GYPSY GIRL'S GUIDE

Maze, Black Rock City, NV, 2005

When I tell people that I moved to England by myself when I was 17 years old, they usually ask me: Weren't you afraid? You must be so brave... How did you do that?

And the truth is that I have always responded to these questions with: "I dunno..." But what I realize now, is that such answer is just not good enough to encourage anyone to go and find out that it can be done. Besides, how powerful could it be to know how to re-activate that courage muscle anytime I needed to? With that, I decided to do some exploring as a way to gain easy access to that part of me that is brave, so I can learn how to apply the strength I have when it comes to traveling, to the parts of me that need confidence.

As I went on a journey through my memories last night, I remembered that what triggered my interest in England was my love for classical ballet. I had been practicing ballet for several years at a school affiliated to the Royal Academy, where we were evaluated by brit instructors who came to Brazil periodically (Yes! As in Billy Elliot, guys!). I just loved that vibe and formality which was so unlike the relaxed Brazilian style. From there, all I really did was give more and more room to that thought of "Hey, it would be amazing to go there." I listened to that part of me that was curious about England. I looked at all kinds of photos, I read about how people lived there, I searched for London newspapers and I imagined myself there daily. All along this process, I made no travel plans. I was only immersed in the idea of how it would feel to be there. Sure enough, the opportunity came along on its own via a scholarship proposal. I applied for it, it came through and when that happened, I was practically there already. I was able to take the next step forward, because England was not unknown to me. It was the place I needed to be at. My parents saw the glow in my eyes and they had no choice but encourage me and let me go. I must thank them infinitely for allowing me to find my path that way.

When I got there, I had the clearest feeling of openness, fearlessness. I was not afraid at all, because I had prepared mentally for how it would feel. From that state of mind, I was able to be receptive to the people and challenges presented, which enabled me to adapt gracefully. Everyone I met noticed my genuine gratitude for being there and in return, offered me more help that I could have ever hoped for. The more I gave into that experience, the more it gave back to me. *This is true for every trip I have taken so far*.

So, without getting into too many more details, I think that a pretty good recipe for gearing up for your big trip is: Tune in with your interests and what they say about where you should go. Immerse yourself in the idea, imagine how it would feel to be there. Then, take the opportunity when it comes (it will come!) and go with your heart and eyes open! Be prepared but not scared. Allow yourself to receive the adventure. Also, be in charge when it comes to your travel project. You are the boss designing how it should go. Have fun with it. Lastly, take care of yourself out there, because when you do so, you feel empowered and you come back safe.

As I wrap this up, a bigger question stays with me:

Can I apply this formula to the other areas of my life that need courage? Can I feel less trapped in my day-to-day challenges? If I trust what I know in my heart with openness and awareness, can I move forward and out of the maze?

***

By the way, my new friend Ann has the perfect line of Tees to help carry this thought and intention. Get one before you go on your next adventure! I got mine and we'll be sporting it in this blog soon.

Tikal sunrise, 2004

When I read Jenn's comment on my last post, it got me thinking about the places we go without a solid plan or interest. Sometimes you have the opportunity to be somewhere you never thought of before. You had no time to prepare, read or visualize how it would feel to be in that situation. Maybe you got to that place as a result of a leap that had nothing to do with a desire to explore that particular area. It could have been a business trip, a move for financial reasons, a job, family matters or you could have simply taken the wrong bus!

When I went to Tikal, a couple of years ago, I found myself in that situation. I had been traveling in Belize for a few weeks and I was very close to the border near Tikal, Guatemala. I wanted to see the largest of the ancient ruined cities of the Maya civilization, but I was a bit thrown off by the the jungle factor. A minor thing, but that was stopping me.

When I got to the lodge I was a bit unsettled. Despite my Brazilian origin, I'm not what you'd call a jungle girl... I freak out about insects and I think that all animals are out there waiting to eat me on the trail! So you can imagine how my trip started off well when I found a giant spider by my bed on the first night. The good side though, was that it turned out to be a very short night. The big plan was to watch the sunrise from the top of one of the temples. So there I was, up and ready at 4 am. Did I mention I'm not a morning person either? But good enough excuse to leave the room!

