anadiomene

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Been incredibly slack with the old blog, but I have no internet at home and been way too busy with work and trying to sort all the bits and pieces out in the flat. I now realize why renting a furnished place is so much easier – but the place I found is pretty amazing. I never thought I could see myself living in a highrise, however the view is amazing (all the things I like, the bridge, the boat, the rose garde, the nature reserve, the docks, the aduana buildings and the pink house) – it’s a great building – it has 3 huge pools and hydrobath – and just too many cool features. Now have the balcony kitted out, internet arriving on Monday – so with the few last purchases every day it is closer to being a home – and I get closer to calling it such. The cat loves the plants, balcony and found new uses for the bidet…. Best thing is riding my bike in the morning and being at work in just 5 minutes.  Oh and the chance to swim in the pool before work   life is good so hence am enjoying it.

And it’s a very weird feeling too – it only hit me the other day, on the street in the city I saw a Buenos Aires billboard and I realized this is it – the moment – that I spent 6 months waiting and hoping for – its here and its now!  I’ve had little time to let that or any thoughts sink in for the last few months.  Had a great send off – which I thank most dearly to the friends that were able to attend at the last minute. It was such an amazing night and I really wish I could’ve taken everyone with me. And since then have been full pace ahead – and dealing with the common reaction to locales when I say I am living here, which is followed by a why and then the full interrogation as for them it seems so hard to believe.  Then they ask how long I’m staying for – my standard response it depends on the day, as not all days are created equal, and I suffer on some more than others.  But then trying to get the office organized, find a flat and sort everything out is neither fun, nor easy.  But I keep following up with most used phrase (just to manage my own expectations and stop myself from going mad) ‘little by little’, am getting there slowly but surely.  At the end of the day, my dream of going to a few polo games as well as the final was realized, and La Dolfina won (yippee) – it truly was a great day.  I also had fun new years, in my favorite bar, under the stars at Belushi, dancing the night away – which I hope will mean this is going to be a super year, and I can make all my other dreams, hopes and aspirations come true too.  And I wish the same success to everyone else who I am lucky enough to have in my life – HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!! ;-*

The other day, I was heading home as always via the train station surrounded by miserable, badly dressed people – feeling judgmental in an unexplainable way and wondering why….  As I left the station I saw an old lady in a white turban with a chiffon pink skirt and wooly jumper and slippers – I was about to think that this was the worst outfit I had seen yet, and then I saw her face.  She was smiling and looked like the happiest person on the planet and in an infectious way – she really glowed and I wondered if I’d ever seen anyone that content or happy.  It was like looking into the face of Buddha, or what I would imagine that to be like and I realized who really cares what anyone wears or thinks – so long as it makes you happy.  Seemed a lesson she had already learnt a long time ago…. 

Moral of the story ‘go forth be happy’.

‘Pilgrims are poets who create by taking journeys’
Niebuhr

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This goes down as probably the most amazing place that I’ve been lucky enough to have had the chance to visit.  It was everything I had hoped for – other than all the tourists which seem to come as part and parcel with every site nowadays.  The only thing missing was the dragon which you have expected to fly over head and swoop in any minute.  I also slept on the isle, which luckily not everyone does, so after the last buses leave I had the place to myself and on the last day I got up at 7 – and I had the whole place to myself other than a few cleaners. I loved the hotel I stayed at, more like a room at the inn – very simple but comfortable, friendly, affordable and in a great spot. The food was also real basic, but tasty French as only the French can do. On the day I went up into the abbey I was also lucky it was a Sunday, entered just in time for the church service – which was pretty wow – and of course fascinating and sounded more magic as it was all in French, the sage smoke/ music/ singing all set the stage, I have to say that I have never felt more at peace or even closer to god’ if I would be one to say such a thing.  I really felt swept back to as it would / could have been a hundreds of years ago. It was enchantingly magic and I would highly recommend it to anyone – pilgrim or not! 
To read: The art of Pilgrimage
Hotel where I stayed: Mouton Blanc
A friends B&B nearby: Tulip Noir

