November is here which means I've lost that Summer feeling...
Not to mention that pretty mochalatte sheen I get when it's just a baking outside. Does anyone else start looking like they might be related to those big-eyed gray colored aliens by February or is it just me?
Some things I plan to/want to do to keep me from becoming the Woman on the ledge this Winter. You can help!! Between meet-ups, and museums, and my (what are they again?) hobbies du jour, I will Winter triumphantly - while not eating all the pasta and sauce I can get my hands on. Whole Foods had to order extra dark chocolate just to meet my demands last year and it sadly shows on me this year. See how that works?? Not this year!
More ideas, events to come...or I'm gonna be in a real snit and details will be on the news people.
Yes, sir to Big Sur! I have now had the Esalen experience. You ever travel to a place in these United States and go, Wow, I never knew this was (and hopefully still is) here! And I have access to it read: it's not just for those who can afford $1000 a day!! I am still a Blissed Sister from my short time there. I was there for a Process Acupressure workshop (PA1) - which was amazing in and of itself.
Add on the great food - most of which is grown in the gardens on-site - 3 tasty meals a day. A real treat for me as I have a hard time squeezing in that when I am working and living full-time. And there's something for everyone. They even have a little bar that serves beer and wine during the dinner period. Dessert was also served with every dinner - all homemade and organic. We're talking chocolate pudding cake, peach cobbler, baked apples...tasty stuff. Every meal is served buffet style and even when they have servers on some of the selections, you can ask for more, less and come back for seconds, thirds, and mix and match. I am so keen on Quinoa now. I ate it twice and sometimes three times a day.
Now here is what I consider to be the piece de resistance (I don't understand this phrase. Shouldn't it be the piece no resistance because I could not resist it? oh well, you get my meaning) are the hot tubs - communal and individual - that overlook the ocean, canopied by the blue skies during the day and a star studded sky at night (I saw actual planets and the Milky Way for goodness sake - who sees this stuff any more any where?) And I would know. A couple of nights, after dinner and after just one! digestif tonic (red wine), I didn't climb fully out of the baths until well after midnight. We could see the moon rise up over the ridge and come into view and sometimes almost directly overhead. So here we are in the hot tubs - in only the clothes mother nature loaned us (wink, wink) and thankfully no boom boxes, ipods, nothing! The only sounds you could hear were those of the sea and your fellow bathers. Some great conversations were had. I was able to meditate twice a day. And not once did I or any of my new friends feel self conscious or were the recipient of unwanted stares or leering. It's the energy dynamic of the place and especially the bathing area. This place has been in existence for over 45 years and the sacred specialness of the place is palpable. The Esalen Indian tribe (who still resides around the retreat area in the hills or cliffs, rather, have said that the baths contain sulphur (yes, it smells sorta like eggs gone bad, but not too bad) and traces of gold and other minerals. My new motto is two natural hot springs baths a day will keep the doctor and any other pesky problems away. Wowee!!
I have to get back to my, ahem, serious writing projects now and my tea is cold, but I still have much more to share. So check back soon
My overall rating of the place: 4 out of 5 towels
Wit and Wisdom at-Large
I needed a cab fast and walked to the curb and saw one at the light and better yet, he saw me. I always smile (big and warmly) when trying to hail (or attract) a taxi. This one pulled up to me and did he have just the loveliest, warmest big smile on his face. Genuine. Hopping in, I always say, "Hello and thank you for picking me up." And I mean it. Stay tuned for the Wisdom this man offered...
