It's heating up....

          I am spreading myself around as much as I can. A new place, so much to see, to discover.  I luxuriate in the nature on my doorstep, although it's mostly passive, a enjoyment of sight and sounds. Pure relaxation, akin to natural mediation. The middle of the day, even in the shade is now best avoided. With the heat of the sun heating up, as it's now nearly October. Soon, they tell me, it will be 'puddle time', when any movement breaks you out in a sweat. it will be as it was, when I was living in Darwin, Australia. There you definitely fit in with the climate, rising early, breakfast outside, with the birds. Get the chores done early, and try to avoid too much movement in the middle of the day, waiting until the day cools down again. Never having been here in Brasil during the hottest season before, this will be new to me. I must say I am looking forward to going through the whole season. Which is over the Christmas period. I am sure the heat will automatically organise much of ones day. I certainly have no intention of leaving the sun, to return to the Northern hemisphere and the cold. No way hosay!

  

          It starts you thinking how climate effect life styles, and health. As for me, with slight asthma, every cold goes to my chest. With this small problem of mine, the climate is already proving a boon. Yes, the cold virus went to my chest as usual, but this time there is no infection, and less than a week later it's nearly gone. Instead of hanging on for week, after week. Wonderful...a great start to the hot season. I am happy already. The germs are a little different here. I guess that's usual, every country has it's own strains of virus and infections. It's quite easy to see and feel how they effect you differently from the usual home grown ones. But I digress, I wasn't thinking of infections so much as general health and well being if being in a different climate. Because most people feel better for a bit of sun.      

Even disregarding the vitimin D and spending more time in the fresh air. Both of which are beneficial.

            I must say, all you want to do here, is shed clothes, that is why the beach is just ideal. No shocking the natives with unprecedented amounts of flesh around the town. ha ha. Or, LOL as they say now.....Although there are plenty of people wandering around there with no qualms at all. I guess it's the English in me, concerned about such things. Perhaps because in England and the Continent, there are rules and regulations governing the amount of clothes worn once off the beach. No beach clothes around town ya boo! There are no such rules here my friends, about anything much at all really.

            

             So, of course, climate effects how you dress, what you eat. After all, who can face big meals with lots of carbs? Not me! I do still love my potatoes of course, but in small quantities, occasionally. Food then, tends to be lighter, and smaller in quantities. Of course, not so the Brasilians. I watch most of them eat unprecedented amounts of food, even the women. How do they do that? If I ate half of that on a regular basis I would be the size of a small horse, or maybe even a large one.

            Perhaps I will acclimatise, my metablismn speed up or something. Although reflecting to when living in my last tropical climate, my eating habits changed for a long time. I became only a fish eater, I could not face meat, or much else. All very good for your weight and general well being of course. I became very fit and slim. Well, bring that on I say! I am considerably older this time of course, but that doesn't matter. No reason for it to be any different. You might say, like Charles Dickens, I have Great Expectations! Positive thought and all that. After all, thinking in positve ways, got me here, now it will bring the rest to me too.

             No, allow no negative events, or situations to sit in your mind. Allow only the positive to flourish within you. With the negative, of which we all have some, you take what action you are able, then forget them. Concentrate on how wonderful your location, your meal, your friends, your inner harmony, your expectations. Anything else is wasted energy and opportunity.

           Whatever climate  you find yourselves in my friends, enjoy the positives of it, downplay the negatives. It's the only way to roll.

             Happy days, and good health to you all.........

Tranquility .....

        As in, how to find some peace or tranquility in today's hectic life. I can't help but feel I have the advantage on you all at the moment, or on many of you perhaps. As I am able to sit in a tranquil space, surrounded on three sides by a small part of Brazils jungle. I hear the wind through the leaves, I see the brightly coloured butterflies flitting through the trees and sunshine, as well as hear the strange array of birdsong. Many of which I have never before experienced...it's truly a paradise. Especially to an English woman like myself. Even through I have lived in Australia, and New Zealand, both tropical and semi tropical places, they are nothing remotely like this place.

