“Traveling outgrows its motives. It soon proves sufficient in itself. You think you are making a trip, but soon it is making you – or unmaking you.”- Nicolas Bouvier
When I first hit the road in late August, I was so excited to be "on an epic road trip of a lifetime"; choosing where to go, what to see, where to stay, what to do. I thought I'd be in control of just about everything. Oh boy, how wrong I was. Silly, silly me.
What I learned is that when you try to control, all the forces in the world work against you. You end up at the wrong places, with the wrong people, doing all the wrong things, completely miserable, depressed, and confused. And this isn't limited to traveling, it's a truth of life itself.
The key is to let go. Let go of all judgments, assumptions, and expectations. Learn how to listen and be still. And then the beauty of the road will unfold before you and you will no longer be leading, you will be following. You will no longer have a choice; there will be no choice. Every cell in your being already chose for you, and you have to ignore the doubts, concerns, fears, and hesitations brewing inside that fickle mind and just go. Just do it. Don't think; just feel. Listen and follow.
Your mind will be fighting; surfacing every program that has been instilled in you since birth.
What about your career?
What about money? You can't afford this!
What about your family? Friends? Lover?
You're being irresponsible!
You're acting childish!
But those are all programs! They're not real! They are illusions clouding your mind from the moment you were born and someone labeled you "A boy!" or "A girl!" and put the "appropriate" color blanket around you. If you found out that you had cancer, would you care about the amount of money you make? Or how good your hair looks? Or what brand your jeans are? Or whether your nails are done or your facial hair trimmed? Or the fight you had with your boyfriend/girlfriend 2 days ago that you're still fueling? Probably not. And with our generation the question isn't "Will I get cancer?", it's "When will I get cancer?"Just something to think about.
Our society is largely driven by promises of a happy future and suffering in the present to secure that future happiness. We suffer through high school in hopes of getting into a good college. We suffer through college in hopes of getting a good job. We suffer through long and tedious work hours in hopes of getting a promotion and a raise. We receive the promotion and the raise and realize that in the process we lost our spouse and our kids because we had no time for them. We suffer through decades of hard work to reach retirement. We reach retirement and realize that we have missed out on our lives for a program, an illusion of "society". But what about YOU? The inner YOU? Are you genuinely happy and fulfilled right now? Don't lie to yourself. Be honest. If you are, that's great! And if not, take one little step to change that. Do something for yourself. Because the reality is, you will die. I will die. I don't know when or how, but it will happen. For all of us. But how are you going to live? It should be the fear of living a fake, compulsory, repetitive life, not the fear of death that haunts you.
There are so many people criticizing what I do...I'm not sure why, but it happens all the time. What if you fall while rock climbing? What if you get stuck in a canyon and a flash flood comes? What if you get in a car accident? What if someone breaks into your car while you're sleeping in it? What if a bear attacks you when you're camping alone? What if you die due to (insert whatever ridiculous scenario you choose)? Well, in either one of those cases I will probably die. Therefore, I won't really care. But the excitement, the feeling of being truly ALIVE that I get from climbing an exposed route, or winding my way through a narrow canyon, or driving without a plan or destination is what makes my life worth living. I am alive. I surrendered to the road, the journey, months ago, and I am no longer in control. I am just listening and following; even if my mind is filled with doubt and hesitations..I'm following.
This trip to Europe is teaching me so much. Life in Ostrava is really simple, really quiet, and quite uneventful. It gets dark around 4pm, there aren't any neighbors around, and the nearest town is about 30 minutes away. I had no expectations for this whole trip; just allowing life to lead me where I need to go, and I ended up here; in a place that's really breaking down my layers, teaching me, and "unmaking" me. I spend a lot of time journaling, dreaming, taking long walks in the country side, and just contemplating life and the truths of the Universe. I feel like my conception of reality as I knew it is completely gone. I'm not sure what's real and what's an illusion, but I am learning. I am seeing the choices before me and stepping back to listen and be still. And when the time is right, I'll follow. But right now, I'm just resting, de-cluttering, and untying those knots of uncertainty and fear.
This place, this trip, is so good for my soul. I feel it deeply. I am grateful for this life, all of these lessons and realizations, and for the truth of reality. I hope that something in this post struck something within you. And even if it didn't thanks for reading and allowing me to share the little ramblings of my mind. Hope you're all having a good week!
Tuesday, December 6, 2011
Monday, December 5, 2011
Greetings from the Homeland!
It's a rainy, windy, cuddle-up under a blanket and read a good book with a cup (or two, or 10) of coffee kind of weather in Czech Republic this morning. And after a long weekend, that sounds just perfect.
Currently, this is what I'm reading:
And as I faked the fakest smile imaginable and pretended to sip on my doll-sized coffee with enthusiasm, there were only dark thoughts running through the mind.
"I wasn't prepared for this! WHY DIDN'T ANYONE TELL ME ABOUT THIS?!? Why is the Universe out to get me? I have to go back. I can't live like this for 5 weeks. THIS IS HORRIBLE! Alright, Yelena, breathe. Just breathe. There you go, in and out, in and out. No! Don't cry! No! You can't jump under that train! It's just 5 weeks, you can do it. Breathe. In and out. In and out."
After inhaling my drop of coffee in a single gulp, I dragged my feet to the nearest grocery store to buy the biggest bag of ground coffee I could find when I saw something that turned my frown upside down...a pint of Czech beer. For $0.75. Now I'd say that's a pretty good trade off- tiny sized coffee for tiny priced beer. I'll take it.
We were greeted in Ostrava by the sweetest, most generous couple and that's where we'll be staying for two weeks. They live in a picturesque European country home surrounded by rolling hills and forests. Also part of the family, four huge dogs! They are soft, cuddly, and the cutest little guys in town. However, we're still getting assimilated to each other and I don't think they'd appreciate a camera shoved in their face for a picture...in fact, I'm a little scared they'd bite my face off. Sooo...pictures will come...just a little bit later.
This past weekend was filled with loads of Czech people, a drumbuilding workshop, a spontaneous jam/dance party (I have pictures, but this event needs a post of it's own...it was that awesome), amaaazziing food, a sweat lodge, lots of laughs and giggles, and just lots of genuine goodness. I will spare you the details and just mention one thing that really struck my heart deep;
Language, in the physical sense, is simply a convenient way of communicating, but you don't need it to establish meaningful connections. It is the soul language, the language of the heart, that establishes significant bonds. A huge smile with a wink is just as meaningful as an hour of conversation and a bear hug, a real hearty joining, will make strangers into fast friends. I met people this past weekend who didn't speak a word of English, but just by looking, really looking, into each others eyes we knew more about one another than any conversation could reveal. It was so powerful and so beautiful.
