Welcome to Guatemala

After an incredible time of appreciation in Mexico, it was time to head to the next stop in my travels. Guatemala, how did I even end up going here?.... We have ideas, we manifest, life makes the plans. 

Located in the highlands of Guatemala and guardian of about a dozen towns and small villages this - used to be crater - is now known as one of the most beautiful lakes in the world with a depth of a proximately 350ft. I had the great pleasure and opportunity to enjoy of the incredible views of the volcanoes and majestic power of the lake from the balcony of the place I stayed in. 

My journey here was short, I stay in San Marcos, a town known for its mainly for attracting people looking for an spiritual experience. Loaded with "hippies" and foreigners looking for a place to apply their practices of yoga, massage and many other holistic disciplines. 

This place was very kind and welcoming to me. And since Im now applying a slower pace of movement I stayed mainly within the town streets talking to the locals, learning a bit of their language, being a target to their curiosity and a victim of their generosity and kindness. 

There is so much Id like to say about this place, but also so much I could not experience since my visit was so unexpectedly short. I feel so much is there to explore and I hope to come back again. 

One things is for sure, I really have had to deal with staying present and practicing patience, parkour speaking, this place offers incredible amounts of opportunity and not being able to play has placed me in a place where visualization is my most current form of physical play. Sitting near by a particular spot, looking and observing the possibilities, I play with my imagination as I flow wildly in my mind. Visualizing the flow and many variations of movement I could be performing. 

Its been interesting also looking inward at the unlimited possibilities of the potential that is within me beyond the physical, learning that we/I am more than just my body, many other skills have arise by simply being more curios of that which Im capable of. My capability to communicate with people, sharing my points of views and perspectives, interacting and exchanging adding more to my own knowledge with every soul I touch. A time to plants seeds of inspiration, allowing for a space for others to believe in the potential that lies within themselves. 

Ive been blessed with the gift of words, words which can touch deep within those I cross my path with. Perhaps that is the reason of my injury, to move more slowly so that I can be able to touch more hearts as I flow. The mission is the same, to find my way thru the cracks, over and under obstacles, to introduce and present different ways of being to those who are open to a different perspective of the way in which they can interact with the world. More playfully, to explore and grow with the exploration. To observe, self and others. To be open to any moment which can bring a new change into their life. 

Some clips from Guatemala...

Nicaragua, here I go. What would you have in store for me?

Mexican Roots

Chandra

What a journey it has been.

Before I move on to talk about how awesome Guatemala was, I'd like to take a moment to one more time acknowledge how great, in a very mysterious way, it was to have had the opportunity to stay for a longer time than planned in San Cristobal de las Casas, Chiapas, MX.

While this time was mostly of healing and not going out much as I was letting my injury recover, I had the great pleasure of connecting with whom I believe must have been a brother in another life. Erick, a kind spirit with a huge heart who alongside his lovely girlfriend Cinzia and beautiful yellow lab named Chandra, opened the doors of their home and hostel business, as I was in a process of healing and recovery. 

The time spend indoors was well taken advantage of, helping running the hostel, learning crafting and as you know making some recovery movement videos. But the most rewarding of all these experiences was earning a great friend in a place that now feels like another home. 

My gratitude could not be expressed with words, and I hope to reunite again with this, my new family. 

Good Bye Dinner

During my process of healing a new state of mind was in constant practice. Patience and gratitude. This fall could have given me a lot worse of an injury, thankfully I was only left with a knee that is still in a healing process and the opportunity to shift my perspective to enjoy of the world around different eyes. I was given a chance to slow down, to observe, to realize that I need to be nowhere but in this very moment. To connect with the people of the places I visit. I also realized my connection with the land will remind wherever its I go, that I dont need to conquer every mountain or climb every waterfall, but rather to conquer myself through the interactions Im given the pleasure to experience. 

Without this "mishap" I would have not had the chance to meet this incredible people. 

Thank you...

If you are ever traveling through Chaipas, you should check out Hostal Akumal I promise you wont regret it. 

Cascadas del Chiflon

Another wonder of mother land...

It would be very hard to describe with words what I witnessed here. I was also very hard to stay still and not being able to play on the rocks. Though, swimming and exploring the water fall as I was being showered with its power was so healing.

This is only one, a small one of the many waterfalls you can see here. Unfortunately, I'm still healing so didn't get the opportunity to see the biggest one, due to the massive set of stairs I would have to go up to. Instead, I took my time to soak up on the energy of this one, which definitely helped my healing process.

This is a must see place if you ever find yourself in the state of Chiapas MX.
Please do yourself and favor and go out to explore whatever natural place is near you that you have yet not explored.