Tikal National Park is pretty touristy during the day. The trails are very open and well maintained. So I'm not playing hero here! I'm pretty sure that most jungle adventurers think of it as a walk in the park. And it is. But to me, it was a very scary walk into the unknown... It was dark, hazy and there was no one around. My problem was that I couldn't really see what I was walking into.

When I got to the big temple I was supposed to conquer (I believe it was Temple IV), there were a few other people getting ready to climb the five precarious ladders and many more limestone steps leading up.

After much gasping, an unforgettable reward. A group of about 20 of us sat in humid air in silence, absorbing the mystic experience and the view of a jungle that stretched as far as the eye could see. Finally, the sun began to rise lighting up the tops of tress and tinting the sky with a warm glow. Hundreds of birds, insects and howler monkeys created a trancelike screeching soundtrack. We greeted the new day and watched the world come to life.

Suddenly, I was not afraid anymore. I was in a moment of wonder. The fear I initially felt was not meant to be the experience, it was only a sensation.

What is stopping you?

"Behind every experience there is an experience-r who knows what is happening. When I find a way to stand where the experience-r is standing, I will be at the still point around which the whole world turns". The Book of Secrets: Unlocking the Hidden Dimensions of Your Life (Chopra, Deepak)

Colorful Steps, San Francisco, 2006

One of my favorites spots in the Sunset District is a magical stairway located at the intersection of Moraga St & 16th Ave. When I drive by it on my way to work, I always see a couple of ladies doing very energetic moves half way to the top. My boyfriend and I call them the "flying ladies", because they seem way up there in the sky, and they make wide circling movements with their arms as if they were just about to take off. It's an adorable sight that always brings joy to our ride in the morning. And I'm sure the ladies appreciate exercising with the beautiful view of the ocean from up there.

Whenever I can, I try to climb the 163 steps myself on my usual weekends walks. Every time I do that, I feel happier and inspired, as opposed to what I'd normally feel at the bottom of ordinary concrete stairs! It's easy to start with such an inviting and colorful design. But it gets even easier to keep going, when you look closer and notice all the details of sea creatures, birds and flowers at every step of the way. I had noticed too, that the steps had family and business names embedded on the tiles. So in the last couple of days, I decided to research and find out who was behind this great project. That's when I found the Tiled steps website .

It turns out that the stairs are a result of a beautiful community effort that started in 2003 and was inaugurated in August 2005. It involved hundreds of neighbors committed to create something that would bring more beauty to their community. To my total surprise, I also discovered that the project was actually inspired by a stairway in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Imagine that? According to their website, Jesse Audette who was one of the organizers, lived in Rio for 5 years and enjoyed going up similar steps in Santa Tereza. Check out the Santa Tereza steps here. (Santa Tereza, by the way, is a fantastic place that I recently visited in the beginning of this year. If you go to Rio, definitely check it out. It's got lots of "off the beaten track charm".)

Suddenly, a walk around the Sunset became even more special to me. First of all, I'm happy to know that home is just a step away now. But not only that, the "Tiled Steps Project" gave me the motivation to think about how I can also be more proactive and bring people together, to create something that can affect the community in a positive manner. A sincere idea for bringing more joy to the world goes a long way.

Where is that great idea you've been holding onto? Let's hold our ideas together and put them into action! Shall we? I have a feeling the world needs them...

And what can you find out about the area where you live, that may allow you to feel more connected to your surroundings and engaged in your community?

****

And of course, I just found this great book: Stairway Walks in San Francisco. So I'm sure I will be going on more stairway adventures soon.

