Chiang Mai, Thailand December 2016
This was not a holiday. I went to Thailand for a two weeks intensive training course to learn the art of Thai yoga massage. If I want to be the best at what I do, I need to learn from the best teachers and if the best teachers are in exotic locations then I need to visit exotic locations to learn from them.
The course was life changing, exhausting, energy depleting and at the same time cleared out so many blocks that after I had rested I felt completely renewed and ready to start work with refreshed enthusiasm and new talents.
Since I have been able to incorporate what I learnt into my massages the results for my clients have been amazing. I am amazed with myself. It seems as if magic is flowing through my fingers and healing chronic and sudden pain for people. It is wonderful to feel that I have this gift of healing.
The course was life changing, exhausting, energy depleting and at the same time cleared out so many blocks that after I had rested I felt completely renewed and ready to start work with refreshed enthusiasm and new talents.
Since I have been able to incorporate what I learnt into my massages the results for my clients have been amazing. I am amazed with myself. It seems as if magic is flowing through my fingers and healing chronic and sudden pain for people. It is wonderful to feel that I have this gift of healing.
Day 1, Sunday: Arrival in Chiang Mai
I flew over on Air Asia, an economy airline that doesn't supply food, movies, blanket or pillow and the staff are pretty second rate too. But I made a pillow by stuffing my washing bag with my undies and t-shirts, covered myself with my Tunisian beach towel and without the flickering of movie screens and by paying a little extra, I had 3 seats to sleep on, I had a very peaceful flight.
I had only brought carry-on luggage with me. So after checking in at my home-stay I walked to the Sunday Walking Market to buy the clothes I would need for my stay. It worked out so well. The clothes were really cheap, appropriate for the climate and culture, and comfortable for learning massage. I looked fabulous every day in bright, baggy pants, Thai t-shirts with dragons and elephants, co-ordinated with a colourful pashima.
It was a good thing that I arrived early, while the stall holders were still setting up. I could shop with ease. By the time I left at 7:30, it was totally packed and almost impossible to move as I fought against the tide of people coming into the market.
I ate pad-thai (nearly every day and sometimes 3 times a day because it is my favourite) and mango and sticky rice pudding because Meg told me how good would be.
When I arrived at the gates of the old city, I received the most wonderful welcome. An orchestra began to play on the instruments of the late King of Thailand. They were having a 3 day holiday for the King who had recently passed away. The performance outside the gates as I left the market was magnificent, with Thai dancing girls carrying flowers and men in elaborate costumes with swirling swathes of cloth representing the sea.
I had a wonderful first impression of Chiang Mai.
I flew over on Air Asia, an economy airline that doesn't supply food, movies, blanket or pillow and the staff are pretty second rate too. But I made a pillow by stuffing my washing bag with my undies and t-shirts, covered myself with my Tunisian beach towel and without the flickering of movie screens and by paying a little extra, I had 3 seats to sleep on, I had a very peaceful flight.
I had only brought carry-on luggage with me. So after checking in at my home-stay I walked to the Sunday Walking Market to buy the clothes I would need for my stay. It worked out so well. The clothes were really cheap, appropriate for the climate and culture, and comfortable for learning massage. I looked fabulous every day in bright, baggy pants, Thai t-shirts with dragons and elephants, co-ordinated with a colourful pashima.
It was a good thing that I arrived early, while the stall holders were still setting up. I could shop with ease. By the time I left at 7:30, it was totally packed and almost impossible to move as I fought against the tide of people coming into the market.
I ate pad-thai (nearly every day and sometimes 3 times a day because it is my favourite) and mango and sticky rice pudding because Meg told me how good would be.
When I arrived at the gates of the old city, I received the most wonderful welcome. An orchestra began to play on the instruments of the late King of Thailand. They were having a 3 day holiday for the King who had recently passed away. The performance outside the gates as I left the market was magnificent, with Thai dancing girls carrying flowers and men in elaborate costumes with swirling swathes of cloth representing the sea.
I had a wonderful first impression of Chiang Mai.
Where I stayed Walking Street Market |
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Day 2, Monday: Off to School
My school was about a 20 minute walk from where I was staying. The scenery was not beautiful, but very tropical. The city is not made for walking, everyone gets around on motor scooters or cars. The pavements are rough, littered with rubbish with frequent, high, red-striped curbs I to climb up and down. After a few days, I tried the other side of the street which was better.
They have traffic police who manually control the traffic and traffic lights at peak hours. I needed them to help me cross the road. There was an overhead bridge that I climbed up and back down the other side to get back to my side of the street. Once I tried using pedestrian lights but the cars don't stop when the light turns red.
What struck me most about the streets was the telegraph poles and electricity cables. There were so many of them! and such a tangled mess with loops upon loops hung on every pole. Heaven only knows how the electricity people figure out where each cable goes.
The fences of all the official buildings and main bridges were draped with black and white cloth in mourning for their King.
I arrived at the sunshine Massage School. It was located down a quiet side street. The classroom was laid out with mattresses on the floor and neatly placed pillows and towels. There were windows all around. It was light and airy with the view of tops of palms and coconut trees.
Being the napping queen, I immediately thought it was time for a nap. A couple of the others who had arrived were meditating.
When everyone had arrived, we each introduced ourselves, did some chanting and said a prayer in Thai to the masters of the linage of this massage technique.
Om madi Padmi me hum
We spent the next 2 days learning leg massage, we had different partners in the mornings and afternoons.
My school was about a 20 minute walk from where I was staying. The scenery was not beautiful, but very tropical. The city is not made for walking, everyone gets around on motor scooters or cars. The pavements are rough, littered with rubbish with frequent, high, red-striped curbs I to climb up and down. After a few days, I tried the other side of the street which was better.
They have traffic police who manually control the traffic and traffic lights at peak hours. I needed them to help me cross the road. There was an overhead bridge that I climbed up and back down the other side to get back to my side of the street. Once I tried using pedestrian lights but the cars don't stop when the light turns red.
What struck me most about the streets was the telegraph poles and electricity cables. There were so many of them! and such a tangled mess with loops upon loops hung on every pole. Heaven only knows how the electricity people figure out where each cable goes.
The fences of all the official buildings and main bridges were draped with black and white cloth in mourning for their King.
I arrived at the sunshine Massage School. It was located down a quiet side street. The classroom was laid out with mattresses on the floor and neatly placed pillows and towels. There were windows all around. It was light and airy with the view of tops of palms and coconut trees.
Being the napping queen, I immediately thought it was time for a nap. A couple of the others who had arrived were meditating.
When everyone had arrived, we each introduced ourselves, did some chanting and said a prayer in Thai to the masters of the linage of this massage technique.
Om madi Padmi me hum
We spent the next 2 days learning leg massage, we had different partners in the mornings and afternoons.
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Day 3, Tuesday: Trying to find Yumi
I was supposed to meet my Japanese friend Yumi. After getting home from school, I decided to go and try to find her. It was a long walk and when I arrived at the place she was staying we couldn't find her on the register.
I waited a little while and when I left, there she was, walking down the street with her two friends who were running the yoga retreat she was going on.
They had been for a massage.
She came with me to a fabulous restaurant decorated with rocks and flowers and waterfalls. I had Pad Thai, Yumi had a coconut. She had already eaten. I was starving, it was about midnight at home.
The coconuts were fabulous! They are young, fresh and green with the top cut off. They bring them to you on a plate with a straw and spoon to drink the coconut water then scoop out the flesh.
I started to walk home, but I was too tired and caught a tuk tuk.
I was supposed to meet my Japanese friend Yumi. After getting home from school, I decided to go and try to find her. It was a long walk and when I arrived at the place she was staying we couldn't find her on the register.
I waited a little while and when I left, there she was, walking down the street with her two friends who were running the yoga retreat she was going on.
They had been for a massage.
She came with me to a fabulous restaurant decorated with rocks and flowers and waterfalls. I had Pad Thai, Yumi had a coconut. She had already eaten. I was starving, it was about midnight at home.
The coconuts were fabulous! They are young, fresh and green with the top cut off. They bring them to you on a plate with a straw and spoon to drink the coconut water then scoop out the flesh.
I started to walk home, but I was too tired and caught a tuk tuk.
Day 4, Wednesday: Chilli for lunch
I had lunch with different people from class each day, trying out the many different places to eat near the school. This day I went with a young couple from the UK to a street restaurant and got to know everything about them over lunch, as one does when travelling and meeting strangers. Everyone on the course was interesting but Robin and Janet were my favorites, (and Cassandra, a student on 3 months study/travel from USA.)
Robin was great at ordering. Most Thai people only speak their native language. A young girl having lunch with her mum and dad next to us showed us what to do. There were little slips of paper with the items on the menu and boxes you ticked to show what you wanted to order. She told us what some of the things were.
We saw everyone getting plates of chicken wings. They looked good, so we marked that on our slip of paper. But when they arrived there was only one on the plate. We stared at it for a few moments, then dutifully divided it between the 3 of us. Bahahaha then we ordered some more.
Everything was covered with Chilli! It was so hot and I just can't eat chilli! It was definitely an experience for me. I didn't go for lunch with Robin and Janet again till waaay into the next week when they told me they had found a place with great beef soup. (It was very good)
I tried to meet Yumi that night but I walked so far every day, and with all the leg massaging, my legs were exhausted and I couldn't walk fast enough to get there in time. I couldn't find her so I had dinner by myself.
I had lunch with different people from class each day, trying out the many different places to eat near the school. This day I went with a young couple from the UK to a street restaurant and got to know everything about them over lunch, as one does when travelling and meeting strangers. Everyone on the course was interesting but Robin and Janet were my favorites, (and Cassandra, a student on 3 months study/travel from USA.)
Robin was great at ordering. Most Thai people only speak their native language. A young girl having lunch with her mum and dad next to us showed us what to do. There were little slips of paper with the items on the menu and boxes you ticked to show what you wanted to order. She told us what some of the things were.
We saw everyone getting plates of chicken wings. They looked good, so we marked that on our slip of paper. But when they arrived there was only one on the plate. We stared at it for a few moments, then dutifully divided it between the 3 of us. Bahahaha then we ordered some more.
Everything was covered with Chilli! It was so hot and I just can't eat chilli! It was definitely an experience for me. I didn't go for lunch with Robin and Janet again till waaay into the next week when they told me they had found a place with great beef soup. (It was very good)
I tried to meet Yumi that night but I walked so far every day, and with all the leg massaging, my legs were exhausted and I couldn't walk fast enough to get there in time. I couldn't find her so I had dinner by myself.
Day 5, Thursday: Chilli for dinner
The next evening at the home stay a nice lady from France who was also staying there threw a cocktail party with little snacks and some amazing cocktail she had thrown together in a jug. It was fun.
I got a message from Yumi saying she had just gotten in and she was going out again.
So much for travelling all that way to see her. Oh well, I would be spending Christmas with her in Phuket.
The nice Indian girl I was talking with helped to see from the positive angle that even though my friend kept ditching me, if we hadn't arranged to meet there I wouldn't have been doing the massage course. And the massage course was my primary focus. Yumi's was the yoga retreat.
It sure was a long way to go not to see someone though.
To go with the cocktail party one of the old ladies who owned the home-stay had made chicken soup. I loath mushrooms but can eat them when I am travelling as I like to try the local food and I don't like to appear rude or ungrateful. Not only did the soup have mushrooms, it had chillies. Only 3 little ones she told us later. We were lucky to get them she told me and the Indian girl. Yeah. Like soooo lucky! I had bitten into the little chilli! My mouth was on fire!
The next evening at the home stay a nice lady from France who was also staying there threw a cocktail party with little snacks and some amazing cocktail she had thrown together in a jug. It was fun.
I got a message from Yumi saying she had just gotten in and she was going out again.
So much for travelling all that way to see her. Oh well, I would be spending Christmas with her in Phuket.
The nice Indian girl I was talking with helped to see from the positive angle that even though my friend kept ditching me, if we hadn't arranged to meet there I wouldn't have been doing the massage course. And the massage course was my primary focus. Yumi's was the yoga retreat.
It sure was a long way to go not to see someone though.
To go with the cocktail party one of the old ladies who owned the home-stay had made chicken soup. I loath mushrooms but can eat them when I am travelling as I like to try the local food and I don't like to appear rude or ungrateful. Not only did the soup have mushrooms, it had chillies. Only 3 little ones she told us later. We were lucky to get them she told me and the Indian girl. Yeah. Like soooo lucky! I had bitten into the little chilli! My mouth was on fire!
Day 6, Friday: Playing in The Park
A lot of people in the course did acroyoga, a combination of acrobatics and yoga. There is a park in chaing mai where they know they can all meet up if they are there. On Friday I went with two girls from Greece, Elli and Anna to try it. It was fun. I walked on a tightrope too, which I have always wanted to do. Me and Elli helped each other to do it. Cool.
Everyone at the park went out to dinner at a vegetarian restaurant when they had had enough fun playing. I had an omelette instead of pad thai and Sticky rice with mango. It was good. Elli had pineapple fried rice served in a pineapple. I went there another day for lunch and had it. It must have been good because I have been making it since I got home and I don't cook.
A lot of people in the course did acroyoga, a combination of acrobatics and yoga. There is a park in chaing mai where they know they can all meet up if they are there. On Friday I went with two girls from Greece, Elli and Anna to try it. It was fun. I walked on a tightrope too, which I have always wanted to do. Me and Elli helped each other to do it. Cool.
Everyone at the park went out to dinner at a vegetarian restaurant when they had had enough fun playing. I had an omelette instead of pad thai and Sticky rice with mango. It was good. Elli had pineapple fried rice served in a pineapple. I went there another day for lunch and had it. It must have been good because I have been making it since I got home and I don't cook.
Day 7, Saturday: Warning! Never get a leg wax in Chiang Mai
I wanted to get a leg wax. I had never had a leg wax and thought it would be a good idea as everyone told me how cheap Thailand is. I felt that my legs had been having so much loving kindness from all the massaging that they needed some unkind meanness. But NOT that much!.
They might have the best massage but they don't do waxing. I went everywhere till I eventually found a place that did, hidden on the top floor of a shopping center. It cost as much as the 4 hour massage and it totally wrecked my legs. I came up in a rash and horrible spots that didn't go away for weeks. Nor could I shave because the razor would take the tops off the spots. When I eventually shaved I was so out of practice I took all the skin off my shin.
On Saturday night I accidentally left it a bit late to find dinner and was told to go across the bridge to the market. But it started to rain and I went the wrong way in the dark. I turned around and came back. I tried one grubby looking place and pointed to the fried rice on the menu and got a coke out the fridge. (I have no idea why as I never drink coke. I was pretty frazzled the rain, the wrong direction and hunger.) But they didn't have any fried rice and I didn't like the place or the rest of the stuff they were stewing. I paid for the coke so I could go.
The lady stopped me and poured the coke into a plastic bag, stuck a straw in and put an elastic band around it. A coke to go. I had wondered why the bottles looked so old and worn in the fridge, they must have been refilling them for years.
I walked back across the bridge in the rain with my plastic bag full of coke and my scarf over my head feeling like a disgruntled duck. The guy at the home stay could have given me better directions and lent me umbrella. The streets really aren't made for walking and with the rain they immediately turned to mud and puddles. I tried to step carefully around the largest puddles while not getting run over and splashed by the cars.
My lovely pink thongs were getting ruined :-(
I spied a sign saying 'Artists Café'. That would suit me very well. It was quite empty with red candles burning on the tables and dark wooden furniture. Guess what I ordered?
Pad Thai. (Did you guess right?)
While they were making my dinner I shook out my wet things and hung them on the back of my chair and went for a look around. I was in an elegant hotel. There was a long square pond with gold fish and ceramic statues of horses leaning over the water with a maple tree planted in a circle of light in the wall. Out the back was a long garden lined with trees and comfortable lounges
I wanted to get a leg wax. I had never had a leg wax and thought it would be a good idea as everyone told me how cheap Thailand is. I felt that my legs had been having so much loving kindness from all the massaging that they needed some unkind meanness. But NOT that much!.
They might have the best massage but they don't do waxing. I went everywhere till I eventually found a place that did, hidden on the top floor of a shopping center. It cost as much as the 4 hour massage and it totally wrecked my legs. I came up in a rash and horrible spots that didn't go away for weeks. Nor could I shave because the razor would take the tops off the spots. When I eventually shaved I was so out of practice I took all the skin off my shin.
On Saturday night I accidentally left it a bit late to find dinner and was told to go across the bridge to the market. But it started to rain and I went the wrong way in the dark. I turned around and came back. I tried one grubby looking place and pointed to the fried rice on the menu and got a coke out the fridge. (I have no idea why as I never drink coke. I was pretty frazzled the rain, the wrong direction and hunger.) But they didn't have any fried rice and I didn't like the place or the rest of the stuff they were stewing. I paid for the coke so I could go.
The lady stopped me and poured the coke into a plastic bag, stuck a straw in and put an elastic band around it. A coke to go. I had wondered why the bottles looked so old and worn in the fridge, they must have been refilling them for years.
I walked back across the bridge in the rain with my plastic bag full of coke and my scarf over my head feeling like a disgruntled duck. The guy at the home stay could have given me better directions and lent me umbrella. The streets really aren't made for walking and with the rain they immediately turned to mud and puddles. I tried to step carefully around the largest puddles while not getting run over and splashed by the cars.
My lovely pink thongs were getting ruined :-(
I spied a sign saying 'Artists Café'. That would suit me very well. It was quite empty with red candles burning on the tables and dark wooden furniture. Guess what I ordered?
Pad Thai. (Did you guess right?)
While they were making my dinner I shook out my wet things and hung them on the back of my chair and went for a look around. I was in an elegant hotel. There was a long square pond with gold fish and ceramic statues of horses leaning over the water with a maple tree planted in a circle of light in the wall. Out the back was a long garden lined with trees and comfortable lounges
Day 8; Sunday, day to relax
I went back to the artists café in the morning and sat on the comfy lounge and had eggs benedict for breakfast.
