Cusco

I love Cusco. This is the Plaza de Armas - the main square. From here we walk up the narrow streets to San Blas area where it is considered to be the artists district.
The streets are very narrow and small cars come down the street, so one better be out of the way. The hills are steep too. Always hoping they have good breaks.
Notice the variation in the wall.

Notice the bottom of the wall (inka) and how tightly they fit together and how many angles there are.

What brings joy?

As so many people have been reading books like The Secret, books about the Law of Attraction, Tolle's A New Earth... and more like them, I too have been more conscious of where my attention lies.

What are the things that bring me joy?

Sometimes it is the simplest of things. Watching children, seeing a smile on some one's face, getting a great photo, taking in the beauty of nature, being surrounded by landscapes that take my breath away!

Being in Peru, more often than not, I found myself in utter joy.

While staying in Kunter Wassi we ventured outside onto the narrow streets to find lots of shit to sidestep, donkeys and these cute little boys who wanted to have their picture taken.

I'm game. So I lined them up on the step and took their picture. I gave each of them 20 centimos, which is hardly anything, and watched them dance down the street. Laughing, excited to have made some money. That was joyful to watch.

Too busy coloring.....

I brought with me a bunch of boxes of crayons with me. I intended to bring them to the children on the island we were to stay on. I kept a few in my bag and pulled them out when I found a suitable subject :-)

On the way back from the canyon, stopped to see some tombs (soon :-) and of course here was this mom and her son selling her handicrafts. This little boy went to the van, pretty much cleaning it up with his body. I went in to grab a box of crayons and some paper. He called it paint and emptied the box and colored. Art and children are my passion. I love creating with children, watching them create, watching the process....

So now this little boy after sharing with me, showing me the colors is now so engrossed in coloring, he's not even aware his pants are falling down :-)

His mom shared some delicious prickly pear with us. Yum!

Colca Canyon and my dream

Image in my dream. 2 years ago, I had a dream I was standing on top of a mountain. To my right was a cliff jutting out from the mountain. Two birds, black and white flew from this area and as I watched them fly out into the sky, I looked down and saw my mother's house.

This is what it looked like.
Me, very happy to see the condors :-)

Time to move on .......................

CONDORS!!!!!!!!!

We were up early, had a "continental" breakfast (the juice was really good) and off we were to see condors. It was cold. There were some people there, but not many. We waited at the edge of the canyon... patiently waiting.
And then I spotted one coming up from the canyon, gliding in the distance, getting closer, coming up a bit higher until a female flew over our heads back and forth. So IMPRESSIVE!
Such a beautiful sight to see. There were two and then another one or two, not sure how many. Hard to take pictures of them... sometimes I was just left with a beautiful blue sky and then sometimes I just got lucky :-)

Kuntur Wassi

Arrived at the hotel. It didn't quite seem like the pictures online, but it was nice. Our room overlooked the plaza which we didn't go to. Didn't seem like there was anything there. The draw to this place was it's convenient location to Colca canyon. The inside was nice.
Lots of flowers surrounding the hotel.
There always seemed to be some glitches with water for me. This place was no exception. I tried to take a needed shower.... I let the water run. It wasn't getting warm, let alone hot. I shut the water for guilt of wasting water here where it is very dry, and after listening to guides talk about the lack of water... how can I let it run!!!!

I then noticed a leak, watching the water run towards the toilet bowl. We were only given two towels and we decided to use one to soak it up. We didn't want to step into water on this cold floor. I told them about the leak.

Someone came to the room later to check, but of course it did not leak while they were there, but later after they left. Now it's getting late... another day without a shower.

Lunch in Chivay

After passing through those great heights, we quickly came down to Chivay and my ears popped. I hate that.

Mai-Liis wanted to have lunch. Our guides brought us a box lunch that we ended up eating in the small plaza. Our guide had different plans as to where we would eat. I was curious as to where it was, but hunger won out. I think it was to protect us from beggars as one or two people came over to us, but it wasn't a big deal. We had a chance to stretch our legs and take a few photos..

Most people stay here and then leave early to go to Colca canyon in the morning. It's best to be there early to catch the condors. We, instead, passed through Chivay and Colca canyon to Kuntur Wassi which was a lot closer. We stopped at the canyon. No condors. No tourists. Beautiful!

