Tuesday, May 21, 2013
In the land of the flightless kiwi bird, I think i've found some wings.
Kia Ora!!! (hi!! in Maori) Apparently, having a travel blog that you don't update regularly means you're having just WAY too much fun...right? :/ Or, New Zealand has felt so much like home to me these last couple months I hardly feel like I'm "traveling" anymore. I've nestled myself in to the sweet town of Nelson, at the top of the south island, just outside of the infamous Golden Bay http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Golden_Bay. I'm teaching yoga in exchange for accommodations at The Life Centre http://www.thelifecentre.co.nz/. it's a great space and i'm free to take as many yoga classes as I wish, and to be honest, that's mostly what i've been up to. So a bit of travel inwards I guess, I haven't really left this corner of the country very much, but oh!... have I traveled. It's amazing the little pockets of mystery we hold within ourselves, and it's also amazing the amount of time it can take to unravel our mysteries and then put ourselves back together. I've been exploring so many different styles of yoga working here. Sivananda, Yin, Restorative, Pre-Natal (no i'm not pregnant, just learning how to teach it) Kids yoga, Acrobatic Yoga, Aerial silks yoga....hoooweee....Lifting myself up into the clouds I guess is an appropriate state of being in Aotearoa, which is the native name for New Zealand that literally means 'land of the long white cloud'. And cloud land it is, I simply cannot get over the varieties of clouds that can be spotted here all in one sky, and if you like to predict the weather based on the clouds...New Zealand is not for you, they change so much, move so fast and you're never really certain where they came from or where they're headed... a bit like me I guess...My days off have been spent mostly in Takaka (little hippie town over the hill). This place has my number for sure! The second I rolled into that little slice of heaven in my van (oh yeah, I live in a van too!) I saw the hippies in the grass playing with flutes and hoola hoops and everyone running around barefoot...and just knew I'd found my second home! I made friends with some peeps who live in the marina, and have been enjoying the sail boat lifestyle (It's now on my agenda to add sailing into my list of hobbies and maybe pursue that as a means of travel for a while). I'm growing something inside here! While there are things and people back home that I am missing terribly, I know that my time here is SO crucial. Something about living upside down from where you've spent most of you life shifts you, it helps you see the world anew. Perhaps it's similar to why we do inversions in yoga (i.e headstands), with our hearts below our heads our blood can change it's course of direction, increasing the blood pressure and rejuvenating the mind by alternating it's common state. All is "good as gold" down under!
Saturday, February 16, 2013
Border patrol and zombie travel~~ No Worries! Hi New Zealand, my name is Bri.
It was an exciting decision, but one you knew all along was coming. Sitting at the Internet cafe in Bali deciding what was on the agenda for tomorrow and feeling the pull inside for New Zealand, I bought another plane ticket. And that was it, the next evening at midnight I said goodbye to Anna who was then on her way home to Ashland, OR.
After a 7 hours flight I arrive in Brisbane, Australia. I have an 8hr layover so I must exit formerly and go through OZ customs just to stay in the airport. Before we get off the plane they send quarantine doctors through the plane to scan us and make sure we are "clean". Then they line you up and have search dogs sniff you out. Apparently I smelled good, so I was set aside for questioning and special search of my bags. I neglected to declare a package of tea and my Djembe drum out of mistaken ignorance. The Aussies give me a firm reprehending, a written warning and lots of eye rolling then they send me on my way ;/.
Thinking I'm in the home stretch, I get set aside once more with flight cancellations to Wellington. All 91 passengers are asked to wait 3 hours then redirect to Auckland and then wait another 3-4 hours for flights to Wellington. It's one of those situations that seem really horrible, but really it brings a group of perfect strangers together and builds a sort of camaraderie. I made friends with this nice Aussie lady and sort of teamed up with her through the chaos. We share stories all night long and watch each others bags in the airport. I also make friends with a nice German boy who is heading to similar places as me, he is on hiking adventures on the south island and we both are excited to get out there. I love these slow but beautiful moments in travel, where by normal standards you should be pissed off and grumpy. But really you're fine and you make new friends and see the beauty and stillness of uncertainty.