 Part of the jungle  

                         As sun is setting over another part, banana trees abound.

          Of course this is Brasil, South America. I know that not so far away, there will be dogs barking, or loud music playing. They are an exhuberant race, who like noise, music, dancing. Indeed. I was once told, it seems strange to many of them that the foreigners (such as I) don't play loud music all the time, or like be on the brink of a fiesta. There are dogs everywhere, who obviously feel they must compete to be just as noisy. Speaker vans drive around with music and dialog blaring, advertising all sorts of things, from politicians to night clubs. Sometimes you see a man on a bycycle, massive speaker fixed front or rear, doing the same thing.  He must surely be deaf by the time he goes home. Their sound levels break all decibel rules for most countries, but no one bats an eye. Dozens of small motor bikes zip around the roads, competing with lorries, cars and happy pedestrians. It is true I seldom see an unhappy face. Perhaps it's something to do with the sunshine. Oh yes, I see the odd crazy, but they are seen in every country, whether sunshine or rain.

      People sit at every sort of eating establishment you can imagine. Most of them spilling out onto the pavements, or the streets. Evn the places that sell alcohol are friendly and open. No skulking inside dark, low ceilinged pubs for Brasil. People calling out to friends, or aquaintances, or kissing cheeks in greeting. There is a lot of kissing goes on in Brasil, which I like a lot. Puts one in a good mood, beats a scowl anyday. Another reason for there to be less unhappy faces here perhaps.

                These large leaves make some of the more pleasant sounds, and beautiful too.

         So, you get my point that much of this place is noisy and hectic. So, perhaps tranquility is sometimes harder to find. That if why I choose the place I live, with regard to it being next to the jungle. Although it is still near the centre, you wouldn't know it. This is only a small place after all. When I was shown around the house, it was the outside space that sold it to me. Ahh, space, I thought, tranquility, uninterrupted  solitude if I choose. After a few years of living away from New Zealand and into England. Where the inside was squashed for space, the outside non existent, yes, it looked like heaven.

        Thus it has been...a retreat in the true sense of the word. What wakes me, is a raucous bird or two, or birdsong in general. I rise from my bed, throw open the double doors and there it all is...my jungle, my birds, my butterflies. As well as, somewhere in there, my monkeys, although so far I have missed seeing them. They like the bananas I leave them though. A treat for me, still to come. Yes, I know, they are not truly belonging to me, but for now they are. Wandering outside in my night clothes, for who is there to see me? I sit, close my eyes and listen. Then I open my eyes, listen and watch. Watching the leaves sway in the breeze, listening to the gentle sounds, birds calling, undergrowth rustling. Blessed silence, free from aggravation, or modern bustle.

        I know when I first built my meditation vista inside my head, as you do, it was a peaceful place. Nothing as exotic as this I have now, it was a grass bank, a lake, some trees for shade in the sun. Now, without having to build the picture, it is all there before my eyes. How lucky am I! All I can wish you all, is some of my luck. A place of your own to sit in tranquility, just to BE. Use one of these posted photographs, or design your own haven. Using somewhere you remember, or wish you did. Just ensure you find that small place, that precious time for a least five minutes, to half an hour a day for just enjoying the peace and the beauty. Nothing else.

       I wish you peace and tranquility. As a dear friend said to me, listen to your breath, be aware of your breathing, and of the sounds of nature around you. Connect one to the other, for maximum enjoyment.

                    Happy days......and seek beauty, always.