Now I was getting psyched in coming back to see the condors.

Vicunas

Traveling towards the canyon, we passed through a protected area. Here, Vicunas roam. In the heirarchy of these cameloids, they are high on the totem pole. Sheep, llama, alpacha and vicuna. Vicuna wool is most expensive. They are a protected species and only shorn about every 2 or 3 years. Cute too.
The area is surrounded by vocanos and mountains. We are high up and passing one area, aprox. 16,000 ft. we stopped the van to get out. Yes, another area where the locals were selling their handicrafts. We were warned that if need be, come back to the van if we felt dizzy.
I wish I had a picture to prove this.... but we stepped out of the van and I felt it. I took a look around and saw a woman laid out on the ground. She needed oxygen, I felt a bit woozy and headed back to the van.. I was definitely feeling this.
Mai-Liis? She at 16,000 ft was shopping.... but she too soon returned after realizing how difficult it was to figure how how to pay the person she was interacting with.
Water. Coca leaf.
We continued on our journey.............

On the way.......

May 2:
On the way to Colca Canyon, we stopped to pee/eat/shop here. Actually, I just looked around, taking pictures. I bought a hat here for John while Mai-Liis and our guide were inside having some coca tea. One always needs to have a sol for taking a picture. Worth it!
The dollar isn't so great there, unlike the Euro which was over 4 sol to the Euro. The dollar ranged between 2.50 to 2.77 s. to the dollar. Last year, it was about 3.30.
My favorite subject is taking pictures of the children. I liked how they got a kick out of seeing themselves on the camera and would blow up the picture so they could see themselves clearer.

View from above

In Arequipa, we stayed at Casa de Ana, and you can go up to the roof top type patio to look out over the other buildings. To me, Peru always seems to be in a state of construction. They are always building, always in this "process" of building up or repairing.
Peruvians are hard working people.
Jake would like Peru - Rauchen can run free.
I love being surrounded by Mountains... Apus. Feelings of protection.

Wandering the halls.......

Still enthralled with this color blue.
I could have spent a whole day here wandering....
One thing I am so grateful for is my own bed!!!

Discovering a sanctuary

We wandered a bit after our lunch, trying to find a market. Nothing really there, so we wandered back to the monestary that was recommeded. We still had time, although it was getting late. Monasterio de Santa Catalina is a beautiful, peaceful place to visit... well worth the visit.

It was this color blue that made me salivate. Rich, gorgeous color painted the walls. I wandered around following paths that led to various rooms, down streets and past gardens. So beautiful.

So peaceful......

Arequipa - Day 1

Arrived in Arequipa the next day, taking an early flight. Arequipa is known as the white city because it is made of the white rock from the volcano Misti.
The Quechua word for it means, "yes, stay". It is beautiful with colonial architecture. We stayed at Casa de Ana, away from the Plaza de Armas, (which every city has) a house run by Ana who was friendly and very informative. The streets are so narrow that two cars are in competion in passing. Ana, also is a tour guide and opens her home to tourists.
We were starting our trip in a way to acclimate to the altitude. Our first adventure was to see Condors at Colca Canyon.
In Arequipa, Ana took us to a place to have lunch, but the place was packed. It was a holiday and no room, so we went to the plaza to eat. Upstairs, on one of the balcony's that surround the plaza, we ate our lunch and then began to explore... I have never seen a dog on a leash in Peru.

I'm back from Peru

I love Peru. I love the people. I love seeing a culture so very different from mine. Earthy. Warm and friendly..... but it is good to be home. Now it almost feels as if it were a dream.

We arrived in Lima very late. Our flight from Houston was delayed, due to having to change a valve on the plane. Because we landed so late, our "greeter" left.

Here we were in Lima at 2 am and no one there to greet us, not knowing where our hotel was and with no vouchers.

We received help from a taxi driver who called the number I had if we had a problem. He took us to the hotel next to the airport and found all our vouchers waiting there for us.

It wasn't the best beginning to this trip and we were tired. It was 3 am NY time and we needed to get up early for our flight to Arequipa the next morning.

Getting off the plane in Arequipa, we were greeted by these two smiling faces :-)

my horoscope for today....

