Beloved --
Anna and I are going to visit the site of the martyrdoom of St. Thomas today. Tonight there will be a New Year's celebration with her colleagues from the Little Lambs School.
My wishes for a Prosperous 2009 for us all!
I love you and miss you all,
Jim
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
In and out of Seattle (22-23 December)
Beloved --
I never thought that the last 30 miles would be so difficult; but you all remember the lousy weather throughout the Northwest the week before Christmas! What I expected to be a 36 hour turnaround before heading for India turned out to be a challenge. Without the help of my neighbor, Marlin, I would still be walking to SeaTac.
I checked in at 3:00pm on December 23rd and BA Flight 48 departed on time for London at 6:40pm. I wound up sleeping most of the way to Heathrow. At the new Terminal 5 there was no jetway so we were on a bus to the transit area. I made my Bangalore connection with about 10 minutes to spare. First bit of good luck in awhile!
Not surprisingly, most of my fellow travellers were Indian. My disappointment was, that after having ordered a special meal (vegetarian), I was served penne marinara again. My fellow passengers were served the most wonderfully smelling Indian meals (some purely vegetarian). With a great deal of envy, I came to realize that I was truly on my way to the land of ancient civilization, delicious food, modern call centers, and very friendly people.
After a three hour delay in Bangalore on Christmas morning (there just weren't enough passengers to fill the domestic flight--typical to cancel until a plane load occurs), I made the one hour hop to Chennai. I was pleasantly surprised to find that the driver who had been arranged to meet my earlier flight was still waiting outside the Arrivals exit. It was there that I came face to face with the sights, sounds, and smells of India. I'm not the first to say this, but NOTHING can prepare one for the first few hours in India. A couple of authors come to mind, namely E.M.Forster ("A Passage to India") and Octavio Paz (collection of essays entitled simply "India") . [I plead guilty to expanding my bibliography.]
In Chennai every light change unleases a flash flood of autorickshaws, motorbikes, trucks, taxis, and bicycles, each with a horn like a bleating sheep in pain. Each roundabout or merge seems to be an individual test of wills, with the vehicles only inches apart amidst the chaos. It felt like a block by block assault on the next intersection for the three hour taxi ride to Pondicherry. I hit overload (or fatigue) after a couple of hours, and collapsed into bed a three in the afternoon on Christmas Day after a short reunion with my family.
Sunrise on Boxing Day: I found that "most" of Pondy is out on the corniche exercising, doing Sun Salutes, or chanting as the sun rises out of the Bay of Bengal. I joined them for my usual Qi Gong morning stretch. It all felt normal.
I love you and miss you all,
Jim
I never thought that the last 30 miles would be so difficult; but you all remember the lousy weather throughout the Northwest the week before Christmas! What I expected to be a 36 hour turnaround before heading for India turned out to be a challenge. Without the help of my neighbor, Marlin, I would still be walking to SeaTac.
I checked in at 3:00pm on December 23rd and BA Flight 48 departed on time for London at 6:40pm. I wound up sleeping most of the way to Heathrow. At the new Terminal 5 there was no jetway so we were on a bus to the transit area. I made my Bangalore connection with about 10 minutes to spare. First bit of good luck in awhile!
Not surprisingly, most of my fellow travellers were Indian. My disappointment was, that after having ordered a special meal (vegetarian), I was served penne marinara again. My fellow passengers were served the most wonderfully smelling Indian meals (some purely vegetarian). With a great deal of envy, I came to realize that I was truly on my way to the land of ancient civilization, delicious food, modern call centers, and very friendly people.
After a three hour delay in Bangalore on Christmas morning (there just weren't enough passengers to fill the domestic flight--typical to cancel until a plane load occurs), I made the one hour hop to Chennai. I was pleasantly surprised to find that the driver who had been arranged to meet my earlier flight was still waiting outside the Arrivals exit. It was there that I came face to face with the sights, sounds, and smells of India. I'm not the first to say this, but NOTHING can prepare one for the first few hours in India. A couple of authors come to mind, namely E.M.Forster ("A Passage to India") and Octavio Paz (collection of essays entitled simply "India") . [I plead guilty to expanding my bibliography.]
