Wanda Wey Awrf with Qantas

On March 1, 2014April 22, 2016 By Renee Lou Dallow ( Bourgeoise Bloomers )In Changing the world, Now and then, Poetry in motion1 Comment

What is it that’s special about Qantas?

What is it that makes it so?

Well For years it’s been a touch of class

For Aussies on the go

For service this airline is truly five star

A flying palace in the sky

Transporting passengers near and far

On a different kind of high

To the U.S.A, Britain , Africa North and South

To Asia and South Pacific blue

Following the traditional flight path

With a well trained and charming crew

How could Australia let Qantas go bust?

They really are a class act

Qantas belongs to every one of us

And that my friends is fact

They do cost more than the average fare

But they are safer than the rest

And really when it comes to taking care

Safety first is always best

So please when you fly off on destination long haul

Or plan a trip interstate

Don’t think twice and give Qantas a call

Let’s hope it’s not too late.

C’mon support your flying Kangaroo!

Wanda Wey Awrf.

Love and marriage 50s style

On February 27, 2014December 17, 2014 By Renee Lou Dallow ( Bourgeoise Bloomers )In Changing the world, comfort zones, Now and then, Romantic interludes

The wedding dress was decidedly pretty and feminine with lot’s of lovely tule. The bride was always elegant too. She wore gloves which were removed when rings were exchanged and she wore a shorter veil. The covers of Vogue and Harpers Bazaar which often featured brides , as getting married while still extremely young, was the epitome of high achievement for girls of the 50s. It is the same today but the major difference is in how long the marriage lasts. Values have changed much over the decades and so have lifestyle choices. As it is no longer possible to survive on one wage couples have to work which means less time for each other. In the 1950s the tradition was that the wife stayed at home while the man brought home the wages and dolled out what he felt was the correct amount for house keeping. Her role was to support him in every decision he made. But during the honeymoon the world was her oyster. He took care of her and settled all the bills. The roles were very clearly defined from very early in the piece. He was in charge and she made him look good. Society expected a man to be supportive his wife for all his days. The wife was expected to play her part by having his children and attending to the house. It was not her role to interfere with his job or with his daily business affairs. This is why secretaries were in such high demand. There are reasons for stereotypes though as it was not uncommon for the secretary to run away with the husband. Cruising was as popular then as it is now for people running away from something or some-one for a short period of time. Flying too was alot more glamorous and not as stressful as it is today. What a shame so many airlines have gone to ground. At the time of writing this 5,000 jobs have been lost at Quantas. Flying this airline was once a treat with wonderful service and comfortable seats. The stewards anticipated the passengers every whim even in economy class and the hostesses gave out little airline kits with socks and toothpaste along with sweets. All was top of the line from baggage handlers to those who refuelled the planes.

A country and it’s business enterprises are like a marriage. They have to support each other. Running away off shore with the secretary is not going to do any good. Sometimes it is necessary for the wife to interfere and see if the books are in order. In fact it is often mandatory.

It is important that one hand

knows what the other is doing. To be complacent is not the answer now and it certainly wasn’t the answer then. We have a glorified view of life in the 50s and things were not always as they seemed. In fact day care wasn’t even a business back then and often the children were left to a sitter who would put them in a pen and leave them to entertain themselves. In other words they could be looked after just as well at home. They didn’t need to be sent elsewhere. This was very common and these children didn’t seem to suffer overly from A.D.D. So what is the the solution to the troubles of today? Can marriages be expected to stand the test of time leaving both sides equally happy with the contributions made by the other? Is it really just a matter of give and take? Be Positive!

( 27/2/2014 )

The Past Tense Of Youth: The New favourite

On February 9, 2014October 9, 2014 By Renee Lou Dallow ( Bourgeoise Bloomers )In Changing the world, Now and then, stories of mystery and romance

It was late afternoon and our precession had moved through the entrance gate and on past the imperial council chambers where various statesmen awaited an audience with the sultan. Behind the council chambers was the tower of justice and the armoury heavily patrolled by armed guards no doubt anticipating a break from their duties so that they could raid the nearby bakeries for fresh loaves and simit rings. We would continue on through the main gate to the courtyard of the concubines which is where I would alight the carriage along with my consorts and assigned guards and eunuch. Behind us came the servants carrying trunks loaded with the fabrics and other trinkets purchased from the markets. As we moved toward the pavilion we were greeted by pigeons playing some sort of game.

They would fly toward us and as soon as we put out our hands to provide a safe perch they would fly off . Were they carrying messages? Maybe there was a way afterall to contact the world outside. All the while I watched as Rana’s carriage continued on to the other end of the palace grounds. The courtyards and apartments of the favourites. I wondered how long it would be before we saw each other again. Not long I surmised as I too would be moving into their quarters though I doubted the sultan would have eyes for any woman other than Rana once he had summoned her. The three who had shared Rana’s carriage were now being led through the corridor to the bath house. I would be joining them after a meeting with the valide sultan. The others were now openly hostile toward me. ” You with your yellow hair pale as the moon ….. what makes you so special? Little comedienne with your tricks and your hidden curves …. why not fly away with your pigeons? ….. oh maybe you can’t fly at all …. maybe you are not so clever as you thought …. You may be favourite now but it won’t last Emine” I made my way to the imperial hall for my meeting with the valide sultan under guard of course.

