The farm was getting quite disorderly. I did the best I could but when I was left the only volunteer, I couldn´t take over all the work. We made dinner for Renato and I bought him a beer.
Ari decided to travel with me to Tulum. I ask, do you have any money? I don´t quite understand this person but he said, ¨trust me. we´re going to Tulum¨ I was either alone or with him to decide in that moment. I decided to trust his ¨way¨ of travel. So...we hitchhiked to Tulum. We made some friends and we are staying with them. Drove in a small yellow car to the cenotes along the coast. Tulum has probably the most beautiful beaches and environment I have seen so far. I´ve been drinking a lot of juice in the hopes of curing my stomach. Montezuma got me.
This ¨way¨of living is very different from the American way. In the states everyone has their seperate private space. Here, everything is pretty chill and communal.
I have so many poems and feelings in these places I go but have difficulty wrapping my head around them and figuring out whats best to write.
Tomorrow, will do my best to collect my poems and thoughts.
Saturday, June 12, 2010
Tuesday, June 8, 2010
Bus to Chichen.
Hopped the bus to chichen Itza this past weekend. Ari needed to do work on the farm and in Goyo´s place so I went myself. I needed to see it for my profound intrigue with the Mayan People. The buses are incredible in Mexico and better than the States. I was dreading a 4 hour bs ride to find myself surprised at how comfortable and AIR CONDITIONED it was. Yes, air conditioned. I don´t like air conditioning usually. Back in the States, my air of tougneness scoffs when people say they need it. Open the damn windows--feel the world, become one with it. But, I swallow my tongue here in the Yucatan. My bus ride in the cool air was its own vacation.
I made a friend on the bus. This small and older woman (probably in her late 60s)sitting in the front of the bus smiled at me when I walked on and got excitedly caught my attention by presenting to me the open seat next to her. There were so many other open seats, I kind of wanted one of my own. I looked at the other seats and she made a ,¨oh that´s fine¨ face. But, I couldn´t walk further anymore. she was just so exicted for me to sit with her and so I did. Moved in my bags and when the bus took off, we spoke the whole way down. She is taking 15 days of travel without her family. Kind of her own vacation retreat. Sounds familiar. Is this solo travel a new trend I´m subliminally picking up on?
We spoke the whole way almost, greatly practicing Spanish. A happy woman with a comoforting energy, she told me about the many beautiful places in the Yucatan there are, making me want to extend my trip for months more. At the rest stop, she showed me where to get tamales for lunch and the bathroom where I don´t have to pay.
We parted at Chichen. I got off the bus, surprisingly, meters from the actual site however, shaded by trees, making it impossible to see unless you pay the fee to enter the park.
Though it was hot and since I was carrying so much stuff, I grabbed a taxi and asked the driver to take me to a cheap hotel or hostel. Wow, I could´ve had a bit more information. But the driver knew what he was doing. We went to one and he asked for me the price. $350 pesos. He turned back to me, ¨esta bien..pero buscamos mas.¨ ¨Let´s look more.¨ Together, we found one for about $200 pesos. Taxi drivers get a super bad wrap here and I have no idea why. I´ve been forewarned me about taxi drivers from family members who´ve ¨known¨ people who´ve traveled to Mexico. ¨they will rob you. Its extrememly dangerous.¨ Well, either they´re being extra nice in order to make up for their bad co-workers or that´s just largely untrue. Put down all my stuff and decided to wander. Another ¨stupid¨ decision. I saw a sign for the sacred cenote of Il Lik and Grutas (Caves) of Balankenche´. I pulled over another taxi driver and we worked out a reasonably price where he took me to both of the sites and waited while I toured.
Was falling asleep waiting for entrance to the Grutas. Finally I entered them with some other people who showed up for the hourly tour. A group of Mexican people on a Yucatan cruise. Caves: vision of sacrifices and ceremonies on the ground, in the cracks of the caves. Kids playing, some praying, some falling in love when they´re teens. Taking dates to the cenote. Down there, I too felt closer to The Earth to worship her.