I had researched the best place to get a massage and sent an email booking to Fa Lanna, who had an expensive spa and a little salon with very reasonable prices.
I went to the Fa Lanna salon where I had booked a 4 hour session. It included a 2 hour Thai yoga massage, a clay body wrap and a facial. It was a truly spiritual experience. All the energy lines in my body were cleared out allowing the energy to flow freely and I felt the connection with the oneness of the universe that I feel during yoga and meditation. During the facial I drifted in and out of conscious sleep. It made my skin glow.
They gave me a card they stamped each time I got a massage. When I got to ten stamps I would get a free massage. I made it! I wanted to learn massage by receiving and I wanted them to work on my bad hip and shoulder. My hip is good now. My neck and shoulder are ok. On my last day in Chiang Mai I booked a 3 hour massage and that included my free hour oil massage.
I took their idea and have a reward scheme in the studio now where your 10th massage is complementary.
I loved the little salon especially because they were playing my favorite music that I bought in India "Grace" . The salon became my one of my little homes away from home. They came to recognize me and knew how hard I was studying at school, as it was quite difficult to organize appointments because I was mostly in class. We managed though by communicating via emails.
In the evening I went to the Walking market again. I really liked the walking market. This time I was looking for souvenirs to give to friends and family. Again I got there early while it was still light and I could move around without being crushed by the crowds that thronged there as the evening went on.
I went back to the artists café in the morning and sat on the comfy lounge and had eggs benedict for breakfast.
I had researched the best place to get a massage and sent an email booking to Fa Lanna, who had an expensive spa and a little salon with very reasonable prices.
I went to the Fa Lanna salon where I had booked a 4 hour session. It included a 2 hour Thai yoga massage, a clay body wrap and a facial. It was a truly spiritual experience. All the energy lines in my body were cleared out allowing the energy to flow freely and I felt the connection with the oneness of the universe that I feel during yoga and meditation. During the facial I drifted in and out of conscious sleep. It made my skin glow.
They gave me a card they stamped each time I got a massage. When I got to ten stamps I would get a free massage. I made it! I wanted to learn massage by receiving and I wanted them to work on my bad hip and shoulder. My hip is good now. My neck and shoulder are ok. On my last day in Chiang Mai I booked a 3 hour massage and that included my free hour oil massage.
I took their idea and have a reward scheme in the studio now where your 10th massage is complementary.
I loved the little salon especially because they were playing my favorite music that I bought in India "Grace" . The salon became my one of my little homes away from home. They came to recognize me and knew how hard I was studying at school, as it was quite difficult to organize appointments because I was mostly in class. We managed though by communicating via emails.
In the evening I went to the Walking market again. I really liked the walking market. This time I was looking for souvenirs to give to friends and family. Again I got there early while it was still light and I could move around without being crushed by the crowds that thronged there as the evening went on.
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Day 9 Monday: My New Home
I was moving house! I was so looking forward to it, where I was going looked so beautiful in the pictures.
The home stay had been ok, except for the bad directions they often gave me and the bathroom wasn't very nice (it didn't have a toilet brush), and they never took our my rubbish, which would have been ok if they had told me where to throw it myself. There was a vegan who was staying there who told us horrible stories about pigs and dogs. I didn't like going to sit in the garden because I didn't want to come across him. But the place was plain and simple and it was easy to get to school.
I caught a tuk tuk on Monday morning to take my luggage. I had bought a suitcase fit all my stuff in. It was cheaper (and more fun) than paying for luggage on the aeroplane. At school they put the baggage in a store room for me.
In the afternoon it took me a little while to find a tuk tuk to take me to a different part of the city called Santithum. Eventually one came along and we worked out where to go on google maps. I asked him how much. He said 70 baht. I said "Hmmm. How about 100 baht?" He had a little laugh and agreed, it was probably the first time he had ever been bargained up, but 70 baht was too cheap.
I had learnt to pay 100 baht for a tuk tuk and 20 baht on a red bus. The red bus could pick up other people along the way and was often quite slow on its roundabout route. A couple of times I had to get out because it was taking too long, then the driver wouldn't take my money or only 10 baht. The others had rented a motor scooter or bicycle but as I had promised to return alive I didn't want to try one in the dense traffic.
The tuk tuk let me out at the gates of my guest house. It was a tropical haven. Later when I described it to Cassandra she asked if I was describing paradise. It was so lovely. The breakfast room was a pavilion, open on two sides surrounded by a moat with a waterfall and giant carp I fed each morning. Ancient fig roots held up stone walls guarding the guest house and the garden had buddha statues and meandering pathways between the greenery.
I was in a large double room with a high lofty ceiling and a cupola up in the treetops. With windows all around the curved walls, I felt like I was living in a tree house. From the balcony I looked down into the tropical garden and ancient buildings. The interior was modern with dimmers and a light that came on when I opened the cupboard doors. It had a little lounge with thai cushions I could sit on to study or read. My huge bed was comfy (not hard) draped romantically in mosquito netting with four pillows.
After I settled in I set off on an adventure to get my dinner. I looked at the food places all along the street, (there were so many) and bought some pad thai. I got dinner there a few times and used to have jokes with the cook.
I had been wishing for a chocolate milk. It was difficult to get the stall holders to understand what I wanted, but in the end I had managed to teach them to say "chocolate milk" with a perfect Australian accent. I ended up with a chocolate milk with ice cubes. And I bought some sushi for a few cents.
I had a little feast when I got back, eating in the pavilion watching the giant carp and fighting with the mosquitoes over my food. Lucky for me mosquitoes don't bite me for some reason but they got a bit overwhelming and when I had finished my dinner I took my chocolate milk up to my room, wondering how to drink it as they had forgotten to give me a straw. I poured the milk into a mug through the plastic hole in the top, leaving the ice trapped in the cup. as the ice melted it mixed with the thick chocolate in the bottom of the cup and I kept topping up my mug. It was perfect and just what I had been wishing for.
I was moving house! I was so looking forward to it, where I was going looked so beautiful in the pictures.
The home stay had been ok, except for the bad directions they often gave me and the bathroom wasn't very nice (it didn't have a toilet brush), and they never took our my rubbish, which would have been ok if they had told me where to throw it myself. There was a vegan who was staying there who told us horrible stories about pigs and dogs. I didn't like going to sit in the garden because I didn't want to come across him. But the place was plain and simple and it was easy to get to school.
I caught a tuk tuk on Monday morning to take my luggage. I had bought a suitcase fit all my stuff in. It was cheaper (and more fun) than paying for luggage on the aeroplane. At school they put the baggage in a store room for me.
In the afternoon it took me a little while to find a tuk tuk to take me to a different part of the city called Santithum. Eventually one came along and we worked out where to go on google maps. I asked him how much. He said 70 baht. I said "Hmmm. How about 100 baht?" He had a little laugh and agreed, it was probably the first time he had ever been bargained up, but 70 baht was too cheap.
I had learnt to pay 100 baht for a tuk tuk and 20 baht on a red bus. The red bus could pick up other people along the way and was often quite slow on its roundabout route. A couple of times I had to get out because it was taking too long, then the driver wouldn't take my money or only 10 baht. The others had rented a motor scooter or bicycle but as I had promised to return alive I didn't want to try one in the dense traffic.
The tuk tuk let me out at the gates of my guest house. It was a tropical haven. Later when I described it to Cassandra she asked if I was describing paradise. It was so lovely. The breakfast room was a pavilion, open on two sides surrounded by a moat with a waterfall and giant carp I fed each morning. Ancient fig roots held up stone walls guarding the guest house and the garden had buddha statues and meandering pathways between the greenery.
I was in a large double room with a high lofty ceiling and a cupola up in the treetops. With windows all around the curved walls, I felt like I was living in a tree house. From the balcony I looked down into the tropical garden and ancient buildings. The interior was modern with dimmers and a light that came on when I opened the cupboard doors. It had a little lounge with thai cushions I could sit on to study or read. My huge bed was comfy (not hard) draped romantically in mosquito netting with four pillows.
After I settled in I set off on an adventure to get my dinner. I looked at the food places all along the street, (there were so many) and bought some pad thai. I got dinner there a few times and used to have jokes with the cook.
I had been wishing for a chocolate milk. It was difficult to get the stall holders to understand what I wanted, but in the end I had managed to teach them to say "chocolate milk" with a perfect Australian accent. I ended up with a chocolate milk with ice cubes. And I bought some sushi for a few cents.
I had a little feast when I got back, eating in the pavilion watching the giant carp and fighting with the mosquitoes over my food. Lucky for me mosquitoes don't bite me for some reason but they got a bit overwhelming and when I had finished my dinner I took my chocolate milk up to my room, wondering how to drink it as they had forgotten to give me a straw. I poured the milk into a mug through the plastic hole in the top, leaving the ice trapped in the cup. as the ice melted it mixed with the thick chocolate in the bottom of the cup and I kept topping up my mug. It was perfect and just what I had been wishing for.
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Day 10, Tuesday:Energy at Work
Every morning the manager made me a fresh breakfast with a pancakes, fruit and an omelette . They also served coffee just how I like it. He rang for a tuk tuk to take me to school, it was too far to walk.
All the energy work, receiving the massages was often very emotional. It releases old traumas stored in your body. I worked through issues I don't usually have a way of dealing with. I especially didn't like have tummy massages, all my sadness is stored in there. Just the thought would start tears welling up in my eyes. When I had to have it done, there was no way I could stop the tears from flowing and sometimes we had to stop so I could outside to get some fresh air. It is good though, because the trauma is worked through and released and when I got back home I was able to find constructive ways of dealing with the problem.
For dinner that night I arranged to meet one of the people in the course under the "big ford sign" at the gate to the old city nearest to Santitham. I went for a massage after school then had all afternoon to explore.
I had one of my favorite moments in Chiang Mai. I found a tiny golden temple that had been enshouded with people when the walking market was on. Now it was serene and almost deserted. I went in to meditate under the sleepy gaze of giant golden Buddha's. It was very distracting, I wanted to gaze back up at them and energy was buzzing all around me. The aura was magnetic, monks were chanting their evening prays in a temple next to me. I tried to persist in clearing my mind, resting in stillness and connecting with my true self until a cat appeared.
It crept out from under the giant Buddha and stealthily slunk up onto the alter and helped itself to the offerings that had been left out, obviously for its dinner. It was a shiny, sleek black cat.
I gave up trying to meditate and realized that I was already in the moment. I was in a sacred temple accompanied by the chanting of buddhist monks, with golden Buddhas in a buddhist country. The energy in the temple was zinging, the power surged through my aura, I was in perfectly tuned connection with the universe. Pure realization.
I stayed in the temple until the mosquitoes became too powerful for my magic aura and started trying to annoy me. Outside it was almost dark. I saw the chanting monks and another open temple with golden statues. I think it was Kali because she had many arms and necklaces and she was dancing.
I am always grateful to have been blessed by my experiences but I forget how lucky I am to moments like these, they happen so often it is getting harder to recognize them. Moments of enchantment have become what is normal instead of what is unusual. I forget that most people don't have these experiences. I was talking to a stranger in the tyre shop, at first he thought I was making up stories, my experiences are so out of the realm of people's ordinary experiences, while to me, they just happen.
I waited under the Ford sign where I was going to meet my friend from school. I waited 15 minutes and when he hadn't come I chose a place in the food market to get my dinner. I ordered BBQ fish cooked in silver foil. It was delicious.
I had a nice walk home, it wasn't too far.
Every morning the manager made me a fresh breakfast with a pancakes, fruit and an omelette . They also served coffee just how I like it. He rang for a tuk tuk to take me to school, it was too far to walk.
All the energy work, receiving the massages was often very emotional. It releases old traumas stored in your body. I worked through issues I don't usually have a way of dealing with. I especially didn't like have tummy massages, all my sadness is stored in there. Just the thought would start tears welling up in my eyes. When I had to have it done, there was no way I could stop the tears from flowing and sometimes we had to stop so I could outside to get some fresh air. It is good though, because the trauma is worked through and released and when I got back home I was able to find constructive ways of dealing with the problem.
For dinner that night I arranged to meet one of the people in the course under the "big ford sign" at the gate to the old city nearest to Santitham. I went for a massage after school then had all afternoon to explore.
I had one of my favorite moments in Chiang Mai. I found a tiny golden temple that had been enshouded with people when the walking market was on. Now it was serene and almost deserted. I went in to meditate under the sleepy gaze of giant golden Buddha's. It was very distracting, I wanted to gaze back up at them and energy was buzzing all around me. The aura was magnetic, monks were chanting their evening prays in a temple next to me. I tried to persist in clearing my mind, resting in stillness and connecting with my true self until a cat appeared.
It crept out from under the giant Buddha and stealthily slunk up onto the alter and helped itself to the offerings that had been left out, obviously for its dinner. It was a shiny, sleek black cat.
I gave up trying to meditate and realized that I was already in the moment. I was in a sacred temple accompanied by the chanting of buddhist monks, with golden Buddhas in a buddhist country. The energy in the temple was zinging, the power surged through my aura, I was in perfectly tuned connection with the universe. Pure realization.
I stayed in the temple until the mosquitoes became too powerful for my magic aura and started trying to annoy me. Outside it was almost dark. I saw the chanting monks and another open temple with golden statues. I think it was Kali because she had many arms and necklaces and she was dancing.
I am always grateful to have been blessed by my experiences but I forget how lucky I am to moments like these, they happen so often it is getting harder to recognize them. Moments of enchantment have become what is normal instead of what is unusual. I forget that most people don't have these experiences. I was talking to a stranger in the tyre shop, at first he thought I was making up stories, my experiences are so out of the realm of people's ordinary experiences, while to me, they just happen.
I waited under the Ford sign where I was going to meet my friend from school. I waited 15 minutes and when he hadn't come I chose a place in the food market to get my dinner. I ordered BBQ fish cooked in silver foil. It was delicious.
I had a nice walk home, it wasn't too far.
Invited to Tunisia for a Wedding August 2016
Monday, 8 August 2016
Day 1 Rome
I arrived in Rome on the same day as I met Wiwa 5 years ago! Isn't that an amazing cosmic universal coincindence!? We went out to celebrate our anniversary last night with dinner at Trastevere.
A young man called Vincent from USA came too and shouted us dinner, what a nice guy. His only brother was a victim of America - he'd been shot and killed in a car jacking. He had a smashed up leg from a work accident that's pretty much mended now. He was a wonderful positive person, getting on with life.
I wore fabulous orange high cork wedges out. It's a jolly good thing I have flexible ankles cause I rolled over on the cobbles at least 8 times. I'm going back to flats tomorrow.
I had a great afternoon of shopping yesterday! New dresses, shoes and swimming costume. I'll have a whole new wardrobe of Italian dresses for summer.
The butterfly painting for Wiwa got here safely. I only left it somewhere once - outside of customs before I came through in Sydney so they had to escort me all the way back through to get it.
And now Rome is full of butterflies! - not real ones, pictures and dresses and stuck on walls, though I suppose it's one of those things that you notice because they are already in your mind.
Wiwa has given me the best room at the hostel. It's very comfortable and I like the wall paper, it has flowers and little foxes. There is a picture of butterflies above my bed.
It's so great being here with her. She is very impressed with my Italian skills.
Oh and yoga pose of the day was viparita karani- legs up the wall, for my swollen feet.
Namaste
Sarah
Day 1 Rome
I arrived in Rome on the same day as I met Wiwa 5 years ago! Isn't that an amazing cosmic universal coincindence!? We went out to celebrate our anniversary last night with dinner at Trastevere.
A young man called Vincent from USA came too and shouted us dinner, what a nice guy. His only brother was a victim of America - he'd been shot and killed in a car jacking. He had a smashed up leg from a work accident that's pretty much mended now. He was a wonderful positive person, getting on with life.
I wore fabulous orange high cork wedges out. It's a jolly good thing I have flexible ankles cause I rolled over on the cobbles at least 8 times. I'm going back to flats tomorrow.
I had a great afternoon of shopping yesterday! New dresses, shoes and swimming costume. I'll have a whole new wardrobe of Italian dresses for summer.
The butterfly painting for Wiwa got here safely. I only left it somewhere once - outside of customs before I came through in Sydney so they had to escort me all the way back through to get it.
And now Rome is full of butterflies! - not real ones, pictures and dresses and stuck on walls, though I suppose it's one of those things that you notice because they are already in your mind.
Wiwa has given me the best room at the hostel. It's very comfortable and I like the wall paper, it has flowers and little foxes. There is a picture of butterflies above my bed.
It's so great being here with her. She is very impressed with my Italian skills.
Oh and yoga pose of the day was viparita karani- legs up the wall, for my swollen feet.
Namaste
Sarah
Tuesday, 9 August 2016 Day 2 Rome
It is so great to wake up whenever I like with no alarm. I admit, so far the Alter ego has taken over and I have only done essential yoga, legs up the wall.
The day was perfectly blue and very hot.
Before I went out shopping, I managed to get stuck in the lift and when I got out I pulled the handle off my door. It was a slapstick moment! Haha so funny. The boys I asked to help were from Poland or somewhere and didn't know a word of English. Wiwa came to my rescue.
I have bought out most of the shops in Rome by now. Make up, new bag (it's blue) and more shoes (soooooo comfortable).
I had a chat to a sweet old couple from Ireland who asked me the way to the Trevi Fountain and walked along my favorite cool & leafy street eating a gelato. If only Singleton had left our trees along John street, we would have had a street like that in another hundred years or so.
The best hotels are along this street & my hostel is around the corner, in the safest spot, between the huge American Embassy building and the FBI on the corner under my window.