Himalayas, 2004

Keep walking, though there is no place to get to.
Don't try to see through the distances. That's not
for human beings.
Move within, but don't move the way fear makes
you move.
Today, like every other day, we wake up empty and
frightened.
Don't open the door to the study
and begin reading. Take down a musical
instrument.

Let the beauty we love be what we do.
There are hundreds of ways to kneel and kiss the ground.

RUMI

Today I feel like I just need to keep walking.
Keep doing more of what I love.
Focus on what brings beauty and meaning to my life.
There is no destination.

San Francisco,Ocean Beach, 2006

I took this picture of my boyfriend getting ready to surf the other day. While he stretched, I observed and admired his courage to get into the cold water.

It got me thinking about how much I'd like to go in myself, but somehow don't. I sit outside, read, go on a walk, but I don't go in. Don't take me wrong, I love all those beach activities too. But the thing is that I do want to have fun in the water. So why do I fight it off? I make so many excuses... It's too cold, It's so much work to get in and out of the wet suit, the waves are not right for me today, I need a bigger board to learn on... And my favorite... What if there are hungry sharks out there today?

On the other hand, the times when I did give surf a chance, I had so much fun. At first, I sure got a bit overwhelmed carrying the huge board, trying not to trip on the leash and fighting the white water coming at me. But the magic happened when I started paddling to catch the wave. As I paddled and paddled, all those fears melted away... And soon, I was on the wave, enjoying every second of the ride. So maybe all I need to do is show up willing to paddle. Hmmm.

Does anyone else feel like it might be time to show up and paddle paddle paddle in order to get on a certain wave too?

Lonely goat, Kochi, 2004

One of the only negative things about leading a gypsy life is the fact that you can't avoid leaving loved ones behind.

During the holiday season, I usually feel a bit sad. I question my reasons for choosing adventures away from home. I try to convince myself that I wouldn't feel complete even if I had all the special people in the world around me. I persuade myself to believe that feeling whole is a state of mind. I am a Capricorn, after all. The surefooted, hardy goat. I find my security in the cliffs and heights of the far distances.

The truth however, is that I don't like being a loner at heart. I like sharing and celebrating moments together. I feel guilty and I wish I could always be there for those who love me unconditionally and nonstop.

So, today I dedicate this entry to all the dear ones that are physically far, but who I bring in my heart wherever I go.

I bring with me all the exquisite
tight hugs we've ever shared.
All the heart to heart conversations
till the wee hours of the night.
Campfires, open sky and stars...

I bring those secrets told
with a smile of embarrassment
and the ones revealed in laughter.
Our walks on the beach with
the breeze gently ruffling our hair,
the humidity on our skin
and the silver highlights on the waves,
while we splashed around freely and unbent.

I bring our dreams and our confessions
whispered on the porch
and the samba playing next door.
Skipping class to lay out in the sun,
jumping rope, playing cards, bowling...
The rhythm of our dance is in my heartbeat.

I bring along our rides together
and when we sang to the radio
at the top of our lungs.
The late night drives down the coast
and strawberry shakes in the morning after.

I bring that dinner we managed to schedule
just barely, in between fligths.
I bring your cards, letters, emails, messages,
the many long distance calls we exchanged
and especially, the love you never ceased to send my way
in all these years...

I also bring the happiness in your voice
every time you heard from me
and the tears rolling down our cheeks
at every good bye...
Not knowing for sure
when we'd see each other again.

I thank you for being right here for me
in the memories I bring no matter what.
I believe that you and I don't simply exist in the world
but the world and you exist within me...
Even when I feel like a lonely goat.
****

And BIG thanks to all the Poetry Thursday gals, who are inspiring me and pushing me to open up and dare my way with a poem! This is a first. And it feels gooooood.

Sweet times with Leonie Wise, San Francisco, 2007.