The beaches of Brasil

        Now I am in Brasil....for an indeterminate period, I want to share my enjoyment of its coastline. Of  course I am in country region, Bahia, where everything is quite laid back. . Part of which contains a lovely, long coast line, but then, the entire coast of Brasil is said to be fantastic. You will find me down at the south, around Porto Seguru, and on the peninsular at the very end. There is what they call the island of Arraial D'Ajuda, reached by road if you must, but mostly by ferry. Pale sands, softly shelving water, blue seas, wide sweeps of bays, and palm trees. In fact, everything you need to make it a paradise for your enjoyment. In addition, the beaches are not crowded. It's always possible to walk for an extra five minutes to find seclusion, to be alone. However, if you choose to stay on the main beaches, only a very few of which are owned by any hotel, it's all wonderful. 

         On any beach anywhere near people, you will find little beach bahaccas, or cabanas...often straw/reed topped huts, of all sizes that serve food. Assorted tables, chairs and loungers, many of nice solid woods are available for your comfort. But even if they are plastic, or a bit battered, it doesn't matter. It is free to sit at any beach bar, or beach bahacca. There will be umbrellas, or trees for shade, plenty of space for finding the sun. In some places, you might even strike it lucky with hammocks. Then, the cream on the coffee, are the waiters who look only to make you happy, bringing you food or drink. So, you don't even have to move from your chair. Pay before you leave, however much later that may be. Ahh no, it's real relaxation on the beaches of Brasil. You can easily stay from early morning to late night if you are enjoying yourself. Which is exactly what friends, or families do.

       It's not like Bali, or other countries of that sort either, where the vendors drive you crazy trying get you to buy something, anything!  I remember there, the only place you got a modicum of relief from them was on the hotel beaches. Which are very nice, but here in Brasil, you get to find the real brasil a little easier. Here there are beach vendors, who wander the beach. They sell foods, beach clothes, even, for some reason, tablecloths and hammocks. I think the difference is, the waiters and whoever owns the bahaccas, look after you. They ensure no one is hassled if they don't want to be. They keep an eye out for any kind of pressure selling. I know, I do understand, third world countries, it's life or death if they can't make a living. However as a tourist, it soon becomes harassment. It's not a problem one tourist can make a dent in either. Not even if you gave all your money to them. If you were generous, they would harass you even more, and did!

       I remember my daughter, when in Bali and some other parts of Thailand. She ran from the pressure, refusing to leave the hotel again after a few bad days. She got a bad case of claustrophobia and panic from being squashed in the middle of a crowd of aggressive sellers. Because of the hands clawing at her, pushing, voices shouting at her. With the crowds of sellers, many of them small children, following her, stuffing things in her bag, or her arms. It really gives you some idea of what it's like to be a star. When every time you step outside, crowds or paparazzi, or fans, rush you, pushing, or shouting to get your attention, or some response. Never willing to take 'no' for an answer. It's really a madness. However that's not Brasil, thank goodness.

 Enjoy a fresh, cold coconut on the beach.

           Here, tranquility is the name of the game. Relaxation and sun, the aim. While many beach places are fully independent, some of the nicer ones are next to beach Pousadas, or up market restaurants. It all depends on how much you would like to spend on food, or how well you would like to eat. I will talk more about foods of Brasil in general and the beach in particular in a later blog.

           Yes,  Brasil, and Bahia in particular if wonderful. The people are friendly, the beaches and coastline beautiful. Ahh I am in love with Brasil.

Say yes...

         It's part of my philosophy ...for now, for ever, as it should be? SAY YES....rather than no, rather than I dare not, rather than oh no! rather than I'm afraid, rather than what if it doesn't work, say yes. Because if you don't say yes, you stop everything and anything dead, as well as anything which may have come from that suggestion. Where can it go? Up it's own exhaust pipe...that's where.  It's just hit a brick wall, the end of everything. The energy of the suggestion, of that idea, of the proposal can only slide down that wall, dead in the water so to speak. A puddle of nothing on the floor, defunct energy cells, rejected potential magic........lost opportunity!