One of Wiwa's friends picked us up and we drove a way out of the center of the city for dinner. We were 4 girls and one Italian boy who didn't know English which was handy at times. I would say the night was kind of Wiwa's unofficial hens night.
Tartaruga is the best word I learnt from my Italian app. It was the star word of the night. Tartaruga is turtle and another word for your tummy. Either way - if you are full your tummy is the top of the turtle shell but if you have six pac abs you have the underside of the tortoise shell. From now on there will be no more ab exercises - we will have exercises for tartaruga.
We had a delicious dinner, they had bistecca (steak) but I had my favorite tonno (tuna) pizza.
We also had wine. Life is different when I'm not the yoga teacher. Then we went to Brazil. Brazil is a bar set amongst the graffiti of Rome that serves extra potent cocktails and good music. Graffiti is the art form of the common people I see in all the places around the world.
It is different to have friends who live in the city. It is my fourth visit and I am no longer the tourist! And I know what Tartaruga is!
I'm off to Greece now. Caio.
Sarah :-)
It is so great to wake up whenever I like with no alarm. I admit, so far the Alter ego has taken over and I have only done essential yoga, legs up the wall.
The day was perfectly blue and very hot.
Before I went out shopping, I managed to get stuck in the lift and when I got out I pulled the handle off my door. It was a slapstick moment! Haha so funny. The boys I asked to help were from Poland or somewhere and didn't know a word of English. Wiwa came to my rescue.
I have bought out most of the shops in Rome by now. Make up, new bag (it's blue) and more shoes (soooooo comfortable).
I had a chat to a sweet old couple from Ireland who asked me the way to the Trevi Fountain and walked along my favorite cool & leafy street eating a gelato. If only Singleton had left our trees along John street, we would have had a street like that in another hundred years or so.
The best hotels are along this street & my hostel is around the corner, in the safest spot, between the huge American Embassy building and the FBI on the corner under my window.
One of Wiwa's friends picked us up and we drove a way out of the center of the city for dinner. We were 4 girls and one Italian boy who didn't know English which was handy at times. I would say the night was kind of Wiwa's unofficial hens night.
Tartaruga is the best word I learnt from my Italian app. It was the star word of the night. Tartaruga is turtle and another word for your tummy. Either way - if you are full your tummy is the top of the turtle shell but if you have six pac abs you have the underside of the tortoise shell. From now on there will be no more ab exercises - we will have exercises for tartaruga.
We had a delicious dinner, they had bistecca (steak) but I had my favorite tonno (tuna) pizza.
We also had wine. Life is different when I'm not the yoga teacher. Then we went to Brazil. Brazil is a bar set amongst the graffiti of Rome that serves extra potent cocktails and good music. Graffiti is the art form of the common people I see in all the places around the world.
It is different to have friends who live in the city. It is my fourth visit and I am no longer the tourist! And I know what Tartaruga is!
I'm off to Greece now. Caio.
Sarah :-)
Wednesday, 10 August 2016 Day 3 Santorini
I'm drinking a coffee - the first of the day and it's after 6pm! It was a travel day today. Rome to Santorini, one of the Greek Islands.
I left some stuff i didn't need at the hostel to make my baggage lighter including my carry-on bag (accidentally forgot it) but neaya, I figured I can live without vegemite for a while.
At first I thought it was quiet here but as I walked towards the town the traffic is crazy.
I've switched from coffee to Sangria, at a wine bar & cafe called Graffiti. I chatted with an Aussie couple from Adelaide who have come over for a friend's birthday party. We agreed that it very nice of our friends to make us come to celebrate special events with them in fabulous places.
The most fun I had ... aha there was just a pussy cat at my window... was in the shop buying a sim card. Having won over their seriousness with some of my intentionally stupid jokes, he tried on the blue hat I bought to wear on the cruise I'm going on tomorrow to the volcanoe in the bay, hot springs and beautiful beaches at sunset.
I practiced yoga on the yoga deck as the sky grew darker and the lights of the town came on. There were even fireworks in the distance. It felt a bit special.
Good night xoxo
I'm drinking a coffee - the first of the day and it's after 6pm! It was a travel day today. Rome to Santorini, one of the Greek Islands.
I left some stuff i didn't need at the hostel to make my baggage lighter including my carry-on bag (accidentally forgot it) but neaya, I figured I can live without vegemite for a while.
At first I thought it was quiet here but as I walked towards the town the traffic is crazy.
I've switched from coffee to Sangria, at a wine bar & cafe called Graffiti. I chatted with an Aussie couple from Adelaide who have come over for a friend's birthday party. We agreed that it very nice of our friends to make us come to celebrate special events with them in fabulous places.
The most fun I had ... aha there was just a pussy cat at my window... was in the shop buying a sim card. Having won over their seriousness with some of my intentionally stupid jokes, he tried on the blue hat I bought to wear on the cruise I'm going on tomorrow to the volcanoe in the bay, hot springs and beautiful beaches at sunset.
I practiced yoga on the yoga deck as the sky grew darker and the lights of the town came on. There were even fireworks in the distance. It felt a bit special.
Good night xoxo
Thursday, 11 August 2016
Santorini isn't like I expected. I am just one of the entire population that seems to be made up of tourists or people who cater to the holiday makers.
It is so dry, not a green blade of grass amongst the brown burnt sun charged stalks. The grape vines lie espaliated along the ground producing abundant wine. Water is sparse but wine is plentiful.
High brown cliffs rise up out of the blue sea. The sky above is pale, a haze hangs heavily, I suspect from volcanic ash.
The atmosphere of the place is resonant of India to me. It seems to be sliding back into 3rd world status with the same indolence accompanied by manic bustle.
I am on a cruise boat headed towards a volcanic island and hot springs.
Wow what a day! An hours tough climb in 30° heat, scaling the side of a volcanoe, Nea Kameni the crunching pumice under foot, hot to the touch. I encouraged myself all the way back down with the thought of a beer when I reached the ship.
Then we sailed to a swimming spot where I dived off the side of the ship into cool water. I had made a new friend by now, Manar from Syria but living in the US with her diplomatic and studious husband who had stayed behind to review a book.
As we swam further from the boat the water temperature rose till we were swimming in a warm mud bath. The mud stained me slightly orange the rest of day.
The ship called us back with its siren and we sailed onto another part of the island and docked for lunch. I am always so fortunate in companions, Manar and I enjoyed a sea food lunch, at Thirassia. With great conversation, sharing the common interest of yoga, followed by an amazing swim. I say amazing because I have never swum in water that looked as azure under the water as I swam in there.
At the next stop I said good bye to my new friend, her tour was over but I continued up the side of a cliff on a donkey to the town of Oia. I did a small amount of tourist shopping (a t-shirt and fridge magnet for my collection from around the world) as I walked to the place where we would watch the sunset.
Somehow there was one unreserved table up the top of the restaurant apparently waiting just for me. I had a spectacular dinner and view of the sun as it turned into a red orb and was swallowed by the sea, sharing the experience with the patrons at the other two tables. A young lady in a long red dress and flowing blond hair looked like a Greek goddess as she leaned out over the wall.
To finish off the night I got the last seat on the bus sitting right up the front to watch the lights and life at night as we wound our long way back along narrow streets.
Santorini isn't like I expected. I am just one of the entire population that seems to be made up of tourists or people who cater to the holiday makers.
It is so dry, not a green blade of grass amongst the brown burnt sun charged stalks. The grape vines lie espaliated along the ground producing abundant wine. Water is sparse but wine is plentiful.
High brown cliffs rise up out of the blue sea. The sky above is pale, a haze hangs heavily, I suspect from volcanic ash.
The atmosphere of the place is resonant of India to me. It seems to be sliding back into 3rd world status with the same indolence accompanied by manic bustle.
I am on a cruise boat headed towards a volcanic island and hot springs.
Wow what a day! An hours tough climb in 30° heat, scaling the side of a volcanoe, Nea Kameni the crunching pumice under foot, hot to the touch. I encouraged myself all the way back down with the thought of a beer when I reached the ship.
Then we sailed to a swimming spot where I dived off the side of the ship into cool water. I had made a new friend by now, Manar from Syria but living in the US with her diplomatic and studious husband who had stayed behind to review a book.
As we swam further from the boat the water temperature rose till we were swimming in a warm mud bath. The mud stained me slightly orange the rest of day.
The ship called us back with its siren and we sailed onto another part of the island and docked for lunch. I am always so fortunate in companions, Manar and I enjoyed a sea food lunch, at Thirassia. With great conversation, sharing the common interest of yoga, followed by an amazing swim. I say amazing because I have never swum in water that looked as azure under the water as I swam in there.
At the next stop I said good bye to my new friend, her tour was over but I continued up the side of a cliff on a donkey to the town of Oia. I did a small amount of tourist shopping (a t-shirt and fridge magnet for my collection from around the world) as I walked to the place where we would watch the sunset.
Somehow there was one unreserved table up the top of the restaurant apparently waiting just for me. I had a spectacular dinner and view of the sun as it turned into a red orb and was swallowed by the sea, sharing the experience with the patrons at the other two tables. A young lady in a long red dress and flowing blond hair looked like a Greek goddess as she leaned out over the wall.
To finish off the night I got the last seat on the bus sitting right up the front to watch the lights and life at night as we wound our long way back along narrow streets.
Day 5 Santorini
Yesterday when I woke up there was a red orb hanging in the sky outside my window. I dashed ouside to feel the morning unfold practicing salute to the sun in the cool dawn air on the yoga deck. This morning I got up before the sun so I was ready to photograph it.
After a simple breakfast of watermelon, muslie with Greek yogurt and toast with strawberry jam (as my vegemite is in Rome) I had a Thai yoga massage. It released all the tension in my body from the long flight. I loved it so much I had another one this morning. I'm putting it on my list to learn how to do. Santorini Holistic Massage, if you are ever here.
For lunch, an excellent waiter helped me choose traditional Greek food. I had lamb with festa and capsicum and chick pea salad with purple onion. It was FABULOUS! I was stuffed. I had 2 beers too - Red Donkey beer 😊. They were so nice, they gave me my desert for free, a perfect little baklava.
When I got back to the hostel I relaxed and swam by the pool then I decided I was tired so I went to bed for my nap. I liked my little room. They only have one private room. The yoga teacher told me always yoga teachers stay in that room! I had to use a stool to climb up into the bed.
After I woke up it was time for yoga class as evening fell and the heat of the day subsided.
I met a lovely girl from Australia who didn't want to go out either so we spent the rest of the night talking.
The extraordinary stories of the people I meet never cease to amaze me. She had meningitis last December in Germany and nearly died. It left her deaf in one ear. Yet here she is travelling around the world and going back to study soon in Germany. She even said the words of one one of my favorite life mottos "you can't live your life in fear."
Yesterday when I woke up there was a red orb hanging in the sky outside my window. I dashed ouside to feel the morning unfold practicing salute to the sun in the cool dawn air on the yoga deck. This morning I got up before the sun so I was ready to photograph it.
After a simple breakfast of watermelon, muslie with Greek yogurt and toast with strawberry jam (as my vegemite is in Rome) I had a Thai yoga massage. It released all the tension in my body from the long flight. I loved it so much I had another one this morning. I'm putting it on my list to learn how to do. Santorini Holistic Massage, if you are ever here.
For lunch, an excellent waiter helped me choose traditional Greek food. I had lamb with festa and capsicum and chick pea salad with purple onion. It was FABULOUS! I was stuffed. I had 2 beers too - Red Donkey beer 😊. They were so nice, they gave me my desert for free, a perfect little baklava.
When I got back to the hostel I relaxed and swam by the pool then I decided I was tired so I went to bed for my nap. I liked my little room. They only have one private room. The yoga teacher told me always yoga teachers stay in that room! I had to use a stool to climb up into the bed.
After I woke up it was time for yoga class as evening fell and the heat of the day subsided.
I met a lovely girl from Australia who didn't want to go out either so we spent the rest of the night talking.
The extraordinary stories of the people I meet never cease to amaze me. She had meningitis last December in Germany and nearly died. It left her deaf in one ear. Yet here she is travelling around the world and going back to study soon in Germany. She even said the words of one one of my favorite life mottos "you can't live your life in fear."
Day 6 Paros Island
I enjoyed a yummy dinner last night when I found a table at last amongst the hundreds of restaurants that are all booked out.
Today, when I went out to get a quad bike they didn't have any. I finally found one but I didn't want to rent it for €50 as by then I had spent €65 euros on pair of fabulous sandals!
I had stuffed vine leaves and souvlaki with red wine for lunch and bingo! I realized what all these people are doing here!
I came to Greece because I wanted to experience another culture but there is no culture here - there are only tourists on holiday.
They are here to take a summer break from their normal lives. Like we would go up the coast to relax on a beach or maybe to Bali or Thailand - Europeans come to the Greek Islands.
Well now I don't feel guilty for wanting to nap on my big wide bed with the Mediteranean air blowing in through my door. I'm going to relax doing whatever I want. I don't even have to do yoga if I don't want to.
I brought a young writer from Singleton's book with me - Blair, The Same Daughter by April Klasen. I'm going to spend the afternoon reading.
Caio :-)
I enjoyed a yummy dinner last night when I found a table at last amongst the hundreds of restaurants that are all booked out.
Today, when I went out to get a quad bike they didn't have any. I finally found one but I didn't want to rent it for €50 as by then I had spent €65 euros on pair of fabulous sandals!
I had stuffed vine leaves and souvlaki with red wine for lunch and bingo! I realized what all these people are doing here!
I came to Greece because I wanted to experience another culture but there is no culture here - there are only tourists on holiday.
They are here to take a summer break from their normal lives. Like we would go up the coast to relax on a beach or maybe to Bali or Thailand - Europeans come to the Greek Islands.
Well now I don't feel guilty for wanting to nap on my big wide bed with the Mediteranean air blowing in through my door. I'm going to relax doing whatever I want. I don't even have to do yoga if I don't want to.
I brought a young writer from Singleton's book with me - Blair, The Same Daughter by April Klasen. I'm going to spend the afternoon reading.
Caio :-)
Monday, 15 August 2016
Day 7 Delos & Mykonos
Wow what a day.
Have you ever had a day when you fulfil a vow you made to a Goddess? I did today when I visited the sacred island of Delos, the birth place of Artemis, goddess of the moon and her twin brother Apollo.
The energy in the ground of that place was intense. The stone streets glittered with silver and gold. Ancient ruins were crumbling. The first place is the slave market, the gossip square where everyone gathered to see who was there and what they were wearing.
A guide showed us around for a while pointing out where the main things were and feeding her favorite cat. She was the epitome of the crazy Greek cat lady.
After walking down passed the line of guardian lions I did a little yoga in the quiet Grove that was where Leto gave birth to her twins. No one else went in there, I suppose because there weren't any ruins, just shrubs and some dragonflies. The energy is still giving me goose bumps.
From there I walked up to the museum that has some of the statues, mosaics and trinkets that were found there. Amazing.
I found a spot near the ruins of the temple to do yoga. There weren't many people around. The power and energy from the sun was more intense than I have experienced before. When I finished, I looked down into my phone and the sun created a halo behind my head, turning my wild hair gold
(Oh no! I've turned into a crazy Greek cat lady - I'm feeding a cat fish for dinner under my table!)
Everything is still rocking from my ferry ride to the islands today. I vomited 5 times on the way over. The sea was rough. It's so windy here. Thankfully the wind had calmed down by the time i came back and the rocking boat sent me to sleep, not to Chuck up.
After amazing Delos I went to Mykonos. The view was extraordinarill beautiful with the blue water and boats in the harbour with the white houses on the hill and windmills in the distance.
But for a party island! There were no people! It was totally dead! I'd call it relaxing. It was extremely windy . Maybe the party goers were inside, sleeping. It is was a fantastic island.
When I got back I rushed up the hill to do a yoga class.Lucky me, I was the only one in the class. I'm going to go back to spend the morning doing 4 different classes.
Good night. I'm exhausted. And sunburnt.
Day 7 Delos & Mykonos
Wow what a day.
Have you ever had a day when you fulfil a vow you made to a Goddess? I did today when I visited the sacred island of Delos, the birth place of Artemis, goddess of the moon and her twin brother Apollo.
The energy in the ground of that place was intense. The stone streets glittered with silver and gold. Ancient ruins were crumbling. The first place is the slave market, the gossip square where everyone gathered to see who was there and what they were wearing.
A guide showed us around for a while pointing out where the main things were and feeding her favorite cat. She was the epitome of the crazy Greek cat lady.
After walking down passed the line of guardian lions I did a little yoga in the quiet Grove that was where Leto gave birth to her twins. No one else went in there, I suppose because there weren't any ruins, just shrubs and some dragonflies. The energy is still giving me goose bumps.
From there I walked up to the museum that has some of the statues, mosaics and trinkets that were found there. Amazing.
I found a spot near the ruins of the temple to do yoga. There weren't many people around. The power and energy from the sun was more intense than I have experienced before. When I finished, I looked down into my phone and the sun created a halo behind my head, turning my wild hair gold
(Oh no! I've turned into a crazy Greek cat lady - I'm feeding a cat fish for dinner under my table!)
Everything is still rocking from my ferry ride to the islands today. I vomited 5 times on the way over. The sea was rough. It's so windy here. Thankfully the wind had calmed down by the time i came back and the rocking boat sent me to sleep, not to Chuck up.
After amazing Delos I went to Mykonos. The view was extraordinarill beautiful with the blue water and boats in the harbour with the white houses on the hill and windmills in the distance.
But for a party island! There were no people! It was totally dead! I'd call it relaxing. It was extremely windy . Maybe the party goers were inside, sleeping. It is was a fantastic island.
When I got back I rushed up the hill to do a yoga class.Lucky me, I was the only one in the class. I'm going to go back to spend the morning doing 4 different classes.
Good night. I'm exhausted. And sunburnt.