This weekend I had the pleasure of meeting one of my "bloggie" mates ~ Leonie Wise ~ from Chocolate Covered Musings ~ and her sweet husband Nic. Leonie was one of my first readers and she is now the first gypsy girl I had the pleasure of meeting in person through this blog. Yay! All the way from Wellington, New Zealand. I gotta say... It is pure magic to cross the line from virtual to real! Joined by our fellow sweethearts, we exchanged life stories and enjoyed some very tasty Mexican tapas (accompanied by a few too many margaritas) at the Colibri Bistro in downtown San Francisco. I'm still overflowing with joy!

I was first attracted to Leonie's blog because of how she described herself "an adventurous spirit, a loyal friend and a seeker of truth... both in myself and others." I thought: "What more could I wish for in a kindred spirit?" And I'm glad we started corresponding, because meeting her was truly a gift. If you have not been to her blog yet, I highly recommend you do. Check out her fabulous book reviews, photos, her inviting, honest and hot (yes! hot!) poetry... I'm thrilled to have found her and I look forward to seeing her again very soon.

Also, even though I've been sort of "nesting" lately, this whole experience brought me back to what I love the most about traveling: making connections. I think there are few things in life that are better than the spontaneous friendships that come to us while traveling... Oh! I speak of the delights of sharing sunsets, meals, tips, soulful conversation, laughs or simply a bumpy bus ride... These moments are nothing but delicious and unforgettable. And that is what I want to create here. A place to connect, a hub for information, a bridge, an incentive to travel and a safe harbor where this community can find shelter and fun on the road.

And since I can't go traveling right now, I want to keep this feeling of openness alive and invite all of you to look at your life as an adventure as well. Free yourself to possibility and invite special moments in by simply following your heart's interests and clues. Sometimes the main journey is exactly where you are. Let happiness come your way...

Petit, Mon Ami, 2007.

Yesterday, my family had to say goodbye to our Petit.

The picture above was taken earlier this year and even though he still looked very much like a puppy, our sweet Petit passed away after 13 and a half well lived years.

Petit left all of us with an immense gratitude for his loyalty and friendship over the years. He originally came into our lives as a gift from me to my little sister when she turned 15 years old. I consider him the best purchase I ever made. One that brought us much joy!

Petit was indeed the best of friends. Above all (and despite his petit size!!), he was extremely loyal and protective of us. He even challenged a pit-bull in order to defend us once!! Silly thing to do... But nonetheless... He was a bold little sweetheart! He was also the best listener around, he was the first one to notice if someone was ever upset, and he'd always know how to approach that person to offer some loving tenderness. And of course, he was always ready to go for a walk to help one cool off too...

Our petit friend was throughly loved and well kept. He got his fancy shampoo once a week, he owned many fun colorful toys, two very cozy blankets and a huge hand-weaved basket where he kept all his treasures! He slowly but surely conquered his place in our hearts and also in our beds!!! (including permission to lay his fluffy head on the pillow next to us!). As any "petit Brazilian", he loved the beach house and especially its porch ~ announcing visitors promptly was (no doubt) his specialty! He was a very social little one, who enjoyed when everyone was home and especially, when friends came over... Those days, he ran all over the house, back and forth, side to side, creating a festive and welcoming atmosphere! He maintained his fit form by staying active and by keeping a fairly healthy "dog food" diet... But he never (EVER!) refused a piece of "pao de queijo" (delicious Brazilian cheese bread)!

I'm going to miss him. All those who knew him will. I just wish I had a chance to pat him one more time this coming October, when I'm back home... At least one more stroke in his extremely soft and white mane... Go for a stroll on the beach together... Spend an afternoon laying on the hammock and watching the day go by and the birds sing...

But... "c'est la vie"... My heart is just a little crushed today...

You will be dearly missed, Petit.

* ps: I promise you that the bow-tie was not an everyday thing... But isn't it awfully cute and perfect for this post?

Fluffy grass, San Francisco, Spring 2007.