In Chennai every light change unleases a flash flood of autorickshaws, motorbikes, trucks, taxis, and bicycles, each with a horn like a bleating sheep in pain. Each roundabout or merge seems to be an individual test of wills, with the vehicles only inches apart amidst the chaos. It felt like a block by block assault on the next intersection for the three hour taxi ride to Pondicherry. I hit overload (or fatigue) after a couple of hours, and collapsed into bed a three in the afternoon on Christmas Day after a short reunion with my family.
Sunrise on Boxing Day: I found that "most" of Pondy is out on the corniche exercising, doing Sun Salutes, or chanting as the sun rises out of the Bay of Bengal. I joined them for my usual Qi Gong morning stretch. It all felt normal.
I love you and miss you all,
Jim
Sunday, December 28, 2008
Rough Itinerary through March
Beloved --
Through the end of 2009 -- with family in Tamil Nadu, India (Chennai and Pondicherry)
New Year's day -- Anna and I will travel to Kerala to the Periyar Wildlife Sancturary and the Kerala "backwaters" between Alleppey and Cochin.
First week in January -- Mamallapuram with it's stone carvings
Second week in January -- Travels with Anna
Third week in January -- Travel to Thailand
25 January to 2 February -- REI "Thailand Multisport" Adventure Travel (check it on the REI website) departing and returning to Chaing Mai, Thailand
Remainder of February -- Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, and Viet Nam as much as local time and travel allow
First week of March -- return to India and then home to the Pacific Northwest.
Wish me luck!
I love you and miss you all,
Jim
Through the end of 2009 -- with family in Tamil Nadu, India (Chennai and Pondicherry)
New Year's day -- Anna and I will travel to Kerala to the Periyar Wildlife Sancturary and the Kerala "backwaters" between Alleppey and Cochin.
First week in January -- Mamallapuram with it's stone carvings
Second week in January -- Travels with Anna
Third week in January -- Travel to Thailand
25 January to 2 February -- REI "Thailand Multisport" Adventure Travel (check it on the REI website) departing and returning to Chaing Mai, Thailand
Remainder of February -- Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, and Viet Nam as much as local time and travel allow
First week of March -- return to India and then home to the Pacific Northwest.
Wish me luck!
I love you and miss you all,
Jim
Central America/Mexico wrap-up
Beloved --
[From my collection of Koanic Short Stories. . . .Fear: to go on a journey of self-discovery and return with a bibliography.]
Here goes: From Gary at Rancho Mastatal. . . .The Omnivore's Dilemma (try Amazon); The Humanure Handbook (free downloadable .pdf file); The Hand-Sculpted House (Amazon); and the Cobber's Companion (also Amazon). Gary also recommended Bubba's Fish Tacos in Jaco, CR--he was right on here.
From Linda Wick (Yoga Instructor along with Roy Holman in Costa Rica). . . ."Effortless Being: The Yoga Sutra of Patanjali" Tr. Alistair Shearer [Beautiful photographs] ISBN 0-04-440520-0. The other foundational work is "The Bhagavad Gita" pick your favorite translation.
Carlos (on Ambergris Caye) loaned me his copy of "The Zen Book" by Daniel Levin ISBN 13-987-1-4019-0875-1 [Again beautiful photographs]
There are never enough good books!
I love you and miss you all,
Jim
[From my collection of Koanic Short Stories. . . .Fear: to go on a journey of self-discovery and return with a bibliography.]
Here goes: From Gary at Rancho Mastatal. . . .The Omnivore's Dilemma (try Amazon); The Humanure Handbook (free downloadable .pdf file); The Hand-Sculpted House (Amazon); and the Cobber's Companion (also Amazon). Gary also recommended Bubba's Fish Tacos in Jaco, CR--he was right on here.
