Category: US Travel

Getting Naked in Miami Beach

by Living Wherever We Are, posted in Embracing Uncertainty, Escaping Winter, Travel, US Travel

In the present day European co-ed spas it is not bathing suit optional, there is no option – birthday suits only. Towels are allowed but the candor that is shown may shock the average American, it all hangs out in more ways then one. The purpose, once again, is to prevent bacteria filled clothing from entering the area. Get in, get naked, get showered, and get started. To the Europeans this is mundane and oh so natural.

Family chillin'
Family chillin’

Fast forward to our resent trip to a famous Miami Beach Spa & Health Center.   Please keep in mind that there are gender specific spas at this upscale oasis. No need to look sideways and cover up or is there?   The United States was founded on Puritanical beliefs but are we going forward? The report is in and the answer is no!

The exterior
The valet

Unfortunately, the chic woman’s spa was filled with bathing suits and shame. A woman with an older teenage daughter, completely clad in swimwear, encouraged her daughter with a nip and tuck to immediately grab and wrap up will exiting the whirlpool. Really? These body issues, which surely have been emphasized since birth; along with trending social norms IS what is teaching overt, misplaced modesty. One might ask what shape and size of said mother and child but that is exactly my point – it does not matter.

Speaking again of puritanical beliefs the report back from the men’s spa was a bit more bizarre. Man over 40, bare all but, those under 40 attired in beachwear. How did that happen? Men don’t care do they? Please explain this new phenomenon.

The only assessment that I personally can come to is blaming media and the entertainment industry’s perpetuated views of perfection and judgment. How wacked out is it when even the fake breasts are covered up and not touted? (Yes, I saw that too.) While in the sauna sweating profusely I laid down naked, towel under me. A woman came in at seemed to hesitate for a moment, then sat down, thought for another moment and finally took off her towel and laid on it. A few moments later the swaddled mom and daughter meekly entered and briskly exited. Judge not, that ye be not judged.

Enjoying the facilities LOL
Scootin’ in South Beach
Ila during her fitness class
Having a laugh
Feeding the meter for homeless

How Did We Get Here?

by Living Wherever We Are, posted in Embracing Uncertainty, Escaping Winter, Life Lessons, Martial Arts, Travel, US Travel

There is a large gap in the blogs. Yes, it is true.   Ending here in North Beach Miami, where I am writing to you now but, that was not our only step after Central American. The decision was made, in the eleventh hour, to escape the winter in California after Costa Rica.  The people on the East Coast will understand why.

Here are the snippets of the downside of our trip.  Debbie Downer no, realist yes.  These things need to be expressed from my perspective because we are those people that really take in our surroundings.  Lets just get these out of the way.

Cali Needs a Life RIng
Lovely Ojai Downtown
Ojai Groves

Ojai:   FRACKING in the  STATE PARK just near to town.  I repeat in a STATE PARK just NEAR TO TOWN – wrong on so many levels.  Factually, it is now effecting their already low water table, there are toxic levels of chemicals being released in the air, and oh by the way they are on a fault line.

Hermosa Beach:  At the time was voting on whether to allow drilling of thirty something oil wells IN the town and also offshore wells.  (Thankfully, we know now that the bill did not pass.)

Manhattan Beach:  Signs on the Pier stated not to eat the fish caught off the dock.  Upon further investigation it appears that the area from Palisades Verdes to Santa Monica is the US’ largest Super Fund site, the largest.  Endangered by sediment polluted with DDT from wastewater discharged by the Hermosa Beach many years ago.

La Jolla:  Sea lion pups are turning up on California’s iconic shores emaciated and dehydrated or already dead. Officials predict that about 70 percent of sea lion pups will die before weaning age – around April.

HERE IS WHERE YOU CAN SIGN A PETITION AND DONATE:  http://act.oceana.org/sign/pfmc_save-starving-sea-lions_2015?source=mailing&t=2&akid=4536.408151.R8GXtA

SOS – Save our Sea Lions (Huddled for Warmth)
Manhattan Pier
View from Manhattan Beach North

Californ I-I-I A!!!! Oh and NASA just reported last week that California only has one year of water left.  Hunger Games? Let’s talk the real Water Games.

But I digress…  When Rick and I were originally contemplating the intention of adding another being to this already out of balance world, a wise friend of ours reminded us that someone needs to raise the conscious ones.  Anyone ever see Idiocracy with Luke Wilson?  Seems like a wacky movie but the premise is spot on.  We also got a reminder from our friend Dana in LA, who our wee one was thrilled to see again, that Ilaria can be one of the good conduits for a higher consciousness, as I believe and hope that all coming generations will now be.  Glass half full, friends, glass half full!