After catching up on 48 hours without sleep, I wake up in a cute college with signs for Reiki, Aromatherapy and massage out front. this is my first Couch Surfin spot in NZ. Christine my host is a lovely lady and is excited to plug me into the healing/ yoga community in NZ. While at her place I also make friends with two other traveler girls; Flora from France and Lena from Germany. We explore Wellington together and have a fun night watching the drunk local boys try to dance
and beat their horrible pick up lines off with a stick. It's a fact ladies- NZ is full of cuties, but they are very goofy as well.
I feel an instant light-hearted bliss rush over me in this beautiful land. Something about the air and the flowers. The deep blue sea contrasted to the gold and green mountain peaks. It settles my mind just staring out at the beauty, and I'm excited for what my time here will have to offer. I'm settling in for a few days at my Friend Alistair's families house. And waiting for my holiday work visa to come through so I can head on down to Nelson on the South Island for a bit to teach yoga and hopefully explore some new terrain, including fun rivers and perfect beaches! But for now~ it's Wellington Te Amo!
After a 7 hours flight I arrive in Brisbane, Australia. I have an 8hr layover so I must exit formerly and go through OZ customs just to stay in the airport. Before we get off the plane they send quarantine doctors through the plane to scan us and make sure we are "clean". Then they line you up and have search dogs sniff you out. Apparently I smelled good, so I was set aside for questioning and special search of my bags. I neglected to declare a package of tea and my Djembe drum out of mistaken ignorance. The Aussies give me a firm reprehending, a written warning and lots of eye rolling then they send me on my way ;/.
Thinking I'm in the home stretch, I get set aside once more with flight cancellations to Wellington. All 91 passengers are asked to wait 3 hours then redirect to Auckland and then wait another 3-4 hours for flights to Wellington. It's one of those situations that seem really horrible, but really it brings a group of perfect strangers together and builds a sort of camaraderie. I made friends with this nice Aussie lady and sort of teamed up with her through the chaos. We share stories all night long and watch each others bags in the airport. I also make friends with a nice German boy who is heading to similar places as me, he is on hiking adventures on the south island and we both are excited to get out there. I love these slow but beautiful moments in travel, where by normal standards you should be pissed off and grumpy. But really you're fine and you make new friends and see the beauty and stillness of uncertainty.
After catching up on 48 hours without sleep, I wake up in a cute college with signs for Reiki, Aromatherapy and massage out front. this is my first Couch Surfin spot in NZ. Christine my host is a lovely lady and is excited to plug me into the healing/ yoga community in NZ. While at her place I also make friends with two other traveler girls; Flora from France and Lena from Germany. We explore Wellington together and have a fun night watching the drunk local boys try to dance
and beat their horrible pick up lines off with a stick. It's a fact ladies- NZ is full of cuties, but they are very goofy as well.
I feel an instant light-hearted bliss rush over me in this beautiful land. Something about the air and the flowers. The deep blue sea contrasted to the gold and green mountain peaks. It settles my mind just staring out at the beauty, and I'm excited for what my time here will have to offer. I'm settling in for a few days at my Friend Alistair's families house. And waiting for my holiday work visa to come through so I can head on down to Nelson on the South Island for a bit to teach yoga and hopefully explore some new terrain, including fun rivers and perfect beaches! But for now~ it's Wellington Te Amo!
Sunday, February 10, 2013
Bali Boppin!
Whoooo It's been a crazy two weeks here in Bali. I was happy to arrive with open arms awaiting me at the airport, my dear friend Anna with a little "Bri" sign dazzled in a cute sun dress to boot. What better way to arrive into an unkown country.
My first few days here, I found myself colliding head first into the world of expectation and let down (duh!). I was overwhelmed by the huge amount of western tourism here. I was expecting tranquil beaches and chill hangout bungalows. But apparently in Bali, that's not the case. I thought yoga lessons would be super cheap and earthy. that perhaps I'd even be able to find work teaching here. After paying more than Amrican standard pricing for yoga and realizing how resort driven a lot of the studios are, I let that dream go as well.
Finally I've just alllowed myslef to sink in as a tourist (since that's what I am at the moment) and allow the glories of vacation overcome me. I think surrendering to these things is important, it's easy to resit beauty when you are always searching for something else.
