A commission idea, beautifully realised by the highly appreciated and lovely artist  almatea

My Andalusian mare "Rashka" enjoys a glass of red wine in her evening dress, while the sunset glows over the beach and the monotonously roaring sea.

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'I walk on Italian marble and drink expensive Pingus from crystal glasses while I watch from the balcony of this villa the yachts of the well-to-do who celebrate their decadence here with champagne and caviar between bamboo torches on the beach.

The gold jewellery I wear on my body alone could have fed my parents and siblings for months when I was a child....

Everyone here seems perfectly styled, educated and suave, but behind the superficial gestures of affection and niceties exchanged often seem to lurk predators... willing to make anyone jump over the cliff for the sake of maintaining their status.

Most of the people here have never experienced what it's like not to be able to pay the rent or not to know how to finance the food for the next day... But as someone who had to prove herself in the youth between rogues and stranded people in shady bars and backyards, I enjoy it just as much today to be able to move safely in this world...
The "professional wives" here are often not able to distinguish a Monet from a van Gogh and may still know what is at the bottom of their Hermès handbag, but have no clue about geopolitical connections... so it's their men who are surprised when they engage me in conversation.... thinking they can find a quick fling with the next 'dummy'.... until I start exchanging ideas about the best investments with them just as confidently as their less attractive business partners.

I have not given up hope that there are honest and sincere people in this society of the rich and beautiful too... but I do not have a guilty conscience about taking some of their money from the rest'
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