From Linda Wick (Yoga Instructor along with Roy Holman in Costa Rica). . . ."Effortless Being: The Yoga Sutra of Patanjali" Tr. Alistair Shearer [Beautiful photographs] ISBN 0-04-440520-0. The other foundational work is "The Bhagavad Gita" pick your favorite translation.
Carlos (on Ambergris Caye) loaned me his copy of "The Zen Book" by Daniel Levin ISBN 13-987-1-4019-0875-1 [Again beautiful photographs]
There are never enough good books!
I love you and miss you all,
Jim
From Belize to Cancun (081214)
Beloved --
Another long travel day. . . .Taxi with Jorge and his son, little Jorge, from Corozal through Sta. Elena and across the border into Mexico. From there, on to the bus terminal in Chetumal. Jorge is an entrepeneur--he also has a small restaurant in the market place in Corozal, where breakfast was less than two dollars (US). He brings little Jorge along on all his cross border trips to teach him the business of ferrying people across to Mexico. I got the feeling that it was difficult/illegal for him to bring people back to Belize, since he refused my help in trying to drum up some business for him. His help getting through the Belize exit process and Mexican entry formalities was worth the $25 (US) and shortened the whole border crossing to an hour and a half. Little Jorge will be ready to take over the business in about six years, by his father's proud estimate.
The bus from Chetumal to Cancun departed at noon-thirty and arrived around 7:00pm. The movie on the bus was an action flick about a bunch of mountain explorers in Afghanistan and was in Spanish without subtitles. I had a ball trying to second guess the plot evolution and always got it wrong!
Mayan Palace is forty-five minutes back towards Chetumal from Cancun so the arrival at that plush "timeshare resort" wasn't until 10:00pm or so.
December 15th was spent enduring a "90 minute" high pressure sales pitch which lasted almost 4 hours but came with a 10% discount on all subsequent expenses at the Mayan Palace. The "free" buffet breakfast was also quite good!
December 16th was a relaxing day in the pool and on the beach.
December 17th was a trip to Playa del Carmen (touristy, but nice), a ferry to Cozumel for a three hour snorkelling expedition (where I found some 5 and 10 peso coins in about 15-20 feet of water), a great lunch of ceviche, guacamole, and cerveza and a lumpy ferry boat ride back to Playa.
December 18th was another kicked back day in the spa, the pool, and on the beach.
December 19th -- All day expedition to the World Heritage site at Chichen Itza followed by a swim in the cenote (underground spring) at Vallolidad in the state of Yucatan.
December 20th -- Sun, sand, and surf!
December 21st -- Depart CA/Mexico for the blizzard shrouded Pacific Northwest where we waited for a landing gate for several hours at SeaTac. Shuttle Express had quit running to individual residences, but only to hotels near I5. Got to the LaQuinta (Lynnwood) around 2:30 am and took the local Community Transit bus the next morning to get back home to pick up my car. And to think on the morning of all this travel, I had greeted the dawn with some Qi Gong stretching
Another long travel day. . . .Taxi with Jorge and his son, little Jorge, from Corozal through Sta. Elena and across the border into Mexico. From there, on to the bus terminal in Chetumal. Jorge is an entrepeneur--he also has a small restaurant in the market place in Corozal, where breakfast was less than two dollars (US). He brings little Jorge along on all his cross border trips to teach him the business of ferrying people across to Mexico. I got the feeling that it was difficult/illegal for him to bring people back to Belize, since he refused my help in trying to drum up some business for him. His help getting through the Belize exit process and Mexican entry formalities was worth the $25 (US) and shortened the whole border crossing to an hour and a half. Little Jorge will be ready to take over the business in about six years, by his father's proud estimate.
The bus from Chetumal to Cancun departed at noon-thirty and arrived around 7:00pm. The movie on the bus was an action flick about a bunch of mountain explorers in Afghanistan and was in Spanish without subtitles. I had a ball trying to second guess the plot evolution and always got it wrong!
Mayan Palace is forty-five minutes back towards Chetumal from Cancun so the arrival at that plush "timeshare resort" wasn't until 10:00pm or so.