And another thing that really struck me...
These people don't care about nudity. At all. Alleluia! Since there were over 20 people staying in a house with one shower, there were naked butts running around everywhere. I didn't care. They didn't care. It wasn't uncomfortable...In fact, there were naked cartwheels on the front lawn. In the states, a slip of a nipple would result in a wave of whispers, judgments, and criticism. And most of you are probably judging and criticizing this right now...and that's a bummer. It's a human body. It's beautiful. Let's celebrate it, yes? I've always felt this way, and now I'm actually living it. It's refreshing, it's delightful, it's no big deal.
I will have pictures coming soon. I realized that I went from taking an excessive amount of pictures in order to physically capture everything to taking no pictures in order to mentally capture everything...I'm in the process of finding the middle ground. Please bear with me. But pictures! Soon! Yes!
And now I must get back to my perfectly-brewed, American-sized, cup'o joe. Until next time, Ahoy (bye)!
Currently, this is what I'm reading:
I'm about a third of the way through and it's quite good. I'll do a book review as soon as I'm finished.
But I'm sure you guys don't really care about what I'm reading and you're more interested in where I'm at and what I'm doing, right? Well, I am in Ostrava, Czech Republic! I got here on December 1 (I can't believe it's already been 4 days...time is flying!) after a grueling 48 hours of travel. The flight from NYC to Prague was relatively uneventful, but that may have something to do with the complimentary wine and beer I very graciously took advantage of. Judge away.
After landing and meeting up with Jorge, we were driven to the train station by two lovely friends where we took a 3 hour train from Prague to Ostrava. We had about an hour before the train and decided to get a cup of coffee (actually, I demanded it and threatened suicide if I didn't get it...have I mentioned that I'm a bit of a coffee addict?)...and then my world was shattered into a billion little pieces when I got this:
So what's the big deal, right? Please look at the size of the cup compared to that teaspoon. That cup was smaller than the size of my palm. That amount of coffee will get my left pinkie functioning; maybe the index finger too, but that's pushing it. Take a look at this and you will understand...hopefully:
"I wasn't prepared for this! WHY DIDN'T ANYONE TELL ME ABOUT THIS?!? Why is the Universe out to get me? I have to go back. I can't live like this for 5 weeks. THIS IS HORRIBLE! Alright, Yelena, breathe. Just breathe. There you go, in and out, in and out. No! Don't cry! No! You can't jump under that train! It's just 5 weeks, you can do it. Breathe. In and out. In and out."
After inhaling my drop of coffee in a single gulp, I dragged my feet to the nearest grocery store to buy the biggest bag of ground coffee I could find when I saw something that turned my frown upside down...a pint of Czech beer. For $0.75. Now I'd say that's a pretty good trade off- tiny sized coffee for tiny priced beer. I'll take it.
We were greeted in Ostrava by the sweetest, most generous couple and that's where we'll be staying for two weeks. They live in a picturesque European country home surrounded by rolling hills and forests. Also part of the family, four huge dogs! They are soft, cuddly, and the cutest little guys in town. However, we're still getting assimilated to each other and I don't think they'd appreciate a camera shoved in their face for a picture...in fact, I'm a little scared they'd bite my face off. Sooo...pictures will come...just a little bit later.
This past weekend was filled with loads of Czech people, a drumbuilding workshop, a spontaneous jam/dance party (I have pictures, but this event needs a post of it's own...it was that awesome), amaaazziing food, a sweat lodge, lots of laughs and giggles, and just lots of genuine goodness. I will spare you the details and just mention one thing that really struck my heart deep;
Language, in the physical sense, is simply a convenient way of communicating, but you don't need it to establish meaningful connections. It is the soul language, the language of the heart, that establishes significant bonds. A huge smile with a wink is just as meaningful as an hour of conversation and a bear hug, a real hearty joining, will make strangers into fast friends. I met people this past weekend who didn't speak a word of English, but just by looking, really looking, into each others eyes we knew more about one another than any conversation could reveal. It was so powerful and so beautiful.
And another thing that really struck me...
These people don't care about nudity. At all. Alleluia! Since there were over 20 people staying in a house with one shower, there were naked butts running around everywhere. I didn't care. They didn't care. It wasn't uncomfortable...In fact, there were naked cartwheels on the front lawn. In the states, a slip of a nipple would result in a wave of whispers, judgments, and criticism. And most of you are probably judging and criticizing this right now...and that's a bummer. It's a human body. It's beautiful. Let's celebrate it, yes? I've always felt this way, and now I'm actually living it. It's refreshing, it's delightful, it's no big deal.
I will have pictures coming soon. I realized that I went from taking an excessive amount of pictures in order to physically capture everything to taking no pictures in order to mentally capture everything...I'm in the process of finding the middle ground. Please bear with me. But pictures! Soon! Yes!
And now I must get back to my perfectly-brewed, American-sized, cup'o joe. Until next time, Ahoy (bye)!
Wednesday, November 30, 2011
Here We Go Again...
Oh why do I keep putting myself in situations that force me to drink Budlight for breakfast, a few shots of Jack for lunch, and one too many glasses of wine for dinner?
For those of you who know me well, you may be wondering, “What in the world would make Yelena drink beer flavored water that has a slight taste of watered down pee?” (For those of you who enjoy Budlight- I’m sorry, but I just don’t understand. And yes, I judge you for it.)
Well, friends, once again I am about to board a metal flying object and put my life into the hands of two people that I have never met or spoken with. Except I’m about to do it four times in the next 24 hours. FOUR TIMES!! Wait…what?
Yup. Going to Prague. And I would be really crazy excited about it (and I am….) except the really crazy portion of the excitement got deleted after I woke up to a phone call this morning claiming “We are sorry to inform you that one of your connecting flights got cancelled. OH! But don’t worry we rescheduled you for a different flight. We are sorry for any inconveniences this may cause.”
Now I am a really easy going gal, (sometimes a little too easy going), but any flight that adds two extra layovers to my perfect non-stop flight kind of puts a damper on my experience. You know? (Note to self: Get over it lady. Go with the flow. Breathe. Breathe. Breathe DEEPER damn it!)
In reality, I’m handling the whole situation quite well. I don’t know it it’s the BudLight or (shock!) maybe I’m getting used to the whole flying thing…but this adds a little more excitement and spontaneity to my already fast paced life. I’m just rolling with it. Who knows, maybe I’ll meet someone who’ll teach me something important on one of the connecting flights…it tends to happen every time. No joke. I am the master of meeting people and making connections on planes.