I'm late on reporting... But as I mentioned in my last post, on April 21st I went to a meditation retreat organized by the Spirit Rock meditation center. This was a very special day filled with poetry, music, meditation and a special guest, the extraordinary Alice Walker. The day included periods of discussion, sitting and walking meditation, as well as a time of celebration through music and dance. I especially loved the walking meditation. It was quite the heavenly vision to see everyone walking in a meditative state across the green fields. In retrospect, I wish I had cut my meditation short to snap a couple of photos of the peaceful "walkers"... However, I was too busy exploring the delicious feeling of stepping slowly into the fluffy and moist grass... (Something I actually repeated this weekend, as you can see above.)

Meeting Alice was such a treat. She is a writer, poet, activist and a woman! What else do you need? She wrote several books, essays, poems and even children's books. She won the Pulitzer Prize and the American Book Award for her novel, The Color Purple, which was made into a film seen all over the world, now a Broadway musical also. Alice shared her experience as a social visionary and activist. You can tell by looking at her that she is one strong woman. She has participated in the Human and Civil Rights movement in the South, the Hands Off Cuba Movement, the Women’s Movement, The Native American and Indigenous Rights Movement, the Free South Africa Movement, the Environmental and Animal Rights Movement, and the Peace Movement. When asked how she keeps up with the hardship and sorrows of her activist life (which included being arrested at times), plus her writing and everything else... She said: "I just do what I do. This is my life." How inspiring!

I was also so moved by her compassion for other human beings and by how she does make "her part" of the work, you know what I mean? If we all were more like Alice Walker (and Frida and Maryam!), our world would certainly be more balanced. She also read some of her poems, which are amazing and insightful. I especially loved an unpublished poem named "I was born to hold a cat." In this fabulous poem she described how she loved to hold a cat as a child. How that made her happy and fulfilled. Then, the poem takes us through her life and all the things she accomplished, the fights she fought, the places she'd been to and the people she met... Up to the moment when a cat showed up in her kitchen and in her life again. She fed the cat a saucer of soy milk :) and held him promptly. Immediately then, she remembered and realized once again, what she was born to do. She figured she'd done so much over the years... But that she had forgotten that her life purpose was simply to hold a cat all along. She was born to hold a cat! Ahhh.... I loved this one! It reminded of a guru I met in India: Amma. Amma was born to hug and she does just that for a living. She is known as the "Hugging Mama"! :D (That is another story for an other post...) Anyhow... As a writer, Alice made me think that if we open up through our writing, art, etc, and allow our poetry to deepen our understanding of the truth and reality around us; we can find new meaning in our lives. I want that: To do what I'm supposed to do without wondering if it is possible. Just do it.

Finally, Alice talked about how to cope with suffering and stay open-hearted in the difficult times we currently live in. Her recommendation was that we should always carry a medicine bundle with us (like our ancestors used to...), wherever we go, for our strength. A medicine bundle is anything that makes you smile and reminds you of your true self and your values. I absolutely love that concept! As a gypsy girl, I know that no matter how small my luggage is, there are certain things I must take with me to make me feel at home (inside). Those irreplaceable little items bring me inner peace, joyfulness and love wherever I am: that old hoodie, that song, that tea bag, that photo... You can carry your bundle of joy wherever you go. Isn't that comforting?

So many yummy concepts to explore... And to meditate on...

What were you born to do? What is so delicious that you just can't live without experiencing it?

And what is in your bundle of joy?

*****

Now... Onto journaling about the Dalai Lama's public talk, so I can share it with you too!

AND

Inspired by her "Master Cleanse" journal, I decided to do a cleanse too. (And write about it.) Today was my first day on it! I'm not doing the lemonade diet (Master Cleanse) though, because it seemed a bit too advanced for this 1st time experiment with detox. So I'm doing something different which I'll share in detail (in case you're interested in trying). You'll see. I'll post on that tomorrow.

Ah! My goodness! So much to catch up on...

****

Here is Alice Walker's latest book: We Are the Ones We Have Been Waiting For: Light in a Time of Darkness.

Cleanse Juices, Spring Cleaning, 2007

Cleanse Day 1:

Yesterday I started my detox cleanse.