Thursday, 18 August 2016 Day 8 Paros to Athens
On my last day on the Greek islands I had to wake myself up from a nightmare of wrong directions, lost bags, biscuits, buses & a coke sniffing dwarf driving me in a clown-car taxi.
When I woke up I packed and checked out of my lovely room and big comfy bed at Pensione Anna and walked up to the yoga shala. I went the wrong way passed by a brown hill and a rooster and hen. But I got there.
I did what I like to do most - a morning of yoga. In a beautiful place on top of a hill on a Greek island. Not bad. By meditation time it was easy to connect with the sparkling energy of nothingness. I think it had something to do with sensing the incredible energy from Delos yesterday. It made my body tingle and surge from the ground up and out into space.
Afterwards I collected the stunning dress that was waiting for me to collect. The hem was being taken up. I've bought it to wear to the wedding, it is clingy and I am a bit worried that as my belly grows from eating sweets all day on the day of the wedding I may pop. In case of emergency I can change into the flowing dress I bought with me.
After I collected my luggage & said good bye to Anna I waited at the bus station drinking an icie - a frappe. I caught the bus to Pirikea where I had lunch at the port, and caught the ferry to Athens.
The ferries are so comfortable. I didn't get sick. They are very big and fast. I was so lucky to get a seat, it was chockers because all of Europe goes to the Greek Islands for their summer vacation. I hadn't been able to get a seat at all when I booked back in Oz. But there were two left when I went to collect my ticket on Santorini.
Getting off the ferry in Athens is crazy! Every one waits with their baggage and the motor cycles and the cars. All waiting for the back of the ferry to lower so they can surge off all at once. It was like waiting for the starting gun at the beginning of a race, everyone jostling for their position and holding their spot in anticipation.
I caught a taxi to my hotel in Athens and went out for dinner to a restaurant recommended by the lady at the hotel. By now it was almost dark. I'm glad I'm a black belt because the streets are dark and strange.
Dinner was awful. I was surrounded by tourists again, opposite a tourist shop selling the same merchandise as the other hundreds of tourist shops. I had just sat down when they wanted my order before I had even had time to look at the menu. The waiter suggested Beef stew. If I'd had a moment to think about it I would have said no. I don't even like beef stew! But it was the Greek word for beef stew. Then they asked me to move to a different table. Then they forgot to bring my beer and my food. Then the waiter told me to hurry up and eat it while it was hot. Then the man at the table next to me lit a cigarette. I bolted.
When I woke up early in the morning I was so hungry I went out to scavenge for food and found the perfect breakfast cafe 20m from the hotel. He served me coffee, scrambled eggs, ham, tomato, cheese and Greek sausage. The perfect start to one of my perfect days
On my last day on the Greek islands I had to wake myself up from a nightmare of wrong directions, lost bags, biscuits, buses & a coke sniffing dwarf driving me in a clown-car taxi.
When I woke up I packed and checked out of my lovely room and big comfy bed at Pensione Anna and walked up to the yoga shala. I went the wrong way passed by a brown hill and a rooster and hen. But I got there.
I did what I like to do most - a morning of yoga. In a beautiful place on top of a hill on a Greek island. Not bad. By meditation time it was easy to connect with the sparkling energy of nothingness. I think it had something to do with sensing the incredible energy from Delos yesterday. It made my body tingle and surge from the ground up and out into space.
Afterwards I collected the stunning dress that was waiting for me to collect. The hem was being taken up. I've bought it to wear to the wedding, it is clingy and I am a bit worried that as my belly grows from eating sweets all day on the day of the wedding I may pop. In case of emergency I can change into the flowing dress I bought with me.
After I collected my luggage & said good bye to Anna I waited at the bus station drinking an icie - a frappe. I caught the bus to Pirikea where I had lunch at the port, and caught the ferry to Athens.
The ferries are so comfortable. I didn't get sick. They are very big and fast. I was so lucky to get a seat, it was chockers because all of Europe goes to the Greek Islands for their summer vacation. I hadn't been able to get a seat at all when I booked back in Oz. But there were two left when I went to collect my ticket on Santorini.
Getting off the ferry in Athens is crazy! Every one waits with their baggage and the motor cycles and the cars. All waiting for the back of the ferry to lower so they can surge off all at once. It was like waiting for the starting gun at the beginning of a race, everyone jostling for their position and holding their spot in anticipation.
I caught a taxi to my hotel in Athens and went out for dinner to a restaurant recommended by the lady at the hotel. By now it was almost dark. I'm glad I'm a black belt because the streets are dark and strange.
Dinner was awful. I was surrounded by tourists again, opposite a tourist shop selling the same merchandise as the other hundreds of tourist shops. I had just sat down when they wanted my order before I had even had time to look at the menu. The waiter suggested Beef stew. If I'd had a moment to think about it I would have said no. I don't even like beef stew! But it was the Greek word for beef stew. Then they asked me to move to a different table. Then they forgot to bring my beer and my food. Then the waiter told me to hurry up and eat it while it was hot. Then the man at the table next to me lit a cigarette. I bolted.
When I woke up early in the morning I was so hungry I went out to scavenge for food and found the perfect breakfast cafe 20m from the hotel. He served me coffee, scrambled eggs, ham, tomato, cheese and Greek sausage. The perfect start to one of my perfect days
Day 9 Athens: The Parthenon
There are cat's everywhere in Greece. Not scardy alley cat's, but walk around, laze around cat's of every colour. Back and white ones, orange ones, black ones, gray ones, mousy ones. I was walking along one of the beautiful shopping alleys in Paros a little cat jumped out of nowhere, batted me playfully around the legs and ran off again. It was so cute and soft and gray. I think the cats own Greece actually.
I had the most amazing day in Athens yesterday. I went on the hop on hop off bus to see over the city then joined the walking tour. The guide was so great and the girls in the group were so interested and interesting. He was so clever and handsome and passionate about Greek history and culture and philosophy. All the things I love to know about. We learnt so much! And I was in Athens, the home of the Olympic games while the Olympics were on hearing about the battle of Marathon.
We didn't want the tour to end, we walked for 5 hours and two of us took the guide, Dimitris for a beer afterwards. We had earned it, the weather continues to be perfectly blue hot summer weather every day.
I scaled the tall steps all the way up to the Parthenon and stayed there till the last. At sunset we were the bad tourists who had to be herded out of the monument. I met a Chinese girl, her nick name is Meow and we took photos for each other as we came down.
Having learnt all about the reason for the structure, the building materials and the history along with the light on the stones at sunset made it an incredible experience.
And when we came down the full moon came up. Meow had no plans and I was starving so we continued the evening together. We walked and walked till we found a beautiful spot to eat. Meow wasn't hungry but we had such a fun time together and after I finished, I wasn't hungry any more.
It was too far to walk back so I hopped in a taxi and Meow went the other direction to locate her friends. I got back to the hotel and crashed.
There are cat's everywhere in Greece. Not scardy alley cat's, but walk around, laze around cat's of every colour. Back and white ones, orange ones, black ones, gray ones, mousy ones. I was walking along one of the beautiful shopping alleys in Paros a little cat jumped out of nowhere, batted me playfully around the legs and ran off again. It was so cute and soft and gray. I think the cats own Greece actually.
I had the most amazing day in Athens yesterday. I went on the hop on hop off bus to see over the city then joined the walking tour. The guide was so great and the girls in the group were so interested and interesting. He was so clever and handsome and passionate about Greek history and culture and philosophy. All the things I love to know about. We learnt so much! And I was in Athens, the home of the Olympic games while the Olympics were on hearing about the battle of Marathon.
We didn't want the tour to end, we walked for 5 hours and two of us took the guide, Dimitris for a beer afterwards. We had earned it, the weather continues to be perfectly blue hot summer weather every day.
I scaled the tall steps all the way up to the Parthenon and stayed there till the last. At sunset we were the bad tourists who had to be herded out of the monument. I met a Chinese girl, her nick name is Meow and we took photos for each other as we came down.
Having learnt all about the reason for the structure, the building materials and the history along with the light on the stones at sunset made it an incredible experience.
And when we came down the full moon came up. Meow had no plans and I was starving so we continued the evening together. We walked and walked till we found a beautiful spot to eat. Meow wasn't hungry but we had such a fun time together and after I finished, I wasn't hungry any more.
It was too far to walk back so I hopped in a taxi and Meow went the other direction to locate her friends. I got back to the hotel and crashed.
Day 10 Athens then Rome
In the morning after I packed, I went to the cafe at the end of the street for a good breakfast again.
I decided to walk up to join the my tour guide again for the first half of the tour. I would have liked to have gone to the museum but I would be talking with someone and learning more this way. I will have to come back again, I didn't have enough time, I love the ancient history of this place.
The universe set it up so it was only the two of us for the tour in the morning. It was about the foundation of democracy, the philosophers and the some other interesting stuff about religion.
There was a byzantine church that he suggested included parts of the other ancient temples as a symbol that they they weren't trying to destroy the old religion but include it. All religions come from the same source
There was is much cross over of the religions. The Assention of Mary, is a huge festival over here when Mary died and went to join her son Jesus in Heaven coincides with the same time as the festival of the Virgin goddess Athena who the Parthenon was built for and I was on Delos praying to the pagan God's the Virgin Artemis and her brother Apollo.
Dimitris & I really like each other. It was awful to have to leave him but I had a plane to catch to Rome. We are going to write. Especially as I knew Wiwa wasn't going to be in Rome, she has gone to Tunisia to prepare for the wedding. I wish I could have stayed but I couldn't afford to waste my plane ticket. And my accomodation in Rome is free. Haha, it must be because of all that praying to chaste goddesses!
Anyway I arrived in Rome and was swept up by the moment. Everyone at the hostel was having a great time together, like we travelers do. Drinking wine and sharing stories and thoughts.
I went to an amazing event that a tall young man from USA had heard about. A piano concert at the Theatre of Marcellus, a grand piano set at the foot of an ancient stadium. The music included Mozart, Beethoven and Gershwin. Fabulous and exclusive as it was, it only cost €15.
And then the full moon came up. We walked to see it above the Colloseum & caught the metro back.
In the morning after I packed, I went to the cafe at the end of the street for a good breakfast again.
I decided to walk up to join the my tour guide again for the first half of the tour. I would have liked to have gone to the museum but I would be talking with someone and learning more this way. I will have to come back again, I didn't have enough time, I love the ancient history of this place.
The universe set it up so it was only the two of us for the tour in the morning. It was about the foundation of democracy, the philosophers and the some other interesting stuff about religion.
There was a byzantine church that he suggested included parts of the other ancient temples as a symbol that they they weren't trying to destroy the old religion but include it. All religions come from the same source
There was is much cross over of the religions. The Assention of Mary, is a huge festival over here when Mary died and went to join her son Jesus in Heaven coincides with the same time as the festival of the Virgin goddess Athena who the Parthenon was built for and I was on Delos praying to the pagan God's the Virgin Artemis and her brother Apollo.
Dimitris & I really like each other. It was awful to have to leave him but I had a plane to catch to Rome. We are going to write. Especially as I knew Wiwa wasn't going to be in Rome, she has gone to Tunisia to prepare for the wedding. I wish I could have stayed but I couldn't afford to waste my plane ticket. And my accomodation in Rome is free. Haha, it must be because of all that praying to chaste goddesses!
Anyway I arrived in Rome and was swept up by the moment. Everyone at the hostel was having a great time together, like we travelers do. Drinking wine and sharing stories and thoughts.
I went to an amazing event that a tall young man from USA had heard about. A piano concert at the Theatre of Marcellus, a grand piano set at the foot of an ancient stadium. The music included Mozart, Beethoven and Gershwin. Fabulous and exclusive as it was, it only cost €15.
And then the full moon came up. We walked to see it above the Colloseum & caught the metro back.
Day 11 Rome
Today I went to my most favorite place in the world. The Villa Borghese Gallery and gardens. This is the best gallery I ever been to. It never disappoints me, I am always surprised and refreshed when I come.
I was never allowed to take photos before and had to sneak them before the guard came up saying "no photos".
this time I was allowed to take as many as I liked so I have heaps.
And as I stayed till last I even had me time alone with my favorite sculptures and slipped in a little bit of yoga. That took guts! I put the camera on timer an a chair. Just once I asked a Chinese man to take one for me with my favorite painting. I didn't think they would mind because Chinese people love to take photos.
I had lunch in the gardens then slept the rest of the afternoon.
In the night I went with my friend Anna to her work at a hotel, she was waiting for a family to check in. We ordered pizza on the way and had it delivered.
On the way home we went through Piazza Navona, home of the fountain of the four rivers. It is unbelievable that in all my visits to Rome I have not been there before. I feel better now that I have. It is the picture on my favorite place mat at the studio.
We called in for a gelato at a shop with 100 flavors and walked all the way back to the hostel and bed.
Today I went to my most favorite place in the world. The Villa Borghese Gallery and gardens. This is the best gallery I ever been to. It never disappoints me, I am always surprised and refreshed when I come.
I was never allowed to take photos before and had to sneak them before the guard came up saying "no photos".
this time I was allowed to take as many as I liked so I have heaps.
And as I stayed till last I even had me time alone with my favorite sculptures and slipped in a little bit of yoga. That took guts! I put the camera on timer an a chair. Just once I asked a Chinese man to take one for me with my favorite painting. I didn't think they would mind because Chinese people love to take photos.
I had lunch in the gardens then slept the rest of the afternoon.
In the night I went with my friend Anna to her work at a hotel, she was waiting for a family to check in. We ordered pizza on the way and had it delivered.
On the way home we went through Piazza Navona, home of the fountain of the four rivers. It is unbelievable that in all my visits to Rome I have not been there before. I feel better now that I have. It is the picture on my favorite place mat at the studio.
We called in for a gelato at a shop with 100 flavors and walked all the way back to the hostel and bed.
Day 12 Ostia
I was so proud of myself, I found my way to Ostia all by self. I got the metro from Barberini, changed lines at Termini, changed to a train then got on a bus (because everybody else was) and ended up the beach at Ostia.
They have a funny attitude at the beach, they just lie around on deck chairs under umbrellas. No one swims and if the do they just stand in the water, which is not very deep. I did not like this attitude so I had a swim far out and back then caught the bus back to the train. Also the club owns the beach so you have to pay.
I travelled 4 stops to Ostia Antica and walked to the ruined city. It is like Pompeii but much better preserved. There are many buildings to see, street pavements, mosaics and some headless statues. Lots of stairs to climb and alleys to explore. I spent quite a few hours walking around in the sun under my blue parasol quietly exploring.
When I came back to Rome we spent the evening in the hostel together drinking wine. We kept wanting to go out but not going. Eventually about midnight I got starving and took off to buy pizza. I brought them back to share. I was overwhelmed by their love! Because I brought back pizza! Haha. I had a beer too because I was a bit sick of wine.
About 3am we did go out for some fresh air and ended up bathing in the fountains. We tried to get in the Trevi Fountain but we only got as far as our feet before the polizia stopped us with their whistle, though we tried to pretend not to hear. We went and found some more friendly fountains. We had so much fun 😂😂😂
I was so proud of myself, I found my way to Ostia all by self. I got the metro from Barberini, changed lines at Termini, changed to a train then got on a bus (because everybody else was) and ended up the beach at Ostia.
They have a funny attitude at the beach, they just lie around on deck chairs under umbrellas. No one swims and if the do they just stand in the water, which is not very deep. I did not like this attitude so I had a swim far out and back then caught the bus back to the train. Also the club owns the beach so you have to pay.
I travelled 4 stops to Ostia Antica and walked to the ruined city. It is like Pompeii but much better preserved. There are many buildings to see, street pavements, mosaics and some headless statues. Lots of stairs to climb and alleys to explore. I spent quite a few hours walking around in the sun under my blue parasol quietly exploring.
When I came back to Rome we spent the evening in the hostel together drinking wine. We kept wanting to go out but not going. Eventually about midnight I got starving and took off to buy pizza. I brought them back to share. I was overwhelmed by their love! Because I brought back pizza! Haha. I had a beer too because I was a bit sick of wine.
About 3am we did go out for some fresh air and ended up bathing in the fountains. We tried to get in the Trevi Fountain but we only got as far as our feet before the polizia stopped us with their whistle, though we tried to pretend not to hear. We went and found some more friendly fountains. We had so much fun 😂😂😂
Day 13 Castel St Angelo and Trastevere
In the morning after frolicking in the Roman fountains we all gradually surfaced and we made a plan to go to the catacombs. But as it took Natasha so long to get ready and we didn't want to leave her behind, time gradually slipped away and we wouldn't have had enough time to see them before they close for lunch.
I had a brainwave that we could go to Castelo St Angelo. We were at the right bus stop and then had a lovely shaded walk along the Tiber.
We had plenty of time to explore the fort and met Patrick on the terrace under the angel at midday.
Then we went to Trastevere all together for lunch. A big happy bunch of travellers. All different personality types and from different countries. It was fun.
We spent the late afternoon back at the hostel resting - well that's what I did.
In the night Minu cooked us dinner and they drank wine and vodka, playing drinking games. I had beer. I was a bit sick of drinking by now.
I sent Wiwa a message saying I would see her tomorrow and she replied she thought it was the day after. She was right. I had entered the wrong day in my diary. I wasn't leaving, I had another whole day in Rome. Lucky that she made me check or I would have gone to catch the plane!
In the morning after frolicking in the Roman fountains we all gradually surfaced and we made a plan to go to the catacombs. But as it took Natasha so long to get ready and we didn't want to leave her behind, time gradually slipped away and we wouldn't have had enough time to see them before they close for lunch.
I had a brainwave that we could go to Castelo St Angelo. We were at the right bus stop and then had a lovely shaded walk along the Tiber.
We had plenty of time to explore the fort and met Patrick on the terrace under the angel at midday.
Then we went to Trastevere all together for lunch. A big happy bunch of travellers. All different personality types and from different countries. It was fun.