Also, they are playing The Hustle at the St.Louis airport. Jackpot!
Now for this whole Prague business…I know I haven’t really mentioned it much until recently, but now you know. I’m going to Prague. In fact, I am currently on connection #2 to NYC and I will be in Prague by 9:50am tomorrow morning. I will also be going to Poland…but more details on that later. Right now, I’m just taking it one day, one hour, one moment at a time, and enjoying every instance…well, with a little help from my friends Jack and Daniel, of course.
And since I haven't taken any pictures of this adventure yet...I'll share some from the past few weeks. Enjoy!
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| A little sport climbing at Red Rock |
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| Taos, NM hike |
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| Red Rock Canyon, Vegas |
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| Red Rock Canyon...we climbed that little guy in the middle :-) |
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| Winter in Sedona |
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| Winter at the Grand Canyon |
Tuesday, November 29, 2011
Once Upon a Sunday
It was exactly 8 days ago; a Sunday. I had spent the last two days climbing with Dan at Red Rock Canyon just outside of Vegas (has it only been 8 days?! Feels like at least a month ago!). Saturday's 12 hour climb and repel past sunset left me a little bruised up and tired (the fact that I forgot my head lamp and was forced to repel in the darkness, banging myself into nooks and crannies probably didn't help my cause...), and on Sunday we decided to take a rest day. So what do you do on a rest day? Well, you get a 6-pack, put on some tunes and re-organize your gear. That's just how it goes. And for me, there's always purging of stuff I haven't used in the past week involved; or purging stuff that's been duck taped for the past year and really isn't salvageable.
But this time around, it was a little different. This time around I pulled these babies out-
and realized that they looked more like this.
As Dan quietly stared at the unrecognizable footwear I am cradling in my hands, I whispered "Well, they're not that bad, right?"
No answer. Just stares of bewilderment.
I take a deep sigh, close my eyes, and bravely declare "I think it's time for them to go."
Dan followed up with "Umm..I think that's a GREAT idea."
He then proceeded to knock me out with chloroform, grab the shoes out of my hands, and take them hundreds of miles away where I could never find them again.
....at least I wish that's what he would've done.
Instead, he stared with understanding in his eyes as I threw the sandals in the trash bag.
.....actually, he didn't even do that.
So what did he do? He continued re-organizing his gear like the most traumatic event in my life wasn't even a big deal at all.
I then told him we couldn't be friends anymore. Silently. In my head.....
So, friends, it was exactly 8 days ago that I parted with my beloved Birkenstocks. I am happy to say that no one was hurt during the separation and Dan and I continue to be friends. I am also happy to encourage every single one of you to go out and get yourself a pair of Birks because they are truly the most durable, comfortable, outdoor friendly sandals I have ever owned.
I've used them as water shoes-
Hiking shoes-
Winter shoes-
I have used them obsessively and extensively and I couldn't be happier with their performance. Would I get another pair? Absolutely. As soon as the money fairy shows up, that is...
But if you are looking for a good sandal- any Birkenstock shoe will go above and beyond your expectations, without a doubt. I know that summer is a bit away, but Christmas is right around the corner :-) Just an idea!
But this time around, it was a little different. This time around I pulled these babies out-
and realized that they looked more like this.
As Dan quietly stared at the unrecognizable footwear I am cradling in my hands, I whispered "Well, they're not that bad, right?"
No answer. Just stares of bewilderment.
I take a deep sigh, close my eyes, and bravely declare "I think it's time for them to go."
Dan followed up with "Umm..I think that's a GREAT idea."
He then proceeded to knock me out with chloroform, grab the shoes out of my hands, and take them hundreds of miles away where I could never find them again.
....at least I wish that's what he would've done.
Instead, he stared with understanding in his eyes as I threw the sandals in the trash bag.
.....actually, he didn't even do that.
So what did he do? He continued re-organizing his gear like the most traumatic event in my life wasn't even a big deal at all.
I then told him we couldn't be friends anymore. Silently. In my head.....
So, friends, it was exactly 8 days ago that I parted with my beloved Birkenstocks. I am happy to say that no one was hurt during the separation and Dan and I continue to be friends. I am also happy to encourage every single one of you to go out and get yourself a pair of Birks because they are truly the most durable, comfortable, outdoor friendly sandals I have ever owned.
I've used them as water shoes-
Hiking shoes-
Winter shoes-
I have used them obsessively and extensively and I couldn't be happier with their performance. Would I get another pair? Absolutely. As soon as the money fairy shows up, that is...
But if you are looking for a good sandal- any Birkenstock shoe will go above and beyond your expectations, without a doubt. I know that summer is a bit away, but Christmas is right around the corner :-) Just an idea!
Tuesday, November 22, 2011
Gear Review: REI Taj 3
I decided that about once or twice a week I'm going to do gear reviews. With the amount of traveling I do, I go through a lot of gear; some of it I absolutely love, and some of it...not so much.
Today I would like to introduce you to the best tent that I have ever owned (and trust me, I've owned and used quite a few).
The REI TAJ 3 (2009 Special Buy)
When looking for a tent there are a few crucial details I focus on:
1. Weight: Whether you are backpacking, or not, the weight of your tent is very important. First, the lighter the tent, the easier the assembly (at least in my experience.) It is easier to handle, easier to transport, easier to take down, and of course, if backpacking, it doesn't add unnecessary weight to your pack.
2. Capacity: How many people will be sleeping in the tent? Keep in mind that a 3 person tent would probably be most comfortable for two people, and a two person tent would probably be most comfortable for one, unless you really like to snuggle and don't mind your sleeping partner(s) breathing down your neck. As you can probably tell, I really like a little space when sleeping. I'm not much of a cuddler and I'm also not the most "graceful" sleeper, so for my sake and my sleeping partner(s) sake, I usually go for a larger tent. However, when backpacking you really have to think whether you want the added weight of a larger tent. Even for myself, I would not. Which brings me to my next point,
3. Purpose: Are you looking for a backpacking tent or just a camping tent? Will you be using your tent for extended periods of time (weeks) or just in increments of days once in a while? Thinking about this will help you decide what is important in YOUR tent and help you narrow down to a few choices while saving some moolah ($$).
4. Construction: How many pieces would I have to assemble? No one wants a tent with a million parts. Is it waterproof yet still breathable? Is the meshing "no-see-um" proof? (No-see-um's are those little flies, smaller than mosquitoes that usually get through most meshing.) Is it a stand alone or stake-in tent? How many times do the poles cross? (FIY: The more times the cross the more sturdy the construction, and the less chance of it blowing away in a wind storm).
There are so many more things to consider, but those are the main factors I keep in mind without getting into technicalities. Now back to my beloved Taj 3.