Anna and I cruised around Ubud, a small hippy village in the mountains full of yogis and healers and toursit shops (since the movie Eat, Pray, Love this place has blown up!). We even received a deeksha/sound and chakra healing from a local guy who runs a tasty raw food cafe in Ubud. Apparently my third eye was really closed, but now I can see, phew!Now, I see this place just as it is, and I'm fine with that. I've decided it's not a place I really want to get lost in. So I'm heading somewhere new in a few days. But it is beautiful and the people here are amazing.
Every house contains it's own gold encrusted temple, and every morning an offering (usually given by women and girls) of flowers incense and palm are offered to e.v.e.r.y.t.h.i.n.g! From businesses to front door steps, to statues, cars and motorbikes. we are all protected here.
We enjoyed a white water rafting trip outside of Ubud on the Ayung river. It's always a beautiful experience seeing a new river for me. This one was particularly special for the art carvings you can see along the way. 30 years ago a section of river about a quarter mile long were embraced with these wonderful hand carving into the stone that tell the stories of ancient Hindu myths. That with the lush surroundings of South east Asian rainforest and rice fields made the exploration of a class II-III river a lot more interesting.
In attempt to escape the hussle and bussle of Ubud we went over to the other side of Bali to Lovina. At first we thought swimming with dolphins sounded like a great idea, until we thought about it more and arrived to find that it isn't the most humane practice in this corner of the world. So we took a more eco approach to our tourism and borrowed a couple of bikes and went to a buddhist temple and hot spring just outside of town. The temple bike ride was about 8 km up hill in equator- mid day-100 degree-plus humidity sun. Let's just say we got our butts kicked and both probably shed 5 lbs of water from the ride. We spent a lot of time at the temple enjoying the view and sinking into the peace that resides there, I had a good photo session of some awesome lotus flowers and Anna had some good meditations. We howled to the sun as we soared down that glorious hill and when we arrived at the hot springs, we were not chomping at the bit to get into warm water but the cold showers and wonderful scenery at the spring were enough to satisfy. Lovina was a slow and fun loving place. We enjoyed jamming out with some of the locals and that night we went out to the beach to see the stars and witnessed this amazing huge flash of green light. Even the locals couldn't explain where it came from so we all decided it must of been aliens coming down to check in on the dolphins and called it a night.
Now we are in Canggu a small ex-pat town on the south part of the Island. It's got a mellow vibe and the beach time was needed by both of us. Today I took my first surf lesson from a local guy. he was super sweet, cute and helpful! (perfect combination). I stood up a majority of my tries which was surprising, and he was really stoked hen I curved right into a back hander on a green wave ( I had no idea what I was doing) but he seemed impressed, so that's cool! I'm excited for another lesson tomorrow where I will learn more about the techniques for paddling out. And I'm happy I finally tried surfing. I let the scene of surfing in Santa Cruz and my stupid fear of sharks stop me from a really fun loving activity for too long! (silly girl).
Anna and I have grown a lot and let go of a lot in these few days together, it feels like i've been gone forever but it really hasn't been long at all.(tehe) We both realized we were running away from parts of ourselves a bit. We both are facing the push and pull of wanting to put our dreams into action, but also wanting to get out into the world to explore and enjoy. I realized that playing outside is really a huge part of who I am and my happiness. I want to cultivate my yoga practice more and just be in nature. So I bought a ticket to New Zealand. It's still summer there and while I still have some cash flow I'm going to get out there. I'm hoping to buy a little hoopdy car, some camping equipment, a kayak and surf board. And yeah, just go play! I think that kind of adventure will be easier in NZ then Bali and less of me feeling like tourist and that I should buy something. I'm also going to try to find some work out there and maybe WWOOF a little so I can help sustain my travels. So wish me luck!
Anna is heading home to Ashland, OR. To be with the love of her life and to finally commit herself to becoming a midwife. We both are feeling like our pride is broken a little, we thought we would be true badass gypsies and float in Asia for a few months. But sometimes the truth of your heart pulls harder and you just gotta be a gypsy to your own excitement~ wherever it takes you, or returns you to. I think NZ will be a settling place for me for a little while. But I'm keeping my heart open to new adventures to come.
