As of today, it has been about 2 months since I return from my last trip to the mainland, which has been a life changing experience that continues on to this day. Ever since, my life, and life in general has taken on another look, another feel to it. Hereon I make an attempt to share with you some thoughts, ideas and perhaps what will be the next few pages of this new chapter ahead.
In May 22nd of this year, I took a leap and embarked into the unknown as I committed myself to spend the next 3 months in full dedication of my body, mind and spirit training and evolution. To simply be present with the challenges and amazing experiences that were to come ahead. After missing my flight the first day, bummed out a bit and sad to have "wasted" a day, I realized I actually gained an extra day to enjoy the island before I left. Which was spent among the woods, rocks and creeks of the Palolo valley jungle side. An extra day of simple being, enjoy the frolics of Roxy as she traverse, leaped and sniffed anything on her way. She would be staying with good friends, until I arrived.
The first stop in my journey, Colombus, OH. Where I would be reuniting with very good old friends and making some incredible new connections. Columbus was being the host for the 3 annual American Rendezvous, which would bring many very experienced and well renown parkour instructors from Europe. Some of which have been of very strong influence to the development of parkour as the discipline of movement that its today. Some of which have become my friends and great inspiration in my life. I arrived a few days early, to have time to reconnect and add some extra movement to the experience.
I had the pleasure to meet Forest, one of the head coaches from Parkour Generations, who I had for a while wanted to meet. Little did I know at the moment, Id also get the opportunity to work with him closely as I assisted his coaching, I also had had my own session to lead, with him watching closely and assisting with the students. It was a great connection which I cherished and appreciate still having. Among him, meeting Tony, Cameron, Thomas and reuniting with some many others Andy, Julie, Blane, Dan, Ben, Dom, Joe, Annty.... so many more I could mention, which filled me with joy and inspiration to continue to train and discover my potential.
There were times for series work and time for play, both happening at the same time. It was the perfect recipe for great moments.
I was challenged, I was pushed, I was "given some of my own medicine" which some of my students would have been very happy to have witnessed. I was among, family, brother and sisters. Healers and warriors. All one and working together, for ourselves and each and one another. I had the great pleasure of sharing my own experiences, my movement, my teachings, my thoughts and ideas, simple to share who I'm and what I believe will inspire some to find their way. With the OH trip coming to an end I moved on to the next step. San Diego, CA.
On my way to what would be the next step on my journey, I made a stop in southern California, where I visited some friends from when I used to live there, and again, made some very awesome new ones. I had the opportunity to train with the guys from San Diego Parkour who were super friendly and welcoming. My "new" eyes were exploring my old home in a very different and more playful way.
Visiting the places I used to frequent before HI, my old work place, meeting with old friends, definitely gave a perspective of the person I have grown and become to be. Among many things, "an island boy", and with that, spreading beach, jungle, sunshine, sand and movement everywhere I went. Slowing down the fast pace of the crowded city and looking at the concrete jungle with eyes which wanted to play and explore. Its good to take a look at your past to really appreciate who you are today. To be thankful for those who by crossing your path, have helped in your growth. Weather a positive or negative experience, its because of them, that we are who we are today. I also had many new amazing experiences and connection in San Diego which nurture my spirit greatly. Thank you!
This visit in San Diego helped transition into a less physical part of my training, shifting to a more mental and spiritual one. As I spent time with my mother, exploring and inquiring about her roots, and through that learning more about where I really came from, remembering the experiences and things I learned in my childhood which led me to gain the knowledge I have today. Making sense of the direction I have taken. And to let it flow to whatever its I came "here" to do.
The next step would be San Francisco, where I made a quick stop on the way to Shasta to say hello to some friends and take a small break on the way. While there for a couple of days, Acroyoga and Parkour gave me another physical boost, such a healing and important part of my live. Movement, as it should be for all of us. The connections there continue to transition smoothly and hold space for the anticipation and awareness of what I was committed to. My complete surrender to the woods, spirits of the land, while spending the next two months in Shasta.