When buying this tent, I was not looking for a backpacking tent. I was looking for something durable, breathable, and livable. At the time, I just needed a good home for music festivals. After doing some extensive research I found the Taj 3. And let me tell you, it has not disappointed! It has survived 2 years of music festivals (during which it got heavy use for 3-4 days at a time at least once a month), countless camping trips, two backpacking trips, heavy rain on the Pacific Coast and in the Great Lakes, intense winds in Nevada, and snow.
And in the 2+ years that I've had it, and the 300+ times that I've used it it has always kept me dry and there has never been any condensation. The design of this tent is divine. It is considered to be a 3 person, 3 season, backpacking tent. And while it is large enough for 3 people, I prefer to use it for two leaving ample room to keep packs and other gear inside. It is really easy to set up with 3 collapsible poles, the tent, the rainfly, the footprint, and stakes. It can serve as both a free standing and stake in tent, but I prefer to stake it in when I can. It also has lots of storage inside with a little attic and lots of pockets to store your things.
I simply cannot praise this tent enough. It is roomy, breathable, light, and sturdy! It is an absolute dream and I look forward to using it for many, many, many more years to come.
Today I would like to introduce you to the best tent that I have ever owned (and trust me, I've owned and used quite a few).
The REI TAJ 3 (2009 Special Buy)
When looking for a tent there are a few crucial details I focus on:
1. Weight: Whether you are backpacking, or not, the weight of your tent is very important. First, the lighter the tent, the easier the assembly (at least in my experience.) It is easier to handle, easier to transport, easier to take down, and of course, if backpacking, it doesn't add unnecessary weight to your pack.
2. Capacity: How many people will be sleeping in the tent? Keep in mind that a 3 person tent would probably be most comfortable for two people, and a two person tent would probably be most comfortable for one, unless you really like to snuggle and don't mind your sleeping partner(s) breathing down your neck. As you can probably tell, I really like a little space when sleeping. I'm not much of a cuddler and I'm also not the most "graceful" sleeper, so for my sake and my sleeping partner(s) sake, I usually go for a larger tent. However, when backpacking you really have to think whether you want the added weight of a larger tent. Even for myself, I would not. Which brings me to my next point,
3. Purpose: Are you looking for a backpacking tent or just a camping tent? Will you be using your tent for extended periods of time (weeks) or just in increments of days once in a while? Thinking about this will help you decide what is important in YOUR tent and help you narrow down to a few choices while saving some moolah ($$).
4. Construction: How many pieces would I have to assemble? No one wants a tent with a million parts. Is it waterproof yet still breathable? Is the meshing "no-see-um" proof? (No-see-um's are those little flies, smaller than mosquitoes that usually get through most meshing.) Is it a stand alone or stake-in tent? How many times do the poles cross? (FIY: The more times the cross the more sturdy the construction, and the less chance of it blowing away in a wind storm).
There are so many more things to consider, but those are the main factors I keep in mind without getting into technicalities. Now back to my beloved Taj 3.
 |
| Music Fest Beauties |
When buying this tent, I was not looking for a backpacking tent. I was looking for something durable, breathable, and livable. At the time, I just needed a good home for music festivals. After doing some extensive research I found the Taj 3. And let me tell you, it has not disappointed! It has survived 2 years of music festivals (during which it got heavy use for 3-4 days at a time at least once a month), countless camping trips, two backpacking trips, heavy rain on the Pacific Coast and in the Great Lakes, intense winds in Nevada, and snow.
And in the 2+ years that I've had it, and the 300+ times that I've used it it has always kept me dry and there has never been any condensation. The design of this tent is divine. It is considered to be a 3 person, 3 season, backpacking tent. And while it is large enough for 3 people, I prefer to use it for two leaving ample room to keep packs and other gear inside. It is really easy to set up with 3 collapsible poles, the tent, the rainfly, the footprint, and stakes. It can serve as both a free standing and stake in tent, but I prefer to stake it in when I can. It also has lots of storage inside with a little attic and lots of pockets to store your things.
I simply cannot praise this tent enough. It is roomy, breathable, light, and sturdy! It is an absolute dream and I look forward to using it for many, many, many more years to come.
Monday, November 21, 2011
Camera Dilemma
I don't know if you've noticed the lack of pictures in the past few posts, but I know I definitely have. And it's due to two factors:
1. I have a very expensive camera (Nikon D90) that was gifted to me by my parents after I received my Bachelors degree.
2. My lifestyle in the past few months has become extremely active with crazy outdoor adventures.
And clearly, it would not be very wise of me to take a bulky, expensive camera on a six pitch climb where the chances of it banging and/or falling are a sure thing.
In other words, this:
Does not mix with this:
I tried. I really, really tried to make it work. But the two lifestyles just do not coexist peacefully. But there is a solution. And it is this:
"Sony Cyber-Shot DSC-TX10 16.2 MP Waterproof Digital Still Camera with Exmor R CMOS Sensor, 3D Sweep Panorama, and Full HD 1080/60i Video"
Quite a mouthful, right? In other words, it is waterproof, shatter-proof, dust-proof, freeze-proof, and Yelena crazy adventure-proof. And the best part? As of Wednesday, it will be in my hands and ready for action. I'm really looking forward to using it and sharing my opinion with all of you. But most of all, I'm really excited to share my awesome adventures with you all :-)
Check back in the next week for LOADS of new posts including some awesome climbing routes at Red Rock Canyon in Vegas, some gear reviews, and fun travel stories. Hope you're having a great week!
Friday, November 4, 2011
Boxes (FYI: a bit of a rant)
*Before I start this post, there is something I'd like to share with all of you. A lot of my traveling is simply that, travel for enjoyment and for exploration. But most of my traveling has a deeper purpose. For those of you who don't know, I walk the Red Road. It consists of living Native American truths, and for me the teaching comes from (mostly) the Lakota. Part of the reason I decided to hit the road was to be more available for ceremonies, learning and teachings. And the road has taken me to some incredible places both externally and internally. I was hesitant to share anything from this aspect of my journey on this blog, but I feel like it's okay now. There has been a lot of learning and the time has come to share some of it. So I will be integrating my spirituality into this blog. This blog is mine, afterall, and my spirituality makes up the whole of ME.*
We exist in a series of boxes.
We live in a box,
Sleep, wake up, make love in a box,
Shower in a box,
Put a bunch of useless things that we don't need in mentioned box,
Walk outside for a brief moment only to get into another box while talking into a box,
Drive that box to another box where you'll spend all day working to pay for all the boxes you've accumulated.
Come back to your box after a long day and turn on a box while eating out of a box.