My boyfriend has done a cleanse several times according to Linda Page's book and he swears by its benefits! So he decided to coach me on it and also join in for motivation!

You can also check her site for specific programs and recipes.

Here is how it works ~ recipes included!

At Rising:
Mix psyllium husks in a glass of juice or water. We're using a tablespoon of ABC aerobic bulk cleanse mixed with half a bottle of Synergy/ probiotics drink per person.

Breakfast:
Soak dried figs, prunes and raisins in water; add 1 TB. molasses, cover, leave to soak over night. In the morning, discard dried fruits from soaking water and eat with a small glass of the liquid. Drink it about 10-15 minutes after the "rising drink" in the morning.

Mid-morning: (around 10 am for me)
This is one of my favorites: Glass of aloe vera juice with herbs/juice. I'm actually mixing the aloe vera juice with an once of apple juice for taste.

Lunch:
Small glass of potassium juice or glass of fresh carrot juice.

POTASSIUM JUICE
This is the single most effective juice for cleansing, neutralizing acids and rebuilding the body. It is a blood and body tonic that provides rapid energy and system balance.
For one 12-oz. glass:
Juice in the juicer 3 Carrots, 3 Stalks Celery, 1/2 Bunch Spinach, and 1/2 Bunch Parsley.

Mid-afternoon:
Large glass of fresh apple juice

~5pm:
Small glass of fresh carrot juice or glass of personal best v-8 juice

PERSONAL BEST V-8
A high vitamin/mineral drink for normalizing body balance. A good daily blend even when you're not cleansing.
(For 6 glasses)
Juice 6 to 8 Tomatoes (or 4 cups Tomato Juice), 3 to 4 Green Onions with tops, 1/2 Green Pepper, 2 Carrots, 2 Stalks Celery with leaves, 1/2 Bunch Spinach, washed, 1/2 Bunch Parsley, 2 Lemons, peeled, (or 4 TBS. Lemon Juice).

Supper:
Large glass of apple juice or papaya juice

Before Bed:
Repeat the herbal cleansers that you took on rising with a cup of mint tea.

****

I'm using only organic vegetables and fruits. We have a juicer at home. Richard juices all the organic fresh ingredients for us in the morning and off we go with our labeled bottles to work! :D Did I mention I'm lucky to have a lovely "juice(y) man" at home?

***

More detox juice recipes here!

*********

Day One

Yesterday was my first day ever on liquids only! I think I did great! Well... Actually, I think it helped that last week I was already cutting out wheat, caffeine, sugar, processed sweets, chicken and red meat as well as dairy products. I called it my prep cleanse and, honestly, that week was overall harder on me. The first 2-3 days without my morning latte gave me a huge headache!

So here is how things went on liquids... You may say I'm weird, because I actually like how the stuff tastes. I got up around 7:30am and had the rising drink right away! The psyllium husks with Synergy (guava/ kombucha) at rising is actually pretty refreshing. One could say it's a yummy sparkling drink! Today, (I'm getting ahead here) I had it with apple juice instead and it turned out to be a thicker drink (like a smoothie) with blueberry taste. Okay, That's wishful thinking! :) But its not bad, I promise. Drink slowly... It made me feel really full really fast.

Then, onto the prunes, raisins and figs water. Yum! It sure looks odd, but it's not hard to swallow. The molasses actually help balance the taste and almost make it less sweet (if that makes sense (?)). I would think it would be the opposite... But anyhow... I kind of liked it. It's very syrupy... Almost like pure maple syrup diluted.

By 10 am, I was actually ready for my mid morning snack. Hmm... Aloe Vera Juice! Lots of people hate the stuff. But again, I like it. Especially with a splash of apple juice in it. That worked really well as far as getting me to the next drink at 1pm. If anything, I felt only a bit light headed! Around noon I started to feel hungry and drank lots of water to compensate for the wait till 1pm!! The only thing I could say (complain) about the morning drinks is that they kind of made me cold. You know, I'm used to the hot foamy latte and I'm getting just cold juices here! Not even tea? I ended up drinking a couple of glasses of hot water through the morning to counter the cold feeling and that helped a lot!

