La la la-la-la-la Life is Wonderful

I knitted my way from Bondi junction on the train, watching as groups of people and individuals got on and off at each announced station the train stopped at. It was a beautiful day outside as the last two had been in Sydney. With blue skies and greenery all around I couldn't help but be so grateful for the opportunity to experience Such a beautiful place. After walking to Bondi Beach for whale watching yesterday and tango dancing the night before, I was quite content to sit and let the train rock beneath me as I let my fingers do all the work for a change as I worked on my bag. Two groups of sweet older women got on (at different times) and sat in the seats across the aisle from me. Both groups noticed my knitting and it became the topic of their conversations. I felt good to have something in common with them, even though we didn't actually speak. I feel the same way when I see other people with giant backpacks on and am reminded we are all so alike though our faces are each quite uniquely beautiful. It's also a little less lonely when I feel connected to the "strangers" around me. I find that the more I smile, the happier I feel no matter where I am or what I'm doing.

After an hour on the train and quite a few rows added to my project, I noticed the scenery had changed from city roads to gorgeous forest. It captured my attention and I couldn't stop looking out the window. The emerald green of the tree tops was glistening in the sun and moving gently in the breeze. No one else on the train seemed to notice much but I suppose I was experiencing the magic of traveling. I hope that I will always try and take the time to appreciate the beauty around me no matter how familiar it gets.

It wasn't long before I heard the stop for "Waterfall" which was my cue to get ready for the next stop. I was thrilled when I realized my station was smack dab in the middle of all the greenery which turned out to be the Royal National Forest! The directions I had told me my destination wasn't far from the train station so I decided to walk, giant backpack and all. Mostly I just wanted to stay outside and submerge myself in the greenness! I was early anyway so I took my time and slowly followed the signs to Govinda Valley. After turning a corner I came to quite the road block: a rushing river. The sun is definitely hotter in Australia by comparison but it is winter here and it certainly wasn't warm enough for a swim! The waterfall poured out onto the road creating a stream a few mil deep and then fell again off the road into the river below. In the name of adventure I took off my shoes and walked through the icy water and the rest of the way up the hill barefoot.

I was greeted at Govinda by sweet Nicole from Germany and two other volunteers, Laura from Australia and Beth from England. I already felt excited: this was travel, this is why I'm here! It's so wonderful how in one stop I've met people from so many different cultures (New Zealand, Russia, Spain, France, Peru and Holland were some of the others) and yet we all share such similar values and the universal desire to feel acceptance and love from one another. Govinda Valley fosters just that. I was also lucky enough to share some of my time there with an adorable nine year old girl who kept my spirits high and full of silliness and play. We played many rounds of Twenty Questions, figured out how to play songs on the piano and she even helped me paint walls! I think her Mad Libs concert was my favorite though. On the day I left I ran up the stairs to find her for a hug and she made sure to win at one last game of Chopsticks before hugging me goodbye as I rushed to catch my train. I was so glad we had each other for the week.

My service at Govinda Valley was mostly sanding and painting walls where the renovations were happening. This provided lots of time to be with my thoughts as well as have reflective conversations with my new friends. It also gave me great life experience for painting my own house-which I hope is the only other time I have to do that sort of work again..
But I'm not complaining, my experience at Govinda was more than wonderful. And of course there was the perk of yummy food. Every afternoon we feasted on a hot delicious banquet made fresh by Maria with plenty of leftovers for the evening and morning meals as well. We had lots of fresh fruit and many herbal teas to choose from to keep us warm. Believe me, the tea was a savior, it was freezing there! I guess I wasn't as cold on my walks or when I was working but any time I sat around for too long I found it most comforting to bundle up in a blanket next to the heater with a cuppa!

