Thursday, February 19, 2015
Ylang Ylang
To be inundated in every crevice of your olfactory caves with the smell of ylang ylang is totally orgasmic. Inhaling her scent deeply within infuses every molecule of your being with sensual delight. Each day we are here awakens our systems of sensing more fully,to experience the beauty within and surrounding us.
Our evening ritual of "sun gazing"while watching the red glowing orb submerge into the ocean washes our eyes and opens the pineal gland to allow for seeing with a wider lens. The morning bird song accompanied by the enchanting rhythms of the waves opens our ears to the more subtle tones of sound and quiets the mind so that we can hear. On the beach,where we stretch,dance,walk,lie on the sand and swim in the ocean, the stresses that keep us from feeling ebb away like the receding tide.
The pools of water left by the low tide and warmed by the sun beckon to be entered. Yesterday, while relaxing there the taste of pure peace filled my heart. Full body,belly rising,lungs expanding heart opening breathing while lying in the womb of the Great Mother,I was floating in bliss. With eyes closed and facing toward the direction of the sun I saw,felt,tasted,smelled and heard the moment and it was divine.
Now,sipping my coffee,listening to the birds,seeing the ocean from the elevated view our cliff dwelling offers and loving it all I know that now is exactly where I want to be,greeting this new day.
"It is only with the heart that one can see rightly,what is essential is invisible to the eye".
Antoine De Saint-Exuupery
Prisms
Prisms
I love when my timing is perfect unaided by the clock. When my natural course can dictate my arrival and departure I'm un encumbered by the stress artificial rhythms instill on us and rejoice in the absence of rushing. When moving in an unhurried pace I experience an increased sense of connection and of being in the "Tao",
Sophia and I went for a walk today in the rainforest,of which there are three types:cloud,semi dry and humid. Puntarenes,where we are staying at a guest house that sits on the cliffs above where the Golfo Dulce meets the Pacific,is a humid virgin rainforest. We are at the edge of habitation by foreigners.Further on holds only a scattering of indigenous villages inhabited by the Barrucas, We are in a land rich with the nectars of the jungle and the abundance of the sea.
While we were walking I commented to Sophia that I had heard but not seen any frogs yet.A moment later a camouflaged in the color of the surrounding leaves frog showed itself.A short while after that we saw an extraordinary black bodied with an iridescent green outline one too. We saw monkeys,scarlet macaws,toucans,fish and seed pods worth keeping and maybe someday making jewelry from because they're so smooth,heart shaped,chestnut brown and BEAUTIFUL that they should be on display to a bigger audience than the ground surface creatures including the black light dazzling green frog.
Along our walk we came to a most exquisite place,a waterfall. The visual stunning of that clean jungle water cascading down a 40 foot rock wall, carved smooth into intricate designs,was only the beginning of our pleasure. Upon entrance into its radiant water we were shown the jewels inside. A trillion rainbows of light bathed and surrounded our bodies and danced on our skin. We were there at the perfect moment,when the sun shines briefly through a breath of space created between trees and lands exactly on the water to reveal its true nature.
There are an infinite number of opportunities to bathe in the light but WOW was that one fun !
Lying in the hammock listening to the crickets and sea I am happy,content ( there are no bugs)and renewed by my baptism from the holy waters. I may even stay awake past nine but probably not because the early mornings chorus of birds is not to be slept through. I have to stretch my attention wide to simultaneously hear them all.
David comes back a week from today to dance with me at Envision. I have to admit its nice to have the hammock to myself but I'd gladly move over to be with him so that we could share in the RAINBOWS OF LIGHT THAT IS OUR LOVE..
I love when my timing is perfect unaided by the clock. When my natural course can dictate my arrival and departure I'm un encumbered by the stress artificial rhythms instill on us and rejoice in the absence of rushing. When moving in an unhurried pace I experience an increased sense of connection and of being in the "Tao",
Sophia and I went for a walk today in the rainforest,of which there are three types:cloud,semi dry and humid. Puntarenes,where we are staying at a guest house that sits on the cliffs above where the Golfo Dulce meets the Pacific,is a humid virgin rainforest. We are at the edge of habitation by foreigners.Further on holds only a scattering of indigenous villages inhabited by the Barrucas, We are in a land rich with the nectars of the jungle and the abundance of the sea.
While we were walking I commented to Sophia that I had heard but not seen any frogs yet.A moment later a camouflaged in the color of the surrounding leaves frog showed itself.A short while after that we saw an extraordinary black bodied with an iridescent green outline one too. We saw monkeys,scarlet macaws,toucans,fish and seed pods worth keeping and maybe someday making jewelry from because they're so smooth,heart shaped,chestnut brown and BEAUTIFUL that they should be on display to a bigger audience than the ground surface creatures including the black light dazzling green frog.
