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Showing posts from December, 2024

Catalonians - a breed of their own

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Life is Beautiful: Coming Full Circle Back to Catalunya  During my university days, I spent time in Rotterdam dancing flamenco. My teacher at SKVR was a short, lanky woman with a fiery spirit and stockings full of holes. She taught me more than just dance steps; she taught me to “never mind the holes,” emphasizing self-respect and focussing on why she was there. I was fairly good at flamenco, but my enthusiasm waned when a more skilled dancer joined our class in the second year. Gradually, other aspects of life took precedence, and my interest in flamenco faded. Now, here I am in Catalunya, surprised and delighted to be back. The flamenco, sevillanas, and Spanish guitar are deeply embedded in the culture here.  If I can clear my mind long enough of worries, being in this environment brings back memories and reignites my love for Spanish music. Just like a single 1 Lira coin once brought me back to Turkey, my appreciation for Spanish culture has created a strong, consistent bon...

It is the season (for splurging!)

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 Happy Holidays! My favorite time of year is here.. that merry time with Xmas cheer.. and more. Not only do I get to enjoy all the extra lights up from early december onwards, but I get to indulge in Xmas movies all month long.. even into january (unless I find myself a new Jan theme that is!) What I appreciate is that Google/or should I  say Santa, puts out all kinds of efforts to find the themes that work for me, . Just today I ran into this amazing hallmark movie or two.. that are helping me see the light without needing to meditate on it for years and days.  Thanks Santa & Google! I appreciate you! I hope you are having a great season as well, and that you get to steer clear of crazy holiday shopping, and just get to be at home or have a walk in the park instead.. in any case: here are my favorite Xmas movies, go ahead and splurge!  Xmaslovestories in Manhatten  (short and longer stories about people celebrating Xmas in Manhatten) HappyHowlidays  (a...

Easy come, easy Go! - Reflections in the afternoon sun in Catalonia

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Sitting in the warm sun of the Catalonian countryside, I watch the geese and chickens go about their day. Resting comfortably in my chair with my feet propped on a tire, I notice the delicate spider webs stretched across the grass in front of me. Nearby, three little dogs lie peacefully, taking a break from their morning scurry. I just enjoyed a very satisfying omelet of grated potatoes with salsa, and a slice of bread topped with a Swiss-style basil and cheese spread. Feeling relaxed, I decided to write—but as I grabbed my computer, I accidentally tipped over my tea. Oh well, easy come, easy go! No stress there is more where that came from.  The moment reminded me of my morning. I woke early, as usual, but today—December 20, 2024— one day until the december equinox and the start of Capricorn season I felt a the need to be active and get out for an early breakfast.  I ventured out to the nearby town of Sils, treating myself to a croissant and coffee, curious to experience the ...

Discovering the Costa brava

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As i am writing my hell to heaven story and some other 2 ebooks at the same time, i am looking at how I travel.  Recapturing stories as they happen and then using it later for book content is a good way to relive the lessosn the road teaches us.   In know now that Au was about getting closer to my own truth, Nz was about learning to be present and of service to the world with god by my side, and CuraΓ§ao was about starting over to learn to appreciate all i was and all i could tolerate.  All my joureys have been about tolerating, forgiving and still loving life and myself. Now in Spain this journey is about appreciating the things of simple life.. and finding the treasures under the rubble.  costa brava  its a rugged gem, but so beautiful if you take the time to pass the old housing, long raods and just take in the coatal scenes.. for unseen beauty never fades..  to appreciate the original beauty as it was meant to.. that is the lesson i am takign in now my o...

Allowing the Sun to Find Us

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Allowing the Sun to Find Us   As I wake up in my Helpx place on the sixth morning, I sense the sun rising on the living room side of the house.   I open the metal blinds, get dressed, and ponder whether to shower first or not. Eventually, I make my way to the kitchen to prepare a pot of tea, a cup of coffee, and my essential lemon water.   These days, I’ve started to let go of old structures—the rigid routines of a yogi life and the constant overthinking about what’s “healthy.” I’ve learned to flow with life, weaving in the smart habits without turning them into rules. It feels freeing.   Aquarius and Pluto retrograde seem to be ushering in softer ways of being. I’m focusing more on beauty and the simple joys that make life enjoyable.  Its going to be around for 20 years.. so enough time to bring in the joy and beuaty we all seek and deisre.  Even my morning routine feels less routine. As I prepare for the day, my mind drifts to thoughts of purpose and earn...

Welcome to real life - the good way! πŸš—πŸ’¨

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It’s time to come back to living the right way. Leave the screens behind and enjoy life again… in the fast lane, where we learn the best. πŸš—πŸ’¨ After leaving Liddes, Martigny, Vevey, Geneva, and France, I find myself in Spain πŸ‡ͺπŸ‡Έ. Starting my journey yesterday at 4:30 pm in Marseille, I battle late-day traffic, having just read the invitation from my Helpx host in Spain. Before I leave Marseille, I fill up my tank with Euro 95 for €1.67 and find a parking spot around 11 pm, just after a quick stop at the Novotel and McDonald's in Perpignan 🍟. This morning, I wake up around 6 am, read my class materials, and set off while the rain drizzles down 🌧️, greeting me to Spain with the changing landscapes and coastal vibe of Costa Brava πŸ–️. Crossing the border into Spain, I head towards Gerona, where my host is located. The old douanier posts at the border stand as relics of a time before the European Union, and I make my way smoothly to the first stop at the Repsol service station ⛽. Th...