Meal times always meant long, wonderful, interesting conversations. Listening to everyone's spiritual journey was incredibly inspiring and truly heartwarming the way we all opened up to each other. Govinda Valley is an Ashram for a small group of Hare Krishnas and hosts many retreats on spirituality and yoga. There wasn't one going on while I was there but the atmosphere felt very much like one. It was truly a beautiful place and in interacting with the people I met there and experiencing the environment I learned so much about the world, spirituality, humanity and myself.

Our daily sunrise walks were incredible. Laura, my wonderful roommate, and I got up every morning and took a half hour walk up the hill (and across that "river" -though we'd added many step stones) to the coast where we watched the sunrise from a different spot each time. My favorite, by far, was the day we walked down through the bush to the beach. We sat out on the water on a large rock, the waves rushing up and around us, huddled under my blanket as the sun slipped up over the clouds. When we started to run out of ideas we asked a local couple out for a walk if they had a suggestion and joined them on their morning trek to Bold Hill (a hang gliders dream.) It was on this morning that we nearly froze(!!) waiting for the sun to get it's "shiney gold ass" up from behind the clouds! Laura and I kept each other warm continually reassuring (or perhaps convincing) ourselves that it was nearly there. It was worth the wait. And the walk back through the trees was stunning as well. I do love exploring under the trees, it always feels so magical.

Later in the week it rained a bit and I was sure I was going to see a rainbow. At breakfast I moved from seat to seat across the dining hall trying to get closer to the rain but couldn't get close enough (without getting wet) even when I went out on the deck! (I've had a similar experience with fire-I didn't want to touch it, but wanted to be ever-closer.) It was an amazing feeling and with the view we had there, an incredible experience to be immersed in. Later that day Laura and I went for a walk and I started looking for my rainbow again. I decided it was still too hard to find one with all the trees around, but then there was one right in front of us within the tree-tops! It was amazing and unreal. I really felt the magic of rainbows in that moment under the dark shaded forest seeing a rainbow just in front of me. Of course I didn't have my camera. And still didn't have it when we saw the most picturesque rainbow beaming out of the ocean up and over a ship traveling under it and across the sea several kilometers down the coast. It was an absolutely stunning moment. Everyone on the trail had stopped and was smiling watching the colorful illusion shine through the winter storm. It was the best rainbow I'd ever seen. On a later walk that day I saw a double rainbow! And one of my friends saw a rainbow at the cemetery as well. The day was full of rainbows and magic and beauty, even in the chilly wet of winter.

On the day I was leaving it was pouring rain. Instead of walking up to the beach for the sunrise Laura and I decided to get up at 3:45 for the 4:30 morning program in the temple. It was beautiful to experience and learn about the culture, beliefs and rituals in their daily existence. After a morning of chanting and prayer, there is a philosophy class which they catered to our questions and reflections. I really loved Patrick's description of having gratitude for all we have in this life.
He proposed an analogy of little children entering a room full of toys. The children come in and see things they like and they play with them. They don't question why they are there or what they're supposed to do, they just play. When they are done the children leave. Sometimes children might say, "Thank you," as they go. So the world is our playroom where we, as adults, tend to ask the questions of why and how and what, we can know that it is all here for us. It is also our responsibility is to care for it and each other, and use it to nourish ourselves and each other, and it is wonderful when we take the time to be grateful and show our gratitude.
We spoke about how we each have a special gift to offer in this life, something we're good at, enjoy doing and serves the world around us. My internal journey right now is exploring my amazing gifts with teaching and children. I know that's my gift to the world, I just am not sure how to reach my greatest potential in offering it. I felt happiest during my work with the amazing families and children in Ashland and want to offer more of that kind of work. I feel though, that I want to do something bigger... Steph introduced me to this incredible girl, Maggie, from New Jersey, who has built and is running an orphanage and school in Nepal, mostly run off donations and with the help of a village. I am quite intrigued. I have the feeling there is more to that introduction in my future.. (check out the video I watched and her blog with incredible photos!)
http://www.dolectures.com/speakers/maggie-doyne/
http://blinknow.org/


Jennifer has joined me in Australia now and we are off to have adventures!! More to come soon :)