            An idea, a suggestion, a plan, call it what you will, needs some energy putting into it to keep going. 'Yes' is energy, it's oxygen to the flame of the idea. 'No' is the heavy blanket thrown over the spark. Blocking out the energy, killing the oxygen. Killing the prospect of anything developing from the idea. Yes, I know, what if it's an outrageous suggestion. What if it could disrupt your life? What if it put you in danger? Welllll...I'm a bit naughty I suppose. Have to live dangerously once in a while. Put yourself a bit on the 'edge' so to speak, take a few risks. You know, as long as it's not reckless, like throwing yourself in the traffic, or peeing off drug dealers.....or worse. Even getting falling down drunk in a strange place, or high on something with people you don't know......I don't know where that came from? From being in Brasil I suppose, it's well known to avoid the wrong people. Supposedly the land of the drug dealers, jockeying for position. Me, I walk all over the place, alone. But I would not walk across the campo, the barren common here, alone, with my bulging bag on my shoulder in the dark of the night. It's like shouting...'come and get me boys' to anyone hanging around hoping to make a quick, easy buck! There is a great difference between taking an opportunity, and being stupid or reckless. No, don't stand up waiting to be knocked down.

             So, all I am saying is, sometimes you have to think outside the square. Do something different to what is your normal routine. Open up to the Universe. Say, and re-iterate inside your head, inside your heart, here I am Universe, send me fantastic opportunities. After which you maintain the belief of wonderful things coming your way. Build it, see it, feel the joy it brings. You build up a wonderful picture of everything you've ever wanted, as if it's with you already. Believe me, it very soon will be. If you convince the Universe, along with yourself, then the Universe has to deliver. Why should it not? Life does not have favourites. There is plenty of good luck, and riches out there.

             It's like love..you were not born with a certain quantity of love, and then when it's used up, that's  it! All gone! No, you were born with a limitless supply of love. The more you give, the more you have left to keep giving. Surely you believe that, it's like an eternal spring in the ground, just keeps bubbling up. Ok, you can stop giving, you can stop allowing yourself to give love, but it's your decision. Not because of any shortage of love inside yourself, your heart. Like refusing a good opportunity, it's motivated by fear, pure and simple. Sometimes by hurt, we all get hurt at some point, all of us. 

             Recently, I was told by a healer, in a special healing church here in Brasil, that the last time I was badly hurt by someone, let down, cheated on, I shut down my heart. At some level I was completely unaware of, I shut down the danger of falling in love, allowing another man in my life. Yep, slammed the door, turned the key. No more vulnerable situations for me. Of course I kept loving my children, my friends but I did shut out new men friends, romances, or even new friends. I even went so far as to keep the one I had, the one devoid of loyalty. No, not as a good strong, happy relationship, but limping along on his terms really.....as bad as it was (for me) certainly not recognisably. I think many of us have done that at some time....hung on making the best of things, believing we are over the hurt. So, yes you can make mistakes, but usually it's because of fear of making a big jump. Keeping to something already established. The familiar way seems safer. Ten, eleven years later, I can see and accept it's what I did. But that damaged, closed down heart is operating again now. So look out world, I'm not dead yet, not by a long shot. You know that old saying, whilst there's life there's hope and I'm not dead yet.

             So, when that slightly, or outrageously different offers start to appear, don't crush them, don't dismiss them. Instead say yes! Even if it's with conditions....overall, take a chance and say YES! Then expect wonderful things, sit back and wait for them to fall into your lap, as long as you keep building up he picture, with a bit of life breathed into them they can be yours. The universe, with a bit of feeding the flame, will deliver. That NO you gave, could well be something you regret for the rest of your life. Worse than that, that 'let's not rock the boat' caution, can and will lose you years ( just like me) as you keep traversing the same familier circles, getting nowhere you could be. Carefully looking neither to left nor right. I should know....I did it. 