We spent the late afternoon back at the hostel resting - well that's what I did.
In the night Minu cooked us dinner and they drank wine and vodka, playing drinking games. I had beer. I was a bit sick of drinking by now.
I sent Wiwa a message saying I would see her tomorrow and she replied she thought it was the day after. She was right. I had entered the wrong day in my diary. I wasn't leaving, I had another whole day in Rome. Lucky that she made me check or I would have gone to catch the plane!
Day 14 Last day in Rome
The group was splitting up and moving onto different cities. A couple of them had a few hours to fill in but it was super hot outside, too hot to wander around. I suggested we could go up to the Borghese gardens where the leafy trees make it lovely and cool. They liked the idea but needed a few more minutes to get ready.
I went back down to my room to do a few things like hanging my washing to dry in a different spot and put on deodorant. When I went back up to meet them, they had gone without me. I was a bit hurt. I had taken such good care of them. I gave Natasha pawpaw cream for her mosquitoe bites and insect repellent and I'd given them both Indian head massages and I went out and bought them all pizza before getting in the fountains. And we had such a fun time in the fountains.
Anyway, my true gang was there, Danny arrived and Minu made us yummy scrambled eggs. I thought of going to the forum or shopping but it was too hot. I packed my suitcases and slept most of the day. It was good. And I did a session of yoga for Minu.
We had a plan for the evening so I needed to save my legs and my energy.
Me, Minu and Danny set off to find our way to the highest spot in Rome. We would have preferred to go on the bus but we ended up walking or we would have missed the sunset. It was a long climb and we made it just in time to see the entire city laid out below turned orange.
Coming down was definitely easier than going up. We had dinner at Trastevere again, it's the nicest part of the city, more for Roman's than tourists.
My tiramasu tried to kill me! All day long Minu had been trying to convince me that it is easy to die and I disagreed. And then I inhaled the cocoa on top of my desert and couldn't breath! But I lived to tell the tale. Though now I must agree, it is easy to die!
We stopped to listen to some beautiful music. I bought their CD'S for us for yoga and talked to the girl for a few minutes. It was another one of those instants that a spirtual connection is formed in a moment.
We walked down to the edge of the Tiber where they have music and stalls. It was really great. We stopped to smoke shisha.
We were lucky to get the bus back and there was an adorable baby who blew kisses to every single person on the bus. She was so cute.
Ben had asked us to meet him at the hostel to drink wine but we didn't get back in time.
Minu had to stay up to wait for a check-in that didn't arrive. We went to bed early for once at 1 o'clock.
The group was splitting up and moving onto different cities. A couple of them had a few hours to fill in but it was super hot outside, too hot to wander around. I suggested we could go up to the Borghese gardens where the leafy trees make it lovely and cool. They liked the idea but needed a few more minutes to get ready.
I went back down to my room to do a few things like hanging my washing to dry in a different spot and put on deodorant. When I went back up to meet them, they had gone without me. I was a bit hurt. I had taken such good care of them. I gave Natasha pawpaw cream for her mosquitoe bites and insect repellent and I'd given them both Indian head massages and I went out and bought them all pizza before getting in the fountains. And we had such a fun time in the fountains.
Anyway, my true gang was there, Danny arrived and Minu made us yummy scrambled eggs. I thought of going to the forum or shopping but it was too hot. I packed my suitcases and slept most of the day. It was good. And I did a session of yoga for Minu.
We had a plan for the evening so I needed to save my legs and my energy.
Me, Minu and Danny set off to find our way to the highest spot in Rome. We would have preferred to go on the bus but we ended up walking or we would have missed the sunset. It was a long climb and we made it just in time to see the entire city laid out below turned orange.
Coming down was definitely easier than going up. We had dinner at Trastevere again, it's the nicest part of the city, more for Roman's than tourists.
My tiramasu tried to kill me! All day long Minu had been trying to convince me that it is easy to die and I disagreed. And then I inhaled the cocoa on top of my desert and couldn't breath! But I lived to tell the tale. Though now I must agree, it is easy to die!
We stopped to listen to some beautiful music. I bought their CD'S for us for yoga and talked to the girl for a few minutes. It was another one of those instants that a spirtual connection is formed in a moment.
We walked down to the edge of the Tiber where they have music and stalls. It was really great. We stopped to smoke shisha.
We were lucky to get the bus back and there was an adorable baby who blew kisses to every single person on the bus. She was so cute.
Ben had asked us to meet him at the hostel to drink wine but we didn't get back in time.
Minu had to stay up to wait for a check-in that didn't arrive. We went to bed early for once at 1 o'clock.
Day 15 to Tunisia
I packed what I thought I would need for a week in Tunisia, including the beautiful dress I bought on Paros that had been altered for me to wear to the wedding. I had a spare dress also in the luggage and shoes I had bought in Rome - high orange shoes that would go perfectly with either. I left the rest of my stuff at the hostel to collect before flying home.
I woke up 10 minutes late and kept getting later and later. I'm running a bit late by the time I leave the hostel. I'm quickly adding someone to facebook and answering a message from Wiwa to say I'm about to leave - she is already in Tunis and will be waiting for me at the airport.
I'm running a bit later as I have to wait for the bus. And I'm running a bit latter still because an accident on the express way is holding up the traffic.
But I get there before they close the check in gates and arrive at the boarding gates with 5 minutes to spare. Time to buy a packet of chips at the vending machine - though guys - I wish someone had mentioned to buy the VODKA!
Plenty of time!
In Tunisia I discovered they speak French when I arrived and Tunisian Arabic. I've been studying Italian. But my friends all speak in Italian. If i concentrate very hard i can pick up what they are saying.
I also discovered that my luggage didn't arrive with me, probably they didn't have time to put it on the plane. It is fortunate that I was wearing a pretty dress with butterflies on because we went out to dinner and dancing at a night club.
It was amazzzzzing! First there was a band. They played so well. Then me and Anna and her friend, Diago came with me to wade in the pool. We were at a resort. It helped my feet to recover. My aren't used to so much walking, miles & miles & miles every day.
I feel so loved. We dance and hold hands and dance all together. These are my girls. It is strange to have to come so far for a girls night out, I don't know why it is but it just is. It is so wonderful to see them again and meet new girls with us too. I love them all.
And the boys are Youssef's friends from Lebanon. And some family friends. We danced and drank and sat on the wall and talked and laughed and we're all together so happy.
I sat with with Wiwa's brother Karim, in the back seat of the car coming home but they took him away from me before we arrived. Sad face.
I packed what I thought I would need for a week in Tunisia, including the beautiful dress I bought on Paros that had been altered for me to wear to the wedding. I had a spare dress also in the luggage and shoes I had bought in Rome - high orange shoes that would go perfectly with either. I left the rest of my stuff at the hostel to collect before flying home.
I woke up 10 minutes late and kept getting later and later. I'm running a bit late by the time I leave the hostel. I'm quickly adding someone to facebook and answering a message from Wiwa to say I'm about to leave - she is already in Tunis and will be waiting for me at the airport.
I'm running a bit later as I have to wait for the bus. And I'm running a bit latter still because an accident on the express way is holding up the traffic.
But I get there before they close the check in gates and arrive at the boarding gates with 5 minutes to spare. Time to buy a packet of chips at the vending machine - though guys - I wish someone had mentioned to buy the VODKA!
Plenty of time!
In Tunisia I discovered they speak French when I arrived and Tunisian Arabic. I've been studying Italian. But my friends all speak in Italian. If i concentrate very hard i can pick up what they are saying.
I also discovered that my luggage didn't arrive with me, probably they didn't have time to put it on the plane. It is fortunate that I was wearing a pretty dress with butterflies on because we went out to dinner and dancing at a night club.
It was amazzzzzing! First there was a band. They played so well. Then me and Anna and her friend, Diago came with me to wade in the pool. We were at a resort. It helped my feet to recover. My aren't used to so much walking, miles & miles & miles every day.
I feel so loved. We dance and hold hands and dance all together. These are my girls. It is strange to have to come so far for a girls night out, I don't know why it is but it just is. It is so wonderful to see them again and meet new girls with us too. I love them all.
And the boys are Youssef's friends from Lebanon. And some family friends. We danced and drank and sat on the wall and talked and laughed and we're all together so happy.
I sat with with Wiwa's brother Karim, in the back seat of the car coming home but they took him away from me before we arrived. Sad face.
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Day 16 Lost luggage and shopping
I land at Carthage airport. But my luggage does not. Poor Wiwa is outside the gates waiting for me but it takes me about 2 hours from the time my plane touched down till the time I can go out to see her.
She is allowed back through to help me fill out my luggage claim, to help with the language. The lost luggage claim guy was really cute, I asked Wiwa if I could invite him to dinner. Wiwa translated to me that he was not used to people being nice to him in his job as they are usually angry. It wasn't his fault my luggage was misplaced, there was no reason to be angry, it would not make my luggage appear. Anger only makes everyone feel bad.
There was a big family and friends dinner that night. Luckily I had put on a pretty dress that morning, white with butterflies. I wore it for two whole days and to the party. That party was extraordinary.
So there's me with one dress and everything that was essential packed in my hand bag. It was like a magicician's sack, when ever someone needed something, I magically pulled it out of the bag. Bandaids, the right shade of lipstick, hair band, head ache tablet, what ever, the bag had it.
The next afternoon provided me with with my own very special treat. I waited patiently. Youseff had told me that something was being organized and I would be able to go somewhere to buy some things.
There didn't seem to be anywhere I could buy nickers or even a toothbrush. We were staying in a sandy beach apartment. Right on the white sands of Korba beach. I had washed my nickers and dried them in the hot sun on the terrace before anyone else got up. Haha!
After lunch, Wiwa, beckoned me as she and Youseff bundled into the back of the car. I ran upstairs for my shoes and bag and set off with Youseff's mum and dad in the front.
We went to an extraordinary bazaar, just like in the movies. Sisha, carpets, dresses & clothes, trinkets & jewellery.
I had about an hour and half on my own to do some serious shopping.
First on the list was golden shoes. Then a swim suit. I couldn't find shorts but I got a perfect traditional dress that I wore for the next 3 days. It was so airy, it stayed fresh. I also bought a fridge magnet for my around the world collection. And a pink sheet that doubled as a towel, dress and bed sheet. (Everything dries really fast in the hot white sun).
Then we all set off on a special task. It is the tradition of their culture for the grooms family to buy the bride a necklace. We hunted in every jewellery shop. I think they knew where they wanted to get it from in the end but needed to see others too. What they bought in the end was exquisite. Gold encrusted with dismonds and earings and bracelet to match. So suitable for my Tunisian Princess.
And it was a special time for me to spend with her and Youseff's family.
We passed a lingerie shop & I got 3 pairs of underpants. I felt much better knowing I now owned underware.
While they were in the shop buying the jewels I went for a skulk around. I found another lingerie shop with a girl who helped me buy a strapless bra. She was amazed that I had a Tunisian friend and had come for a wedding.
I needed a strapless bra because the whole miracle of this lost luggage story is that in the luggage in Rome I had left behind a beautiful dress that I didn't think I would need.
We had called Anna and asked her if she could go by the hostel and get it out of the bag. Which she did, and it was lucky she did as she hadn't remembered her passport and she picked it up at the same time.
The beautiful $1.50 silk dress from the op shop looked stunning amongst my other stunning girls at the wedding.
I land at Carthage airport. But my luggage does not. Poor Wiwa is outside the gates waiting for me but it takes me about 2 hours from the time my plane touched down till the time I can go out to see her.
She is allowed back through to help me fill out my luggage claim, to help with the language. The lost luggage claim guy was really cute, I asked Wiwa if I could invite him to dinner. Wiwa translated to me that he was not used to people being nice to him in his job as they are usually angry. It wasn't his fault my luggage was misplaced, there was no reason to be angry, it would not make my luggage appear. Anger only makes everyone feel bad.
There was a big family and friends dinner that night. Luckily I had put on a pretty dress that morning, white with butterflies. I wore it for two whole days and to the party. That party was extraordinary.
So there's me with one dress and everything that was essential packed in my hand bag. It was like a magicician's sack, when ever someone needed something, I magically pulled it out of the bag. Bandaids, the right shade of lipstick, hair band, head ache tablet, what ever, the bag had it.
The next afternoon provided me with with my own very special treat. I waited patiently. Youseff had told me that something was being organized and I would be able to go somewhere to buy some things.
There didn't seem to be anywhere I could buy nickers or even a toothbrush. We were staying in a sandy beach apartment. Right on the white sands of Korba beach. I had washed my nickers and dried them in the hot sun on the terrace before anyone else got up. Haha!
After lunch, Wiwa, beckoned me as she and Youseff bundled into the back of the car. I ran upstairs for my shoes and bag and set off with Youseff's mum and dad in the front.
We went to an extraordinary bazaar, just like in the movies. Sisha, carpets, dresses & clothes, trinkets & jewellery.
I had about an hour and half on my own to do some serious shopping.
First on the list was golden shoes. Then a swim suit. I couldn't find shorts but I got a perfect traditional dress that I wore for the next 3 days. It was so airy, it stayed fresh. I also bought a fridge magnet for my around the world collection. And a pink sheet that doubled as a towel, dress and bed sheet. (Everything dries really fast in the hot white sun).
Then we all set off on a special task. It is the tradition of their culture for the grooms family to buy the bride a necklace. We hunted in every jewellery shop. I think they knew where they wanted to get it from in the end but needed to see others too. What they bought in the end was exquisite. Gold encrusted with dismonds and earings and bracelet to match. So suitable for my Tunisian Princess.
And it was a special time for me to spend with her and Youseff's family.
We passed a lingerie shop & I got 3 pairs of underpants. I felt much better knowing I now owned underware.
While they were in the shop buying the jewels I went for a skulk around. I found another lingerie shop with a girl who helped me buy a strapless bra. She was amazed that I had a Tunisian friend and had come for a wedding.
I needed a strapless bra because the whole miracle of this lost luggage story is that in the luggage in Rome I had left behind a beautiful dress that I didn't think I would need.
We had called Anna and asked her if she could go by the hostel and get it out of the bag. Which she did, and it was lucky she did as she hadn't remembered her passport and she picked it up at the same time.
The beautiful $1.50 silk dress from the op shop looked stunning amongst my other stunning girls at the wedding.
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Eventually we went to a supermarket and I was able to buy some shampoo and razors and toothbrush. The girls all lent me little things like sunblock and soap and body lotion.
We went back to the market with the others another day. I bought a pink sun hat and a beach bag to put all my stuff in.
It was so liberating not having my luggage. I didn't have the responsibility of dragging around a great big bag of stuff. (Mostly shopping I had done in Rome and Greece hehe).
When, after a few days they phoned Wiwa to say the luggage had eventually arrived at the airport we decided to leave it there. I was doing better than fine without it and it was too far to go and get it.
After we vacated the beach house, there were 4 of us left. I booked a tiny place in Tunis for the night. I thanked my lucky stars I didn't have to drag my heavy bag through the narrow winding cobbled alleyways. I only had a purse and a beach bag.
Eventually I was reunited with my baggage at the aiport. It was stored safely in a big room filled with luggage.
I took it to Sicily and then flew to Rome early in the morning. Then I got the train to La Controra to get the rest of the stuff that was being minded there and said good bye to Minu. Back to the airport in good time to book my luggage to fly back to Sydney.
Part 3
You might think this is the end of the saga. But you would be wrong.
When I arrived in Sydney, guess what?
My luggage didn't arrive with me. Haha. Free as a bird. I travel for a month all around the Mediterranean and arrive back with a small back pack and a beach bag.
And the moral of the story?
#Practice non attachment to material objects.
#The universe will provide you with everything you need just when you need it.
#Don't carry your baggage around, metaphorically speaking.
#Or my favorite, let someone else mind your baggage for you.
FREEDOM!!!!!
P.s. in my bag i have with me is a statuette I bought in Greece of Nike, winged Goddess of Victory.
We went back to the market with the others another day. I bought a pink sun hat and a beach bag to put all my stuff in.
It was so liberating not having my luggage. I didn't have the responsibility of dragging around a great big bag of stuff. (Mostly shopping I had done in Rome and Greece hehe).
When, after a few days they phoned Wiwa to say the luggage had eventually arrived at the airport we decided to leave it there. I was doing better than fine without it and it was too far to go and get it.
After we vacated the beach house, there were 4 of us left. I booked a tiny place in Tunis for the night. I thanked my lucky stars I didn't have to drag my heavy bag through the narrow winding cobbled alleyways. I only had a purse and a beach bag.
Eventually I was reunited with my baggage at the aiport. It was stored safely in a big room filled with luggage.
I took it to Sicily and then flew to Rome early in the morning. Then I got the train to La Controra to get the rest of the stuff that was being minded there and said good bye to Minu. Back to the airport in good time to book my luggage to fly back to Sydney.
Part 3
You might think this is the end of the saga. But you would be wrong.
When I arrived in Sydney, guess what?
My luggage didn't arrive with me. Haha. Free as a bird. I travel for a month all around the Mediterranean and arrive back with a small back pack and a beach bag.
And the moral of the story?
#Practice non attachment to material objects.
#The universe will provide you with everything you need just when you need it.
#Don't carry your baggage around, metaphorically speaking.
#Or my favorite, let someone else mind your baggage for you.
FREEDOM!!!!!
P.s. in my bag i have with me is a statuette I bought in Greece of Nike, winged Goddess of Victory.
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Internation Yoga Festival - Rishikesh, India. March 2016
Okinawa Japan October / November 2015
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Right now i am travelling through Japan. I am staying on the island of Okinawa. We have traveled right to the top northern point of the island and right to bottom southern point of the island. It is incredibly beautiful with many sacred and spiritual places. I am sure to return refreshed, rejuvenated and overflowing with spirituality.The jungles and rainforests have an energy that makes my hair stand on end and sends tingles up and down my spine. The ocean that surrounds the island is an incredible blue. I am staying with my friend Yumi who I connected with while we were doing our yoga teacher training at Byron Bay. She has a beach with a cave and coral reef, I went snorkeling today with beautiful tiny fish, some bright dark blue, some painted clown fish, transparent sword fish, some really big fish. They swam all around me! It was amazing!