December 15th was spent enduring a "90 minute" high pressure sales pitch which lasted almost 4 hours but came with a 10% discount on all subsequent expenses at the Mayan Palace. The "free" buffet breakfast was also quite good!
December 16th was a relaxing day in the pool and on the beach.
December 17th was a trip to Playa del Carmen (touristy, but nice), a ferry to Cozumel for a three hour snorkelling expedition (where I found some 5 and 10 peso coins in about 15-20 feet of water), a great lunch of ceviche, guacamole, and cerveza and a lumpy ferry boat ride back to Playa.
December 18th was another kicked back day in the spa, the pool, and on the beach.
December 19th -- All day expedition to the World Heritage site at Chichen Itza followed by a swim in the cenote (underground spring) at Vallolidad in the state of Yucatan.
December 20th -- Sun, sand, and surf!
December 21st -- Depart CA/Mexico for the blizzard shrouded Pacific Northwest where we waited for a landing gate for several hours at SeaTac. Shuttle Express had quit running to individual residences, but only to hotels near I5. Got to the LaQuinta (Lynnwood) around 2:30 am and took the local Community Transit bus the next morning to get back home to pick up my car. And to think on the morning of all this travel, I had greeted the dawn with some Qi Gong stretching
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
Caye Caulker personalities
Beloved --
(081210)
Tree Tops Guest House is a short walk south of the Caye Caulker Water Taxi dock. It is set back from the beach with a peek-a-boo view of the Caribbean. The proprietress, Doris, runs a "tight ship" (eg. the rooms are cleaned at 8:30am no ifs ands or buts). That being said the room and grounds are clean and secure. Doris is a wealth of information on restaurants, etc. All of her recommendations were good! She also recommended Carlos of Carlos Tours for a snorkelling day to Hol Chan Marine Reserve (as well as several other great spots).
Carlos spent a lot of time in the water with us on Friday. Very knowledgeable about species of fish and coral. He takes a maximum of eight snorkellers (and a minimum of four). Very laid back and fun to dive with. We petted sharks (sandpaper) and rays (slimy), coaxed octupus from their lairs by rattling conch shells in front of their holes, found two types of eels and several large crabs.
Carlos has a young (16 year old) black deckhand (Henry?) who is very helpful. I later found out that Henry has been living on his own since he was 12. Both he and Carlos are Caye Caulker natives -- Carlos having started his business 25 years ago. His was the first snorkel tour business on the Caye. Carlos has taken Henry under his wing and is teaching him the business.
I love you and miss you all,
Jim
(081210)
Tree Tops Guest House is a short walk south of the Caye Caulker Water Taxi dock. It is set back from the beach with a peek-a-boo view of the Caribbean. The proprietress, Doris, runs a "tight ship" (eg. the rooms are cleaned at 8:30am no ifs ands or buts). That being said the room and grounds are clean and secure. Doris is a wealth of information on restaurants, etc. All of her recommendations were good! She also recommended Carlos of Carlos Tours for a snorkelling day to Hol Chan Marine Reserve (as well as several other great spots).
Carlos spent a lot of time in the water with us on Friday. Very knowledgeable about species of fish and coral. He takes a maximum of eight snorkellers (and a minimum of four). Very laid back and fun to dive with. We petted sharks (sandpaper) and rays (slimy), coaxed octupus from their lairs by rattling conch shells in front of their holes, found two types of eels and several large crabs.
Carlos has a young (16 year old) black deckhand (Henry?) who is very helpful. I later found out that Henry has been living on his own since he was 12. Both he and Carlos are Caye Caulker natives -- Carlos having started his business 25 years ago. His was the first snorkel tour business on the Caye. Carlos has taken Henry under his wing and is teaching him the business.