My first few days here, I found myself colliding head first into the world of expectation and let down (duh!). I was overwhelmed by the huge amount of western tourism here. I was expecting tranquil beaches and chill hangout bungalows. But apparently in Bali, that's not the case. I thought yoga lessons would be super cheap and earthy. that perhaps I'd even be able to find work teaching here. After paying more than Amrican standard pricing for yoga and realizing how resort driven a lot of the studios are, I let that dream go as well.
Finally I've just alllowed myslef to sink in as a tourist (since that's what I am at the moment) and allow the glories of vacation overcome me. I think surrendering to these things is important, it's easy to resit beauty when you are always searching for something else.
Anna and I cruised around Ubud, a small hippy village in the mountains full of yogis and healers and toursit shops (since the movie Eat, Pray, Love this place has blown up!). We even received a deeksha/sound and chakra healing from a local guy who runs a tasty raw food cafe in Ubud. Apparently my third eye was really closed, but now I can see, phew!Now, I see this place just as it is, and I'm fine with that. I've decided it's not a place I really want to get lost in. So I'm heading somewhere new in a few days. But it is beautiful and the people here are amazing.
Every house contains it's own gold encrusted temple, and every morning an offering (usually given by women and girls) of flowers incense and palm are offered to e.v.e.r.y.t.h.i.n.g! From businesses to front door steps, to statues, cars and motorbikes. we are all protected here.
We enjoyed a white water rafting trip outside of Ubud on the Ayung river. It's always a beautiful experience seeing a new river for me. This one was particularly special for the art carvings you can see along the way. 30 years ago a section of river about a quarter mile long were embraced with these wonderful hand carving into the stone that tell the stories of ancient Hindu myths. That with the lush surroundings of South east Asian rainforest and rice fields made the exploration of a class II-III river a lot more interesting.
In attempt to escape the hussle and bussle of Ubud we went over to the other side of Bali to Lovina. At first we thought swimming with dolphins sounded like a great idea, until we thought about it more and arrived to find that it isn't the most humane practice in this corner of the world. So we took a more eco approach to our tourism and borrowed a couple of bikes and went to a buddhist temple and hot spring just outside of town. The temple bike ride was about 8 km up hill in equator- mid day-100 degree-plus humidity sun. Let's just say we got our butts kicked and both probably shed 5 lbs of water from the ride. We spent a lot of time at the temple enjoying the view and sinking into the peace that resides there, I had a good photo session of some awesome lotus flowers and Anna had some good meditations. We howled to the sun as we soared down that glorious hill and when we arrived at the hot springs, we were not chomping at the bit to get into warm water but the cold showers and wonderful scenery at the spring were enough to satisfy. Lovina was a slow and fun loving place. We enjoyed jamming out with some of the locals and that night we went out to the beach to see the stars and witnessed this amazing huge flash of green light. Even the locals couldn't explain where it came from so we all decided it must of been aliens coming down to check in on the dolphins and called it a night.
Now we are in Canggu a small ex-pat town on the south part of the Island. It's got a mellow vibe and the beach time was needed by both of us. Today I took my first surf lesson from a local guy. he was super sweet, cute and helpful! (perfect combination). I stood up a majority of my tries which was surprising, and he was really stoked hen I curved right into a back hander on a green wave ( I had no idea what I was doing) but he seemed impressed, so that's cool! I'm excited for another lesson tomorrow where I will learn more about the techniques for paddling out. And I'm happy I finally tried surfing. I let the scene of surfing in Santa Cruz and my stupid fear of sharks stop me from a really fun loving activity for too long! (silly girl).
Anna and I have grown a lot and let go of a lot in these few days together, it feels like i've been gone forever but it really hasn't been long at all.(tehe) We both realized we were running away from parts of ourselves a bit. We both are facing the push and pull of wanting to put our dreams into action, but also wanting to get out into the world to explore and enjoy. I realized that playing outside is really a huge part of who I am and my happiness. I want to cultivate my yoga practice more and just be in nature. So I bought a ticket to New Zealand. It's still summer there and while I still have some cash flow I'm going to get out there. I'm hoping to buy a little hoopdy car, some camping equipment, a kayak and surf board. And yeah, just go play! I think that kind of adventure will be easier in NZ then Bali and less of me feeling like tourist and that I should buy something. I'm also going to try to find some work out there and maybe WWOOF a little so I can help sustain my travels. So wish me luck!