We loved the Sun and Fun in Cali so now onto the fun, and there was loads.  In Ojai, hiking almost 2 hours several times was great.  That amount of time is major when you are 4 and imagine what that feels like time and distance wise.  The outdoors, nature, and uninterrupted time.  But not quiet time, for Let it Go was a go to at any moments of lag.  It does not help the fact that passers by always rave about the lovely voice, thus perpetuating it.  Over and over and over…. therapeutically, I now hear it as a mantra, a positive message the keeps rattling around and heard repeatedly during any moments of silence.

In Tow
Hiking Away!
Lone RIder

Lots of biking, in Ojai and then at the beaches, thankfully the bike trailer is a hit now even though as a 2 year old she would scream and only liked the seat on the back of the bike where she could look around and see everything.  Also renting a bike for her to ride was a bit hit, she zooms and mom gets a great jog – win/win.

Upon our return to NJ at the beginning of March, Rick gave a seminar at Princeton Academy of Martial Arts – Beyond Technique, the Art of Flow.  This was profound and I believe that it deserves it’s own Blog so you will have to follow up to hear the juicy details.

Rick's Seminar - Beyond Technique
Rick’s Seminar – Beyond Technique

We did stay in Jersey for 2 weeks = 2 snow storms, enough to enjoy, appreciate, make hot coco, and “Build a Snowman”.  The take away is that almost everyone had the same news to report, “Normally, I don’t mind the winter but, this is just too much.”  People looked beaten and battered from it and ready for it to be over.  As I write this from North Beach Miami on the first day of spring, it is snowing in New Jersey.  Sorry folks!  No worries, Jersey is tough, but tired

Want to Build A Snowman?
Want to Build A Snowman?

A Year Gone By and What Do We Have to Show?

by Living Wherever We Are, posted in Embracing Uncertainty, Life Lessons, Travel, US Travel, World Travel

A Year Gone By and What Do We Have to Show?

The answer is almost nothing. No really, almost nothing. We spent almost this entire year on the road traveling and experiencing the world with no “stuff” to show for it. Experiences not items.

Returning to the launch site of our yearlong sabbatical, Costa Rica, brought me to a long pause both figuratively and literally in my blog, as I pondered all our tripping around the globe. There were many lessons and insights from our sincerely light-footed gallivanting. One major lesson was that we basically missed no things. At not one point did we stop and long for the “things” that we had left behind nor did we pick things up along the way besides food, necessities, and some clothing basics for our ever-growing daughter. All of our energies and resources were placed on, more often then not, outdoor, nature based activities.

Experiencing a Tico Birthday Party!
The Spoils!

Oddly enough, I don’t think that any of us got tired of wearing the few well-chosen quality outfits we toted. It was freeing in a way to have a very limited choices and not think twice about which few shirts to wear. Decisions were made on climate and comfort. In fact, there is a specific pair of grey cargo pants that you may have seen me wearing lots on our European trip that I wore today.

There was a time in my own life when I thought that I needed more and better and more. The more that one travels the more one realizes that what really maters are the experiences, whether near to home or around the globe.

This clear concept entered into our scope back in 2006. The beginning of the year I had read an article based on No Unnecessary Items. I read it, processed it, and took it to heart. Starting that year each time I went to purchase something, anything even the smallest thing I made a conscious decision on whether it was necessary. Most things were not. I managed to wear what I had in my closet more and then stacks that way. When our birthdays came in November we proposed the idea to each other that rather then purchase each other some nearly memorable items we would experience something together. Not just a trip but a long weekend getaway to a course on Peruvian Shamanism that transformed our world and perspectives in many ways and opened the doors to other spiritual endeavors. Priceless.

Interestingly enough when we returned from the bulk of our first year traveling, back into our home we began to purge more items rather then revel in them. Old clothing redistributed, books donated that may never be read again, and toys that no longer are needed reassigned. Less is better, living & experiencing is more.

IMG_5886

TIPS ON HOW TO LIVE LITE

  1. No unnecessary items (see above). Bored? Lonely? Filling your house with items will not fill this gap, only the space. Try a new class, museum, or daytrip. Expand your mind not your closets.
  2. Don’t buy crap. Really, the more low quality things you buy whether clothing, electronics, or home items the more you will have to replace them as they break, fall apart, or just disintegrate before your eyes.
  3. 1 in – 3 out rule. For every clothing item that you buy you must donate or give away three items in your closet. Wow, what a concept. This rule will filter out the items that you no longer wear and in no time even the scales on the clothing that you own. There will be a point in which you say, but I really like all of the things I have.
  4. Inform friends and family about gifts and make it clear and easy. My family is great on this. They know I love tea, wine, coffee, chocolate, handmade items, and restaurant/food gift certificates! All perfect, easy to find and use, and admittedly they do not hang around that long. In return if I am not sure of a useable, necessary gift for someone I buy him or her the same items listed above. Always a win and always well received.

