We are staying in Maui for a month. Nearly 4 years ago, while vacationing in Maui, we were introduced to a local couple who own 3 different vacation rentals which all sit peacefully on acres and acres of tropical land. The land is surrounded by giant hibiscus and orange blossom trees, banana, avocado, orange, lime, star fruit, guava, and, of course, swaying palm trees. Birds are chirping, roosters, and chickens are seeking food....It's full-on sensory awareness! Everything has a voice...and all is heard in its own unique way! Believe me...
M and I are a couple of kids when we arrive at this place. Me: "Okay, first thing we have to do is explore the grounds for limes, oranges, and avocados. Then we make our way up the hill to the house, we make our fruit drink. Then, we....." And I go on, and on, and on.
M: "Okay, first thing we should do is go to flatbread pizza company for dinner, then we go to Mana foods for groceries. Remember that salad dressing that we bought last year...gotta get that. Oh yeah...and mint rice dream....." And he goes on, and on, and on.
We get a kick out of each other. In Kyoto, we have a limited amount of organic produce, meat substitutes, and healthy snacks. So, when we go to the states we have a bit of a food orgy..........um...daily.
Apart from finding my voice in new foods, I come here in search of new inspiration. I am a quirky aquarius, who loves to be challenged by things that are beyond the norm. I love to push limits. So, it makes sense for me to be in an enivironment that helps me to stay centered, but then also surrounds me with innovation, and expressive people. The balance of the two are keys to my sanity! Paia, Maui lends this balance to me.
Paia is a small area of Maui, with loads of character. On a superficial level, women who surround this area have a sort of mermaid-esque type look, while men have that dusty brown tan-look. You're seein fun hairstyles, or basic hairstyles, shoes, or no-shoes, pregnant bellies, voluptuous bodies, bodies with 0% body fat, etc, etc. It's all out there in the open.....everyone havin their voice in any way that is possible. Taking it in helps me to connect to my own freedom and character.
The ocean, trees, sand, and heat guide me to my center. Guiding me to be vast, open, calm, flexible, and passionate to new ideas. The mountains, waterfalls, and volcanoes call me to movement, strength, perserverance, history, and spirituality.
So,traveling within me is: the hyper-active kid, the rebelious teenager, the floundering adult, and the inquisitive quirky aquarian ready for whatever is next! So happy to be home!
Tuesday, January 29, 2008
Sunday, January 20, 2008
The Boss
So, lately I have experienced a series of Tony Soprano moments. If you've ever watched this series before, Tony (mob-father), every so often comes across a family of ducks and is touched by the purity of their connection to one another. I interpret this scene as a reminder of what lives inside us all, but what we often forget is there.
Tony moments often happen when I am at a crossroads in life, or when I am not able to sit still. Lately, I have been faced with multiple crossroads and have felt so far away from the stillness that I long for. Cue Tony moment. Instead of ducks, I come across a family of deer. It started about a year ago. Sometimes when G and I go for a walk, I'll see this family eating together, and while I observe this scene, I can find my breath again. I am focused, touched, and living in each moment. The doe and I manage to make eye contact with one another every time. It's as if her contact with me forces an invaluable silent lesson. In these moments, I am closer to the earth, closer to innocence, and humbled. Who knows, maybe this Tony moment is also connected to my longing for a family of my own.
Now for the silly part of this entry. Not too long ago, I was invited to a friend's birthday. She rented an old Machia (a type of traditional space). She asked everyone to bring a dish to pass. There were about 15-20 women at the party. So, I am sitting with the others at a table full of food. I heard a sudden burst of awe, and looked to see what was up. One of the women brought a beautifully arranged plate of some type of sashimi. Only it wasn't your standard sashimi, it was venison sashimi. "What is it?" I said. In an excited burst..."Dee-ahh!" they said. "Dee-ahh, Dee-ahh, Dee-ahh, what's dee-ah? I thought. "Oh...oh my.....it's deer." I thought.
Now, I am not a fan of red meat in general; and based on this experience with ma-doe soprano, I couldn't partake in the delight of this dish. What's worse, is that this plate of raw venison was passed in front of me several times, and would often end up set down in front of me. "Pass the dee-ah,please" "More dee-ah, please" "Oishii, desho?" "mmm-mmm."
Two days after the party, I ran into Ma-doe again eating with her family.