Finally, Head Waters Out Door School, in northern California. Last stop of my main land trip. Secluded among the woods between Weed and Shasta city, lies this wonder paradise of wilderness and abundance, where magic is as real as the raw nature of the wild animals of the land. Its here where I would spend the last 2 months of my trip learning Native American traditional ways. Primitive skills as well as some of their spiritual ceremonies and training. From eating bugs, wild plants and learning to make primitive tools for fire and hunting, to doing sweats on the lodge every week, crafting medicine tools and meditating with the land. Sleeping in a tee pee or under the open -the milky way- sky. Scouting and stalking in the middle of the night on a 48hrs game of capture the flag, Apache Scout - Style. ....On bear and mountain lion country.... Martial arts at 6am after stalking and sneaking around for 12hrs. Questing for over 80hrs without food or water, or feasting the fresh killed goat we just watched getting skinned and butchered. Becoming appreciative of its play and run while it lived and its energy that was then becoming our own. Blindfold walks on the woods and parkour native style. Mentors, teachers and fellow apprentices all learning from one another, sharing skills and traits as we all learn about ourselves and our place in the natural world. Without getting into the abundance of details that I could, Ill just say this has been the crucial moment in my life where it was "reborn", shifted to a newer and bigger perspective. Since then my life and my intentions have taken on a new route.... And I thank Tim, Julie, John, Mike, David, "Kamofo" the land itself and many others for helping me grow into the person I'm today.
After 2 months of nothing but raw nature and simplicity, I returned to Hawaii with a recharged spirit and ready to spread the medicine.
So what is next??!!
There is a whole lot of world to explore and as much as I love Hawaii, is just getting a bit "small" for me. A bit mellow and simply I feel spoiled here. I also believe, Hawaii once got me here for "training", Its now time to start using it. This coming year, starting December I will start a complete new chapter as I will set on another journey to the unknown, and this is where I call every one's attention, because I'm traveling around the world, and I might want to see YOU!
I will be leaving the United States indefinitely, possibly permanently as I will "paddling hard" to catch the waves that will lead me to the next step on my journey wherever its I end up at.
My first stop will be in Kauai, where I will spend a few weeks in Kalalau before I leave the islands, the place where I will thank and say my good byes to a place that has done so much for me. Ill be watching the world end as Dec 21st 2012 approaches. Once I survive that, due to my parkour ninja skills, I will head to California to spend the new year with my mother and friends before I head down to Mexico, where I hope to train with the locals, visit ancient sites as well as natural landscapes. Ill stay there for a couple of weeks before I head back to Venezuela with a possible stop on Costa Rica before then.
After 12 years I finally will be visiting my home, the holder of so many childhood memories. The place of such awesome adventures and great stories. During 6 to 8 weeks I will attempt to make it to Angel Falls and/or Roraima, catch up with family, submerge in Bujinkan training with my old instructor and more before I move on to Brazil, where I will go to Rio, Bahia and wherever else I'm being pulled. Maybe learn some capoeira and continue to train parkour as I also explore and connect to the greenery and culture.
After a few weeks in Brazil, I'm thinking on working at a farm in Argentina for a bit, learn some skills, explore the land, learn from it. And simply have time to connect and take a break from the crazy moving around of traveling. This will be before I head towards Peru, which I might make some stops on Chile along the way, for the last part of my South American Trip. Once in Peru I will be more focused on spiritual training, connecting and expanding my lines of communication with myself and life. I will visit Machupichu and spend some time on the woods as I attempt to gain more awareness of myself.
Following that, I will travel to Europe. France to hopefully do some training with the founders of parkour, then I'm open to participate on a Parkour gathering in Europe somewhere as well where I can gather and reunite with Parkour Generations for connecting and training and talking about possibilities.
Once I'm done in Europe, I will head to South East Asia for the "last" part of the journey. Where I hope to visit, Laos, Cambodia, Nepal, Thailand and maybe more. Crossing my fingers for some awesome opportunities over there.
This journey should go something like this.... roughly. It could change.
Jan - California/Mexico/Costa Rica.
Mid Feb - Venezuela 5 to 8 weeks
April - Brazil 2 to 3 weeks
May - Argentina 2 to 3 weeks
Jun - Peru 30 days
Jul - France few weeks to couple months
UK couple weeks
Sept and on South East Asia and onward...
I was recently asked, - What are you seeking?
I'm seeking for lessons, growth, skills, opportunities, experience, wonder, magic, spirit, nature, connection and myself. I'm seeking a new beginning where I can remember what it's I came here to do, and do it fully and wholeheartedly. To be of help, service and positive addition to the world we live in today. To learn self reliance and self sustainability. To be part of making a change, to anyone I run into, to inspire and be inspire. To challenge and be challenged. To fully live the life I was given.
In this journey, While parts of it will be a "solo walk", I welcome you and you to stop by and share any part of this adventure with me. Maybe you want to train, maybe you can host me, maybe we have lessons and skills to exchange. Maybe we simple want to explore the land and see what magic and secrets it holds for us.
Ill be doing my best to keep a blog of my travels here www.Ozzi-Parkour.BlogSpot.Com
And you can all always contact me via facebook or by email.
And this journey starts....
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