Along our walk we came to a most exquisite place,a waterfall. The visual stunning of that clean jungle water cascading down a 40 foot rock wall, carved smooth into intricate designs,was only the beginning of our pleasure. Upon entrance into its radiant water we were shown the jewels inside. A trillion rainbows of light bathed and surrounded our bodies and danced on our skin. We were there at the perfect moment,when the sun shines briefly through a breath of space created between trees and lands exactly on the water to reveal its true nature.
There are an infinite number of opportunities to bathe in the light but WOW was that one fun !
Lying in the hammock listening to the crickets and sea I am happy,content ( there are no bugs)and renewed by my baptism from the holy waters. I may even stay awake past nine but probably not because the early mornings chorus of birds is not to be slept through. I have to stretch my attention wide to simultaneously hear them all.
David comes back a week from today to dance with me at Envision. I have to admit its nice to have the hammock to myself but I'd gladly move over to be with him so that we could share in the RAINBOWS OF LIGHT THAT IS OUR LOVE..
Friday, February 13, 2015
Scarlet Macaws
Scarlet Macaws
The Osa Peninsula is by far our favorite part of Costa Rica. Daily and multiple sightings of the gloriously colored scarlet macaw make the heart sing praise to the designer of this living rainbow. We seem, although we aren't completely sure, to have arrived during mating season, so that the pairs of macaws (because they always travel in pairs) were constantly wrestling in the trees and squawking, caterwauling even, at each other, creating such a din that they were always easy to spot.
David, as gracious as always, has returned early to the States. His explanation for his departure was that a month of traveling was enough but my suspicion is that he wanted to support Sophia and I having time for just the two of us to travel together. She'll be leaving for a year toVermont soon after our return home and he knows how much she and I value and need our "mother daughter time". Thank you David. You are a rare gem of a man. My gratitude for your love is as full as the ocean is of water.
Today,she and I along with some friends,both new and known, hiked to a primary rainforest area recently purchased by one of the group members.Giant trees towered overhead in the verdant jungle. They are a magnificent sight that raise the eyes to the heavens and whisper an ancient echo of vibration that astounds those below. To be in their presence touches the core of my being with awe.
We are staying at a retreat center named Guaria de Osa where the jungle meets the ocean and the head meets the heart. We cooked dinner tonight as a gift to the wonderful people we've met here and to give us all a reprieve from the temporary cook that is filling in until the next one arrives who obviously needs to pursue a different profession. Our curry made from fresh turmeric, ginger and coconut harvested from here was a huge hit.
Tomorrow we leave for the Golfo Dulce where the water is calm and clear to go snorkeling. We are blessed in a million ways each moment.
The Osa Peninsula is by far our favorite part of Costa Rica. Daily and multiple sightings of the gloriously colored scarlet macaw make the heart sing praise to the designer of this living rainbow. We seem, although we aren't completely sure, to have arrived during mating season, so that the pairs of macaws (because they always travel in pairs) were constantly wrestling in the trees and squawking, caterwauling even, at each other, creating such a din that they were always easy to spot.
David, as gracious as always, has returned early to the States. His explanation for his departure was that a month of traveling was enough but my suspicion is that he wanted to support Sophia and I having time for just the two of us to travel together. She'll be leaving for a year toVermont soon after our return home and he knows how much she and I value and need our "mother daughter time". Thank you David. You are a rare gem of a man. My gratitude for your love is as full as the ocean is of water.
Today,she and I along with some friends,both new and known, hiked to a primary rainforest area recently purchased by one of the group members.Giant trees towered overhead in the verdant jungle. They are a magnificent sight that raise the eyes to the heavens and whisper an ancient echo of vibration that astounds those below. To be in their presence touches the core of my being with awe.
We are staying at a retreat center named Guaria de Osa where the jungle meets the ocean and the head meets the heart. We cooked dinner tonight as a gift to the wonderful people we've met here and to give us all a reprieve from the temporary cook that is filling in until the next one arrives who obviously needs to pursue a different profession. Our curry made from fresh turmeric, ginger and coconut harvested from here was a huge hit.
Tomorrow we leave for the Golfo Dulce where the water is calm and clear to go snorkeling. We are blessed in a million ways each moment.
Wednesday, February 4, 2015
Border Crossings
Border Crossings/Crossing Borders
We left San Carlos in a covered panga with about 15-20 other passengers, heading up the Rio Frio from its juncture with Lake Colcibolca toward its headwaters somewhere past Los Chiles, Costa Rica. Our commitment to travel by boat, whenever given the option,was well rewarded. The wild life and fauna were spectacular. We were in the most monkey-rich territory that we had seen. Unusual scenarios: a lone capuchin so close to the water that it seemed to be fishing; a single howler, high up in tree whose upper reaches were not obscured by foliage, hanging by his tail like Curious George, obviously enjoying it.