Tony moments often happen when I am at a crossroads in life, or when I am not able to sit still. Lately, I have been faced with multiple crossroads and have felt so far away from the stillness that I long for. Cue Tony moment. Instead of ducks, I come across a family of deer. It started about a year ago. Sometimes when G and I go for a walk, I'll see this family eating together, and while I observe this scene, I can find my breath again. I am focused, touched, and living in each moment. The doe and I manage to make eye contact with one another every time. It's as if her contact with me forces an invaluable silent lesson. In these moments, I am closer to the earth, closer to innocence, and humbled. Who knows, maybe this Tony moment is also connected to my longing for a family of my own.
Now for the silly part of this entry. Not too long ago, I was invited to a friend's birthday. She rented an old Machia (a type of traditional space). She asked everyone to bring a dish to pass. There were about 15-20 women at the party. So, I am sitting with the others at a table full of food. I heard a sudden burst of awe, and looked to see what was up. One of the women brought a beautifully arranged plate of some type of sashimi. Only it wasn't your standard sashimi, it was venison sashimi. "What is it?" I said. In an excited burst..."Dee-ahh!" they said. "Dee-ahh, Dee-ahh, Dee-ahh, what's dee-ah? I thought. "Oh...oh my.....it's deer." I thought.
Now, I am not a fan of red meat in general; and based on this experience with ma-doe soprano, I couldn't partake in the delight of this dish. What's worse, is that this plate of raw venison was passed in front of me several times, and would often end up set down in front of me. "Pass the dee-ah,please" "More dee-ah, please" "Oishii, desho?" "mmm-mmm."
Two days after the party, I ran into Ma-doe again eating with her family.
Tuesday, January 1, 2008
Kyoto's little secret
New Year's eve was beautiful. We had plans to go to Shimogamo Shrine, which is a 20 minute bike ride from our house. In Japan, it's pretty common to visit a shrine or temple on New Year's eve. Visiting one or the other usually entails: praying, and/or standing outside in a long line to ring the new year bell with well wishes for the new year. The beauty of it all, is that it takes place outside. Kyoto is filled with temples and shrines tucked away in mountains or hillsides. The views are breath-taking. It's peaceful, and a wonderful way to connect with nature. I never get sick of it.
So, the thing about Kyoto is that it has this way of unfolding its' beauty before you, in ways that come from your own spontaneity. I have had the most amazing experiences here when I just let go of my "plans" and allow Kyoto to give me its' plan. So much of this insight comes from the mountains, rivers, gardens, shrines, temples, and its' tranquility. It has been such a gift to discover, and explore.
So, back to New Year's eve......We cycled for about 5 of the 20 minutes and realized that we had no desire to go the rest of the way in freezing temperatures, and decided to go to one of the local shrines. After we parked our bikes, we began up the hill to the stone steps leading to the main shrine. Along the way, the stars were bright and the path was candle-lit. It was super quiet, and I really felt like I could be with each moment. As we reached the top, we could hear a distant gong ringing. We decided to follow the sounds and moved down a dark path in the mountain and ended up at a temple with a gathering of people standing around a fire, waiting in a short line ready to ring the new year bell. The sights and sounds of it all were so magical. Watching and being a part of this small community of people anxiously awaiting to ring in the new year with wishes or prayers for a positive new year, felt...so connected, so intimate, so strong.
Kyoto showed us its' magic once again.
So, the thing about Kyoto is that it has this way of unfolding its' beauty before you, in ways that come from your own spontaneity. I have had the most amazing experiences here when I just let go of my "plans" and allow Kyoto to give me its' plan. So much of this insight comes from the mountains, rivers, gardens, shrines, temples, and its' tranquility. It has been such a gift to discover, and explore.
So, back to New Year's eve......We cycled for about 5 of the 20 minutes and realized that we had no desire to go the rest of the way in freezing temperatures, and decided to go to one of the local shrines. After we parked our bikes, we began up the hill to the stone steps leading to the main shrine. Along the way, the stars were bright and the path was candle-lit. It was super quiet, and I really felt like I could be with each moment. As we reached the top, we could hear a distant gong ringing. We decided to follow the sounds and moved down a dark path in the mountain and ended up at a temple with a gathering of people standing around a fire, waiting in a short line ready to ring the new year bell. The sights and sounds of it all were so magical. Watching and being a part of this small community of people anxiously awaiting to ring in the new year with wishes or prayers for a positive new year, felt...so connected, so intimate, so strong.
Kyoto showed us its' magic once again.
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