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....