The first few days we spent at the vibrant and exciting Okinawa Yoga Festival, it had fabulous music and great yoga classes. i met some wonderful people with amazing energy and the same ideas of connecting with the spiritual oneness of the universe through yoga, meditation and kindness. And I experienced yoga classes with international yoga teachers that I have not had the opportunity to do before. The performances at night were amazing! I can't describe the incredible skill of the tap dancer who was like a rubber man and the Indian drummer who kept up a rhythmical beat with each other for it seemed like for ever, the tapping was like an instrument, I didn't think he was going to stop, the salt from his sweat must have stinging him like crazy. There was a fire eater and wild dancers and harmonious gongs. A feast for the eyes and ears. And the food! I never met anyone who eats as much as me until I came to stay with Yumi. I am going to be positively fat by the time I get home. The food is so delicious, and there is an Italian restaurant right next door where Yumi works sometimes, between her house and the sandy stairs down to the beach grotto. but not ordinary pizza, Japanese pizza with sea weed and figs and Okinawan fruits. I had soft shelled crab curry for evening meal, looking out over an endless ocean. I never ate curry before. It was an experience for me. I have done yoga by the sea, under waterfalls, on mountains, in primordial forests, with talking rocks. I've also been learning Tahitian dancing. And tomorrow i am going to train in a karate dojo with a famous karate master! |
The lessons in the Dojo were the pinnacle of my karate experience. People were there from all over the world to practice with Sensei Hokama, who is 73 and a great master. It felt like the world was united through the passion for karate, they were Dutch, German, Argentinian, Spanish, Australian (me) and of course Japanese. I never dreamed in my life I would be on Okinawa, the island Karate came from, practicing in the best dojo in the world. I was awarded a certificate, written in Sensei Hokama's beautiful calligraphy, I felt very proud and honored. They kept asking if I was coming back the next day, I went for three days. we practiced in the old style, using training methods I hadn't done before and using weapons, nun-chucks (my first attempts were pretty funny) and the long bamboo bow which was exciting. Yumi and her son Moana came to try it out too.
Osaka Some more great food and swims in the sea and then it was time to fly to Osaka. It wasn't so easy getting around without Yumi's help. The language barrier was a problem, they speak a strange sort of English in Japan (if they speak any at all) and is is difficult to understand the Australian accent. Also Google maps kept telling me to go in the wrong direction, but as my son told me, I was probably seeing more interesting things by going in the right direction than if I was going in the right direction. But it was very frustrating and I dislike being late, but anyway, I always got there in the end! Japanese Halloween is unbelievable, thousands and thousands of people dressed up in costumes for a huge street party. I had huge expectations for this night, and I was not disappointed. Yumi - being one of the beautiful people has VIP access to the clubs. We were invited to the owner's birthday party at Runway, a famous night club then the party went on to be escorted to the VIP section of the next night club with private dance floor and free drinks, then Yumi and I and another lovely friend of hers went onto the next VIP, escorted to a red room upstairs, waited on by a colonial dressed Japanese waiter, it felt as if wehad stepped through a time warp into my Grandfather's era. We could look down through a window at the thronging crowd below, lit up by the green disco lights. After that we went to eat food, they were showing the world cup, Australia vs NZ. I had a great time, even though we got beat, at least there were people there who could understand my accent. |
Back to Italy 2014
Last Friday night I didn't have much to do, I was sitting at the computer and I typed in "cheap flights to Italy". At the same time my friend posted a post on Facebook with a picture of Cinque Terra. "I might go there next week" I posted. I thought about it for ten minutes and then then hit the 'buy the cheap flight now button'.
As I was now leaving for Italy on Tuesday, I had 3 days to get organized. For the rest of Friday night I imagined where I might like to go and sent a message to my best friend in the whole world. Her name is Wiwa and she lives in Rome. She is like a shining light, lighting up the world around her, she is so funny and lovely. She sent me a message back: "Amazing! But I am in London". I wasn't worried about that. I could go on and do the rest of my tour and meet her in Rome at the end. "I shall go straight to Florence " I messaged her back. (For the real reason I went, you will have to wait for the book)
On Saturday I went to the shops to buy a new suitcase, a new camera, a new comb & some toothpaste, travel insurance and got some brochures on Italy. I began to text my yoga students to let them know that I will be away for 4 weeks. Everybody was very excited! I think most of them found it unbelievable.
On Sunday my son Wayland came over and supervised me packing, he was very helpful with advice on which outfits to take and shoes. I took my new black boots to get a stronger soul put on, unfortunately they weren't ready when I went back to get them on Monday and then I forgot. Never mind, I have my fabulous blue boots that people call out to me "I love your boots" as I stride by. And my blue shiny thongs to match my exquisite long french blue dress. And we chose the cutest little outfit to wear on the journey. Looking good at the airport you gets good service. I got out my passport and translator, my best guess handbag with the heavy chain that Wayland pointed out could be used as a weapon if the need ever arose. We also went up to my friend, Deb's house to say good bye.
On Monday I had 3 classes and the middle of the day to run around and do all the official things you need to do when going over to Italy the next day like getting Euros to spend from the bank. My friend, Nicola invited me to lunch so I could tell her all about it too, & I went around my other shop friends and bumped into anybody else who needed to know. I had a big karate class because I had organized Friday's class to join in Monday's class for the end of term - which turned out to be a fantastic idea as it meant I was free to go to Italy for the school holidays. It was a full-on class of action, karate and games.
My friend Marsha came and got my fish, David & Warrior Moon as she is my nominated fish sitter. At 5:30pm I had my last yoga class.
After class my friend David came over to make sure I had packed everything I needed to take. I was all set. I told him this: "You know how at certain times in my life everything seems perfect but it still feels like something is missing?"
"Yes" he said (as I have told him this before.)
"Well on Thursday I felt like that again but it didn't feel like anything was missing. And I went up a level in my life"
"Oh, is that how it works?" He said
"Yes", I said,"and this is my reward. Like when you are playing splashy fish and you go up a level you get a golden crown, not that I can get a crown in splasy fish, infact I usually score 1 or less, but now I have scored a crown in life"
David doesn't know how to play splashy fish either but he got the general idea.
As I was now leaving for Italy on Tuesday, I had 3 days to get organized. For the rest of Friday night I imagined where I might like to go and sent a message to my best friend in the whole world. Her name is Wiwa and she lives in Rome. She is like a shining light, lighting up the world around her, she is so funny and lovely. She sent me a message back: "Amazing! But I am in London". I wasn't worried about that. I could go on and do the rest of my tour and meet her in Rome at the end. "I shall go straight to Florence " I messaged her back. (For the real reason I went, you will have to wait for the book)
On Saturday I went to the shops to buy a new suitcase, a new camera, a new comb & some toothpaste, travel insurance and got some brochures on Italy. I began to text my yoga students to let them know that I will be away for 4 weeks. Everybody was very excited! I think most of them found it unbelievable.
On Sunday my son Wayland came over and supervised me packing, he was very helpful with advice on which outfits to take and shoes. I took my new black boots to get a stronger soul put on, unfortunately they weren't ready when I went back to get them on Monday and then I forgot. Never mind, I have my fabulous blue boots that people call out to me "I love your boots" as I stride by. And my blue shiny thongs to match my exquisite long french blue dress. And we chose the cutest little outfit to wear on the journey. Looking good at the airport you gets good service. I got out my passport and translator, my best guess handbag with the heavy chain that Wayland pointed out could be used as a weapon if the need ever arose. We also went up to my friend, Deb's house to say good bye.
On Monday I had 3 classes and the middle of the day to run around and do all the official things you need to do when going over to Italy the next day like getting Euros to spend from the bank. My friend, Nicola invited me to lunch so I could tell her all about it too, & I went around my other shop friends and bumped into anybody else who needed to know. I had a big karate class because I had organized Friday's class to join in Monday's class for the end of term - which turned out to be a fantastic idea as it meant I was free to go to Italy for the school holidays. It was a full-on class of action, karate and games.
My friend Marsha came and got my fish, David & Warrior Moon as she is my nominated fish sitter. At 5:30pm I had my last yoga class.
After class my friend David came over to make sure I had packed everything I needed to take. I was all set. I told him this: "You know how at certain times in my life everything seems perfect but it still feels like something is missing?"
"Yes" he said (as I have told him this before.)
"Well on Thursday I felt like that again but it didn't feel like anything was missing. And I went up a level in my life"
"Oh, is that how it works?" He said
"Yes", I said,"and this is my reward. Like when you are playing splashy fish and you go up a level you get a golden crown, not that I can get a crown in splasy fish, infact I usually score 1 or less, but now I have scored a crown in life"
David doesn't know how to play splashy fish either but he got the general idea.
A Great Day in Frienze
I have a cold. It is years since I had a cold. I had to stay in bed with my cold last night and couldn't go down to the party :(. I'm not feeling sorry for myself, I am sort of enjoying being sick, it's like visiting an old friend who I had forgotten about because I don't like them very much.
I couldn't sleep most of the night, eventually it got near morning and I like soooo didn't want to get up. Bed was so nice and warm and cosy. But I have a special Florence card that gets me in to all the galleries and museums without waiting. I am so glad I bought it, I didn't have to book or pay anything more and the entry people like you, I guess it shows that I am seriously interested in their beautiful city and its art. It lasts 3 days, today was the last. Yesterday I went to the Accademia to see the statue of David the day before I went to the Uffizi, today I could climb all the way to top of the dome of the Domo 467 stairs, with a cold. I did well!
But that wasn't the first thing I did. I walked to the river, across the bridge and up the road to Orgnissanti basilica to find the tomb of Botticelli. He asked in his will to buried at the feet of his muse, Simonetta Vespucci. Amerigo Vespucci the explorer is buried there too. America is named after him. I also found Bernini. So, tick, one promise fulfilled.
Then I walked very slowly towards the Duomo, looking in all the beautiful shop windows. I am photo- shopping, taking a photo of what I would buy for my friends if I was to buy them something, it is very economical, and saves on space. I went into a chemist near the merry-go-round and bought some cold tablets.
I was so thirsty by the time I got to the Domo and I bought a bottle of sparkling water. There was a really, really long line of people waiting to climb up the dome, they would be waiting for hours. And there is a really short line for special people. Of course I get to join the really short line. But I have to go and get a ticket and come back. The ticket man smiled at me, after my climb I popped back in to tell him how cool I thought it was from up there. There is no line at all and I started the climb all by myself, which is only a little freaky. 467 steps later I reached the top. I stopped a few times to catch my breath and write my name on the wall like everyone else. I took the sign that said "do not write on the walls" to mean "write your name on the wall".
It's a wonderful view of Florence from up there. All the terracotta roofs stretching out far below and I saw at the top of a hill a little castle tower. All day long that castle tower keeps popping into my view.
There is a party going on downstairs at the hostel. It is sure to be fabulous but I feel so sick and my stomach feels grose. I feel too shy to go down. But I will go. ...I went down and got a bottle of sparking water. My friend Rosa is there but I forgot to put my shoes on and the marble floors are cold. I'm back in bed again now.
I'm in a private room tonight and I can see the little castle at the top of the hill from my window. I tried to walk to find it this afternoon but I only got as close as a high wall on the other side of a valley. Rosa just told me that you have to get there from the other side.
After I stood on the top of my head on the top of the Duomo and climbed all the way back down the stairs I remembered that I wanted to go to the Pitty Palace. It is a very pretty palace with lovely rooms. I was extremely daunted when I walked out the back to see the enormous extent of the gardens. My poor legs cried out in protest and my feet joined them, but I kept encouraging them, "just walk a little bit further, climb a few more stairs, see what is around the next corner, let's find out what is over the rise. Then there in front of me was a park of grass with little white and yellow wild flowers. It was just what I needed, somewhere to lie down and have a nap.
When I opened my eyes again I was looking at the little castle on the top of the hill. Inside the palace was an exhibition of costumes, so special. Also jewels and gold plates and all the stuff they keep in palaces.
Soon my friends will be waking up to see the photos of their photo gifts on facebook. I hope they like them :)
I couldn't sleep most of the night, eventually it got near morning and I like soooo didn't want to get up. Bed was so nice and warm and cosy. But I have a special Florence card that gets me in to all the galleries and museums without waiting. I am so glad I bought it, I didn't have to book or pay anything more and the entry people like you, I guess it shows that I am seriously interested in their beautiful city and its art. It lasts 3 days, today was the last. Yesterday I went to the Accademia to see the statue of David the day before I went to the Uffizi, today I could climb all the way to top of the dome of the Domo 467 stairs, with a cold. I did well!
But that wasn't the first thing I did. I walked to the river, across the bridge and up the road to Orgnissanti basilica to find the tomb of Botticelli. He asked in his will to buried at the feet of his muse, Simonetta Vespucci. Amerigo Vespucci the explorer is buried there too. America is named after him. I also found Bernini. So, tick, one promise fulfilled.
Then I walked very slowly towards the Duomo, looking in all the beautiful shop windows. I am photo- shopping, taking a photo of what I would buy for my friends if I was to buy them something, it is very economical, and saves on space. I went into a chemist near the merry-go-round and bought some cold tablets.
I was so thirsty by the time I got to the Domo and I bought a bottle of sparkling water. There was a really, really long line of people waiting to climb up the dome, they would be waiting for hours. And there is a really short line for special people. Of course I get to join the really short line. But I have to go and get a ticket and come back. The ticket man smiled at me, after my climb I popped back in to tell him how cool I thought it was from up there. There is no line at all and I started the climb all by myself, which is only a little freaky. 467 steps later I reached the top. I stopped a few times to catch my breath and write my name on the wall like everyone else. I took the sign that said "do not write on the walls" to mean "write your name on the wall".
It's a wonderful view of Florence from up there. All the terracotta roofs stretching out far below and I saw at the top of a hill a little castle tower. All day long that castle tower keeps popping into my view.
There is a party going on downstairs at the hostel. It is sure to be fabulous but I feel so sick and my stomach feels grose. I feel too shy to go down. But I will go. ...I went down and got a bottle of sparking water. My friend Rosa is there but I forgot to put my shoes on and the marble floors are cold. I'm back in bed again now.
I'm in a private room tonight and I can see the little castle at the top of the hill from my window. I tried to walk to find it this afternoon but I only got as close as a high wall on the other side of a valley. Rosa just told me that you have to get there from the other side.
After I stood on the top of my head on the top of the Duomo and climbed all the way back down the stairs I remembered that I wanted to go to the Pitty Palace. It is a very pretty palace with lovely rooms. I was extremely daunted when I walked out the back to see the enormous extent of the gardens. My poor legs cried out in protest and my feet joined them, but I kept encouraging them, "just walk a little bit further, climb a few more stairs, see what is around the next corner, let's find out what is over the rise. Then there in front of me was a park of grass with little white and yellow wild flowers. It was just what I needed, somewhere to lie down and have a nap.
When I opened my eyes again I was looking at the little castle on the top of the hill. Inside the palace was an exhibition of costumes, so special. Also jewels and gold plates and all the stuff they keep in palaces.
Soon my friends will be waking up to see the photos of their photo gifts on facebook. I hope they like them :)
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A Moment of Bliss
It is a sunny morning. I am in Monterosso in Cinque Terra on the Italian west coast. Italian people and birds are calling and singing to their friends. I can hear the tinkle of cutlery and the sound of salt and pepper being set on tables. I went out to buy a coffee, a take-away cappuccino, in a styrofoam cup. I got two sugars and a little plastic stirring stick. I stirred in the sugar and started to lift the cup to my lips when I was suddenly struck motionless. I was standing by the sea, my eyes caught a glimpse of where I was and I was so struck by what my eyes saw, I was dumb founded - literally, as I have lost my voice and cannot express through sound what I feel.
I looked and saw the sea sparkling with the rays of the morning sun as if it had been strewn with one thousand blue diamonds.
Over awed by the concept that somehow I have managed to bring my self to this amazing place and point in time, my eyes filled with tears of gratitude. I feel myself to be as in a dream, only in dreams can one feel moments where spirit, beauty, and worldly being are perfectly combined and here in my life I found myself standing in such a moment. Totally being as part of and the same as everything that existed at and in the same moments as me. I was the light, the sparkles were me, the water was the same as me, the air, the mountains, the sounds, the sand, we all were one in the same, possessed of and part of the one and the same energy. My mind, my body, my world, my time, my everything existed combined into one.
I don't know why it is me who deserves to be in a moment of total bliss, but for that it is me I am eternally grateful. I am grateful to the traumas in my life for they trained me to find the way out. I can see perfection. I am living the dream.
This photo is not of this moment but I went back to take a photo from the same place. The moment had a dream-like quality though clear as crystal :)
I looked and saw the sea sparkling with the rays of the morning sun as if it had been strewn with one thousand blue diamonds.
Over awed by the concept that somehow I have managed to bring my self to this amazing place and point in time, my eyes filled with tears of gratitude. I feel myself to be as in a dream, only in dreams can one feel moments where spirit, beauty, and worldly being are perfectly combined and here in my life I found myself standing in such a moment. Totally being as part of and the same as everything that existed at and in the same moments as me. I was the light, the sparkles were me, the water was the same as me, the air, the mountains, the sounds, the sand, we all were one in the same, possessed of and part of the one and the same energy. My mind, my body, my world, my time, my everything existed combined into one.
I don't know why it is me who deserves to be in a moment of total bliss, but for that it is me I am eternally grateful. I am grateful to the traumas in my life for they trained me to find the way out. I can see perfection. I am living the dream.