Grabbed some footage there for theatrical inspiration.
Afterward, the cabbie and I drove to the sacred cenote. No words to describe other than breathtaking. The water was cool! Almost cold and was so refreshing on my skin. Red Bull (the energy drink company) was there sponsoring cliff divers. A boy named Miguel called me over when I was studying the possibility of sitting on the side of the cenote but was a bit afraid. I think he sensed that and showed me where to sit. I sat down on the water ledge and he showed me that I was sitting on an abundant collection of Mayan head carvings. Would´ve never known was was underneath my own sit-bones if he hadn´t told me.
I made a friend on the bus. This small and older woman (probably in her late 60s)sitting in the front of the bus smiled at me when I walked on and got excitedly caught my attention by presenting to me the open seat next to her. There were so many other open seats, I kind of wanted one of my own. I looked at the other seats and she made a ,¨oh that´s fine¨ face. But, I couldn´t walk further anymore. she was just so exicted for me to sit with her and so I did. Moved in my bags and when the bus took off, we spoke the whole way down. She is taking 15 days of travel without her family. Kind of her own vacation retreat. Sounds familiar. Is this solo travel a new trend I´m subliminally picking up on?
We spoke the whole way almost, greatly practicing Spanish. A happy woman with a comoforting energy, she told me about the many beautiful places in the Yucatan there are, making me want to extend my trip for months more. At the rest stop, she showed me where to get tamales for lunch and the bathroom where I don´t have to pay.
We parted at Chichen. I got off the bus, surprisingly, meters from the actual site however, shaded by trees, making it impossible to see unless you pay the fee to enter the park.
Though it was hot and since I was carrying so much stuff, I grabbed a taxi and asked the driver to take me to a cheap hotel or hostel. Wow, I could´ve had a bit more information. But the driver knew what he was doing. We went to one and he asked for me the price. $350 pesos. He turned back to me, ¨esta bien..pero buscamos mas.¨ ¨Let´s look more.¨ Together, we found one for about $200 pesos. Taxi drivers get a super bad wrap here and I have no idea why. I´ve been forewarned me about taxi drivers from family members who´ve ¨known¨ people who´ve traveled to Mexico. ¨they will rob you. Its extrememly dangerous.¨ Well, either they´re being extra nice in order to make up for their bad co-workers or that´s just largely untrue. Put down all my stuff and decided to wander. Another ¨stupid¨ decision. I saw a sign for the sacred cenote of Il Lik and Grutas (Caves) of Balankenche´. I pulled over another taxi driver and we worked out a reasonably price where he took me to both of the sites and waited while I toured.
Was falling asleep waiting for entrance to the Grutas. Finally I entered them with some other people who showed up for the hourly tour. A group of Mexican people on a Yucatan cruise. Caves: vision of sacrifices and ceremonies on the ground, in the cracks of the caves. Kids playing, some praying, some falling in love when they´re teens. Taking dates to the cenote. Down there, I too felt closer to The Earth to worship her.
Grabbed some footage there for theatrical inspiration.
Afterward, the cabbie and I drove to the sacred cenote. No words to describe other than breathtaking. The water was cool! Almost cold and was so refreshing on my skin. Red Bull (the energy drink company) was there sponsoring cliff divers. A boy named Miguel called me over when I was studying the possibility of sitting on the side of the cenote but was a bit afraid. I think he sensed that and showed me where to sit. I sat down on the water ledge and he showed me that I was sitting on an abundant collection of Mayan head carvings. Would´ve never known was was underneath my own sit-bones if he hadn´t told me.
Friday, June 4, 2010
Poet on a Granja
So bold, I´ve jumped. always admiring the jumpers and flyers-to finally take the leap myself.
Woke up a few mornings ago to coffee with honey in my hands.
Ambience of love, peace, the spirit. always music.