I love you and miss you all,
Jim
Monday, December 15, 2008
More on Travel: Belize to Cancun
Beloved -
From Caye Caulker to water taxi is 45 minutes to San Pedro (Ambergris Caye). The Thunderbolt high speed water taxi is about 3 hours from San Pedro to Corozal, Belize--across a wide expanse of water called Chetumal Bay. From Corozal to Chetumal, Mexico is a taxi across the border. Chetumal to Cancun is a 1st Class bus (6 hours) on ADO busline. Cancun to Mayan Palace is about 45 minutes. Lots of travel. I´m pooped and hoping to avoid the timeshare sales people at the Mayan Palace.
Weather: Sunny and in the 80´s.
I love you and miss you all,
Jim
From Caye Caulker to water taxi is 45 minutes to San Pedro (Ambergris Caye). The Thunderbolt high speed water taxi is about 3 hours from San Pedro to Corozal, Belize--across a wide expanse of water called Chetumal Bay. From Corozal to Chetumal, Mexico is a taxi across the border. Chetumal to Cancun is a 1st Class bus (6 hours) on ADO busline. Cancun to Mayan Palace is about 45 minutes. Lots of travel. I´m pooped and hoping to avoid the timeshare sales people at the Mayan Palace.
Weather: Sunny and in the 80´s.
I love you and miss you all,
Jim
Friday, December 12, 2008
Adios Costa Rica
Beloved --
After circumnavigating Volcan Arenal, the Interbus link from La Fortuna to Arajuela (near the San Jose airport) took about 4 hours because one bridge on the main road was compromised due to the recent rains here (which I exprerienced in Mastatal when I first arrived).
The departure time was 6:30 am from San Jose, via San Salvador, to Belize City. Required leaving the hotel at 4:30 am--but the taxi driver was there as promised. A two hour water taxi from Belize City to Caye Caulker completed the long travel day. Caye Caulker has doubled in visitors and visitor accomodations since I first visited 5 years or so ago. It's very laid back, very rasta, and very pretty.
Food is good. I've got a snorkelling trip planned for the Hol Chan Marine Reserve. The water inside the barrier reef is clear, warm, and inviting.
I love you and miss you all,
Jim
After circumnavigating Volcan Arenal, the Interbus link from La Fortuna to Arajuela (near the San Jose airport) took about 4 hours because one bridge on the main road was compromised due to the recent rains here (which I exprerienced in Mastatal when I first arrived).
The departure time was 6:30 am from San Jose, via San Salvador, to Belize City. Required leaving the hotel at 4:30 am--but the taxi driver was there as promised. A two hour water taxi from Belize City to Caye Caulker completed the long travel day. Caye Caulker has doubled in visitors and visitor accomodations since I first visited 5 years or so ago. It's very laid back, very rasta, and very pretty.
Food is good. I've got a snorkelling trip planned for the Hol Chan Marine Reserve. The water inside the barrier reef is clear, warm, and inviting.
I love you and miss you all,
Jim
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
Jeep-boat-jeep
Beloved --
Transport from Sta. Elena to La Fortuna is via a jeep trail to a boat across Lake Arenal and then another jeep to La Fortuna.
The weather is mixed clouds and sun, so there is some hope of seeing the Arenal volcano today. I'm keeping my fingers crossed.
Jeep's here.
I love you and miss you all,
Jim
Transport from Sta. Elena to La Fortuna is via a jeep trail to a boat across Lake Arenal and then another jeep to La Fortuna.
The weather is mixed clouds and sun, so there is some hope of seeing the Arenal volcano today. I'm keeping my fingers crossed.
Jeep's here.
I love you and miss you all,
Jim
Monday, December 8, 2008
Monteverde -- Sta. Elena, Costa Rica
(081208)
Beloved --
Yesterday the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve. My guide was "Bernal." If you ever make it here, choose him. He was a wealth of information and had a great eye for spotting things I would never have seen--quetzals, tarantulas, white faced monkeys, and jaguar tracks. (No one seems to be having any luck spotting a sloth of either the three-toed or two-toed variety!)