Anna is heading home to Ashland, OR. To be with the love of her life and to finally commit herself to becoming a midwife. We both are feeling like our pride is broken a little, we thought we would be true badass gypsies and float in Asia for a few months. But sometimes the truth of your heart pulls harder and you just gotta be a gypsy to your own excitement~ wherever it takes you, or returns you to. I think NZ will be a settling place for me for a little while. But I'm keeping my heart open to new adventures to come.
Saturday, January 19, 2013
Light enough to travel: Before Bali and beyond.
It's happening again. First it starts with a casual glimpse into my heart and sigh at the map. Then those glimpses start to grow, forming real life moving pictures. Everyone around me starts echoing the desires of my soul giving me the clues I need to continue on my path. Decisions are made, tickets purchased and then suddenly I'm off. Off on another adventure out into world. Allowing my toes to follow the rhythm of excitement. It's happening again, Travel. Destination: Bali, Indonesia. I bought a one way ticket to exercise my ability to have faith in the universe.
I have always wanted to practice the art of a one ticket to someplace new. It gives you the chance to be fully committed to your heart, to your excitement. You can choose to keep moving, or stay put and be of service. You can get lost knowing that you are only finding yourself.
A few months ago Jake and I were playing darts with the world map. My dart landed on Indonesia, I didn't think much about it at the time. I was already formulating this master plan of moving to lake Tahoe, snowboarding everyday, waitressing every night and teaching yoga to rich people in between. Not a bad plan accept one thing was missing- true genuine excitement. I was witnessing myself following the expected route for an outdoor recreation bum. Please don't get me wrong, it's a gooooood life. I've lived it for a while now and I honestly love it. However, this time it felt different, I felt some other passions inside calling me. After a giggle-filled conversation with my dear friend Anna, who was already in route to Bali. I felt that unexplainable rise of bliss inside of me- I wanted to go too.
I know I mentioned no plan, but there is a little plan. Let's call them intentions though, knowing that the universe-god- or what have you always laughs at "plans". I'll document them here, formulate them into little wish balls and then throw them out into the ethers to see what returns. Here they are:
#1. I'm a healer, and it's not a phase. I have a gift of intuition, we all have it actually. However, mine seems to of grown so much over the past couple years that it's actually become physically painful to not explore and develop it more. I acknowledge my love for human communication and the healing arts and want to share this love with others. I'm still discovering what exact form of healing I wish to devote myself too. So far Yoga, Reiki, Community Organizing and Gardening are in the tool box but I want to introduce more. For example; Acupuncture, TCM, Herbal Medicine, Counseling or Life Coaching, Nutritional Health, Permaculture, Yes! Realistically I will probably only choose one or two of these pathways to dive into and add to my tool box. I have a crazy big plan of opening a Cooperative space/ Hostel for travelers, outdoor recreation bums, healers, teachers, musicians and more. I won't go into it much now, more to come though. Further education is on the horizon, so now is the time to wander and develop more concrete action items for my dreams.
#2. I'm a drummer and I'm a dancer. Countless signs and people have shown me these passions I contain. I want to dive into it some more. I'm requesting lots of drum circles and dance workshops and I'm shouting out for teachers to guide me in developing these skills. Balinese dance workshop? Yes, please.
#3. Evolve. Borneo, Indonesia is the oldest rainforest in the world, yet they are still discovering new species everyday there. Gigantic flowers and dragons! Oh my. If herbal medicine is a curiosity I have, then I guess going to the heart of plant evolution on this planet seems about right. Our rain forests need some serious love right now. I'll go scope out what's going on down there and give you a detailed report back. While I'm down there maybe I'll do some WWOOFing, get my hands dirty, learn more about growing things that heal things.
#4. Surf. How have I spent my whole life next to an ocean and yet I don't surf? Strange. That's going to have to change. I use to be afraid of sharks, but then my dear friend Alistair made me a cool "shark proof power bracelet". You pump your fist three times before entering the water and apparently it activates this forcefield around you so no sharks want to eat you. Cool, huh? I'm going to give it a try. Thanks buddy!