Frustrating ¨Mexican¨way us, probably, ignorant call it. 5 minutes--lucky if its one hour. But seriously, my American mind knows things can be done much more efficiently. Can we make a schedule_
I´m prone to brain explosions. The past few days I´ve had them with someone else whom too dreams big. One conglomerate explosion about the next two years of my life. Our lives. To live in India for 6 months to a year--train with theatre of the oppressed federation and in an ashram for a yoga certification. Ari to get his cooking certification. Could be an idea that lasts a breath and then its gone. The fire could be out whenever I suppose. Or it could not. It doesn´t matter. The juice is soaking up the warmth.
Life is a theme park. I choose my ride: the carousel, thriple loop roller coaster, highest of the high altitude drop. Ours for the choosing. some days, it´s a fast ride. Others, scenic. maybe one moment the crazy upsidedown loop to loop. The next, the birdseye view peaceful scenic ski lift across the park.
Woke up a few mornings ago to coffee with honey in my hands.
Ambience of love, peace, the spirit. always music.
Frustrating ¨Mexican¨way us, probably, ignorant call it. 5 minutes--lucky if its one hour. But seriously, my American mind knows things can be done much more efficiently. Can we make a schedule_
I´m prone to brain explosions. The past few days I´ve had them with someone else whom too dreams big. One conglomerate explosion about the next two years of my life. Our lives. To live in India for 6 months to a year--train with theatre of the oppressed federation and in an ashram for a yoga certification. Ari to get his cooking certification. Could be an idea that lasts a breath and then its gone. The fire could be out whenever I suppose. Or it could not. It doesn´t matter. The juice is soaking up the warmth.
Life is a theme park. I choose my ride: the carousel, thriple loop roller coaster, highest of the high altitude drop. Ours for the choosing. some days, it´s a fast ride. Others, scenic. maybe one moment the crazy upsidedown loop to loop. The next, the birdseye view peaceful scenic ski lift across the park.
Sunday, May 30, 2010
Bitten and Beauty
Terribly inflamed mosquito and flea bitten legs. Would love to be outside as Ari prepares dinner but I approximate' having had about 5 mosqitos on my body at one time.
Many reasons this trip has become as if ruled by destiny. Living in a specific random place in Mexico--choosing it all myself of little knowledge prior.
I´ve met someone--Ari--(spiritual name Krishna) a free-spirited and beautiful person whom I´ve been spending my days with.
Many reasons this trip has become as if ruled by destiny. Living in a specific random place in Mexico--choosing it all myself of little knowledge prior.
I´ve met someone--Ari--(spiritual name Krishna) a free-spirited and beautiful person whom I´ve been spending my days with.
Morning Meeting
9:30am
To paint the gallery, weed the front area, mend the hose. To look for new weed to make earth. To make compost. I want my job to weed the stage/performance area, to paint the exterior of the gallery, to make compost.
I sit here listening to the Amelie soundtrack, smelling the food Krishna makes. Watching Sheyla order the sees--she studies, smells, touches, nurtures. Claps everytime a song finishes, `que lindo!´
Taught a yoga class on Renato´s roof at 7am for the new volunteers. I´ve never taught a yoga class before but ´thought why the hell not and lead the exercises. So much fun--realizing how much I desire to teach and do yoga everyday. Could there have been a better place than the roof atop and handcrafted made house overtop the jungle treetops?
To paint the gallery, weed the front area, mend the hose. To look for new weed to make earth. To make compost. I want my job to weed the stage/performance area, to paint the exterior of the gallery, to make compost.
I sit here listening to the Amelie soundtrack, smelling the food Krishna makes. Watching Sheyla order the sees--she studies, smells, touches, nurtures. Claps everytime a song finishes, `que lindo!´
Taught a yoga class on Renato´s roof at 7am for the new volunteers. I´ve never taught a yoga class before but ´thought why the hell not and lead the exercises. So much fun--realizing how much I desire to teach and do yoga everyday. Could there have been a better place than the roof atop and handcrafted made house overtop the jungle treetops?
Friday, May 28, 2010
3 days--mas o menos
Lily is a mix of a free Hippie and German drill Sergreant. She´s got a lot of common sense that I admire and a keen naturalistic intelligence. When attempting to pour the large jug of water into my small water bottle (which was, granted, a pretty stupid way to go) she sharply barks, ´no no no-- that´s a waste of energy and water.´ Her in the room keeps me on my toes.