I missed the last bus and as information was scarce had to catch a taxi, so as a warning and safe guard here at the bus times to Saint Mont Michel from Rennes:
Mon – Sat:                   9.30, 9.40 
Everyday:                    11.30, 17.30
Except Sat:                  18.30
Saturday:                    18.40
Sun & public days:         12.30
If this doesn’t work out you can also catch train to Pontorson as there are more buses from there or a much cheaper taxi.  Good luck.

http://www.linktv.org/globalspirit/wisdom 

I watched through tears, how can we not in the west feel responsible for where we are right now – the mess that we have gotten ourselves into – and the looming question is can we with the same amount of force wake up and make the changes needed. Can we change our mindset, our hearts, can we learn to listen – re-connect to the planet and let go of our ego. I would like to think so, but I fear there are so many people out there that will not wake up until the moment of true catastrophe – right now we live in a time of warnings. I love this film, I have always thought and believed in the wisdom of indigenous people – for what might sound simple is actually the most profound.  Thank you all for sharing your wisdom, I hope you can get this into schools – where the adults of tomorrow can start seeing the world with new eyes. Anyway, and everyone out there I highly recommend you also take half an hour of your time to enjoy some other cultures perspectives to life and the world in which we live.

Biggest surprise being back is the amount of complaining going on around me, in LATAM everyone lives in the moment, laughs at the crisis as there is always a crisis – and they enjoy what they do have in the moment. Here I think it’s a Calvinistic society – so the may feel bad about having so much and being so lucky, so by complaining about it they feel like they are part of what is happening in the world, and suffering too. However, I think we have the right be happy, be comfortable and have a good life no matter how or where you are – it’s an attitude and complaining / negativity means you are focusing on the points of complaint or things to complain about and negativity begets negativity…. Hence, I am trying day by day – be positive, feel lucky (as I know I am blessed with everything I have in my life), and to enjoy it all – as you never know what tomorrow will bring – so lets not waste any time in the now, complaining or worrying about it…. Live, Enjoy, Prosper – everyone and everything deserves it.

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Lovely, sunny and ancient. Had an amazing 5 days in Greece, ran around the ancient sites of the Akropolis, Kato Sounio & Delphi. Kept pinching myself – it was incredible to be in the lands of myths, legends, gods and goddesses.  Managed to get in a little shopping – enjoyed the cheap and amazingly good food – and even managed to lounge a little on the roof top pool. I was lucky with the hotel which was a decent price but central, designer and comfortable as well. Was a bit surprised and the growing disparity between rich and poor, races, illegal immigrants and religious factions. There were some serious riots while I was there – and the undercurrent of anger, frustration and hatred could be felt in the area, which is a shame– maybe as it is out on the edges of Europe one of the doorways in?  Not sure what it was, but it is a place to be careful, heard an saw quite a few thefts around me, to the likes I did not even hear about in Latin America. But other than that it is an amazing city – so much to see and do, such a different style to much of Europe – and very relaxed.  5 days was too short, with had more time and some islands to visit too…. But something to plan another time another place.

Each of us is responsible for the choices we make - and at the end of the day we have to live with that choice  for as long as needed - so I remind myself to be accountable…. I am responsible for nothing less than mylife and the choices in it.

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Like there is such a thing as life after BA.  But the good thing is I did get to experience a bit of BA here, Fernando Fierro played last week at the Bimhuis – and despite the naff toilet paper decorations they took me all the way back to the crazy energy that is BA. Had a great time… Then headed off for a madcapped 4 days in London attending conferences, catching up with friends and trying to squeeze in a little unsuccessful shopping. But oh how the city has changed, much cleaner, and more spacious – more cyclists, and they are obviously already getting it all ready for the Olympics which is great to see. Just goes to show you can change anything if you really want to.  Next France, then Athens – aiming for full world domination…..