Welcome to my online travel memoirs/blog – the Diary of an Aesthete – pictures, film, poetry and storytelling from my life travelling and living in various parts of the world. From London/England, I am an Art Restorer by trade, and my interests include history, culture, craft, archeology and the natural world. Please connect in the comment section below, or with the links at the bottom of this page, and find stories from my travels in the headings above. I’m so grateful for your visit!
– James
“The voice of God can be found amongst the highest mountains, and between the smallest grains of sand… if you only have the ears to hear it. The essence of a pilgrimage is to move, yet, at some point along the way, you realise you do not move at all ~ the pilgrimage moves you.”
I will be forever thankful to all those who have been a part of this journey, both on the road, and here, on this site… This is my Pilgrimage ~ my story of life, and the people and places which become a part of my story along the way.
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This pilgrimage has taught me many things. It has taught me to love more, to let go… to seek more, to forgive more… to move more… and most importantly how to be still (which is a constant battle). The greatest illusion of this world: that others are different from us.
“Know the world in yourself. Never look for yourself in the world, for this would be to project your illusion…”
– Ancient Egyptian Proverb
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“I have looked in many places, behind many doors, and into the eyes of many people. The only lasting thing I have found, of any value and perpetual comfort to my soul, is an undoubted belief in God. ” – 2019
Thank you for joining me!
I love to read and respond to your comments.
Follow the Journey
A bucketlist isn’t freedom for me. The ability to travel unhindered is not freedom to me. Living between boundaries of fear is not freedom for me. Freedom for me is beholding the night’s sky, walking barefoot at dawn, raising my hands in worship, chanting from the depths of my soul, the wind in my hair. Freedom for me is my undefinable, unbreakable belief in the Great Spirit of Life, in One Divine. No matter what happens, these things can never be taken from me.
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Deep bows, James, and continued light along the way. You are continued proof … there is joy in simple living and embracing the All. Thank you for touching my place of being in this fully connected Creation. You have a new follower. Be well.
Thank you for your beautiful blessings. This Creation is truly inspiring isn’t it? So thankful we have connected, friend. Peace be with you.
Sometimes the inspiration you speak of brings one near from their body. I am certain you know the feeling well. Peace, friend.
I have this experience when writing sometimes… such peace… 🙂
Nice blog and very interesting person you are. Thank you, for reading my blog, it is greatly appreciated.
You are so welcome, Cheryl. Thank you for dropping by. PEACE.
Such eloquence to aspire to
You are far too kind… Thank you.
I love your blog, it’s something to aspire towards. I can’t wait to read more and learn of your journeys and experiences. Thank you for following my blog, I’m humbled. 🙂
You are absolutely welcome and I too am humbled. Truly I am… ☺️
Ahh!…A glaring resemblance between our journeys! A beautiful discovery indeed, your blog and especially this page has been!
Thank you for visiting mine as well, and I hope to see more from you, & to keep sharing our writings, creative work & profound experiences hence, Insha Allah.
What do you usually like to sing, James? 🙂
Much peace, love & light.
Thank you, Maham! You have some beautiful poetry full of Truths. Yes, Inshallah, let’s keep sharing our Creation. This world is in an exciting moment of similar souls coming together and sharing in a Journey. I love to sing anything that helps me express my soul, heart, emotions, pain sadness, ecstasy and joy. Singing is such a Power for me; it flows into the waters of my Journey from time to time and somehow me and Song have yet to have our destined Meeting I feel. Wishing you all the peace and love of our Father. Best. J.
Can you share any of your songs/singing experiences with me? And if you allow, I could share something of mine too, perhaps. 🙂
My most powerful musical experiences have always been with Gospel music. So rich and powerful, and African music generally. I had the chance to sing in a church in Ghana a few months ago and it was such a volcanic experience! And moments with my old Gospel Choir in Florence are magic moments. Never lost. Met Fatoumata Diawara the other day. Do you know her music? She has given me such fire for music.
And, thank you for liking my poetry. I shall try to share more here soon.
Your poem Supernova is a gem. Keep sharing.
Hello James of the liberated heart <3
Oh how beautifully inspiring you are!!! My soul simply sang as I absorbed your expression of self… thank you for following my blog and serendipitously encouraging me to follow my truth <3
Feel so very LOVED & hugged, BE BLESSED <3
Namaste,
Hayley 🙂
Hayley, your comment is a blessing so in turn we are both blessed by each light. Thank you for coming into my expression with your beaming and beautiful presence. Namaste. Peace. James.