Repeat.
Our society, as a whole, has been programmed to believe that this way of life is something to strive for. We must learn about the world in a box where you get precisely 7 minutes to get from one box to the next, we must then buy a box to live in and a box for transportation. But wait! The boxes we have now just aren't big enough! We must then spend 80% of our lives working in a box in order to buy bigger boxes for the shit we don't need. And the heartbreaking part? We are now part of the program, the illusion, and our children become a part of it too....staring into a box while holding a little box and pushing box buttons. Sound familiar?
It's a sick cycle. A heartbreaking cycle. But it doesn't have to be that way. We, as a society, just need to wake up. It's time to expand our consciousness and see beyond the little box window we've been raised to look out of. You didn't have a choice of the way you were programmed to see the world, but you do have a choice now. You have a choice in how you choose to live within this world. People are slowly waking up to this skewed illusion we as a society have created. IT IS NOT REAL. Your boxes may feed your ego, but they don't nourish your soul.
This world is not a scary place. You don't need your boxes to protect you. Stop taking everything so seriously, including yourself. There is so much magic in this world, so much power, so much learning, experiencing, true existing. It is not an option but our responsibility as human beings to go out there and expand our minds, our world, our consciousness. This world of boxes is not sustainable! It is not healthy! It stifles our spirits, mutes our intuitions, it kills the life inside of us until we become robots, programmed to believe the illusions and lies around us. Go out there and see for yourself! When you step out of the box, you slowly begin to see the truth and real meaning in life. When you step away from that box of security, the promise of a secure future, that's when you really start discovering your life's purpose, that which elevates you to levels of contentment and joy you never thought were possible. The scary part is recognizing and seeing past the illusion you exist in. Once you really see it, and feel it, you will get past it and really start living the way you, as a human being, are designed to.
You might think I'm full of shit. And that's okay. But don't make judgments until you go out there and live this life. I've lived yours and I challenge you to live mine. For a month, a few months, a year, maybe even forever. Your career and education will not crumble and your boxes will not disappear in a months time.
I am not saying that houses, cars, phones, TV's, office jobs are bad. But there has to be a balance. And as a society, we don't have that balance. We don't know what it's like to hit the road for a few weeks with no plan. We have to plan a vacation where we sleep, eat, and exist in a box with an occasional stroll down the beach. We kill living animals in the most cruel ways for food, we use them for entertainment purposes, we abuse them, we forgot that they are alive because we no longer feel alive ourselves. We don't know what our breath feels like expanding within our lungs. We don't take the time to feel that rise and fall of that which gives you life- your breath! We don't know what it's like to look into the eyes of a dragonfly or hear the flapping of a birds wings. We forgot what grass feels like under our bodies as we spread out to read a book. We think that we are so important and everything that we do and say is crucial...it's not! The next time you're at the ocean and a storm comes in, go out there and see how small you actually are. Stop taking yourself so damn seriously! How can we strive to change other peoples lives when we ourselves don't know what it's like to feel true happiness and freedom? Stop trying to change the world and begin by changing yourself. And then together, we can unite and enter a new way of living and existing. Change comes from unity, and unity comes from love, compassion, and co-existence. How can we co-exist if we're too busy hiding within our boxes all day?
Why would you go to the gym when everything you need to stay healthy is right outside your front door? That leather jacket you're wearing, do you know where it came from? Can you imagine yourself looking into the eyes of the cow as it is brutally murdered so that you can make a fashion statement? I have nothing against leather, in fact I own a few things made out of leather. The difference is, I know exactly how the cow lived, the way that it was sacrificed, and the person who took its life. I know that every piece of that cow was used in a respectful way, and that it's life is being honored in gratitude. What about food? Do you know where your food come from? Or do you just go to a box and pick up food in boxes not knowing how much pollution, death, and destruction that food has caused? Again, I'm not saying that grocery stores are bad. But we have to be aware of where our food comes from. You can choose organic and local produce. Yes, it's more expensive. But your lack of medical bills will make up for that. This doesn't mean that you should never go out to eat or get a pizza and watch trashy reality TV shows. Hell, that's what I do every time I treat myself to a hotel room. But it's not a common occurrence. It's an exception, not the norm in my life. You see, it's all about BALANCE. We don't need to exclude the "luxuries" of the modern world from our lives, we just need to be more conscious and aware of our actions. We need to see past the illusions and realize that this isn't the way we are designed to exist. We need to reconnect with the natural world, and with that reconnect with our higher selves and our stifled intuitions.
Go for a hike.
Go play in the snow.
Take a week off work and hit the road with no plan.
Grow a tomato plant.
Just do something outside of your boxes!
It's not just a choice, it's our responsibility. We have to make changes or we'll create a world where our children and grandchildren will know deep suffering. And eventually they will die a very painful death because our Earth cannot sustain this way of life. And to be honest, what's the point of living with a paralyzed spirit and a programmed mind? We, as a society, are a bunch of robots. It's time to wake up!
I apologize if I offended any of you, but I hope that it made all of you contemplate something, even if a tiny bit. I have so many great links, connections, and information if any of you are interested in expanding your consciousness, hitting the road, or anything, really! Just leave me a comment, send me an email, shoot me a message. I am open to hearing from all of you.
We exist in a series of boxes.
We live in a box,
Sleep, wake up, make love in a box,
Shower in a box,
Put a bunch of useless things that we don't need in mentioned box,
Walk outside for a brief moment only to get into another box while talking into a box,
Drive that box to another box where you'll spend all day working to pay for all the boxes you've accumulated.
Come back to your box after a long day and turn on a box while eating out of a box.
Repeat.
Our society, as a whole, has been programmed to believe that this way of life is something to strive for. We must learn about the world in a box where you get precisely 7 minutes to get from one box to the next, we must then buy a box to live in and a box for transportation. But wait! The boxes we have now just aren't big enough! We must then spend 80% of our lives working in a box in order to buy bigger boxes for the shit we don't need. And the heartbreaking part? We are now part of the program, the illusion, and our children become a part of it too....staring into a box while holding a little box and pushing box buttons. Sound familiar?
It's a sick cycle. A heartbreaking cycle. But it doesn't have to be that way. We, as a society, just need to wake up. It's time to expand our consciousness and see beyond the little box window we've been raised to look out of. You didn't have a choice of the way you were programmed to see the world, but you do have a choice now. You have a choice in how you choose to live within this world. People are slowly waking up to this skewed illusion we as a society have created. IT IS NOT REAL. Your boxes may feed your ego, but they don't nourish your soul.