Okay, but when it got to lunchtime, I confess that it was more of an emotional hunger. Getting my small glass and filling it with the potassium juice looked like a pretty sad lunch to me. :( At my office, people were heating up their food (which smelled delicious), others were going out to eat together... And the take outs kept coming in the door and flooding the room with curry and french fries aroma. Damn! So I decided to go for a walk with a friend, enjoy some sunshine, drink my juice on the way and top it with water, if needed. We had such a lovely walk (and talk), that by the end of it I realized: "My drink was actually enough!" So I guess I was just concerned with how small my portion looked! Good lesson...

The rest of the day went fine as well. Overall it was a fabulous day! Only a minor feeling of body ache towards the evening... It felt like I had gone to the gym (which I didn't... cuz I'm laying low this week ~ only walks). I was worried about dinner time too, because Rich and I always come home and have a glass of wine, cheese and crackers and then dinner... But when I got home, luckily, my wonderful man was waiting for me just so we could juice together. We had our one full glass of apple juice w/ ginger... And I'll tell you... It tasted so goooood!

At last, when I had my mint tea before bed, I just started noticing how light I felt. I was calm and with not one bit of anxiety regarding food. I was actually pretty giggly... Not sure if this was any (cool) side effect... I'll see if it keeps repeating itself... ;P

And as I write this, I'm almost through my 2nd day. I'm doing good, guys! Tiny bit hungrier today... But really energized! Tomorrow I'll let you know how Day 2 went!

Nasal Bliss, Kerala, 2004.

I decided to combine Day 2 and Day 3 because, well... I'm onto Day 4 now! Yay!

It's been fun so far! I can't believe how easy it's been and how energized I feel. The more I do it, the more I awe at the fact that I can get by without food, without dying! Silly, but true. So I'm currently paying attention and trying to see why I usually eat. If drinking fresh juices is enough to keep me going, then why do I always need so much? Why do I need munchies in the afternoon?

I noticed too, that even though this is about detoxing and health, the best reward for me has actually been on the emotional level. Just like food! I see myself enjoying the extra care I'm giving to myself. I'm thinking that I'm so damn cute carrying a bag to work with four different bottles (colorful and labeled!) filled with juices Rich and I prepared together... I'm enjoying the fact that people ask me about it and find it inspiring... I love the idea that maybe someone will try this cleanse and perhaps, get something positive out of it... And I'm mostly pleased about how nice I've been to myself. I confess that I haven't felt this proud or happy about myself in a long long time. (Maybe you're thinking: Come on... it's only been 3 days. What's to be proud?) And you're probably right. Many people have done a cleanse before... But not me. And I can't remember when was the last time I felt so in tune and content like now. I guess just knowing that I can access self control is very powerful! I feel very "hardcore" , as I joke with Rich. Okay. You can see how this has gone to my head! But that is the point. I'm feeling in control of my life right now thanks to a very simple shift and commitment. And isn't that the key to break inertia and create transformation? I think I need to apply this concept in every dept of my life, no?

All right, I know you also want to hear the juicy stuff. Am I starving? Is my belly growling? Do I have any cravings? Did I shave off any pounds yet? No. No. No. Yes! I did shave off 7 pounds in 3 days. From where? Not sure. But it's true. And I know... Maybe I'll get it all back... But hey, maybe I won't? And what a mood boost that is for now! So there you go. I see it as a bonus.