#5. More Yoga anyone? Bali and Thailand are littered with yoga retreat centers. They are most definitely going to need a gal like me to work off some more yoga teacher training hours. It's not in the budget to pay up front for such a training, but a one way ticket gives you all the time in the world to arrange a work trade for something like that.
#6. Take lots of pictures and write everyday. After spending a few months with no camera and neglecting my literary abilities I bought myself a new camera toy to take the itch away, and will be carrying along a special pouch of magical markers to document every dream, every moment, every fear and every gain. Lots of photos and blog posts to come!
Then of course there is the customary intentions of conscious travel:
Follow your heart, Listen to your gut, Leave behind something good, Be productive, Relax, Travel light, Love & Laugh, Go with the flow, Learn & Grow...
Flight leaves January 31st!
And to you, all good things.
I have always wanted to practice the art of a one ticket to someplace new. It gives you the chance to be fully committed to your heart, to your excitement. You can choose to keep moving, or stay put and be of service. You can get lost knowing that you are only finding yourself.
A few months ago Jake and I were playing darts with the world map. My dart landed on Indonesia, I didn't think much about it at the time. I was already formulating this master plan of moving to lake Tahoe, snowboarding everyday, waitressing every night and teaching yoga to rich people in between. Not a bad plan accept one thing was missing- true genuine excitement. I was witnessing myself following the expected route for an outdoor recreation bum. Please don't get me wrong, it's a gooooood life. I've lived it for a while now and I honestly love it. However, this time it felt different, I felt some other passions inside calling me. After a giggle-filled conversation with my dear friend Anna, who was already in route to Bali. I felt that unexplainable rise of bliss inside of me- I wanted to go too.
I know I mentioned no plan, but there is a little plan. Let's call them intentions though, knowing that the universe-god- or what have you always laughs at "plans". I'll document them here, formulate them into little wish balls and then throw them out into the ethers to see what returns. Here they are:
#1. I'm a healer, and it's not a phase. I have a gift of intuition, we all have it actually. However, mine seems to of grown so much over the past couple years that it's actually become physically painful to not explore and develop it more. I acknowledge my love for human communication and the healing arts and want to share this love with others. I'm still discovering what exact form of healing I wish to devote myself too. So far Yoga, Reiki, Community Organizing and Gardening are in the tool box but I want to introduce more. For example; Acupuncture, TCM, Herbal Medicine, Counseling or Life Coaching, Nutritional Health, Permaculture, Yes! Realistically I will probably only choose one or two of these pathways to dive into and add to my tool box. I have a crazy big plan of opening a Cooperative space/ Hostel for travelers, outdoor recreation bums, healers, teachers, musicians and more. I won't go into it much now, more to come though. Further education is on the horizon, so now is the time to wander and develop more concrete action items for my dreams.
#2. I'm a drummer and I'm a dancer. Countless signs and people have shown me these passions I contain. I want to dive into it some more. I'm requesting lots of drum circles and dance workshops and I'm shouting out for teachers to guide me in developing these skills. Balinese dance workshop? Yes, please.
#3. Evolve. Borneo, Indonesia is the oldest rainforest in the world, yet they are still discovering new species everyday there. Gigantic flowers and dragons! Oh my. If herbal medicine is a curiosity I have, then I guess going to the heart of plant evolution on this planet seems about right. Our rain forests need some serious love right now. I'll go scope out what's going on down there and give you a detailed report back. While I'm down there maybe I'll do some WWOOFing, get my hands dirty, learn more about growing things that heal things.
#4. Surf. How have I spent my whole life next to an ocean and yet I don't surf? Strange. That's going to have to change. I use to be afraid of sharks, but then my dear friend Alistair made me a cool "shark proof power bracelet". You pump your fist three times before entering the water and apparently it activates this forcefield around you so no sharks want to eat you. Cool, huh? I'm going to give it a try. Thanks buddy!
#5. More Yoga anyone? Bali and Thailand are littered with yoga retreat centers. They are most definitely going to need a gal like me to work off some more yoga teacher training hours. It's not in the budget to pay up front for such a training, but a one way ticket gives you all the time in the world to arrange a work trade for something like that.