Not a Sunshine State of Mind

by Living Wherever We Are, posted in Embracing Uncertainty, Life Lessons, Travel, US Travel

The world’s weather systems are changing and we continue to experience it firsthand each stop we make.

We parked ourselves on the deck with our hoodies pulled tightly over our heads waiting for the sun. Thankful when on the third day the rays finally began to peak out in the Sunshine State. We were miffed and taken back by our climate experience even as was a person who told us that after 15 years in Clearwater Beach, Florida that they had never seen over 2 days with not a peak of sun. The disheartening thing is that we have heard this story over and over again this past year in concerning different atmospheric elements.

Winter Coats!
Where is the sun?

June with hail the size of golf balls in the South of France, Snow in Boulder, Colorado in the beginning of September, low 90’s in Southern Sweden this August, torrential rains and freezing temps in Austria in July and ongoing acute draughts in California. Experiencing firsthand major weather events and abnormalities, not slightly askew, severe abnormalities is difficult to process. As inquisitive and educated travelers we knew as these events were happening outside of the norm and each time our concerns were systematically confirmed by locals time and again. We have heard the predictions and so East Coast, do you have your snow shovels and boots ready for another predicted over snowed winter? What’s the true prediction – new normal or abnormality?

Weather reports change so quickly and abruptly we know enough now to prepare for anything and everything. This trip winter coats, howling wind, and a constant drizzle tried to bring us down, not a chance. On the day the sun did finally decide to peer out at 60 degrees there was much needed pool time, heated pool time.

Sunshine finally!
Sledding Florida Style

Leaving on a Midnight Plane to Texas

by Living Wherever We Are, posted in Embracing Uncertainty, Life Lessons, Travel, US Travel

Ok, so from the looks of it you cannot tell it really was not midnight.  Our flight left Newark at 6:30 P.M. to San Antonio, Texas.  The factor that must be taken into account, and understood by all parents this time of year, was Daylight savings time.  The clocks go back so an extra hour for everyone!  Not really, kids cannot be tricked into this charade.  Although she went to bed at the correct time the following day after DST, Sunday, the waking time was what her body clock told her was 7:30 A.M., so yes 6:30 A.M.  So after two mornings of losing 1 hour due to lack of adjustment she was absolutely spent.

All day on the Monday, November 3rd, and entire way to the airport to everyone who would listen the mantra was, “I am taking a overnight flight to Texas”.  Well, not exactly a myth, considering the time change and her normal 8:00 P.M. bedtime.  Sitting in Business Class she begged me for dinner so I consulted the flight attendant who expedited the meal.  Giving the speed of a 4-year-old’s eating she concluded at the same time I did.  Without pondering for her dessert, she was out in 5 minutes flat, a record without a doubt but, not before reminding me that I would have to carry her limp, exhausted body through the airport to get the rental car.

The “overnight” flight
Shuttle snooze
Car rental counter carnage

All her visions and images this trip were correct.  Upon peaking her eyes open for the 9:45 P.M. landing in San Antonio, which a few days ago would have been 11:45 EST, it really was somewhere in the middle of her night.  Although, I have no pictures of the carrying through the airport, you will see shots of sleeping on plane, the car rental shuttle, and what looks like carnage at the rental car counter.  In between the naps, in her true fashion she cracked jokes and laughed.  Arriving at our hotel room and just prior to collapsing in the bed her last words were commenting on her approval of the room.  Oh, and thank goodness for all she slept till 7:00 A.M. CST.  Our travels continue right on schedule and timezone change.

 

 

Ceremony and Offerings

by Living Wherever We Are, posted in Embracing Uncertainty, Life Lessons, US Travel

Some people ask for a momentous trip, special celebration, or symbolic gift to signify a major birthday year.

Shhh can you keep a secret? This November Rick will be turning 60 and I will be turning 40. Not really secret because I feel we are both blessed with health and vitality that is ageless.  Besides that, Rick can do things physically that some 40, no make that 30 year olds, I know would gaff at.