Wednesday, Apr 30th, 2008 --
"You must accept a dilemma for the next few weeks as you try to withdraw from the noisy hustle-bustle of life. Your inner voice is attempting to convince you to stay home and take it easy, but this could directly conflict with your job or your desire for more social activities. There is no need to struggle; recharge your energy by enjoying time with friends and family or just take off for a while by yourself."

Of course it would be nice to have John with me, but I am taking off.........................
Ciao!
Life is good :-)
I'll miss you Johnny boy YYYYYYYYYYYYY

Space and Space

Two full days of classes and gathering up the loose ends before I head back to Peru. The first picture above is created by one of the kids from class. He came up with some invented planets in space, including the chocolate planet!! I will miss the kids, but look forward to photographing the children of Peru. I'm bringing some crayons with me.
We will be going back to Machu Picchu and Cuzco, and a quick stop at Ollaytatumbo, but the rest will be new. Arequipa, Colca Canyon, Lake Titicaca - staying with a family on one of the islands.
Packing begins the adventure.
I've been quiet with my blogs lately, but will be really quiet for two weeks... I return May 14 and will be sharing lots of photos.

25 tips

Received this in my email this morning and thought I'd share:

25 TIPS FOR A BETTER LIFE – 2008

1. Take a walk every day. And while you walk, smile. It is the ultimate anti- depressant.

2. Sit in silence for at least 10 minutes each day. Buy a lock if you have to.

3. When you wake up the following statement, 'My purpose for today is ________

4. Eat more foods that grow on trees and plants and eat less food that is manufactured in plants.

5. Drink green tea & water. Eat blueberries, wild Alaskan salmon, broccoli, almonds & walnuts. 6. Try to make at least three people smile each day.

7. Don't waste energy on gossip, the past or negative thoughts…invest your energy in the positive present moment.

8. Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince & dinner like a pauper

9. Life isn't fair, but it's still good.

10. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.

11. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.

12. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.

13. Make peace with your past so it won't spoil the present.

14. Don't compare your life to others'. You have no idea what their journey is all about.

15. No one is in charge of your happiness except you

16. Frame every so-called disaster with these words: 'In five years will this matter?'

17. Forgive everyone for everything

18. What other people think of you is none of your business

19. GOD heals almost everything.

20. However good or bad a situation is, it will change

21. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends will. Stay in touch.

22. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.

23. Before going to bed: I am thankful for ________ Today I accomplished _________

24. Remember that you are too blessed to be stressed.

25. Pray more; complain less.

Blessings,

Chrissie

The planets incline; they do not compel.

Visit http://www.chrissieblaze.com/ to find out more.

Wonder if these guys will still be in Cuzco when we get there?

The Reception

A fun time with the kids. The parents were great in providing lots of goodies and I am grateful it is up, over and I can take it down when I get back from Peru.
And as life would have it, one of the parents who happens to work in the building had to open up the building... as no custodian showed up. mmmm. Trust. The Universe provides once again. ...
Now I get to refocus my attention.
Getting ready for Peru :-)

Trust

The 11th hour and 59th minute.

I was aware of how yesterday was flowing. All the boards were brought over, I just needed to show up and hang them. I had only yoga at 5:00 and no other obligation.

I showed up. Work was still hanging from the previous show and some pieces were still in the case. ok, well I'll take them down and put them in the conference room.

Conference room is where all the boards I needed to hang were stored as well.

The thing was, there was a conference going on in the conference room!!!

"Excuse me, I so sweetly said, but I need to get these boards out of here" and my reply was they would only be another 15 minutes..... so I went to the powers that be and told the mayors secretary and she quickly responded by getting the custodian to get the boards out of there... much easier for me :-)

mmmm... I walk back into the conference room again, "Excuse me again," this time speaking with the mayor herself, there are boards still hanging from the middle school. Where can I put them?" I ask ever so sweetly........ she looked to the Superindentent of schools sitting right next to her and me who coincidently has his office at the school where these teachers happen to be.

"I'll call and have a custodian come".

ok. Life is good and I begin the process of placing boards along the hallway. Taking down the old work and replacing it with the new. It's now 1:30 and no one has come for the boards and now I need to case. I prepare to leave and in walks the teacher. Perfect timing.