This photo is not of this moment but I went back to take a photo from the same place. The moment had a dream-like quality though clear as crystal :)
I Feel like a Princess
I dont know how I've done it but I've done it again. Touched down in paradise yet again and this time even been told I am the princess. There really is a castle in the garden. And I am really here. Somehow I'm here in paradise. I think it is real, it seems too perfect to be real.
I arrived by bus, train and taxi. I was on the bus for a long a time, not because it is a long bus trip, I caught the right bus but going in the wrong direction so I had to go all the way to the end of the route and then all the way back to the other end of the route. It was sort of like taking the hop-on-hop-off bus tour of Palermo except in an ordinary bus. I got to the train station with the train leaving in two minutes. But I caught it and it was running 5 minutes late anyway.
I got off the train in Cefalu - 'shefaloo' - and waited for a taxi. I grabbed a nice tomato and cheese bread roll for lunch while I waited. The taxi drove along a winding road along the the sea-side. Thats the Mediterranean sea, a more beautiful blue I have rarely seen, at least not that shade of green/blue. [unnesesary interjection - the blue of the Whitsunday sea is yet to be surpassed in my eyes]. The taxi wound its way up a hill through an orchard and I was greeted by the cutest young Italian man you could ever be hoped to be greeted by. He booked me in and invited me to a special luncheon they are having tomorrow - tomorrow is easter Sunday. I asked if I might be able to eat dinner there in the evening. He went and asked a lady - an elegant lady in the kitchen called Rosie who said that would be ok and her husband, Francesco said at 7:00. Then the young Italian man - Dominico, showed me to my room. He carried my 30kg bag for me (haha sucker) and then I went for a ramble over the grounds. I kept meeting the Dominico as I wandered through the gardens of the villas. I said to him "we must be the only two people on earth; we keep meeting each other". He picked me fruit off the trees.
I can't do justice in words to describe this place and how I felt to be walking through it. It over looks the sea to the front and behind is a mountain side covered in grass, and citrus trees in flower and fruit and olive trees, and wild flowers, purple peas and yellow clover, an old cement pond with running water and a blue pool over looking the blue Mediterranean.
This morning I was wondering where to stay. There was an email offering accommodation. This place said it had one single room left, I had been told to go to to Cefalu and the villa is in Cefalu so I booked it. Pretty cool to be able to book into paradise via email.
I did a little yoga, it is so quiet and self contained in this place, a private retreat. At 7pm I went down for dinner. They asked if I would like to sit outside in the garden for dinner to watch the sea, the sunset, with my castle in the back ground because tonight I am the Princess. I had the lovely girl Cinzia serving me, with four other people working in the kitchen to make my extraordinary five course dinner - I am the only guest. A banquet for a Princess. Cinzia keeps running back to the kitchen to repeat to them what I tell her - I am a yoga teacher from Australia who decided on Friday to jump on a plane and fly over to Italy on Tuesday. They are so amazed. I am of course the beautiful Princess with the pure heart who's subjects love for her kindness.
Superb food, superb Sicilian wine, so superb to be waited on, they each come out in turn from the kitchen bringing me things. We talk about Australia and the Hunter Valley, I showed them some photos of Mirannie Mountain, my old home I had that was a farm. I told them how much I love Italy. After my first course of cheese and pesto watching the sunset, they transported me inside for the next two courses. They took a long time to eat as we had so much to say to each other. As I struggled to finish the third and fourth course they came from the kitchen and invited me to join them all together around a table for their dinner.
What an amazing evening. We talked, and talked and talked about to love your family no matter what they do to you. We talked about zen and that if you let everything arise naturally everything is perfect and happy and not to worry, be happy. We talked about karate and Kill Bill. We talked about Italy and how I got here, that Italy whistled and I came and that everyone who I am supposed to meet is in the right place at the right time, and Sicily and where I should visit, about Botticelli and Primavera, about all my David's - of course they saw the photos of my fish. And to finish off we clink glasses of desert wine all together over strawberries and cream.
I am so grateful to have been so blessed. It is humbling to have this.
I bought a beautiful scarf this morning from a hawker at Palermo. It is keeping my sore throat warm in bed.
Life doesn't come better than this. Not if you were an emperor or a queen or a king. I don't know how to express it.
I arrived by bus, train and taxi. I was on the bus for a long a time, not because it is a long bus trip, I caught the right bus but going in the wrong direction so I had to go all the way to the end of the route and then all the way back to the other end of the route. It was sort of like taking the hop-on-hop-off bus tour of Palermo except in an ordinary bus. I got to the train station with the train leaving in two minutes. But I caught it and it was running 5 minutes late anyway.
I got off the train in Cefalu - 'shefaloo' - and waited for a taxi. I grabbed a nice tomato and cheese bread roll for lunch while I waited. The taxi drove along a winding road along the the sea-side. Thats the Mediterranean sea, a more beautiful blue I have rarely seen, at least not that shade of green/blue. [unnesesary interjection - the blue of the Whitsunday sea is yet to be surpassed in my eyes]. The taxi wound its way up a hill through an orchard and I was greeted by the cutest young Italian man you could ever be hoped to be greeted by. He booked me in and invited me to a special luncheon they are having tomorrow - tomorrow is easter Sunday. I asked if I might be able to eat dinner there in the evening. He went and asked a lady - an elegant lady in the kitchen called Rosie who said that would be ok and her husband, Francesco said at 7:00. Then the young Italian man - Dominico, showed me to my room. He carried my 30kg bag for me (haha sucker) and then I went for a ramble over the grounds. I kept meeting the Dominico as I wandered through the gardens of the villas. I said to him "we must be the only two people on earth; we keep meeting each other". He picked me fruit off the trees.
I can't do justice in words to describe this place and how I felt to be walking through it. It over looks the sea to the front and behind is a mountain side covered in grass, and citrus trees in flower and fruit and olive trees, and wild flowers, purple peas and yellow clover, an old cement pond with running water and a blue pool over looking the blue Mediterranean.
This morning I was wondering where to stay. There was an email offering accommodation. This place said it had one single room left, I had been told to go to to Cefalu and the villa is in Cefalu so I booked it. Pretty cool to be able to book into paradise via email.
I did a little yoga, it is so quiet and self contained in this place, a private retreat. At 7pm I went down for dinner. They asked if I would like to sit outside in the garden for dinner to watch the sea, the sunset, with my castle in the back ground because tonight I am the Princess. I had the lovely girl Cinzia serving me, with four other people working in the kitchen to make my extraordinary five course dinner - I am the only guest. A banquet for a Princess. Cinzia keeps running back to the kitchen to repeat to them what I tell her - I am a yoga teacher from Australia who decided on Friday to jump on a plane and fly over to Italy on Tuesday. They are so amazed. I am of course the beautiful Princess with the pure heart who's subjects love for her kindness.
Superb food, superb Sicilian wine, so superb to be waited on, they each come out in turn from the kitchen bringing me things. We talk about Australia and the Hunter Valley, I showed them some photos of Mirannie Mountain, my old home I had that was a farm. I told them how much I love Italy. After my first course of cheese and pesto watching the sunset, they transported me inside for the next two courses. They took a long time to eat as we had so much to say to each other. As I struggled to finish the third and fourth course they came from the kitchen and invited me to join them all together around a table for their dinner.
What an amazing evening. We talked, and talked and talked about to love your family no matter what they do to you. We talked about zen and that if you let everything arise naturally everything is perfect and happy and not to worry, be happy. We talked about karate and Kill Bill. We talked about Italy and how I got here, that Italy whistled and I came and that everyone who I am supposed to meet is in the right place at the right time, and Sicily and where I should visit, about Botticelli and Primavera, about all my David's - of course they saw the photos of my fish. And to finish off we clink glasses of desert wine all together over strawberries and cream.
I am so grateful to have been so blessed. It is humbling to have this.
I bought a beautiful scarf this morning from a hawker at Palermo. It is keeping my sore throat warm in bed.
Life doesn't come better than this. Not if you were an emperor or a queen or a king. I don't know how to express it.
A quick trip to Italy November 2012
Dubai
Meditated in the prayer room with the Muslim ladies - of course there prayer room is separate from the men. Some were asleep and snoring.
Meditation on the plane has led me so far to this...
Find faith in yourself
Love yourself totally
Forgive yourself fully
then love & compassion will shine from your heart
Meditation on the plane has led me so far to this...
Find faith in yourself
Love yourself totally
Forgive yourself fully
then love & compassion will shine from your heart
ROME Tuesday night (I think)
I got picked up as soon as I left my hostel to go and get dinner, but I left him at the Trevi fountain, too old and too forward. Should have had dinner with him, would have been better than falling asleep waiting forever for the spaghetti bolognaise I ordered that was so bad, I walked out on it. I mean - fair dinkum, I travel all the way to Italy for a bowl of Spaghetti Bolognaise and I expect it to be delicious, not an oily bowl of sauce with under-cooked spaghetti just because the cook fell asleep and forgot to cook my meal.
I found another restaurant that served it better, the waiter was nice too, he said hello when he saw me browsing in a shop on his way home.
Someone is enjoying themselves - I can hear a girl having an orgasm :0! Now she's getting a spanking (hehe). I wonder if she realizes the walls are so thin in this hostel? She is Italian, good thing I don't understand Italian. Prego?!
I found another restaurant that served it better, the waiter was nice too, he said hello when he saw me browsing in a shop on his way home.
Someone is enjoying themselves - I can hear a girl having an orgasm :0! Now she's getting a spanking (hehe). I wonder if she realizes the walls are so thin in this hostel? She is Italian, good thing I don't understand Italian. Prego?!
VERY EARLY WEDNESDAY MORNING
I couldn't sleep, it is day time in Australia, so I got up and did yoga. How are you all going with your yoga practice? 20 minutes in the morning will make the world seem so bright, 15 minutes of asanas, some salute to the suns and 5 minute savasana is good, but more is better. Go outside in your garden if you have one, then smell and the feel of the breeze on your skin will become part of the experience.
I had such a weird night, It is strange to realize I have another life on this side of the world that includes real people, it is easy to put aside when you live a totally different life on our side of the world. A man in Paris says he loves me, pity I don't love him. My friend met me at the airport, only I didn't know she was going to so we missed each other, that made me sad, but later I realized it meant all the world to me anyway that she would go to wait for me. This City never works for me, I have no synchronicity here, I have it everywhere else, so why not here?
May be because the Pope took Jesus' love out of Christianity and burned me on the stake as a heretic, I probably got eaten by the lions in the Colosseum too. In another of my past life visions I saw something about the killing of Julius Caesar, he was such a brilliant ruler, at least he was sane, unlike the emperors who came after him, I wish he had paid heed to the warning that he would be dead by the Ides of March, but then the entire history of civilization would have been entirely different. He had such a high vision for the world. They said at the time that the Roman people swapped having a republic for having the gladiatorial games.
I just don't have my usual connection here. I am here for a purpose I said to myself and the sun glinted through one of the arches of the Colosseum as I whizzed by on the bus. I'm determined that I am going to get in touch with something here.
It's getting light at last, I'm having a cup of tea. Now there are church bells ringing, I'll go out for a walk. Caio.
I couldn't sleep, it is day time in Australia, so I got up and did yoga. How are you all going with your yoga practice? 20 minutes in the morning will make the world seem so bright, 15 minutes of asanas, some salute to the suns and 5 minute savasana is good, but more is better. Go outside in your garden if you have one, then smell and the feel of the breeze on your skin will become part of the experience.
I had such a weird night, It is strange to realize I have another life on this side of the world that includes real people, it is easy to put aside when you live a totally different life on our side of the world. A man in Paris says he loves me, pity I don't love him. My friend met me at the airport, only I didn't know she was going to so we missed each other, that made me sad, but later I realized it meant all the world to me anyway that she would go to wait for me. This City never works for me, I have no synchronicity here, I have it everywhere else, so why not here?
May be because the Pope took Jesus' love out of Christianity and burned me on the stake as a heretic, I probably got eaten by the lions in the Colosseum too. In another of my past life visions I saw something about the killing of Julius Caesar, he was such a brilliant ruler, at least he was sane, unlike the emperors who came after him, I wish he had paid heed to the warning that he would be dead by the Ides of March, but then the entire history of civilization would have been entirely different. He had such a high vision for the world. They said at the time that the Roman people swapped having a republic for having the gladiatorial games.
I just don't have my usual connection here. I am here for a purpose I said to myself and the sun glinted through one of the arches of the Colosseum as I whizzed by on the bus. I'm determined that I am going to get in touch with something here.
It's getting light at last, I'm having a cup of tea. Now there are church bells ringing, I'll go out for a walk. Caio.
Meditating in The Pantheon
In the silence there is no lie
In the stillness there is being
Wednesday 14th November 2012
I found I was next to the tomb of Raphael, I had read and forgotten the other day that this was here, in the Pantheon, now I found myself standing in front of it after a deep meditation. Miraculous, humbling and honored.
I got into the zone of being and enjoyed roaming the streets of Rome, lost and late, and not minding because I was in the moment, seeing wondrous things all around me, thousands of year old buildings, so many armed guards, cars and motor bikes going I have no idea where, and not being run over. The people have been so nice and friendly and helpful, I had a great day. Eventually I got on a train to Padua and got here just after sunset. I shared take away pizza with the owner of the B&B, great Italian Pizza, with horse meat - yes you read right, I was shocked too. they have a famous region a short distance away that is famous for horse meat. Sorry all you horse lovers, I love cows too, but I still have steak occasionally, I must become a vegetarian, I feel so guilty enjoying food. It was hard to imagine that it is true that I was sitting in a kitchen in Italy eating Pizza having an intelligent conversation with a man I just met.
I got into the zone of being and enjoyed roaming the streets of Rome, lost and late, and not minding because I was in the moment, seeing wondrous things all around me, thousands of year old buildings, so many armed guards, cars and motor bikes going I have no idea where, and not being run over. The people have been so nice and friendly and helpful, I had a great day. Eventually I got on a train to Padua and got here just after sunset. I shared take away pizza with the owner of the B&B, great Italian Pizza, with horse meat - yes you read right, I was shocked too. they have a famous region a short distance away that is famous for horse meat. Sorry all you horse lovers, I love cows too, but I still have steak occasionally, I must become a vegetarian, I feel so guilty enjoying food. It was hard to imagine that it is true that I was sitting in a kitchen in Italy eating Pizza having an intelligent conversation with a man I just met.
Protests against everything apparently
I didn't know what this was about at the time, but apparently there were protests and riots all across Europe today. Andrea, the owner of the B&B in Padua (Pardova) has explained to me about the terrible economic crisis they are in here, and most of Europe. There are no jobs, and no money, the bankers have all the money and they take more, they take people's homes when they can't pay the mortgage even after only one month. The bankers must be so unhappy and greedy. And they take delight in making others poor.
Andrea made the job of the B&B for himself because there are no jobs. They pay more tax here than even we do - 70%.
Andrea made the job of the B&B for himself because there are no jobs. They pay more tax here than even we do - 70%.
If yesterday was Wednesday, then it must be Thursday 15th
It is Autumn in Italy, their trees have lots of yellow leaves.
This is Cappella degli Scrovegni. Visitors are only allowed inside for 15 minutes. It is covered inside by frescoes by Giotto. I wonder if I was drawn here to be reminded that not everyone is good and the day of judgement may just be round the corner, that is the scene that decorated the whole end wall of the chapel, in the bottom corner of the adjacent wall is an the angel of the virtue hope, all very poignant because a pickpocket stole my wallet out of my bat-bag on the tram. Stealing is bad and their good heart must be very darkly clouded, and their karma very bad and I don't think they will make it to heaven by stealing from a yogi. I still have compassion for them, that they have no other way of getting money, but what they did is still wrong.
I did my best not to let it spoil my day, but honestly it kind of did, it certainly coloured my view of Padua, I will never come here again. At first I blamed myself, I thought I should have been more careful, but I am aware and alert, theses pickpockets must be very skilful, I realized that it wasn't my fault, it was the bad person's fault, not mine. And mindfullness struck, when inside the chapel all thoughts of my wallet were driven out by the amazing walls I was surrounded by. I found myself in heaven a few times today, the ceiling vault is covered in blue sky and stars with a picture of God in a circle looking down. Another time I was just on the train to Verona and I realized how lucky I am, and when I bought an ice-cream and was walking beside anancient Roman building, the chocolate ice-cream was so delicious I was transported up to heaven again, kind of like that moment Deb when we had that amazing tea, a moment when the world around you stops and you become so engrosed in something it sweeps you away with how wonderful you feel.
This is Cappella degli Scrovegni. Visitors are only allowed inside for 15 minutes. It is covered inside by frescoes by Giotto. I wonder if I was drawn here to be reminded that not everyone is good and the day of judgement may just be round the corner, that is the scene that decorated the whole end wall of the chapel, in the bottom corner of the adjacent wall is an the angel of the virtue hope, all very poignant because a pickpocket stole my wallet out of my bat-bag on the tram. Stealing is bad and their good heart must be very darkly clouded, and their karma very bad and I don't think they will make it to heaven by stealing from a yogi. I still have compassion for them, that they have no other way of getting money, but what they did is still wrong.
I did my best not to let it spoil my day, but honestly it kind of did, it certainly coloured my view of Padua, I will never come here again. At first I blamed myself, I thought I should have been more careful, but I am aware and alert, theses pickpockets must be very skilful, I realized that it wasn't my fault, it was the bad person's fault, not mine. And mindfullness struck, when inside the chapel all thoughts of my wallet were driven out by the amazing walls I was surrounded by. I found myself in heaven a few times today, the ceiling vault is covered in blue sky and stars with a picture of God in a circle looking down. Another time I was just on the train to Verona and I realized how lucky I am, and when I bought an ice-cream and was walking beside anancient Roman building, the chocolate ice-cream was so delicious I was transported up to heaven again, kind of like that moment Deb when we had that amazing tea, a moment when the world around you stops and you become so engrosed in something it sweeps you away with how wonderful you feel.