In preparation for these momentous events we asked a “gift” from the honorable Khenpo Geshe Tenzin Dargye, our friend and one of only a handful of Tibetan Bon Khempos in the world at this high level.   He preformed a Puja for both of us, an honor offering to signify success and continued blessings in our lives.  The ceremony consisted of many mantras as well of the blessing of incense, rice, and prayer flags that then needed to be scattered into nature and hung respectively.  We choose a special sacred site at our friends’ property so that the flags will be respected, able to allow the prayers and mantras will to be blown by the wind, and to spread the good will and compassion into all pervading space. Therefore, prayer flags will be a benefit to all!

Another valued friendship that we are thankful for is that with Alberto Villodo, author and founder of the Four Winds Society, Healing the Light Body School, and his divine wife Marcela.  We are thankful to have had time to visit with them at the Omega Institute in Rhinebeck, New York.  Not only did we get to spend time in the autumn leaves and brisk air but we also each received Hampi Ceremony & Blessings from Q’ero shamans from the Peruvian Andes. Rick and I trained with Alberto and the light body school several years ago and traveled to Peru’s Sacred Valley including Machu Picchu and the Amazon Jungle a few times to be in the presence of the Shaman and each time it is a new and enlightening experience.

After our daughter’s shaman blessing when asked what she felt she said, “I was the earth and the earth was me.”  Right on sister, you got it!

Ask for what you want or you deserve what you get! Ask Paul McCartney

by Living Wherever We Are, posted in Embracing Uncertainty, Life Lessons, US Travel

Upon returning to New Jersey, quite last minute, we discovered that there was a Climate March taking place in NYC.  We decided that we had to go.  Unfortunately, our daughter had already anticipated the ballet birthday of her friend scheduled the same day so she and I were predisposed.  Rick headed to the city to represent our family and “March for Our Daughters Future”.  It was massive and much larger then the police and even the organizers anticipated.  Most importantly it brought together many organizations to support the same initiative and make their presence known. The head of the UN, politician, scientists, celebrities, fractions even including religious groups and workers unions, New Yorkers interviewed mentioned that they felt the impact of what happened with super storm Sandy and wanted to make themselves heard.

My own research about the march was pivotal for my own understanding of climate change avoiders (besides politicians financially supported by oil companies and other climate invaders).  People who will not address it because it is to frightening or they cannot move past their own personal problems to address it. All information points to the fact that beyond individuals, companies need to convert their thinking for a greater, faster transition.  The good news is some corporations are becoming more conscious, such as Rockefeller’s shifting away from investing in fossil fuels. Heirs to an oil fortune join the divestment drive 

Knowing my passion for the environment and organics people tell me frequently that they feel that their powerless.  Not so!  One easy thing that anyone/everyone can do is eat less meat.  Americans, compared to other counties, eat way to much and the methane has crazy impacts besides the water and food for the cattle.   You can even just start with Meat Free Mondays.  It is a great reminder each week.  Your body and the earth will thank you and so will our daughter and the rest of the children we are leaving the earth to!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BKGOy4PxOw8

Boulder is spelled BO…

by Living Wherever We Are, posted in Embracing Uncertainty, Travel, US Travel

Boulder has a quaint and lovely downtown with great independent shops, eco-friendly larger brand stores, unsurpassed farmers market, and loads of great restaurants that are on the no-GMO, local, organic bandwagon. In fact, of all our travels personally I can say that they are the best place to eat hands down. Not just on the high-end, also moderate and inexpensive great options.

Boulder Downtown
Downtown Wildlife
Boulder Views

I am Super Crunchy and Liberal, but if you have an able body and a sign “Homeless Hippie needs money for Weed” just forget about it. You have a great gig smoking all day but it is for sure something you could and should support all by yourself – no joke. But just a hint – shower first, really, because that pot cloud smell is surrounding you like Pig Pen. As you all must know by now, I am very open about not conforming to conventional standards but hippies were about Free Love not Free Rides.

Dangers of Mary Jane
Cannabis Capital
unHippies in the distance

Speaking of pot, wow, it is like Willy Wonka’s chocolate factory for the herb.  Literally, you can even get it in candy, soda, cookie, and brownie form. Shops are everywhere and you only have to be 21 and show a valid ID. Reminiscent of when freshman start college and they are left to their own devices, before the novelty of unfettered independence and unlimited alcohol access has worn off, it is all very new and people are taking advantage of the freedom. A hint for the novice man from India in the rec marijuana store.  There is no need to hold up the line asking newbie questions such as how to light a joint.  If you want a live answer go talk to the unHippies on the street or even smoke it with them. At least then they will be working for it.

But I digress; on our hunt for an eventual landing spot we loved Louisville, a very quaint town 20 minutes outside of Boulder. It had a vibrant, intimate historic Main Street with an awesome, grand new library. But…. it snowed, twice in the second week in September. TWICE. We kept hearing how Boulder gets 300 days of sunshine and we got to see 7 of the other 65, grey rainy and snowy. But we did get a break one day (although nippy) to go to the Rocky Mountain Park and it was stunning. It is a natural beauty that one should not miss and we saw it with lots of snowy peaks!