Two more travelers arrived today. A couple from Belgium on a macrobiotic diet. I find it funny that eating tough meat all day is considered a balanced and healthy diet in the Macrobiotic way--if you´re an eskimo in Alaska, for instance and all there is is meat. Summed up by Bert (one half of the couple) ´seasonal, local, organic (if possible). Their travel experience--terrain to terrain--each a different diet.
I opened my schedule for the first time in 10 days, read the quotes inside the binding ´´life shrinks or expands according to one´s courage.´ When I return home, I want to spend a tremendous time with my family. --take Morgan out, eat good food qith Joe, listen and learn some guitar from Jacob, spend nights sprawled in front of the chininea with my parents listening to the sound of our pond in the back ground. So many reflections from here to there that bring me comfort. Renato drinks a cold beer after a hard day´s work--My dad always cracks one open just the same. Always working and improving upon the property. So many reflections that I think, could my trip to Mexico have been fueled by a profound longing for home? Home away from home?
I hope my family knows that I love them and that my home is the most comforting place of all.
It´s true though--´life shrinks or expands according to one´s courage´ fear is a chain that keeps us. It does not suit us, for only to strengthen oneself to encounter, break, and expand upon the boundaries of the chain. All of life is free.
Two more travelers arrived today. A couple from Belgium on a macrobiotic diet. I find it funny that eating tough meat all day is considered a balanced and healthy diet in the Macrobiotic way--if you´re an eskimo in Alaska, for instance and all there is is meat. Summed up by Bert (one half of the couple) ´seasonal, local, organic (if possible). Their travel experience--terrain to terrain--each a different diet.
I opened my schedule for the first time in 10 days, read the quotes inside the binding ´´life shrinks or expands according to one´s courage.´ When I return home, I want to spend a tremendous time with my family. --take Morgan out, eat good food qith Joe, listen and learn some guitar from Jacob, spend nights sprawled in front of the chininea with my parents listening to the sound of our pond in the back ground. So many reflections from here to there that bring me comfort. Renato drinks a cold beer after a hard day´s work--My dad always cracks one open just the same. Always working and improving upon the property. So many reflections that I think, could my trip to Mexico have been fueled by a profound longing for home? Home away from home?
I hope my family knows that I love them and that my home is the most comforting place of all.
It´s true though--´life shrinks or expands according to one´s courage´ fear is a chain that keeps us. It does not suit us, for only to strengthen oneself to encounter, break, and expand upon the boundaries of the chain. All of life is free.
Feelings and such
I miss the city life. There i have the ability to check my email instantaneously. I know every tweet, facebook event invitation and wall post. Here.it´s quite difficult--being scooped up anyway by the currents of I feel so distant sometimes. Lonely for home. Wondering about my friends, family, what´s going on with them. I resist the feeling of guilt'--but sometimes can´t when my grandmother asks every time I call, ´when are you coming home? Everyone misses you.´ I feel selfish for choosing to travel. But the more people I meet, the more I understand how much I have in common with these wanderers in search for meaning and consciousness.
The land here is fresh. Not all of Mexico. It´s in fact somewhat messy and disorganized. Speaking to the 2 new volunteers that arrived (a couple from Belgium), most of Mexico is lacking in organization in the WWOOF Agency. They say, ít´s the Mexican way.´
But here on the farm and essentially, despite trash scattered here in there (which we also have in the States), the land is indedibly special in the Jungle and Coastal region. The water is warm and for the most part, you can see right down the the bottom.
The land here is fresh. Not all of Mexico. It´s in fact somewhat messy and disorganized. Speaking to the 2 new volunteers that arrived (a couple from Belgium), most of Mexico is lacking in organization in the WWOOF Agency. They say, ít´s the Mexican way.´
But here on the farm and essentially, despite trash scattered here in there (which we also have in the States), the land is indedibly special in the Jungle and Coastal region. The water is warm and for the most part, you can see right down the the bottom.
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