              I know, life can throw you some curve balls. Problems of all kinds can heap up on you, so you don't know which way to turn. It's at those times you need your clear pictures of your good future before you the most. Build it before your eyes, many times each day, think of it before you sleep. Feel it, taste it, see it, enjoy it. It doesn't mean worrying yourself silly, or running around despairing, that doesn't help either. No good relying completely on blind faith to deliver, doing nothing to help yourself, or worse doing things that worsen your situation...be smart. It means look at the problem, decide what you can do about it and do it. No good at all despairing, better to look at and count all the wonderful things in your life. Your health, your children, your friends, the sunshine, or the rain, whatever you have some enjoyment from. There are always many wonderful things around you if you look beyond the basic situation.

            Attach yourself to the good things around you, as you what must be done.

           Put up the thoughts of a good life, open your heart, and trust your instinct. The first response to pop into your head, or step into your path is often the best. Never worry about what would the neighbours think, or, it too out of character for me. Jump in with both feel.....and enjoy the splash!

The beauty and intricacies of language

     Yes, as you may know,  I'm in Brasil. Therefore it follows that I am learning the language, Portuguese. Well, not quite right, I am learning more and trying to re awaken the words I learnt on my previous visits to this wonderful country. I say wonderful, because despite some initial dislike of third world conditions in the basic infrastructure, overall, it  is a wonderful place. This must be about my sixth visit over perhaps twenty years. With long gaps in between, I have no reason to retain what I learn in between. Never, have I learnt to hold an intelligent conversation though, which is not good. My ability to 'falla' to speak was not sufficiently proficient. This time I should like to be able to do just that. To be able to join in an intelligent discussion....on any subject really.

        Previously I picked up odd words, the kind you use all the time. You know, talk, eat, hello, good day, good night, how much, pay, thank you, those kind of words. Then, living amongst a foreign language speaking community, your ear gradually becomes attuned, or at least, mine does. In a strange way, it almost makes sense. Then, after another few weeks, you begin to understand great tracks of overheard conversation. Even if it's said very fast, which it often is, you can understand a few words, which in turn explains the conversation to you. Of course you often miss some of the nuances. The finer points, but it is still better than understanding nothing at all. There are times when I think I am bloody brilliant, then others when it's like....well, a foreign language. I understand nothing! It's brilliant to be able to nod, or reply something in the right places, instead of just looking vacant. As far a speaking it goes, it is more intimidating, but I shall get there.

                              New friends in brasil......me in the middle. Communication.

        When abroad, I often think of my Father. He loved to travel, he went all over Europe. From the time he took a History of Art course in Italy at the end of the war, offered free by the army. To the times he and my Mother and my small brother, began going on the package tours in the sixties and seventies. He was cultured for a real, ordinary, London boy. He liked Art and he liked Opera. However he was a strange mix, believing it wasn't the done thing to move out of his class. He would therefore never dream of playing Opera at home, or introduce we children to it. He thought it had to be enjoyed when actually in Italy, then locked away and guarded as a precious memory. In the same way, when he went abroad, he made no attempt at learning the language. Only spoke much louder, or slower as if he were speaking to people not quite the full ticket. As for the food...where could he get fish and chips, or bacon and eggs? Proper English food, he wanted 'none of that foreign muck'! Once my Mother and I walked all over an Italian town looking for chips for him. Eventually we found a place, a real Italian trattoria who would listen to us. Of course we went about it in the wrong way, I know that now, but it was along time ago. However, he was disgusted with what we bought back for him. The potatoes were cut in chunky pieces with the skin left on, fried and served with whole cloves of garlic... I have never forgotten the look on his face. A 'What is the matter with these people? ' look. ha ha.

         But, that was then, now, I think times have changed, at least I like to think they have. I want to be able to communicate. Perhaps it's the Gemini side of me, I like to communicate...I need to communicate. I don't want to miss everything that goes on.  I find for many things you want to say, if you try a variety of English words you can use in the same situation, 'one' at least will be recognised as being close to a Portugese word. That's my theory anyway, I must say, there are times when it works through quite complicated conversations. Of course it's slow, and you need lots of patience, but you can get there in the end. You need perseverance, patience and  to push it I reckon. There you go the three p's. There, in a nutshell, is my theory on learning a foreign language.