For many years the scientists in this part of Central America had a hard time tracing the migration of the quetzal (BTW: The quetzal is Guatemala's national bird, but is hardly found there anymore because of the intense deforestation). An ornithologist--named Powell, I believe--unravelled the mystery when he discovered that the quetzals "migrate" downslope about 200 vertical meters annually to a completely different habitat and climate zone. The vegetation is so thick here that 200 vertical meters is a world apart and completely hidden.
I love you and miss you all,
Jim
Beloved --
Yesterday the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve. My guide was "Bernal." If you ever make it here, choose him. He was a wealth of information and had a great eye for spotting things I would never have seen--quetzals, tarantulas, white faced monkeys, and jaguar tracks. (No one seems to be having any luck spotting a sloth of either the three-toed or two-toed variety!)
For many years the scientists in this part of Central America had a hard time tracing the migration of the quetzal (BTW: The quetzal is Guatemala's national bird, but is hardly found there anymore because of the intense deforestation). An ornithologist--named Powell, I believe--unravelled the mystery when he discovered that the quetzals "migrate" downslope about 200 vertical meters annually to a completely different habitat and climate zone. The vegetation is so thick here that 200 vertical meters is a world apart and completely hidden.
I love you and miss you all,
Jim
Leaving the coast for the mountains
Beloved --
Mellow. Looking forward to some cool mountain air after a week at the ocean.
Interbus ("Private Shuttle Service from Hotel to Hotel") is a great way to travel within Costa Rica. Their scheduled travel is frequent and cheap, for example from Jaco (near Esterillos Este) to Monteverde is four hours +/- and $39.
The Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve is at the continenal divide. The locals make a big distinction between a rain forest and a cloud forest. What Monteverde seems like is being in a warm, windy fog. The winds alternate between the trades off the Caribbean and those of the Pacific.
I miss you and love you all,
Jim
Mellow. Looking forward to some cool mountain air after a week at the ocean.
Interbus ("Private Shuttle Service from Hotel to Hotel") is a great way to travel within Costa Rica. Their scheduled travel is frequent and cheap, for example from Jaco (near Esterillos Este) to Monteverde is four hours +/- and $39.
The Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve is at the continenal divide. The locals make a big distinction between a rain forest and a cloud forest. What Monteverde seems like is being in a warm, windy fog. The winds alternate between the trades off the Caribbean and those of the Pacific.
I miss you and love you all,
Jim
Encantada--Esterillos Este (Costa Rica)
Beloved --
If it weren't for the lack of large logs rolling in the surf, one might think that the coast here is Washington/Oregon--except that the water temperature is about 70 degrees F.
There is a night guard at the Hotel with a big smile and a bigger 12 ga. shotgun. I don't know why he needs it. There have been reports of petty thefts, but no more. I feel pretty safe and the people who are hosting us are soooooo gracious.
Yoga practice is in a "palapa" facing the Pacific. Sunrise is around 5:30 am. Sunset is 12 hours later. Being in the tropics there is no twilight. Morning yoga is at 6:30, before it gets too hot. Afternoon yoga is timed for sunset.
Our group is coming together--the practice, the "classes," the shared meals.
I miss you and love you,
Jim
If it weren't for the lack of large logs rolling in the surf, one might think that the coast here is Washington/Oregon--except that the water temperature is about 70 degrees F.
There is a night guard at the Hotel with a big smile and a bigger 12 ga. shotgun. I don't know why he needs it. There have been reports of petty thefts, but no more. I feel pretty safe and the people who are hosting us are soooooo gracious.
Yoga practice is in a "palapa" facing the Pacific. Sunrise is around 5:30 am. Sunset is 12 hours later. Being in the tropics there is no twilight. Morning yoga is at 6:30, before it gets too hot. Afternoon yoga is timed for sunset.
Our group is coming together--the practice, the "classes," the shared meals.
I miss you and love you,
Jim
Rancho Mastatal (more comments)
Beloved --
A flash flood in Spanish is called a "cabeza de Agua." There was some threat of that at Ranco Mastatal, but just road wash outs.