#6. Take lots of pictures and write everyday. After spending a few months with no camera and neglecting my literary abilities I bought myself a new camera toy to take the itch away, and will be carrying along a special pouch of magical markers to document every dream, every moment, every fear and every gain. Lots of photos and blog posts to come!
Then of course there is the customary intentions of conscious travel:
Follow your heart, Listen to your gut, Leave behind something good, Be productive, Relax, Travel light, Love & Laugh, Go with the flow, Learn & Grow...
Flight leaves January 31st!
And to you, all good things.
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
Jan.21
About two months okay Emily called me one day to ask if I wanted to go to a holistic healing expo with her. Hesitant, I said yes... there I met one of her friends who reads astrological charts both Vedic and Western. He told me that my life would be making a major shift in the month of january and that the 21st in particular would be a monumentous day.
This weekend a group of us traveled to Playa del Carmen from Merida, Yucatan, Mexico. It was a very hip spot lots of clubs and restaurants. We stayed in one of the coolest hotels I have ever seen for only 20 $ a night! But all in all I was dissapointed, overwhelmed by the sudden infusion of tourists, trying to practice my spanish even though everyone spoke english. I decided to travel to Tulum, about an hour outside of Playa del Carmen noted for its beaches and fantastical Ruinas cerca de mar. That day was one of the best days of my life, seperating myself from the larger group of 20 I went with five of my new friends and my sister, explored the ruinas, and then spent the whole day playing, meditating and doing yoga on one of the most remote high energy beaches I have ever seen... that night when we returned to Playa del Carmen I decided to do something I've been thinking of doing for a long time!!! I got a tatoo!!! and what a better place to do it, hahaha... dont worry it was a very clean shop!! I got a poema, one I wrote a year ago, that holds very special meaning on my wrist.
the end of the day I asked what the date was and my friend told me the 21st... how ironic, cause it really was a life changing day for me...
I miss you all I love you all...
This weekend a group of us traveled to Playa del Carmen from Merida, Yucatan, Mexico. It was a very hip spot lots of clubs and restaurants. We stayed in one of the coolest hotels I have ever seen for only 20 $ a night! But all in all I was dissapointed, overwhelmed by the sudden infusion of tourists, trying to practice my spanish even though everyone spoke english. I decided to travel to Tulum, about an hour outside of Playa del Carmen noted for its beaches and fantastical Ruinas cerca de mar. That day was one of the best days of my life, seperating myself from the larger group of 20 I went with five of my new friends and my sister, explored the ruinas, and then spent the whole day playing, meditating and doing yoga on one of the most remote high energy beaches I have ever seen... that night when we returned to Playa del Carmen I decided to do something I've been thinking of doing for a long time!!! I got a tatoo!!! and what a better place to do it, hahaha... dont worry it was a very clean shop!! I got a poema, one I wrote a year ago, that holds very special meaning on my wrist.
the end of the day I asked what the date was and my friend told me the 21st... how ironic, cause it really was a life changing day for me...
I miss you all I love you all...
Sunday, January 13, 2008
I´ve been away now for only a little more than a week, and it feels like forever!! Both in Good and bad ways, i miss kevin terribly, and i miss my comforts of home, my organic delisouse and nutrisiouse diet. However what i´m gaining here is far worth it!!! In just a week i´ve seen my improvement with spanish, ive grown to really love a new community of people, and have witnessed some amazing things in such and incredible savory culture.
The flight here was filled with so much excitement, the first week i´ve had so many lessons. I´m becoming more aware of my surroundings, organizing my belongings making sure i don´t loose anything, making sure i take all neccessary precautions to stay safe. I feel as though the first 4 days my guard was up pretty high, i see myself becoming more relaxed and trusting, accepting situations as they come, but still keeping my watchfull eye.
The cabrillo grouop is really awesome composed of a 50/50 ratio of younger and older students. the younger of course being more inclined to embrace the party seen in particular the taquilla :). the older more adventorouse and culturally curiose. I find myself sitting in the middle. it´s really wonderfull! It´s fun to watch the girls in my group be swwooed left and right by the latino men, each recieving interesting love letter via email that they have to decode, the peopl here are very romantic and love to show affection!
