Here again

Trying to update readers of this blog on life of the past six months in this unusual year will take much time and far too many adjectives to create any kind of enjoyment from reading my thoughts and actions. Thus, I shall highlight the themes and adventures of the first half of 2010 AD in a dense bit-size version of anything interesting that has occurred and holds the possibility of bringing a smile or chuckle to the reader's reality.

After sitting in an attentive but at times mentally delirious half lotus posture before Dr. Vasant Lad and the great teachers at the Ayurvedic Institute I have earned the right to call myself a graduate. New Mexico has a special relationship with the ether unlike any other place I've been, the quirky town of Albuquerque has more opportunities for spiritual expansion than may seem upon first glance. We sat in the Lakota sweat lodge as poured by Mr. Steven Bluehorse, drank ghee and castor oil, purified water with cow dung ash, attempted 1000 rounds of kapalabati on a daily basis, read jyotish charts, and attempted to understand the language of sanskrit all while maintaining the trademark Ayurvedic meal, Kitchari.

During the spring travels took me westward to Sedona and Flagstaff then to San Diego to Encinitas to Los Angeles back south to Carlsbad and returning to Albuquerque on I-10. All places unique in their own right and highly recommended with the exception of L.A if you haven't traveled to them already. After completion of my studies at the Institute I headed north to Santa Fe for a trip down the Rio Grande in a rubber raft with fellow students then continued another 65 miles north to Taos for a visit with Hanumanji at the Neem Karoli Baba Temple and a few days of camping in the Taos ski valley (once again, highly recommended, free and open to the public) before returning to the Querque. After accepting a seasonal job I have transplanted yet again and am calling Skagway, Alaska my temporary site of residence while joining my friend and colleague Jose Pomalles. We have settled in a cozy cabin six miles outside of town with no running water or modern plumbing but spectacular views (pictures possibly coming soon). The excursion into town is either a bike ride through the mountains or the classic hitchhike, which has proven to be the best way to meet the most kindest and interesting people in the area. The sun here never sets or rises and my Floridian bones are slowly adjusting to the chill weather as this is my first summer I've had to wear a jacket in July.

Please check back soon. I'll be posting upcoming workshops on Ayurveda and related subjects. More to come when the stars deem it appropriate. Till then......be well.