This is a great place for yoga practice; especially if you like to accompany your practice with toucans, monkeys, and mysterious unidentified sounds from the jungle. Yoga might as well be done with a smile. Animal sounds sure make it easier.
I love you and miss you,
Jim
A flash flood in Spanish is called a "cabeza de Agua." There was some threat of that at Ranco Mastatal, but just road wash outs.
This is a great place for yoga practice; especially if you like to accompany your practice with toucans, monkeys, and mysterious unidentified sounds from the jungle. Yoga might as well be done with a smile. Animal sounds sure make it easier.
I love you and miss you,
Jim
Friday, December 5, 2008
At Rancho Mastatal, Costa Rica
Beloved --
Much of this retreat has been about letting go--controlling outcomes, organizing luggage, safety concerns about the very curvy highways with lots of washouts because of recent rains. I started with guilt about my fatalism!
Then, . . . so what if it takes two more minutes to load/unload our tour bus. I also have good insurance, etc. Having let go I can travel with "abundance" and be more into the villages, highways, countryside, spectacular views, and my companions than when carrying the weight of this trip on my shoulders.
Ceviche is great, pollo is delicious, lots of fish in Esterillos Este. This is beginning to feel good!
I miss you and love you,
Jim
Much of this retreat has been about letting go--controlling outcomes, organizing luggage, safety concerns about the very curvy highways with lots of washouts because of recent rains. I started with guilt about my fatalism!
Then, . . . so what if it takes two more minutes to load/unload our tour bus. I also have good insurance, etc. Having let go I can travel with "abundance" and be more into the villages, highways, countryside, spectacular views, and my companions than when carrying the weight of this trip on my shoulders.
Ceviche is great, pollo is delicious, lots of fish in Esterillos Este. This is beginning to feel good!
I miss you and love you,
Jim
Saturday, November 29, 2008
Arrived in San Jose
Belovcd
After a long day of travel, we arrive at Hotel Mi Tierra, Arajuela at around midnight (local).
Today the group (17 of us) are off to Rancho Mastatal--a sustainability, eco-community (with no internet).
The group is starting to learn each others names and intentions for the retreat.
More later. BTW: Most of the places I mention have websites and are findable through Google.
I love you all and miss you,
Jim
After a long day of travel, we arrive at Hotel Mi Tierra, Arajuela at around midnight (local).
Today the group (17 of us) are off to Rancho Mastatal--a sustainability, eco-community (with no internet).
The group is starting to learn each others names and intentions for the retreat.
More later. BTW: Most of the places I mention have websites and are findable through Google.
I love you all and miss you,
Jim
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
Pre-travel (081126)
Beloved --
So I was asked "How does this apply to you?" In my pre-travel journal I found something that may apply: Designing the Perfect Day.
Morning
-Awaken well rested
-Take some "me" time. . . .meditation, yoga, stretching (am I talking too much like a "retired guy"?)
-Take some nourishment: thoughtfully, low on the food chain, healthy, and prepared for self and others
-Help others with their "up and out"
-Walk yourself (and the dog)
-Do maintenance. . . .health, family, material well being ("Chop wood, carry water:)
-Exercise: walk, aerobics, strength training, yoga
-Rest
Mid-day
-Nourishment: lunch and prep for dinner
Afternoon
-Work: projects, maintenance, research, library, correspondence (as fits your diurnal cycle)
-Nap/siesta/rest
Evening
-Nourishment
-Clean-up
-Family/personal matters
-Music/art/writing (creatively, not passively)
-Off-site meetings (limited in number)
-Reading
-Walk (the dog?)
Retire early
It seems to work for me, even when I travel.
I love you and miss you,
Jim
So I was asked "How does this apply to you?" In my pre-travel journal I found something that may apply: Designing the Perfect Day.
Morning
-Awaken well rested
-Take some "me" time. . . .meditation, yoga, stretching (am I talking too much like a "retired guy"?)