Find yourself through the magic of that which lies right there waiting for you.

Cañón del Sumidero - MX

Just a very short video of my trip to El Cañon Del Sumidero, first time going out since I got injured.
This place was really majestic and truly a work of nature, I got to see cliff as high as 1000mts and depths of 400mts as well as my first crocodile in the wild and so much breath taking scenery.

Its located in the state in the city of Tuxtla Gutierrez in the state of Chiapas in Mexico. 

Lots of beauty and life, got to see
It was definitely interesting being in this place after being indoors for 9 days.

You can find lots of pictures on my Facebook page HERE

Recovery Movement

As I continue to heal quickly, I continue to find ways to inspire myself and continue to move, slowly but surely.
Love is healing and I have received lots of it, from YOU all... Thanks so much.

This was a beautiful day, and with you all in mind I decided to film a movement session, because there is not excuses, just opportunitites to use your creativity and imagination to adapt to any situation.

Learning Through Stillness

It's been almost two weeks since I injured my knee. It has definitely been a challenge to be so still and indoors for so long. It's in my nature to be on the move, exploring and founding new boundaries. However I come to realize the exploration never stops, with each obstacle being another opportunity to explore other parts of the world we live in, and this world goes inward as well. Into the unknown space that lies within our spirit.

In an attempt to invest my time in something more nurturing to my mind and spirit while my body continues to heal, I dug deep within my undiscovered talents. Crafting has been an on and off part of my life ever since I was a child, so why not learn something new.

I have a piece of beautiful black tourmaline, gifted to me by a very close friend of mine, a man who I refer to as my brother. This piece broke not long ago turning into two, one small and another bigger one. Given the sentimental value and properties of this stone, I wanted to transplant it onto another necklace I could wear. Already knowing how to make a hemp necklace, I just had to find a way to wire wrap it. After a bit or searching around youtube I found this, among other useful videos...



Fortunately I had some material to work with, and after carefully watching the videos I was ready to give it a go. Only a couple hrs later, I had not one, but two necklaces on my hand. The bigger piece will be for me to keep, while the other one will be a gift of appreciation to the owner of the hostal Im staying in... (Stay tune for more info on this awesome place)

Moral of the story... There are many undiscovered secrets within each and all of us, and waiting to be revelaed. Stillness is a good teacher, without distraction we can become capable of tapping into the truth of our ever present creative nature.

What will you create today?

Meet my friend Lolo...

Aloha everyone, 

I recently made a friend through another friend of mine, well, sort of, kinda long distance friend and through the internet, hes kinda shy and had a message to share with many of you. He wrote something and hoped that it was passed along... being being a good friend and all, I figured I help him out.

So here it goes. 

Hi everyone! This is Lolo the monkey. I just wanted to say thank you to all my cyber-friends who helped with suggestions, research, and super valuable input in finding me a new home and better health: Ozzi G, Karla Ramirez, Alison Chapot, Carl Bauer, Anne Gordon, Robert 'Tiger Bob' Porec, and especially the incomparably dedicated Kari Bagnall. I am really sorry if I forgot anyone, I am not so good at typing and thinking at the same time. ;)

I will keep you all posted but looks like I will be headed to a proper rehab center in Managua, where I will be able to be in the forest again. :)

I just wanted to share with you guys some pics of me, because I am SO darn cute. It's not too egotistical to say that if you're a baby, don't worry. :)

In the first pic I am eating some ginger, which I LOVE, and which is especially great for me because it grows here in the garden, so it's like I am actually foraging like all the other monkeys!

In the second pic I am just staring at the camera, which I still don't really understand. I just see another monkey who is almost as cute as I am in the lens, and then sometimes I see him on the screen, too!

Anyway, just wanted to tell you too that if you are ever thinking to get a monkey as a pet, PLEASE don't. The monkey and ape pet trade is not legal in most places, and they have to kill a monkey's mom to get a baby to sell into the pet trade. Like they did to my mom. :( And much as I like hanging out with Monica because she's so cool, I would TOTALLY rather be with my mom. Also, I am not a human. I am a monkey. And I would waaaay rather be a monkey, and be with other monkeys, too!!!! We have opposable thumbs on our FEET. How cool is that?!?!??!?
  

 

Recovery Movement

Its been about 5 days since my injury, all of which I have spent on a couch, recovering, going inward, writing. My body needs to move, my blood needs to pump a bit. So as a way of adapting to this particular situation I decided to take the time, only 30mins or so, to move. And while Im still listening to my body, Im attempting to help it heal through that which I love, flowing through my movement.