Upon the easiest border crossing either of us has ever known,we were immediately struck by the vast economic difference between the two countries. Wooden shacks and highly-populated downtowns as opposed to clean streets, cement houses, and more vehicles dominated the external change. Although it meandered after Los Chiles through several beautiful mountain pueblos, the three day series of busses and transfers down the country left us missing the simplicity of Nicaragua. Admittedly,at the same time, it was awesome to order a salad last night that included more than a bite of lettuce. After a month of so many patacones and so much gallo pinto, it was a welcome change.
Our journey was aided and improved by the interactions with Ticos and fellow travelers along the way. There are a million simple ways, in the most minute of interactions,to find beauty in this world. Simple acts of kindness from locals to foreign strangers stood out along the way. A Nicaraguan working in Costa Rica shared information and pleasantries and monkey spottings with us in the panga. A rubber stamp salesman who joined us on the bus in Quezada shared his photos of his true passion: oil and pastels, murals, sculpture. Then he led the way for several blocks through crowded San Ramon to the bus stop for the Puntarenas bus just before it left the station.
We exchanged the bus in Golfito for a panga on the way to the tiny, pura vida port town of Puerto Jimenez, but only after a pan-fried marlin fillet with a decent salad and a double scoop cone of rum raisin.The Osa Peninsula in the Southern most tip of the country is by far our favorite part. The tranquilo vibe, the calm waters of Golfo Dulce, the wilderness bordering the immense ancient growth jungle of Corcovado National Park are only some of what we love here. We're visiting Davids friend Yanina and her partner Ron. Tomorrow we will all go with some more of their friends by boat into the Golfo Dulce. We are assured we'll see dolphins, giant sea turtles, do some snorkeling, and possibly see whales and whale sharks, besides some monkey viewing at the national park just north of Golfito. Whatever gifts are offered to us will be appreciated and nothing will be missed as we practice gratitude for what is presented and the absence of greed for what is not.
We left San Carlos in a covered panga with about 15-20 other passengers, heading up the Rio Frio from its juncture with Lake Colcibolca toward its headwaters somewhere past Los Chiles, Costa Rica. Our commitment to travel by boat, whenever given the option,was well rewarded. The wild life and fauna were spectacular. We were in the most monkey-rich territory that we had seen. Unusual scenarios: a lone capuchin so close to the water that it seemed to be fishing; a single howler, high up in tree whose upper reaches were not obscured by foliage, hanging by his tail like Curious George, obviously enjoying it.
Upon the easiest border crossing either of us has ever known,we were immediately struck by the vast economic difference between the two countries. Wooden shacks and highly-populated downtowns as opposed to clean streets, cement houses, and more vehicles dominated the external change. Although it meandered after Los Chiles through several beautiful mountain pueblos, the three day series of busses and transfers down the country left us missing the simplicity of Nicaragua. Admittedly,at the same time, it was awesome to order a salad last night that included more than a bite of lettuce. After a month of so many patacones and so much gallo pinto, it was a welcome change.
Our journey was aided and improved by the interactions with Ticos and fellow travelers along the way. There are a million simple ways, in the most minute of interactions,to find beauty in this world. Simple acts of kindness from locals to foreign strangers stood out along the way. A Nicaraguan working in Costa Rica shared information and pleasantries and monkey spottings with us in the panga. A rubber stamp salesman who joined us on the bus in Quezada shared his photos of his true passion: oil and pastels, murals, sculpture. Then he led the way for several blocks through crowded San Ramon to the bus stop for the Puntarenas bus just before it left the station.
We exchanged the bus in Golfito for a panga on the way to the tiny, pura vida port town of Puerto Jimenez, but only after a pan-fried marlin fillet with a decent salad and a double scoop cone of rum raisin.The Osa Peninsula in the Southern most tip of the country is by far our favorite part. The tranquilo vibe, the calm waters of Golfo Dulce, the wilderness bordering the immense ancient growth jungle of Corcovado National Park are only some of what we love here. We're visiting Davids friend Yanina and her partner Ron. Tomorrow we will all go with some more of their friends by boat into the Golfo Dulce. We are assured we'll see dolphins, giant sea turtles, do some snorkeling, and possibly see whales and whale sharks, besides some monkey viewing at the national park just north of Golfito. Whatever gifts are offered to us will be appreciated and nothing will be missed as we practice gratitude for what is presented and the absence of greed for what is not.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)