-Take some nourishment: thoughtfully, low on the food chain, healthy, and prepared for self and others
-Help others with their "up and out"
-Walk yourself (and the dog)
-Do maintenance. . . .health, family, material well being ("Chop wood, carry water:)
-Exercise: walk, aerobics, strength training, yoga
-Rest
Mid-day
-Nourishment: lunch and prep for dinner
Afternoon
-Work: projects, maintenance, research, library, correspondence (as fits your diurnal cycle)
-Nap/siesta/rest
Evening
-Nourishment
-Clean-up
-Family/personal matters
-Music/art/writing (creatively, not passively)
-Off-site meetings (limited in number)
-Reading
-Walk (the dog?)
Retire early
It seems to work for me, even when I travel.
I love you and miss you,
Jim
Pre-travel (081126)
Beloved --
Thanks to Debbie, I have discovered the/my best reason for travel. Pico Iyer's article is worth a peek.
http://archive.salon.com/travel/feature/2000/03/18/why/index.html
My rough itinerary goes like this: Central America for three weeks. Home for 36 hours. India to visit Anna in late December and early January. Then to SE Asia until March.
In my pre-travel journal I discovered some notes on "Designing the Perfect Anything." I suppose it is a supplement to Iyer's article. . . .
Travel (I say, like anything worthwhile):
-Reflect values
-Convey significance (meaning, import, suggestiveness, and plain sense)
-Be doable (with some stretch)
-Isn't stymied for lack of will or materials
-Conserves resources (caution here, e.g. "Carbon Credits")
-Doesn't collect what can't be dispersed (Is "sustainable")
-Is reproducible
-Is extensible
-Contains delight factors
-Is intelligent
-Uses "small multiples" (Take a bike or bus. . . .)
-Is healthy (you define it)
-Connects across levels (space, time, understanding)
-Invites collegiality
-Reflects love and compassion
-Has "wabi sabi"
-Promotes mindfullness and imagination
-Is responsible
(Please add to this list. I'm interested, since my perspective is sooooo Western, Christian, male, etc.)
In the Episcopal Book of Common Prayer, Prayers of the People Rite One, there is the importation that we all should be led (as leaders and citizens--my addition) to "wise decisions and right actions for the welfare and peace of the world." Who's to argue with that?
I miss and love you all.
Jim
Thanks to Debbie, I have discovered the/my best reason for travel. Pico Iyer's article is worth a peek.
http://archive.salon.com/travel/feature/2000/03/18/why/index.html
My rough itinerary goes like this: Central America for three weeks. Home for 36 hours. India to visit Anna in late December and early January. Then to SE Asia until March.
In my pre-travel journal I discovered some notes on "Designing the Perfect Anything." I suppose it is a supplement to Iyer's article. . . .
Travel (I say, like anything worthwhile):
-Reflect values
-Convey significance (meaning, import, suggestiveness, and plain sense)
-Be doable (with some stretch)
-Isn't stymied for lack of will or materials
-Conserves resources (caution here, e.g. "Carbon Credits")
-Doesn't collect what can't be dispersed (Is "sustainable")
-Is reproducible
-Is extensible
-Contains delight factors
-Is intelligent
-Uses "small multiples" (Take a bike or bus. . . .)
-Is healthy (you define it)
-Connects across levels (space, time, understanding)
-Invites collegiality
-Reflects love and compassion
-Has "wabi sabi"
-Promotes mindfullness and imagination
-Is responsible
(Please add to this list. I'm interested, since my perspective is sooooo Western, Christian, male, etc.)
In the Episcopal Book of Common Prayer, Prayers of the People Rite One, there is the importation that we all should be led (as leaders and citizens--my addition) to "wise decisions and right actions for the welfare and peace of the world." Who's to argue with that?
I miss and love you all.
Jim
Monday, November 17, 2008
Blog has been created -- 081117
Thanks to Matt, I now have a blog.
Please stand by! My departure date is 28 November 2008. Hope to keep you all posted.
cheers,
Jim
Please stand by! My departure date is 28 November 2008. Hope to keep you all posted.
cheers,
Jim
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