Padua
Padua wasn't really very nice, I have been spoiled by meeting all the great people who have walked through the door of my studio and into my life lately, they've got me fooled into thinking every one is good - I am missing you. No wonder Romeo thought he may as well be living in hell when he was exiled to Padua from Verona - I'll copy the quote down tomorrow, it is carved into a wall.
There is no world without Verona walls,
But purgatory, torture, hell itself,
Hence banished is banish'd from the world,
and world's exile is death...
Act III scene III Romeo and Juliet
I am reminded that there are people who are greedy, hurtful, who don't think of others, and they smoke! so much, I feel like i am a smoker just walking down the street - it is as if they are encouraged to do it - there are machines in walls that feed their habit day and night.
There is no world without Verona walls,
But purgatory, torture, hell itself,
Hence banished is banish'd from the world,
and world's exile is death...
Act III scene III Romeo and Juliet
I am reminded that there are people who are greedy, hurtful, who don't think of others, and they smoke! so much, I feel like i am a smoker just walking down the street - it is as if they are encouraged to do it - there are machines in walls that feed their habit day and night.
As I have thought about it, it seems that the lesson I was brought here for was to be reminded that not all people are good, the chapel is very much painted to show people the choice they can make in life to either follow a virtuous path in life, or a life of vice. The vices lead to hell and being virtuous leads to heaven. In a city where there is a chapel with such a strong message painted all over it's walls, it seems so strange that I have been drawn here to be stolen from, people do have a choice about whether they will be a bad person, and if they don't think it affects them after they die they are wrong, it ruins their karma. They can be greedy usurers and hurt people by making them homeless and they can steal.
I am getting quite good at the public transport, I can figure out the ticket machines, and which platform and how to get to it, up and down stairs and lifts, I've been pick pocketed on a tram and I caught a bus - mostly with my 20kg suitcase :). Not bad considering the public transport in Singleton - does that exist?
I am getting quite good at the public transport, I can figure out the ticket machines, and which platform and how to get to it, up and down stairs and lifts, I've been pick pocketed on a tram and I caught a bus - mostly with my 20kg suitcase :). Not bad considering the public transport in Singleton - does that exist?
Verona
This is the beautiful entrance arch into the ancient part of Verona, the city where Romeo and Juliet had their tragic love affair. I will take photos tomorrow to show you what is on the other side - there is an old Colosseum and a park with a fountain and a place that sells heavenly ice-cream. And there is even better ice cream waiting for me in Florence - they invented the gelato
Love you all xxoo
I sat in meditation for hours when I couldn't sleep in the night, I saw amazing things, how everyone who had lived or been in this place affected it, through moment to moment, each person's actions connect to the next moment for ever from the past into the present. It is hard to get a sense of people living in the past in Australia because it was all natural bush, not civilization. Here history is seeped in the surroundings, the past is palpable.
And I saw everyone's separate true nature as glowing white orbs around the one huge creation nature.
Love you all xxoo
I sat in meditation for hours when I couldn't sleep in the night, I saw amazing things, how everyone who had lived or been in this place affected it, through moment to moment, each person's actions connect to the next moment for ever from the past into the present. It is hard to get a sense of people living in the past in Australia because it was all natural bush, not civilization. Here history is seeped in the surroundings, the past is palpable.
And I saw everyone's separate true nature as glowing white orbs around the one huge creation nature.
Friday 16th November
As I didn't have such a nice day yesterday I decided to have a lovely day today. I went to see Juliet's house, this is a picture of her balcony. To get there I walked along a street lined with beautiful shops, great for window shopping, all the shop keepers were making sure their glass windows were spotless so shoppers could see all their expensive items for sale, clothes, shoes, shops full of make-up. Every where in Italy I see jewels, when I close my eyes I am starting to see jewels and crystals.
I went to a market, The owner of the hostel in Verona - another Andrea - is every man in Italy named Andrea?- (that's also the name of the man in Paris - he was from Italy) explained to me that the mama's in Verona go there and bargain with the stall holders over the price, haggling in the traditional way to see who is the strongest bargainer. I bought two pairs of amazingly cool jeans - wait till you see them ;), and made sure I paid less than the sign :)
I found a tobacconist that sold jewels that didn't cost much and indulged in some retail therapy, as I did when i got to Florence and found a street full of wonderful shops, I want to buy everything - but that would be following the vice of covetousness and greed, so I had fun buying a few small presents.
I went to a market, The owner of the hostel in Verona - another Andrea - is every man in Italy named Andrea?- (that's also the name of the man in Paris - he was from Italy) explained to me that the mama's in Verona go there and bargain with the stall holders over the price, haggling in the traditional way to see who is the strongest bargainer. I bought two pairs of amazingly cool jeans - wait till you see them ;), and made sure I paid less than the sign :)
I found a tobacconist that sold jewels that didn't cost much and indulged in some retail therapy, as I did when i got to Florence and found a street full of wonderful shops, I want to buy everything - but that would be following the vice of covetousness and greed, so I had fun buying a few small presents.
The forum - a saw a picture of it at night, glowing and full of people
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The old town square
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The room leading onto Julliet's balcony, the light through yonder window breaks
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Florence - Frienze
oh wow the bells of the Domo are ringing I am in Florence at 7am in the morning, no one else is awake here, the fellow in charge has made me breakfast, fruit salad and coffee and cake. I LOVE FLORENCE!!!!!!!
Great hostel, if you are ever coming here it's called the Acadamia
It struck me last night, I must be a very strange person, one week I'm in Singleton, the next I'm in Florence in a lovely restaurant having dinner alone except for probably the biggest cathedral through the window, thinking about my car and hoping it doesn't have bat poop on it. And why does the people who walk by look in at me?
Great hostel, if you are ever coming here it's called the Acadamia
It struck me last night, I must be a very strange person, one week I'm in Singleton, the next I'm in Florence in a lovely restaurant having dinner alone except for probably the biggest cathedral through the window, thinking about my car and hoping it doesn't have bat poop on it. And why does the people who walk by look in at me?
Saturday 17th
I needed a quiet day today, I haven't been able to sleep much and I have been so tired, so I did shopping and window shopping and wandered the streets in the evening.
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Getting up to mischief around Florence on Sunday 18th
on Pont Vechio bridge that is lined by gold shops
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 On the steps of the Domo. I told you the first thing I do in the morning is stand on my head
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A Gelato where they invented it When you travel alone and only have yourself to be with, and are trying to work out the secret meaning of life, thoughts can become quite heavy, so some light heartedness was good for me.
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The bar where the cool people in Florence go, they had a band playing music from South America, and the people were so nice and smiling and friendly and talked to us, I love Florence and I love Florentines
I went out in Florence last night and drank a bottle of wine, they have a wonderful policy of being allowed to drink alcohol in the streets in a plastic cup. As my friend and I were walking around the streets we bumped into the guy that works in the hostel and he told us about a shop that sells their own home made wine and he told us about this really cool place to go on the other side of the river, so we bought the wine, went back to the hostel so I could change into more comfortable jeans out of my good dress, and we collected another companion and headed out to find it, I had nearly finished the bottle of wine by then, I hid it under my coat, poured the last cup and disposed of the bottle, then I drank beer. It was a funtastic night. I woke up this morning, late with a huge headache.
We were going to go to the galleries but when we got there, they were shut. Also it was quite drizzly today. I am back in Rome now and am with my lovely friend Wiwa at last :)
We were going to go to the galleries but when we got there, they were shut. Also it was quite drizzly today. I am back in Rome now and am with my lovely friend Wiwa at last :)
Tuesday 20th ROME. I am going out with one of the girls, called Amy from the Hostel today to see the Colosseum and Palentine hill, she is from Melbourne. It was so coincidental, she was a room mate in Florence, I opened the door to go out here in Rome and she was standing at the door about to come in, we stared at each other non-comprehending for a few moments, we are in the same room here too. Of all the places in all the world, we are in the same place twice. Wish me luck, last time I was in Rome I didn't see anything, so I hope she keeps me organized :)
She came, she saw, she conquered
It is possible that I have given my jinx of Rome to Amy, she didn't make it into the colloseum on her ticket today, I went in with another friend, Kate from New Zealand and got a tour all over, down into the pits and right up to the third level, the view of The ruins of the forum and Palentine hill is amazing from there
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ihaven't lost sight of pilgrimage, just lightened up
It is quite hard to imagine the Colosseum as it was as the inside has fallen down mostly. The tour was really interesting. About where the gladiators lived and trained and were buried just out the back. And the poor animals who were winched up in cages to be viewed by the crowds. A lot of the Colosseum has been used as building materials for other buildings in Rome such as St Peter's basilica. |
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A shisha, smoking apple and drinking tea
Imagine if we had a place like this in Singleton
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Girls up to mischief in Rome
Wiwa knows the good places to go
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Wiwa, from Italy, Amy, from Melbourne and me in Rome, where Roman's rather than tourists go out for dinner
It was so funny watching me get fatter and fatter as the night went on - seriously, I started blowing up like an over cooked piece of spagetti - I need my yoga routine back, I have only been able to practice spasmodically. It may have been the tea, Wiwa had a tea baby too
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Wednesday 21st
No more photos for a while, I smashed my camera when I stacked it off the sedgeway in the Borghese park this afternoon, It was a sensational stack, right over the handlebars when I was looking at all the rocks and buildings and birds and things and not at the huge ditch that I hit, I break fell and the sedgeway headed off with a mind of it's own, nearly taking out my friend Amy and careering into a parked car. We had to get out of there and pretend to be innocent , Wiwa went off to get the guy we hired them from to start it again 'cause it cuts out when you have an accident. We had so much fun, we went all through the streets of Rome dodging all the mad traffic, such a cool way to see the city, easier than walking. I wasn't hurt, I only scraped some sparkles off my purple sparkly shoes - but they came with spares, so I can glue them back when I get home. When Kate got back and asked what we had done during the day, we burst out laughing - she said "what did you do", we told her the whole story ( I haven't told quite all and not as well as Amy tells, like how the sedgeway took off like a balloon when you let the air out) She shook her head and said - no way, no way. It's so funny, tall boys keep telling me to behave myself and be careful as if they know I am going to get up to no good. Life is so fun.
I love being here and walking down the street with my friends, just the same as being on the our side of the world. For breakfast we went down the Spanish steps to a place that sells a desert called tiramisu, but they were closed so we had to take the metro across town to their other shop to have it - it was so worth it and Wiwa's friend Ali was near the area so he came and picked us up and we had a drive through town back to the villa Borghese gardens where we got the sedgeway. I feel like a local being with Wiwa, we go to where the real people of Rome go, not just where the tourists go.
Thursday 22nd
I am going out on my own today, oh no! I promise I will be good ;)
I have been simply angelic, except when my phone rang in the crypt of Jesus, where they have his bed from the stable and I didn't know it was my phone, I was looking around for the culprit thinking Jesus has a good sense of humour.
I have been visiting churches all day and meditating. I didn't make it to St Peter's and the Vatican yet, I was all churched out by the fourth church. They are extraordinary. I went on a secret tour of the huge one and saw things I am just in awe of. It is a huge cathedral and it turns out it is built over an ancient Roman house, I went down into it, all the foundations of the church are built on it, there are still remains of frescoes of the first calendar of the seasons and some mosaics and the bath. Then up in the top of the cathedral is stored in a room that smelled like my grandmother's ancient house, inside huge cupboards, were the robes of the Borghese cardinal - son of the Borghese Pope - The Pope doesn't have son's it was pointed out to me (sorry - nephew) all made out of gold and silver and a letter written by Saint Peter on papyrus, I think it is part of the bible.
I have a date with the guide tonight, it was him calling me on my phone when I was with Jesus asking if I would like to go for an ice-cream. He is like all Italian's - he can't stop telling me I have lovely eyes ;). He is a lawyer and with an interest in archeology.
No more photos for a while, I smashed my camera when I stacked it off the sedgeway in the Borghese park this afternoon, It was a sensational stack, right over the handlebars when I was looking at all the rocks and buildings and birds and things and not at the huge ditch that I hit, I break fell and the sedgeway headed off with a mind of it's own, nearly taking out my friend Amy and careering into a parked car. We had to get out of there and pretend to be innocent , Wiwa went off to get the guy we hired them from to start it again 'cause it cuts out when you have an accident. We had so much fun, we went all through the streets of Rome dodging all the mad traffic, such a cool way to see the city, easier than walking. I wasn't hurt, I only scraped some sparkles off my purple sparkly shoes - but they came with spares, so I can glue them back when I get home. When Kate got back and asked what we had done during the day, we burst out laughing - she said "what did you do", we told her the whole story ( I haven't told quite all and not as well as Amy tells, like how the sedgeway took off like a balloon when you let the air out) She shook her head and said - no way, no way. It's so funny, tall boys keep telling me to behave myself and be careful as if they know I am going to get up to no good. Life is so fun.
I love being here and walking down the street with my friends, just the same as being on the our side of the world. For breakfast we went down the Spanish steps to a place that sells a desert called tiramisu, but they were closed so we had to take the metro across town to their other shop to have it - it was so worth it and Wiwa's friend Ali was near the area so he came and picked us up and we had a drive through town back to the villa Borghese gardens where we got the sedgeway. I feel like a local being with Wiwa, we go to where the real people of Rome go, not just where the tourists go.
Thursday 22nd
I am going out on my own today, oh no! I promise I will be good ;)
I have been simply angelic, except when my phone rang in the crypt of Jesus, where they have his bed from the stable and I didn't know it was my phone, I was looking around for the culprit thinking Jesus has a good sense of humour.
I have been visiting churches all day and meditating. I didn't make it to St Peter's and the Vatican yet, I was all churched out by the fourth church. They are extraordinary. I went on a secret tour of the huge one and saw things I am just in awe of. It is a huge cathedral and it turns out it is built over an ancient Roman house, I went down into it, all the foundations of the church are built on it, there are still remains of frescoes of the first calendar of the seasons and some mosaics and the bath. Then up in the top of the cathedral is stored in a room that smelled like my grandmother's ancient house, inside huge cupboards, were the robes of the Borghese cardinal - son of the Borghese Pope - The Pope doesn't have son's it was pointed out to me (sorry - nephew) all made out of gold and silver and a letter written by Saint Peter on papyrus, I think it is part of the bible.
I have a date with the guide tonight, it was him calling me on my phone when I was with Jesus asking if I would like to go for an ice-cream. He is like all Italian's - he can't stop telling me I have lovely eyes ;). He is a lawyer and with an interest in archeology.
photos courtesy of my Ipod
byzantine mosaic made out of glass
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By Bernini when he was 16
They built the church here because snow fell here in August after Mary came to two people in dreams and told them she wanted a huge cathedral built for her in Rome
These modern paintings reminded me of my meditation paintings |
Huge mosaic on the top balcony
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Friday
The date went fine, he is definitely not Australian, he helped me put my coat on, paid for the bill without me knowing, and opened doors for me, and walked me back to the hostel. We had a really nice meal where Italian's rather than tourists eat out, I enjoyed it very much. I hate that bit where you want them to know you like them but have to keep their expectations at bay.
I have to get ready, I am going to the most exquisite art gallery in the world, the Borghese and then me and Wiwa are going SHOPPING!
The date went fine, he is definitely not Australian, he helped me put my coat on, paid for the bill without me knowing, and opened doors for me, and walked me back to the hostel. We had a really nice meal where Italian's rather than tourists eat out, I enjoyed it very much. I hate that bit where you want them to know you like them but have to keep their expectations at bay.
I have to get ready, I am going to the most exquisite art gallery in the world, the Borghese and then me and Wiwa are going SHOPPING!
Amy missed her train so I persuaded her to stay with us for another day and come shopping, Maritza and Wiwa came too. Maritza had to leave earlier because she was working at the hostel and Ali came in his car to pick us up. It took us an hour to get to the shopping mall on the bus. It is great being driven because I can see things I wouldn't see other wise. We went to a look out above Rome at sunset and watched the lights of the city come out while we had a cappuccino. I wanted to take down the Indian flower sellers, but I wasn't allowed to. They are so annoying, they stand right in the middle of our group trying to make us buy a rose when we don't want one, and we have to move away.
Shopping was awesome and so tiring, I think you will be proud and envious of the shoes I found, and I have a lovely pair of comfortable flat blue suede boots to wear tomorrow as my feet are hurting and need different shoes, though I brought 3 pairs with me. I shan't tell you what the other ones look like, you will have to wait and see. I hope I can pack my bag with all my stuff without throwing away my clothes!
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Nearly Home
I left on Friday, I will be back in singleton in an hour, but we crossed the international date line and lost a day. I will be there for classes this afternoon. I am so tired of travelling I am all twitchy and can't concentrate, I can't wait to do a yoga class this evening. It gets dark at 5 in Italy, it will still be light here then.
I had amazing mystical experience to end my pilgrimage in Saint Peters church and I saw the Sistine chapel ceiling.
We have come a long way in knowledge since the roof was painted in blue with shining stars.
I am so looking forward to being back home and seeing you all.
I have a few difficulties to quickly overcome due to my wallet being nicked when I arrive such as getting a new licence and having no money and no key cards, I am thinking the universe will have the solution to these problems waiting for me when I get there.
See you all soon!
Namaste Sarah :)
I had amazing mystical experience to end my pilgrimage in Saint Peters church and I saw the Sistine chapel ceiling.
We have come a long way in knowledge since the roof was painted in blue with shining stars.
I am so looking forward to being back home and seeing you all.
I have a few difficulties to quickly overcome due to my wallet being nicked when I arrive such as getting a new licence and having no money and no key cards, I am thinking the universe will have the solution to these problems waiting for me when I get there.
See you all soon!
Namaste Sarah :)