Monday, October 25, 2010
Friday, October 22, 2010
Seasonal changes: the beauty of Spring/ "Beltane"
Kia ora,
Life here is changing due to the sun in the sky. The seasonal changes you can feel thru the sun's energy, which affects the people, the plant life, and the overall "buzz" of the city. I am finding /learning to be content in the city. I am learning to "roll" with all the changes that are happening: new job, new visions of my future, new transportation options, and volunteer opportunities. I am always seeking and often times this means I have about 5 different things on my plate. Now, I am concentrating and focusing on "selecting" a few from the rest, and going for it. I have never been a very decisive person and it usually takes me awhile to discern/choose what I want for myself and my future. Having a partner and living with him in a small space has made the decision making more challenging. Although this is challenging, I am finding that when my heart is open I am able to learn so much from him (and vice versa).
Pictures will be posted soon! The picutres are of our garden representing the beginning of a new season. Hari om!
xx
Life here is changing due to the sun in the sky. The seasonal changes you can feel thru the sun's energy, which affects the people, the plant life, and the overall "buzz" of the city. I am finding /learning to be content in the city. I am learning to "roll" with all the changes that are happening: new job, new visions of my future, new transportation options, and volunteer opportunities. I am always seeking and often times this means I have about 5 different things on my plate. Now, I am concentrating and focusing on "selecting" a few from the rest, and going for it. I have never been a very decisive person and it usually takes me awhile to discern/choose what I want for myself and my future. Having a partner and living with him in a small space has made the decision making more challenging. Although this is challenging, I am finding that when my heart is open I am able to learn so much from him (and vice versa).
Pictures will be posted soon! The picutres are of our garden representing the beginning of a new season. Hari om!
xx
Friday, October 8, 2010
Update
Hello All!
I have been to Raglan to visit Cyndi Cushman and to check-out the town. I finally made it to this quirky, but interesting little town on the Westcoast of the North Island of New Zealand. Peter Cook helped inspire the trip by offering to swing by and pick me up from my flat in Auckland. He drove me to all the surf breaks when we first pulled into town. Then I enjoyed having dinner with Peter and Cyndi Tuesday night, drinking wine, looking out over the water of Moonlight Bay. Next morning we woke up and headed into town to drink a coffee at a local coffee roaster in town (Brought Josh back some espresso beans from Raglan Roast). The surf wasn't up the first two days, so I held off until the third and final day. In between long sets in the morning I was the only one out there, so I chanted without any inhibition. Whale bay wasn't happenin' until it was almost time for me to get out and then the swell came up. Man! I sure felt the waves come up. It was me and two locals, who showed me how it was done. The one guy was a pretty mad surfer. It was good exposure- and good people to be around in the water. But, in the end, I didn't have much time. It's a challenging spot to get in and out of, but once you are out in the water, it is one of the prettiest places to be surfing in New Zealand. Perhaps this is pure relief or the bliss of exhaustion after a good paddle?
Cyndi took me to Bridal Falls the second day. The image of the place is still imprinted in my brain as it was a spectacular natural occurence. The cascading water almost seems to "fall" out of nowhere. Literally you are surrounded and in the middle of farmland while driving out there (and even when you looking out over the horizon of the waterfall). The trail follows a small tributary/stream which leads you further away from the road and deeper into the bush. It is quietly flowing and you'd never expect a 55 meter waterfall nearby. As soon as we came to the clearing we peered over the edge and the water was hurling down to the depths of a deep pool. The "hole" was created by volcanic activity and deepened by the water flow. Basaltic slabs lined the walls of the "oval canyon" and a the natural wonder left me mesmerized. We climbed down to the bottom where I sat and gazed upwards feeling the mist touch my skin. I read that the Maori believe the mist and rain represent grief and loss and letting go... Something to contemplate while feeling the mist on your skin.
I miss home, but I love what I am doing: exploring and expanding my mind. Always learning something...
On the busride back, I sat next to a Maori/Pakeha girl who taught me how to count to ten in Maori. She taught me the colors and then decided it would be a good idea to teach me some pig latin as well!
Off to work tomorrow at a boutique hotel with a restuarant/bistro inside. Ajo, It's not as glamorous as it sounds! I'm a waitress- who gets the honor of wearing an orange scarf and blue tank-top. ha! And I get to learn about various dishes and which wine compliments them. Better get some shut-eye. I am still new, and plenty to absorb there... and dishes to balance in my hand.
Yours truly,
Hannah
No pictures this time. Camera is out of commission and I am still in the process of trying to learn how to "paint" with words. Ha! the Peruvians say English-speakers naturally paint with words, but.....I beg to differ having grown up in rural Idaho.
I have been to Raglan to visit Cyndi Cushman and to check-out the town. I finally made it to this quirky, but interesting little town on the Westcoast of the North Island of New Zealand. Peter Cook helped inspire the trip by offering to swing by and pick me up from my flat in Auckland. He drove me to all the surf breaks when we first pulled into town. Then I enjoyed having dinner with Peter and Cyndi Tuesday night, drinking wine, looking out over the water of Moonlight Bay. Next morning we woke up and headed into town to drink a coffee at a local coffee roaster in town (Brought Josh back some espresso beans from Raglan Roast). The surf wasn't up the first two days, so I held off until the third and final day. In between long sets in the morning I was the only one out there, so I chanted without any inhibition. Whale bay wasn't happenin' until it was almost time for me to get out and then the swell came up. Man! I sure felt the waves come up. It was me and two locals, who showed me how it was done. The one guy was a pretty mad surfer. It was good exposure- and good people to be around in the water. But, in the end, I didn't have much time. It's a challenging spot to get in and out of, but once you are out in the water, it is one of the prettiest places to be surfing in New Zealand. Perhaps this is pure relief or the bliss of exhaustion after a good paddle?
Cyndi took me to Bridal Falls the second day. The image of the place is still imprinted in my brain as it was a spectacular natural occurence. The cascading water almost seems to "fall" out of nowhere. Literally you are surrounded and in the middle of farmland while driving out there (and even when you looking out over the horizon of the waterfall). The trail follows a small tributary/stream which leads you further away from the road and deeper into the bush. It is quietly flowing and you'd never expect a 55 meter waterfall nearby. As soon as we came to the clearing we peered over the edge and the water was hurling down to the depths of a deep pool. The "hole" was created by volcanic activity and deepened by the water flow. Basaltic slabs lined the walls of the "oval canyon" and a the natural wonder left me mesmerized. We climbed down to the bottom where I sat and gazed upwards feeling the mist touch my skin. I read that the Maori believe the mist and rain represent grief and loss and letting go... Something to contemplate while feeling the mist on your skin.
I miss home, but I love what I am doing: exploring and expanding my mind. Always learning something...
On the busride back, I sat next to a Maori/Pakeha girl who taught me how to count to ten in Maori. She taught me the colors and then decided it would be a good idea to teach me some pig latin as well!
Off to work tomorrow at a boutique hotel with a restuarant/bistro inside. Ajo, It's not as glamorous as it sounds! I'm a waitress- who gets the honor of wearing an orange scarf and blue tank-top. ha! And I get to learn about various dishes and which wine compliments them. Better get some shut-eye. I am still new, and plenty to absorb there... and dishes to balance in my hand.
Yours truly,
Hannah
No pictures this time. Camera is out of commission and I am still in the process of trying to learn how to "paint" with words. Ha! the Peruvians say English-speakers naturally paint with words, but.....I beg to differ having grown up in rural Idaho.
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