This world is not a scary place. You don't need your boxes to protect you. Stop taking everything so seriously, including yourself. There is so much magic in this world, so much power, so much learning, experiencing, true existing. It is not an option but our responsibility as human beings to go out there and expand our minds, our world, our consciousness. This world of boxes is not sustainable! It is not healthy! It stifles our spirits, mutes our intuitions, it kills the life inside of us until we become robots, programmed to believe the illusions and lies around us. Go out there and see for yourself! When you step out of the box, you slowly begin to see the truth and real meaning in life. When you step away from that box of security, the promise of a secure future, that's when you really start discovering your life's purpose, that which elevates you to levels of contentment and joy you never thought were possible. The scary part is recognizing and seeing past the illusion you exist in. Once you really see it, and feel it, you will get past it and really start living the way you, as a human being, are designed to.
You might think I'm full of shit. And that's okay. But don't make judgments until you go out there and live this life. I've lived yours and I challenge you to live mine. For a month, a few months, a year, maybe even forever. Your career and education will not crumble and your boxes will not disappear in a months time.
I am not saying that houses, cars, phones, TV's, office jobs are bad. But there has to be a balance. And as a society, we don't have that balance. We don't know what it's like to hit the road for a few weeks with no plan. We have to plan a vacation where we sleep, eat, and exist in a box with an occasional stroll down the beach. We kill living animals in the most cruel ways for food, we use them for entertainment purposes, we abuse them, we forgot that they are alive because we no longer feel alive ourselves. We don't know what our breath feels like expanding within our lungs. We don't take the time to feel that rise and fall of that which gives you life- your breath! We don't know what it's like to look into the eyes of a dragonfly or hear the flapping of a birds wings. We forgot what grass feels like under our bodies as we spread out to read a book. We think that we are so important and everything that we do and say is crucial...it's not! The next time you're at the ocean and a storm comes in, go out there and see how small you actually are. Stop taking yourself so damn seriously! How can we strive to change other peoples lives when we ourselves don't know what it's like to feel true happiness and freedom? Stop trying to change the world and begin by changing yourself. And then together, we can unite and enter a new way of living and existing. Change comes from unity, and unity comes from love, compassion, and co-existence. How can we co-exist if we're too busy hiding within our boxes all day?
Why would you go to the gym when everything you need to stay healthy is right outside your front door? That leather jacket you're wearing, do you know where it came from? Can you imagine yourself looking into the eyes of the cow as it is brutally murdered so that you can make a fashion statement? I have nothing against leather, in fact I own a few things made out of leather. The difference is, I know exactly how the cow lived, the way that it was sacrificed, and the person who took its life. I know that every piece of that cow was used in a respectful way, and that it's life is being honored in gratitude. What about food? Do you know where your food come from? Or do you just go to a box and pick up food in boxes not knowing how much pollution, death, and destruction that food has caused? Again, I'm not saying that grocery stores are bad. But we have to be aware of where our food comes from. You can choose organic and local produce. Yes, it's more expensive. But your lack of medical bills will make up for that. This doesn't mean that you should never go out to eat or get a pizza and watch trashy reality TV shows. Hell, that's what I do every time I treat myself to a hotel room. But it's not a common occurrence. It's an exception, not the norm in my life. You see, it's all about BALANCE. We don't need to exclude the "luxuries" of the modern world from our lives, we just need to be more conscious and aware of our actions. We need to see past the illusions and realize that this isn't the way we are designed to exist. We need to reconnect with the natural world, and with that reconnect with our higher selves and our stifled intuitions.
Go for a hike.
Go play in the snow.
Take a week off work and hit the road with no plan.
Grow a tomato plant.
Just do something outside of your boxes!
It's not just a choice, it's our responsibility. We have to make changes or we'll create a world where our children and grandchildren will know deep suffering. And eventually they will die a very painful death because our Earth cannot sustain this way of life. And to be honest, what's the point of living with a paralyzed spirit and a programmed mind? We, as a society, are a bunch of robots. It's time to wake up!
I apologize if I offended any of you, but I hope that it made all of you contemplate something, even if a tiny bit. I have so many great links, connections, and information if any of you are interested in expanding your consciousness, hitting the road, or anything, really! Just leave me a comment, send me an email, shoot me a message. I am open to hearing from all of you.
Death Valley: Wildrose Peak
I decided that I need to share more details of actual places with you all and information on how to get there, what to look for, what to avoid, links to maps, etc. While this is very much a personal blog to keep my friends and family informed on my whereabouts (I'm alive! I promise!), I also want it to be a guide to places in case any of you decide to venture out that way.
About a week ago I ventured to Death Valley National Park. I intended to just pass through, thinking that there's not much to see. Oh, was I ever wrong! I ended up staying for 2 days. If you, or someone you know, is contemplating vising Death Valley DO IT! There is so much to see, so much to do, and there is something for everyone. I am more of an adventurous outdoors kind of gal, so a lot of my advice, opinions, and information will be coming from that perspective.
I arrived at Death Valley a few hours before sunset and as soon as I started driving through I knew that I needed to find a campground. Now the great thing about Death Valley is that they have 3 campgrounds that are free of charge and a few in the range of $10-18/night. I stayed at one of the free campgrounds called Wildrose. A few miles up the road are the other two free campgrounds (Thorndyke and Mahogany Flats), but to get to them you follow a fairly rugged dirt road and I didn't want to risk getting a flat, so I happily stayed at Wildrose. It was a great campground; easily accessible, private sites, bathrooms, and clean drinking water. Another really great thing about the free campgrounds is that they are at a higher elevation so you are surrounded by beautiful mountain views and evergreens. The campgrounds with the fees are located in the salt flats, since that is one of Death Valley's main attractions. And because you are so removed from the main attraction- you are also removed from the tourists and the people traffic. But- it's all about your personal preference. This was mine.
Wildrose Campground is roughly 40 miles from the west entrance and it is a gorgeous drive. Absolutely breathtaking. The soft rolling hills will take your breath away, and as you go up in elevation the views are stunning. Now, the road is in great shape and a very smooth ride; however, there are twists and turns up the wazoo so a trailer would have a difficult time maneuvering. Something to keep in mind if you're not a light traveler.
When I got to the campground, I was unable to set up my tent because it was so windy. So I slept in my car. It wasn't a big deal for me, but if it's something you'd have a difficult time doing I would make sure to have a few extra hands with the tent setup and make sure to put some heavy stones around your tent to keep it from flying away. The wind really is that intense! Also, if you have time, check the weather forecast. If the forecast says windy, it might be a better idea to pay and stay in the salt flats where the wind is not so intense.