Thank you James for Following my blog and for the Like of my post….Keep Shining your Light and Awakening it …. I wish you much Peace, Light, and Grace along your Journey 🙂
You are very welcome. Thank you for coming by my place. Your blessings are wholly appreciated and cherished. Wishing you all the very best of the Universe, friend. Jx
Kia ora James, thank you for following my blog. Who knew visiting your blog in return would lead me down a rabbit hole of your stunning photography and your writing – so expressive, beautiful and open. Thank you for sharing your journey and being open about who you are.
May the fire of your soul burn bright my friend, best wishes for your journey.
Kia kaha!
~ Amy
Amy, you are very welcome for the follow, and I’m so glad my truth has in turn brought you something. It’s an honour for me. We are the Fire and forever we shall burn.. to the Stars. Jx
Awesome profile and photos. 🙂
Thank you. Great to share whatever we can in this life. Peace.
I should have seen this blog years ago! Beautiful! Too deep, oh my God I felt like I had just entered a totally different space now!
Thank you! I hope we can inspire each other. 🙂
I’m in love with your blog! Amazing photography and a truly inspiring mind! Definitely the dairy of an aesthete!
Thank you so much. That means a lot to me indeed… Jxx
Oh my God, I haven’t smiled this much and this broadly in years!! Your About is breathtaking and so wonderful!! I am so happy to have met you, I too feel a great positive awakening in our world, it is all around and building… so much to look forward too and you express it so beautifully, especially your last paragraph… wow, you are amazing. I look forward to reading so much more of your blog, thank you for the follow. i feel we are kindred spirits eventhough we have never met. I am old now, just getting ready to retire so am in a different place in my life than you but I am so looking forward to living an authentic life more than I have been able too now that I am leaving the world of lawyers and surface people behind. i plan on living in my little cottage in the woods and being a friend to man and nature… again, wow, you and your blog are amazing! much peace and light to you. Michelle
Michelle, thank you so much for your incredible words! You have made me smile in return and smiling is a beauty of life I cherish so much. I am so glad that my expression has inspired you in some way, this amazing miracle Life has inspired me so much and I just adore any chance to share what I have seen. You new life in the woods sounds very desirable and I wish you all the best on this new journey and venture. Maybe one day our paths may cross and we shall share tea in the woods and celebrate the Creation around us. Wishing you every blessing, today and the next. Jxx
You have a stunning and beautiful blog! What wonders your journey of faith have shown you. I simply cannot begin to imagine how truly ALIVE you must feel every day!! May God continue to bless you, and all who meet you!
Thank you so much! You honour me in so many ways.
You are an inspiration I am excited to read more I am glad you popped into my life. I needed you today. Your light shines bright friend
My friend, YOU are an inspiration. I am so glad we have crossed paths. Thank you for posting Joni Mitchell as that caught my eye and now we have found each other’s blogs. I have just been reading some of yours. You my friend have a strong soul and your time is not yet over. You still have some work to do on our earth. Thank you for coming my way and shining your light. I wish you all the very best. I will be following. God bless you.
Back at ya! Thank you!
A elderly man approached me on the streets of Madrid recently and handed me his self-written book. There was a quote on the back from Jesus Christ, which now makes me think of you – “This life is given to every body by God and every thing God gives us no body can take” … I’ve been re-reading this over and over since…
Thank you so much for following my blog! I stopped by yours and am absolutely amazed by the faith that you have. Thank you so much for sharing your incredible insights and journeys with the world, you are definitely making it a better place. I can’t wait to see what more you have to share! Never stop acknowledging and exploring the wondrous world we live in!
You’re welcome. Your words have touched me. Thank you so much.
Your words remind me of Kahil Gibran. I look forward to reading more.
Wow! Thank you.
Great photography
thank you!
modern Dorian Gray?
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Hello James. Thank you so so much for being my first follower. I’m very delighted to follow along your global pilgrimage!
Oh, wow. What an honour! Thank you too. Best of luck. Jx
You remind me of Saint Francis.
A comparison I’m surely not worthy of! But thank you all the same.