My eunuch ,whose name was Jamahl , carried the chosen fabrics for her perousal. ” You have done well my dear” , she purred as as she traced her elegant but wrinkled little hand decked in golden rings, across the silk brocade. She smiled her cheshire smile and waved me out of her presense. Just as I reached the door she spoke again. ” You have been assigned to the new girl … Rana …. is it? ” I turned and smiled. I could not believe my luck. ” Yes I believe that is her name your excellency” . She turned away from me then toward the window from which she could see the Imperial hall. ” I believe she is just now being presented. ” I moved toward the valid sultan hoping for a glimpse. She did not turn again but in a very firm voice bade me leave immediately. I met with Jemahl who waited outside in the courtyard and was escorted to the bath house where I would be bathed, perfumed and robed before being moved to the court of the favourites.

The Past Tense Of Youth: Preparing the favourite

On January 16, 2014October 9, 2014 By Renee Lou Dallow ( Bourgeoise Bloomers )In Changing the world, Now and then, stories of mystery and romance

Arriving at the palace that day in two carriages was nothing short of spectacular. The guards, Eunuchs and janissaries flanking us front,back and alongside created the image of grandeur generally reserved only for the valide sultan. Way at the back behind Rana’s carriage,I could have sworn I caught a glimpse of Gurel riding his white horse, moving ever closer to the window, trying to gain her attention. This procession was all for Rana the new favourite of favourites. There would be no escape now. She had been bought on the sultan’s command and would be taken straight to the apartment of the valide sultan to be prepared for presentation. I had found myself in the same predicament only days before. I had been escorted to the concubines quarters on leaving the room in which I had awoken by a black eunuch and had quickly been surrounded by other young women in various states of undress. “Emine” ,one of them had called me , “You must prepare quickly …. the sultan has called for you” . They descended the staircase on mass and were heading straight toward me. The eunuch seemed to have disappeared into thin air. “Emine what are you doing down here? Oh well no time now … he’ll be here any moment”

There was such excitement in their voices. For someone to be promoted from concubine to favourite appeared to be quite an honour in their eyes. “What do you wear today Emine”?… a young girl leaning over the bannister of the staircase had asked me in a sweet sing song voice. “Suddenly you have removed the tapers and revealed your shape” The women began to form a circle and drew me into it. A man entered through a side entrance and although I was bade to keep my eyes closed I could not help peeking which was not easy as we all had our backs to him. He was medium in stature with long black hair and a beard. He wore long red robes lined with fur and silk brocade over a golden kaftan with a jewelled collar. His turban bore a a gold aigrette ornamented with a ruby in a cluster of diamonds. I gathered this must be he. The great one who would soon welcolme me as favourite. I felt the touch of his hand on my face and then heard the footsteps fade. We had all opened our eyes at the moment we heard the door shut and the others began to congratulate me. I was then led through an arched doorway to an elaborately tiled bath house where the women bathed with me and then annointed my naked body in scents and perfumes before draping me in a long colourful bathrobe. The eunuch returned for me and led me down a long corridor and through a courtyard to a small room on the other side. I gathered this was a dressing room as it was furnished only with a small sofa covered in satin cushions for comfortable viewing and a few screens for quick changes.

He opened a chest full of clothes in front of one of the screens and chose three robes for me to try. Once I had done this and made my choice another trunk full of costume jewellery, bustiers, and long pieces of fabric was presented with the idea being that I should drape myself in whatever I wanted. He motioned for me to choose a long piece of white silk chiffon and wear it as one would a wedding veil covering my face in the process. When all this was done and I was duly tranformed I was taken to the salon of the valide sultan. The Mother of the sultan remained seated in front of a very large window draped with heavy gold brocade curtains.

The door to the salon was opened by a girl younger than I dressed in similar attire probably from the same trunk. The eunuch ushered me into the room and followed close behind. I was, of course terrified, having been thrown into this strange world of the harem which had been dissolved before I was even born. When she spoke it was with an air of superiority in a low sugar coated tone with a smile meant to simultaneously charm and disarm her audient. She rose from her sofa and walked toward me in her rustling taffeta gown adorned with mother of pearl and took my hand in hers. After she had surveyed me from top to bottom she addressed me thus … ” Emine I do believe you are almost ready. You will remain in your quarters and continue as a servant for two days more after which you will be sent for and then my dear your training shall commence. It has been a long time coming. Go now” … I turned and went back through the courtyard where the eunuch waited for me. How would I survive this?

Would I ever be able to return to my world? I knew that I would have to play my part and try to belong to this place and somehow, some way I would find my way back . In the meantime I would follow the signs that I knew would lead to my destiny.

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