The following morning I decided to climb to the Wildrose Peak. The trailhead is roughly 7 miles up the road by the Charcoal Kilns. You can't miss it! The length of the trail is 4.2 miles, so 8.4 miles roundtrip. The views are unbelievable, especially for the last 2 miles. If you are ever at Death Valley, make sure you do this hike. I can't say enough great things about it. However, it is moderately strenuous. The hike up is 4.2 miles uphill with a fairly steep grade for the last 2 miles. Also make sure you have good traction on your hiking shoes and bring plenty of water. I brought a gallon and finished it all by the end of the hike. The way down is a little rough on the joints with the fairly steep (downhill) grade, and I found myself sliding a bit. Trekking poles would have been very helpful.
So if you are in decent shape and would like to challenge yourself- make the climb to Wildrose Peak. You won't be disappointed!
About a week ago I ventured to Death Valley National Park. I intended to just pass through, thinking that there's not much to see. Oh, was I ever wrong! I ended up staying for 2 days. If you, or someone you know, is contemplating vising Death Valley DO IT! There is so much to see, so much to do, and there is something for everyone. I am more of an adventurous outdoors kind of gal, so a lot of my advice, opinions, and information will be coming from that perspective.
I arrived at Death Valley a few hours before sunset and as soon as I started driving through I knew that I needed to find a campground. Now the great thing about Death Valley is that they have 3 campgrounds that are free of charge and a few in the range of $10-18/night. I stayed at one of the free campgrounds called Wildrose. A few miles up the road are the other two free campgrounds (Thorndyke and Mahogany Flats), but to get to them you follow a fairly rugged dirt road and I didn't want to risk getting a flat, so I happily stayed at Wildrose. It was a great campground; easily accessible, private sites, bathrooms, and clean drinking water. Another really great thing about the free campgrounds is that they are at a higher elevation so you are surrounded by beautiful mountain views and evergreens. The campgrounds with the fees are located in the salt flats, since that is one of Death Valley's main attractions. And because you are so removed from the main attraction- you are also removed from the tourists and the people traffic. But- it's all about your personal preference. This was mine.
Wildrose Campground is roughly 40 miles from the west entrance and it is a gorgeous drive. Absolutely breathtaking. The soft rolling hills will take your breath away, and as you go up in elevation the views are stunning. Now, the road is in great shape and a very smooth ride; however, there are twists and turns up the wazoo so a trailer would have a difficult time maneuvering. Something to keep in mind if you're not a light traveler.
When I got to the campground, I was unable to set up my tent because it was so windy. So I slept in my car. It wasn't a big deal for me, but if it's something you'd have a difficult time doing I would make sure to have a few extra hands with the tent setup and make sure to put some heavy stones around your tent to keep it from flying away. The wind really is that intense! Also, if you have time, check the weather forecast. If the forecast says windy, it might be a better idea to pay and stay in the salt flats where the wind is not so intense.
The following morning I decided to climb to the Wildrose Peak. The trailhead is roughly 7 miles up the road by the Charcoal Kilns. You can't miss it! The length of the trail is 4.2 miles, so 8.4 miles roundtrip. The views are unbelievable, especially for the last 2 miles. If you are ever at Death Valley, make sure you do this hike. I can't say enough great things about it. However, it is moderately strenuous. The hike up is 4.2 miles uphill with a fairly steep grade for the last 2 miles. Also make sure you have good traction on your hiking shoes and bring plenty of water. I brought a gallon and finished it all by the end of the hike. The way down is a little rough on the joints with the fairly steep (downhill) grade, and I found myself sliding a bit. Trekking poles would have been very helpful.
 |
| The last mile of the hike. You can see the trail on the left and the beautiful views it's exposed to. |
 |
| Almost at the top. |
 |
| About half a mile from the peak. |
 |
| Wildrose Peak marker. The whole hike is an approximate 5500 foot elevation gain. |
 |
| Enjoying the views! |
 |
| View from the peak. |
 |
| Another view from the peak. |
So if you are in decent shape and would like to challenge yourself- make the climb to Wildrose Peak. You won't be disappointed!
Wednesday, November 2, 2011
Randoms 2.0
-Today I bought my ticket to Czech Republic and Poland. I got really excited when I received my ticket confirmation and then the panic slowly set in when I realized that I am not a very good air traveler. Thankfully, the rational side of me looked up Delta's international flight policies and I realized that there will be complimentary wine and beer. Crisis averted.
-While sleeping in the backseat of my car at a casino parking lot a few nights ago, I rudely got woken up by a security guard banging on my window. I don't know why but this gave me an intense fit of the giggles. There were tears and involuntary shaking involved due to my inability to stop laughing. I think the security guard was more panicked by my response than I was being woken up in the middle of the night. Don't ask me why I responded this way, I do not have an answer for you. But roughly 2 hours later I was in Vegas drinking coffee and trying to figure out how to get the hell outta there. Vegas and I don't get along.
-When I get back from Europe in early January, I am going to Central America. Maybe by myself; possibly with someone else. This idea popped into my head this past weekend and I made a decision roughly 2.37 seconds after that. I'm gonna learn how to surf. And climb lots of mountains. And be a beach bum. Next winter I'm gonna learn how to ski and snowboard. However in another 2.37 second I may change my mind about all of this. Told you this was a randoms post!!
-For the next 5 days I get to sleep in a tipi. FIVE DAYS! In a TIPI! My life is perfect.
-I am planning a big Alaska trip for the upcoming summer. Then I'm heading down and spending the Fall in the NW region. I may or may not leave; I love that area. If you want to join, let me know. The more the merrier! We can find Bus 142. We can admire Denali and dream about one day climbing it. We can frolic through wildflower fields and swim in glacial water. We can do anything. Together. Yes?
-I need to journal more. I am so good at it when I'm traveling solo, but every time I'm around others, I forget. And when I remember, I get distracted and forget again. No good.
-There are six things I will not take for granted again.
1. Water
2. A warm meal
3. Clean clothes
4. A shower
5. A bed
-Two days ago I was driving through New Mexico and saw a man standing on the side of the street facing traffic with his pants down. That night I got a motel room. New Mexico has the most beautiful sunsets I have ever seen in my life, but the vibe of the people doesn't give me much sense of comfort or security. No offense to those of you who love this area, I do too. Really. I love the land, I'm just not crazy about the people.
-Everything that I own officially fits in my trunk. No more backseat baggage; the backseat is now my bedroom. I never thought I'd be able to downsize this much, but I have. It's kind of unbelievable when I think about all the stuff I owned. Going from a house to a car trunk and not missing any of it....Crazy!
