On the little sheet of laminated paper that welcomed me to my room as a guest at the ashram, there was an offer of acupuncture. I found myself sitting next to the acupuncturist, a Balinese man about my age, at lunch yesterday. His English was flawless and when I found out he was the acupuncturist, […]
Acupuncture at the Ashram Read More »
Before my group of 18 writers arrive at the end of the week, I booked myself several days at the Gedong Gandhi ashram in Candidasa, Bali. I’ve been writing 12 to 16 hours a day, alternating between my hammock and the little table outside my room. At night, I sleep surrounded by mosquito mesh in
My Own Private Writing Retreat Read More »
This is my fifth trip to Bali, but my first time arriving on a domestic flight at night. And I’ve never arrived after an hour and a half boat ride, and two flights, both within Indonesia. Having been up since 4 AM, by the time I retrieve my baggage and meet my driver at 10
I’ve just finished a 10 day vacation with our two young adult children, scuba diving at the magnificent Kri Eco Resort in Raja Ampat, Indonesia. The underwater world was spectacular: white and black-tipped reef sharks, sea turtles, octopuses, giant schools of fish, gorgeous soft and hard coral gardens. As you can see by the pictures
On My Way to Bali … Read More »
As many of you know, I’m hard at work on a memoir. It tells the story of my tumultuous, transformative relationship with my mother: two souls who just couldn’t quit each other. I’ve been writing bits and pieces of this book for the past 10 years. A lot of the original source material is coming
What it Really Takes to Write a Book Read More »
Turn the volume up and see if you can hear some of the sounds of the jungle. Now….homeward bound.
The Amazon: Join Me for My Last Sunrise on the Amazon Read More »
The past few days in our outings exploring the Amazon, I’ve learned about a lot of the first the gifts the Amazon rainforest has to offer, both in terms of food and medicine—as well as observing many other natural wonders. The rules are: 1. Don’t touch anything. 2. Use soft voices. 3. Don’t go off
The Amazon: The Amazon Pantry Read More »
Here are some pictures from our outing high into the canopy this morning: The start of the trail. Lots of steps up. Joyce looked relieved when she made it across the first of many bridges. Here comes Brook. And Si. And me. I loved those bridges. Here’s what they look like from the platform. Here I
The Amazon: The Canopy Walk Read More »
This morning we went on a canopy walk, walking through the rain forest and then climbing high above the ground into the trees across a series of bouncy suspension bridges. It was raining when we left. I wore long pants, rain pants, a tee shirt, a long sleeved big proof shirt, a poncho, a fanny
The Amazon: How Many Shades of Green? Read More »
One of the best things about travel is coming home again at the end of it. Unpacking today….after a very very long journey back from Peru. I loved that country. What amazing diversity and what a great group we had. I just got to finally post the posts I created while we were in the
Since I’ve come to Peru I’ve experienced jagged landscapes that (literally) take my breath away. I’ve glimpsed a different way of life with a richness that my narrow North American view sometimes mistakes for lack. I’ve seen abundant farmland and faces beautiful, weathered and open and colors so vibrant they beg me to paint them.
Since I’ve Come to Peru #5 Read More »
Since I’ve come to Peru, I’ve seen the most alluring mountains ever. They draw my eyes up their near vertical slopes and the peaks appear to be spirits, surrounding and protecting those below. In the markets I’ve seen an endless variety of colors and textures in fruits, vegetables, grains, beans and animal products- many of
Since I’ve Come to Peru #4 Read More »
Since I’ve come to Peru, I’ve seen the Andes rising through the clouds, the city of Cusco tucked between mountains, and defined by narrow, cobbled streets, vibrant with colored textiles—rugs, shawls, hats, bags—and busy with tourists wandering and wondering about its complex history. I’ve seen colonial cathedrals and Incan ruins—the giant boulders of Saksayhuaman, the
Since I’ve Come to Peru #3 Read More »
Since I’ve come to Peru, I’ve seen so many donkeys. Some working, some just standing around munching the after-harvest stubble. I like the shaggy ones because they don’t pretend to style. And I like the grey ones with prominent crossing stripes because they do. I’ve tasted the saltiest water on Earth. Warm, totally saturated with
Since I’ve Come to Peru #2 Read More »