He didn't need to come any sooner really. He needed to be there when I was ready and he was.

This quote from The Intenders came today:

"In fact, he said, as hard as it is to get used to, there are times when it's definitely in our highest good to have things come to us at the last minute. How else, he asked, would we learn about trust? "

I began putting things in the case, art - photos - quotes.... squeezing it all in. Done at 4:30!

Just enought time to go home and get ready for yoga class. Trust - even if it comes at the 11th hour, it still comes. Not always on our time - our comfort zone time - but as it should be.

Did I tell you how it just so happened that a group of town workers came out into the lobby just in time to help me move a shelf?

Thanks to the Universe for another round of Trust Lessons!

New Moon - Spring??

I like writing some intentions for the new moon. This one seems especially important as it's in Aries and we begin again. New cycle starts this circle of time.
It didn't really feel like spring yesterday. Cloudy and chilly and I still needed my winter coat.
But it IS spring and with it the new moon in Aries in my 8th house. Interestingly this is the house of taxes and I'm sure one of those planets is playing havoc because it has been an odd money week. I "miscalculated" my milage.... don't ask. Works out that the money Bush is giving us goes right back to him.... mmmm. so much for stimulating the economy...
A VERY old bill came calling... At first I allowed it all to hit me. WHAM!
But then decided I can choose to let this get to me or "it is what it is" - deal with it and let it go.
Non-attachment.
After all, I have the money, but it was the old "pain-body" awareness that I saw. Thanks Eckhart. You know what I mean if you're reading A New Earth. So, oh yeah, I see that. I see where it's coming from. So..... seeee YA!
And this is what brings me to my intention. To catch this stuff you have to be present with what you are feeling. Be concious of your thoughts and how you are feeling.
My intention is being in the present moment NOW. Also to deal with it NOW. Procrastination gets me into trouble and way too stressful.
Aries is about ACTION and that is what I intend. Taking action as it comes up.
Letting go of stuff I have no control over (taxes). I can choose to feel differently about them, or to think differently, though.
From Chamalu':
"The past is a corpse....Don't go through life carrying a casket on your back. Mistakes aren't bad in themselves. If we are conscious, they form part of a valuable teaching. Extract the nectar of what has happened to give you power for the present. (love that) The worst we can do is to wander disoriented on the periphery of the present, which each day, upon awakening, we are given. Forget what has happened: the future is only the harvest of the seed you plant in the present..... the best way to have an acceptable future is to be happy in the present."

LOVE WHAT EVER YOU DO, MAKING YOUR ACTIONS A MEDITATION.
I do what I love... and love what I do.
Make it ALL a work of art :-)

I under estimated how long this project of mine would take.
I collected all the boards (35 40"x60" foamcore boards). I wrap them in paper - black, purple, blue.... and then begin mounting the art and photos and quotes.
I have photos of the children and match them up to their art. Clever quotes are strategically placed here and there. I keep printing out photos, ones that catch that perfect moment of a child being in the creative moment.
I've been working on this for two weeks now - every spare moment. I was thinking it would have been brought over to the exhibit space by now - having it hung by today.
Nope. I still have 4 boards laid out but not "attached" and two boards that need to be done.
I ran out of tape - the one that roles out so easily.
I ran out of ink. (Magenta - yikes!)
I ran out of steam.
Yesterday after working all day long, through lunch, with the time cutting close to yoga class. I had to stop and clean up in order to go home to get ready for my class.
Exhausted. Hungry. and what do I do... spill sequins all over the floor. Sequins and rhinestone scattered about - "WHAT THE #*%! "
I stopped.
I laughed.
I took a picture.
ok. Putting it in perspective..... it is what it is.
There are times when we have these grand ideas. We expect it to be as perfect as in our mind, but I wonder if there isn't a larger "law" out there that we need to learn from.
It happens as it should happen, no matter how much I push my agenda. So I learn to let go. I allow the flow of the process to unfold.
There's a matter of balance. Putting my energy into something to the exclusion of all else does not make for a healthy life.
Why do I forget this?
Next year when I look back at this blog.
Here is a reminder to my Self..................
START EARLIER!!!!!!!!!!!!!