Bear Lake
River Hugs

P.S.  Whoops, the blog is a bit late. Anti-marijuana crusaders claim it is harmful because it can make you lazy.

The Trouble with Shangri La (and why EVERYONE should care)

by Living Wherever We Are, posted in Embracing Uncertainty, Life Lessons, Travel, US Travel

A purpose of our US tour is to visit and revisit some potential relocation places.  The first week we revisited Santa Barbara, Ventura, and our much-loved, idyllic Ojai.  Ojai was the backdrop for Frank Capra’s film Lost Horizon, the scenes of the villagers of Shangri-La.  Historically known as a place of Art, Spirituality, and Health it was the place that Krishnamurti, the famous philosopher, made home and created a retreat center and children’s school, both of which still continue and thrive.  It is a small town with 8,500ish residents and as I heard one Rasta man in town state, “Everyday here is just another day in paradise.”  We love it and would consider it a new home for our family minus one thing.

Picturesque Ojai
Ojai Farm Market
Park by the water
Hiking in the dryness

So what is the issue?  An issue that you, me, and the rest of the US should be concerned with – Fresh water.  The drought conditions are Exceptional, 2-steps worse than Severe and 1-step worse than Extreme.  In the US drought monitoring system Exceptional is the lowest category so, it may get worse but categorically it has already hit rock bottom.  Maybe some think let Hollywood dry up (maybe it already has), who cares?   There are much more important exports from the Golden State then movies and TV.  Named the land of fruits and nuts, for more than one reason, Cali produces over 50% percent of the fruit, veggies, and nuts for the US.   I am a strong proponent for local, organic food but at present the infrastructure is not in place in all areas to feed the masses by these methods and like NJ, some states have cold winters!  Americans NEED rain in Cali.

Warnings a bit late
La Jolla clouds no rain
Contrast of Dry and Wet
Brown hills
Scripps Institution of Oceanography

We next enjoyed our time in California as we explored the southern coast – Lugina Beach, San Clemente, and one of our favorites Ja Jolla.   In the past we have been in Costa Rica in the dry season just before the rainy season and there is a tension for the locals as they await the rainy season but, after all, as of yet it always comes.  Conversely here people all seemed happily going about their business.  It was however ever present on our minds.  We could not help but ask people we encountered  their take on the water issues.  Shockingly most everyday folks seemed to be very causal about it mentioning that there are NOW restrictions on watering lawns and such.  Maybe like most global warming issues it is just to big for people to wrap their heads around so instead they just … wait for the rainy season.

La Jolla Beach
San Clemente Sunset
Screw Seaworld La Jolla Sea Lions

 

 

WE INTERRUPT THIS SABBATICAL WITH A BRIEF TRIP TO NJ

by Living Wherever We Are, posted in Embracing Uncertainty, Life Lessons, Travel, US Travel

Heading back to the states for our US tour we took a pit stop in New Jersey.  Just to check-in, make sure our affairs were straight, and for our daughters 3rd Birthday Party.  No, she did not turn 3 but, it was her 3rd party this year for her 4th Birthday.  What a life!  Our last-minute attempt to persuade her to Spain before returning home was to know avail – she wanted Jersey.  And with business class seats on the way back from Europe she had nothing to complain about.  Up for 20 hours (because of the time difference) minus a 15-minute cat nap she remained a trooper.  Home in bed at 7:30 PM and slept till 7:00 AM, back on the new time zone, that is what I call a professional traveler.

New terminal LHR
Luxury!

Touching down Newark, stuck in traffic on the turnpike with a view of the oil refineries with smells to match, my thoughts could not help but meander to more serene sites from our travels and from the mouth of the babe an enthusiastic proclamation, “I love New Jersey”.  In theory yes, it was great for her to see her friends and her family and share in birthday crafts and ice cream but, in talking to her she is not ready, and neither are we, to end our travels.  So off we head to head to California after only a one-week stopover on the east coast.  The next local only has a 3 hour time difference.

Ice Cream Party!
Party on
NJ Turnpike

Per a request prior to our flight we googled cockpit and learned about how pilots steer planes.  Prior to take off we literally ran into the pilot coming out of the loo.  Upon a brief intro the next thing I know our gal was sitting in his seat taking in the sites.  Exciting for her and me both!  Talk about creating her destiny, this girl has it down!

Newark Airport
Midair in the Midwest
The Cockpit!