means taking action before you have all the facts.

Actually, that’s best, especially because, in most cases, you’ll be exploring your options with others.

Keep arrangements flexible until late in the month, when thrilling events could turn already worthwhile ideas into something irresistible.

LIBRA SEPTEMBER 22-OCTOBER 22 Nobody would say you’re a control freak. Yet when, in early September, you discover several decisions that shape your life, alliances and goals are up to others, you’ll be annoyed.

Within a short time, however, you realise how much you’re learning and what fun you’re having.

Enjoy this. But, with more to come, you’re urged to resist the temptation to turn ideas into plans.

Continue to explore. Then, as October begins, events as unexpected as they are thrilling, will bring things together.

CAPRICORN DECEMBER 21-JANUARY 18 Although you’ve a talent for dealing with complex situations, the unexpected events triggered by August’s two eclipses won’t just have been unsettling, but could even have shaken your confidence. Tempting as it is to restore stability by making a series of pivotal decisions, that would only complicate matters. Changes, many beneficial but still unsettling, will continue well into October.

While you can’t avoid planning, ensure whatever you organise, short term or long range, is flexible enough to ride out those many surprises.

56 ∫ Pink August 2017

According to astrologer SHELLEY VON STRUNCKEL… TAURUS

GEMINI

APRIL 19-MAY 19 Initially, you tried to minimise the impact of shakeups in your domestic, personal, or working life. But these are prompting you to explore making changes in certain existing arrangements. What you learn from discussing these alone will be informative. However, you soon realise that, in the process, these exchanges are reviving ailing relationships and, in some cases, could lead to exciting activities. Tempting as it is to finalise plans, take it slowly. As you move into October, what’s good now will only get better.

LEO

MAY 20-JUNE 20 August’s many unexpected twists will have triggered exploration of potentially far-out changes. Equally, it will have led to unexpectedly profitable discussions with individuals who, previously, you’ve regarded as dull. This combination has you thinking about activities you’ve heard about but never explored. Do so now, because by September’s close, circumstances will force you to venture into new and unfamiliar situations. With all these opportunities lining up, your next step is to say yes, and in a manner that shows you mean business.

VIRGO

JULY 22-AUGUST 21 Because the Leo eclipsed New Moon on August 21 will have shaken up both circumstances and your thinking about future plans, you’ll begin September with lots of questions.

You’ll be tempted to plunge in and learn from experience. Yet with things remaining unsettled for most of the month, regard plans as tentative and let experience be your teacher. This allows you to venture into new territory in terms of your activities and alliances. What you learn and who you meet could change your life.

SCORPIO

AUGUST 22-SEPTEMBER 21 The virtue you’ll want to cultivate from mid-August and during all of September is patience. Usually, when things don’t make sense or you discover the mistakes of others or your own errors, you’d be annoyed, but find a quick solution.

Now it’s about investigating both persistent issues and the carelessness of certain individuals. After that, you’ll resolve most problems swiftly, but still, some won’t come together until the informative Virgo New Moon on September 20. After that, life will be less complicated and more exciting.

SAGITTARIUS

OCTOBER 23-NOVEMBER 21 Because you’ll have spent much of August either undoing certain arrangements or watching them fall apart, you’ll begin September both wary and ready for a break, but also wondering what’s next. For now, life’s about decluttering your thinking and, often, your activities.

And, as much, it’s about exploring your options.

Tempting as it is to make a plan, with so much still in transition, it’s vital you explore your options. Things will come together, but probably not until around your birthday.

AQUARIUS

NOVEMBER 22-DECEMBER 20 Confusing as both changes in existing arrangements, personal and out in the world, and new developments may be, you’ll deal with them easily. That’s mostly because you have an instinct for which chances to take or not. However, those around you are anxious or want reliable facts, which are in short supply. Consequently, you may need to proceed slowly or even on your own.

If so, regard it as an information-seeking mission, one that’s both informative and will introduce exciting new options.

PISCES

JANUARY 19-FEBRUARY 17 In early August, events raised questions about your personal life, close alliances and future plans, some of which were unsettling, at least at the time. However, by early September, you’ll have a new vision of how things might come together. True, organising the details and explaining your thoughts to others will take time.

Still, you’ll be relieved and excited to have turned that recent disarray into something that’s not only promising, but could also be an improvement on previous arrangements.

FEBRUARY 18-MARCH 19 Every Full Moon brings feelings to a peak, but because the Pisces Full Moon on September 6 follows August’s unruly events, you could overreact to what are minor differences no more. Once you understand this is about acknowledging and dealing with both your anxieties and your hopes, you’ll stop worrying and begin considering what works, what doesn’t and where changes would be wise. While you’ll need to make decisions soon, there’s no need to rush into finalising plans. Take it one day at a time.