The school i´m going to in merida is beautiful!! the teachers are wonderfull and the classes are very small, we have class in the morning, a 2 hour lunch break at 1 and then we have guides who pick us up at 230 and walk us around town in one on one conversation. somedays we go to the beach, or the museam or the movies or downtown. It´s really nice!! we end at 430 everyday and around 4 my head becomes very exhausted from the conversating, i don´t want to talk in spanish and iforget how to talk in english. it´s becoming easier as my vocabulary grows and im becoming more relaxed.
My Family here is Wonderfull!! and the mother loves to make me food!! me and the son horje who is the same age get along very well, both having the same taste in music, the daughters are very sweet but both very busy (of course). i was nervouse at first to be in a house alone, since most people in the group have been paired in groups of 2 or 3. Nervouse about getting home alone at night and having noone to help me communicate with my family, but its turning out to be really great!! somebody through a firecracker at me and horjes friend when we were walking, setting a bush on fire, i was very worried but he didn´t seem to mind??
so far i´ve seen a tiny pice of mexico city, teotijuacan ruins, the largest church in the world (i love to go to the churches here and pray they are so beautiful and provide a very safe enviroment to be alone). Ive seen many salsa clubs and discotecas!! and today i´m going to chichen itza and some underground swimming holes called cenotes!!!
LOVE YOU ALL AND MISS YOU TERRIBLY!!!
will try to upload photos later....
The flight here was filled with so much excitement, the first week i´ve had so many lessons. I´m becoming more aware of my surroundings, organizing my belongings making sure i don´t loose anything, making sure i take all neccessary precautions to stay safe. I feel as though the first 4 days my guard was up pretty high, i see myself becoming more relaxed and trusting, accepting situations as they come, but still keeping my watchfull eye.
The cabrillo grouop is really awesome composed of a 50/50 ratio of younger and older students. the younger of course being more inclined to embrace the party seen in particular the taquilla :). the older more adventorouse and culturally curiose. I find myself sitting in the middle. it´s really wonderfull! It´s fun to watch the girls in my group be swwooed left and right by the latino men, each recieving interesting love letter via email that they have to decode, the peopl here are very romantic and love to show affection!
The school i´m going to in merida is beautiful!! the teachers are wonderfull and the classes are very small, we have class in the morning, a 2 hour lunch break at 1 and then we have guides who pick us up at 230 and walk us around town in one on one conversation. somedays we go to the beach, or the museam or the movies or downtown. It´s really nice!! we end at 430 everyday and around 4 my head becomes very exhausted from the conversating, i don´t want to talk in spanish and iforget how to talk in english. it´s becoming easier as my vocabulary grows and im becoming more relaxed.
My Family here is Wonderfull!! and the mother loves to make me food!! me and the son horje who is the same age get along very well, both having the same taste in music, the daughters are very sweet but both very busy (of course). i was nervouse at first to be in a house alone, since most people in the group have been paired in groups of 2 or 3. Nervouse about getting home alone at night and having noone to help me communicate with my family, but its turning out to be really great!! somebody through a firecracker at me and horjes friend when we were walking, setting a bush on fire, i was very worried but he didn´t seem to mind??
so far i´ve seen a tiny pice of mexico city, teotijuacan ruins, the largest church in the world (i love to go to the churches here and pray they are so beautiful and provide a very safe enviroment to be alone). Ive seen many salsa clubs and discotecas!! and today i´m going to chichen itza and some underground swimming holes called cenotes!!!
LOVE YOU ALL AND MISS YOU TERRIBLY!!!
will try to upload photos later....
Wednesday, December 12, 2007
Just a Start
Jan. 3 we leave on our journey, it is more then a just a trip. I think any travel experience that extends longer than anyone could plan for, includes no guides with safari hats and no bellhops. The research and attempts to plan have been quite the adventure in and of itself. the torturous hours spent with La Professora and the unwanted (yet appreciated) discovery of the "bot fly", you can you tube it yourself if you are curios because i don't want to think about it right now. well this is my first travel blog, i thought I'd start before the adventure begins so i can look back and laugh at my innocence. I will try to post often while I'm gone, i figure it might be a cool way for others to keep in touch with Hailey and i. Until then...farewell and be well!
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