-As much as I love traveling by myself, sometimes it can get lonely. I am really grateful for travel companions who have joined me along the way. I am also really grateful for spontaneous visitors and meeting new people. But at the same time, I am grateful for my alone time....just not when I end up in questionable places all by my lonesome self!
-I am seriously thinking about getting dreads...I just want my hair to get a bit longer. And then I want to shave my head and rock some head scarves.
-This is the first year that I won't be with my family for Thanksgiving, Christmas, or New Years. That makes me kind of sad.
-Sometimes I wish I were a bird. Mostly when I'm at places like the Grand Canyon.
-My wishlist keeps expanding....so far on the list (not in any particular order):
* bike
* kayak
* point and shoot camera
* running shoes
* a nice pair of lightweight hiking pants
* high quality hiking winter boots (not so high on my list since I don't intend on seeing much snow)
* high quality winter jacket (again, not so high on my list)
* a new pair of glasses (mine are starting to reach the breaking point)
* a new IPod to replace my non-functioning one
I am hoping to find a lot of these things at thrift stores eventually. Clearly, none of them have been essential to my survival so I'm not too eager to obtain any of them....even though some would be fun!
- About 37% of my time is spent thinking "Is this really my life?" And then I have to remind myself, yes, yes it is.
-While sleeping in the backseat of my car at a casino parking lot a few nights ago, I rudely got woken up by a security guard banging on my window. I don't know why but this gave me an intense fit of the giggles. There were tears and involuntary shaking involved due to my inability to stop laughing. I think the security guard was more panicked by my response than I was being woken up in the middle of the night. Don't ask me why I responded this way, I do not have an answer for you. But roughly 2 hours later I was in Vegas drinking coffee and trying to figure out how to get the hell outta there. Vegas and I don't get along.
-When I get back from Europe in early January, I am going to Central America. Maybe by myself; possibly with someone else. This idea popped into my head this past weekend and I made a decision roughly 2.37 seconds after that. I'm gonna learn how to surf. And climb lots of mountains. And be a beach bum. Next winter I'm gonna learn how to ski and snowboard. However in another 2.37 second I may change my mind about all of this. Told you this was a randoms post!!
-For the next 5 days I get to sleep in a tipi. FIVE DAYS! In a TIPI! My life is perfect.
-I am planning a big Alaska trip for the upcoming summer. Then I'm heading down and spending the Fall in the NW region. I may or may not leave; I love that area. If you want to join, let me know. The more the merrier! We can find Bus 142. We can admire Denali and dream about one day climbing it. We can frolic through wildflower fields and swim in glacial water. We can do anything. Together. Yes?
-I need to journal more. I am so good at it when I'm traveling solo, but every time I'm around others, I forget. And when I remember, I get distracted and forget again. No good.
-There are six things I will not take for granted again.
1. Water
2. A warm meal
3. Clean clothes
4. A shower
5. A bed
-Two days ago I was driving through New Mexico and saw a man standing on the side of the street facing traffic with his pants down. That night I got a motel room. New Mexico has the most beautiful sunsets I have ever seen in my life, but the vibe of the people doesn't give me much sense of comfort or security. No offense to those of you who love this area, I do too. Really. I love the land, I'm just not crazy about the people.
-Everything that I own officially fits in my trunk. No more backseat baggage; the backseat is now my bedroom. I never thought I'd be able to downsize this much, but I have. It's kind of unbelievable when I think about all the stuff I owned. Going from a house to a car trunk and not missing any of it....Crazy!
-As much as I love traveling by myself, sometimes it can get lonely. I am really grateful for travel companions who have joined me along the way. I am also really grateful for spontaneous visitors and meeting new people. But at the same time, I am grateful for my alone time....just not when I end up in questionable places all by my lonesome self!
-I am seriously thinking about getting dreads...I just want my hair to get a bit longer. And then I want to shave my head and rock some head scarves.
-This is the first year that I won't be with my family for Thanksgiving, Christmas, or New Years. That makes me kind of sad.
-Sometimes I wish I were a bird. Mostly when I'm at places like the Grand Canyon.
-My wishlist keeps expanding....so far on the list (not in any particular order):
* bike
* kayak
* point and shoot camera
* running shoes
* a nice pair of lightweight hiking pants
* high quality hiking winter boots (not so high on my list since I don't intend on seeing much snow)
* high quality winter jacket (again, not so high on my list)
* a new pair of glasses (mine are starting to reach the breaking point)
* a new IPod to replace my non-functioning one
I am hoping to find a lot of these things at thrift stores eventually. Clearly, none of them have been essential to my survival so I'm not too eager to obtain any of them....even though some would be fun!
- About 37% of my time is spent thinking "Is this really my life?" And then I have to remind myself, yes, yes it is.
Wednesday, October 26, 2011
When Two Gypsies Collide
They climb Red Rocks to a magical spot for prayer tie creation.
They request to go up the mountain a day early. The Universe says yes. They go. They pick the only two spots without any shade. They fast. They bleed. They meet the Grandmother. They reunite. They watch the sun rise. They shed tears to the pounding of the sacred drum inside the Shaman's Cave. They become soul sisters.
They take the road less traveled by. The crows become their guides and the hawks their protectors.
They ask trees permission before climbing them.
Sometimes they say no (in that case they get hugs and lots of lovin!).
And sometimes they say yes.
They climb into the womb of Mother Earth.
They find their way to the Edge....
...and decide to stay for a bit.
They listen to answers blowing in the wind.
They find joy in existing.
They let the waters move them.
They discover hidden beaches...
...and hidden coves...
...and find solace in both.
They ask the Universe for what they desire and later stumble upon it in the woods.
And when it's time to go, they take one last picture together, hold each other tight, exchange words of love, and head opposite ways knowing full well that their paths will one day cross again...and it will be beautiful.
They request to go up the mountain a day early. The Universe says yes. They go. They pick the only two spots without any shade. They fast. They bleed. They meet the Grandmother. They reunite. They watch the sun rise. They shed tears to the pounding of the sacred drum inside the Shaman's Cave. They become soul sisters.
They take the road less traveled by. The crows become their guides and the hawks their protectors.
They ask trees permission before climbing them.
Sometimes they say no (in that case they get hugs and lots of lovin!).
And sometimes they say yes.
They climb into the womb of Mother Earth.
They find their way to the Edge....
...and decide to stay for a bit.
They listen to answers blowing in the wind.
They find joy in existing.
They let the waters move them.
They discover hidden beaches...
...and hidden coves...
...and find solace in both.
They ask the Universe for what they desire and later stumble upon it in the woods.
And when it's time to go, they take one last picture together, hold each other tight, exchange words of love, and head opposite ways knowing full well that their paths will one day cross again...and it will be beautiful.
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