        I find I inject bits of Spanish and Italan into the gaps too. Both languages I know to about to the same degree as Brasilian Portugese. It's as if hearing the different language, is stirring up all the foreign words I know. A kind of foreign word 'soup' which enables me to reply something, although not the correct something! The reason  I began writing about this process was because I fall in love with words. It is raining a lot right now, storms even. I just love the word for rain here...Chuva. Pronounced shuva...like Shiva I think. To me it sounds like a word that should be used to speak of rain. It sounds soft and persistent. Ahh I love nice words...I am finding many similar, descriptive words, so you may hear more of these later on my journey into the language.

        In the meantime, happy learning to you all. You can never learn too much.

Hiatus.......

         What to call this blog? I had few ideas, eventually hiatus seemed the obvious choice. As this is what I feel I am in at the moment. After thinking for most of last year that it was the year for major changes, now I find myself in this year still, to some extent, in limbo. Indeed, well into this year with too many questions still unanswered. Is that a bad thing, no not necessarily. Only me, as usual, being impatient, wanting everything yesterday. Nothing wrong with that I say.

           Those who read me, who read these bogs or who read my 'where in the world' blogs will know that major changes have taken place as far as location is concerned. Obviously, within me, in my soul if you like, I still feel the kind of changes I expected are yet to reveal themselves. It's strange because so many people I meet feel exactly the same way. As if they are waiting for something. That building feeling of expectation....then of impatience and curioriosity, waiting for the wave to hit. As it must, as it will!

                           Touching something special 

             Of course I have met some people who are content, or who say they are. Perhaps that is not quite the right word, content. I did not feel they were content, but their life is not mine. I can only change me. They say they are settled, they are not actively looking for change. Without denigrating them in any way, I feel they are not as satisfied with their life as they mainain. Perhaps from my lofty heights as a writer, perhaps I am being judgemental.  Hope not, but to me they appeared to be resigned. Settled into a routine which is one they believe is the best they can hope for. "It's a good life" one of them said to me, I'm not unhappy....no, not unhappy. Me, well.....I'm like the duck, tranquil to look at, but under the surface my legs are kicking frantically to keep afloat. I intend to have more than that. To have a situation where I don't have to keep kicking to merely survive.

          Ah yes, I hear you say, or some of you say, you are dissatisfied with everything, you want too much. Well, perhaps I do, but if you never want more, what are the chances of getting it? Not very high I would think. I also read today that all you have is 'today'. That if you spent all your time looking forward, or backwards come to that matter, then you are missing the now. Of course no one intends to do that. I certainly don't. Although I can quite see how that might happen, it's not what I'm talking about. I am saying I am not satisfied with the status quo. That I have unfulfilled ambition. I want more than saying I am ok, I'm not unhappy.

           So folks, however you do it, gird your loins and build the picture of your life. Just the one you want, with every tee crossed and every nuance spelled out. There is no reason why you should not acheive it, and every reason that you will! For me, I have my visualisation, that's the way I work. I build a folio of perfect scenarios, then I put energy into them. I look at them, I visualise them when I don't actually see them. I re- look at them when they picture dulls,  I know, they are mine. Let no doubt in, have absolute faith that everything you desire is yours. If you investigate this method, you will find many famous people who have achieved the lifestyle and the inner harmony they want like this. Many, many more lesser known people too of course.

            I know it works, already in the space of a Year I have changed so much in my life....now for the rest. Your life really can go from being difficult to being fantastic in the course of a split second. I am in hiatus, I am not sure exactly how or when, I just have to keep reiterating that I AM.

             I am everything I want to be..on every level.

             Power to you all my friends.......

              May the light shine on your every step.......