Visit www.shelleyvonstrunckel.com to learn more and order your own chart.

Photography Allen Venables

SNAPSHOT

BUSINESS AS USUAL Author and entrepreneur Monique Chambers is a firm believer in doing what she loves; and she loves quite a few things! She tells Pink all about her upcoming projects, where she gets her inspiration from, and why we should spend our time doing what we love and what we’re good at.

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an entrepreneur, you’re constantly coming up with ideas for apps, books, projects and businesses. What inspires you? Usually, my ideas are derived from passion or a need or want in my own life. I build the idea quite quickly, but am stringent about doing market research, having had a couple of [expensive] flops earlier in my life when I just went ahead and created something.

You’re currently working on a myriad of projects involving food, travel and children. What can you tell us about this? There’s a beautiful book that has just been printed, titled The Artists’ Directory – Malta Volume I, which features 100 Maltese and Malta-based artists, using different mediums. My team and I hope it’s the first in a series showcasing the talent on the

islands for locals and visitors alike. I’m also working on a menu-planning app, called indulge me FOOD, which has recently gone live. It aims to help people who, like me, love entertaining, and need to constantly create impressive menus for dinner parties, but who want to make sure they don’t forget about guests’ food intolerances and dietary restrictions… Oh, and I’m also in the throes of creating an app for suitcase packing!

You have also released an eBook app on iTunes and Google Play that helps children identify the most common types of clouds. As a topic, it may be seen as somewhat unusual… How did it come about? I’m a cloudspotter in that I watch clouds wherever I am…

It’s a great way to relax and, since they are always changing, it never gets boring! As anyone who knows me will tell you, I share this love with anyone who will listen.

Pink August 2017 ∫ 57

SNAPSHOT

“I’M A RESTLESS AND EVER-SEARCHING SOUL, AND I’M ALWAYS LOOKING FOR SOMETHING NEW TO GET MY HANDS ON AND DO”

time as if it were your own… I also believe in doing something till you stop enjoying it. Then stop. Pass it on, or sell it, and go create the next big thing.

Then, last year, after speaking to a friend’s children and explaining the cloud’s characteristics, a story about a cloud called Cumulus started forming in my head, so I decided to do some research and write it up. Once it was done, I approached a local publisher, but eventually, I decided to create an eBook app to be able to animate the sounds associated with certain descriptions, making it an easier subject for children to digest.

In the past, you’ve held various roles in many different industries. Did the changes in career come naturally, or were they something you’d always wanted to do? Writing has always been at the heart of my work from processes and procedures at a chocolate manufacturer, to being local PR for Theresa May, to being in technology PR and then on various sites, newspapers and magazines here in Malta. I’m a restless and ever-searching soul, and I’m always looking for something new to get my hands on and do.

What’s your advice for those who’d like to become entrepreneurs and get into business? Tough one. I believe in getting as much varied experience as you can. Learn, volunteer, create, research and listen to people and your gut! I’m currently doing a master’s in Entrepreneurship at the University of Malta, and it’s a fantastic way to plug any knowledge gaps and give yourself a really good insight into business structure and finances. Always hire people that are better than you as it’s incredibly unlikely that you’ll be the best person for every task; and outsource anything that takes too much of your time and energy, which should be spent doing what you are best at, but always value their 58 ∫ Pink August 2017

Travelling is a big part of your life, and you’re constantly jet-setting from one place to another. Why is travelling so important to you? Ha! It’s usually work related and John, my partner, and I, are heavily involved in Rotary International, which is one of the world’s biggest charitable organisations. Because of that, we spend lots of time in Sicily, but have also been to Lisbon, Madrid, various places in Italy and San Diego in the US for meetings and training. I do love to go back to the UK whenever I get the chance, although that doesn’t happen often, and I love Germany as that’s where I grew up. Having said all that, when I travel for leisure, food is a big factor in my destination choice and I usually drag John off to cooking lessons and unusual restaurants wherever we go.

What do you love most about Malta? I think the size and layers of life; it’s so easy to do something different every day here… It feels safe and I love the architecture and village life.

One of your hobbies is renovating property. What is it about the challenge that makes it worth it?

I just love the planning and shopping for new settings.

I am able to see a derelict house and imagine it finished.

I’m terrible at saving – so if I have a house project, I have the motivation to make my other projects successful so I can pay for all the pretty things.

We can already assume that there’s something brewing in the not-too-distant future… What’s next for Monique? More books, a product line, and more work within the entrepreneur community… And then I’ll see what comes up in 2018…