In terms of hunger, I'm not going to lie. I do feel a bit hungry everytime when it's half an hour to my next "drink"... But it's bearable, because I know that my next juice is going to satisfy me up until the next one and so forth. It's totally managable. If I feel a bit hungry in my belly, I just acknowledge it. I say to myself: Well, I'm hungry... Oh. Okay... Then I kind of ignore it, cuz I know the next drink will come soon enough. No need to panic! Plus, I noticed that if I give that hunger sensation 2 minutes (basically igonoring it), it becomes thirst! Seriously. And better, as soon as I drink water, the sensation goes away. And my god, I'm drinking so much more water than I EVER did before. The more I drink it, the thirstier I am. It's as if I've finally given room for that neglected need to speak up. Today I drank 4.5 liters of water. I cannot even believe it myself! On really busy days at work, it's very common for me to forget about drinking water and have maybe... 2 glasses all day (Shame on me!!)! The trick has been to walk around with a 1.5 liters bottle everywhere I go and... Chug Chug Chug. It works!

Finally, I have added nasal wash to my cleanse. I fill up half of the "Alladin" bottle (above) with warm water and a tiny bit of sea salt. I rinse as the picture shows, the water goes in one nostril and comes out of the other. I've been doing it every morning and I feel like it clears my head and wipes off the slate for a new day! This is something I learned when living in an Ashram in India and I swear by it. If you have any synus issues this is for you too!

Onto Day 4!

Flowers on my walks, Spring 2007, San Francisco.

As I write this I am onto my Day 8 -

But by now... You were probably wondering if I made it, right? Sorry for the delay on reporting... I'm still cleansing!! Yay! And I'm still holding up just fine. I just have not been able choose computer over outdoors lately. The weather in San Francisco has been absolutely gorgeous. I've been walking, hiking and laying out in the sun... (Need to get my Vitamin D, right?)

On days 4 &5, I found myself completely adjusted to the new routine. Don't they say it takes 3 days to create a new habit? I guess that is true! I was hardly bothered by being on liquids by day 4. I mean, there is no question the "animal crackers" kept staring at me all day at work... But I was trying to be humorous about it. They looked at me and I looked back at them... Sweet temptation... Nonetheless, we had the understanding that "we were taking a break" from our relationship... hehehe... We still are...

The best thing about the fast was that I took up long walks at lunch time, over the usual rush to grab a bite. I actually did not miss having to get in the car, drive off somewhere, eat lunch quickly and run back to my desk filling overwhelmed. It took me only 10 minutes to drink my juice, so there was a lot more time to move, breathe and relax. Also, my break felt longer and I didn't get full, which kept me alert all day. In general, I felt a great sense of expansion!

I liked the whole thing so much, that I'm now considering to bring food to work more often instead of eating out. Especially healthy raw snacks and juices. Can you believe I've never done that? I always eat out. In rare occasions I've brought in a leftover from home... But after doing this, I definitely want to commit to the extra care to myself for longer. I want to invest in the preparation of something yummy and healthy that will nurture me and keep my energy up. After all, I need my stamina to hold onto the those fabulous personal projects in my spare time!

At the end of Day 5, as planned, Rich and I broke the juice diet with a delicious miso soup, with tofu, seaweed and green onions. It was wonderful to have something a bit more salty! I've always been more into salty snacks than sweets...

I don't know if I mentioned before, but this fast should last 3-5 days only. So, I am actually finished with the liquid phase! Yay!

Now, we're following up with the "rebuilding phase". This phase includes taking "GAIA's" herbal detox supplements and adding one or 2 light meals a day (green salads, raw or lightly steamed veggies, fruits, tofu, whole grains and even white fish).

If you're interested in following the same program, you should be aware that it is really a 4 week commitment.

Week 1 - prep (say no to: sugars, caffeine, red meat, wheat, dairy)

Week 2 - liquid fast as described in previous posts (primarily colon cleanse)

Week 3 & 4 - rebuild phase (with GAIA supplements - cleanse colon, lungs, kidneys, liver and blood)

*****

Day 6 & 7 were easy breezy. For the rebuild you can check the book/site "Cooking for Healthy Healing" for menu ideas. Our menu consisted of:

* before breakfast: Take 1 heaping teaspoon of GAIA Rejuve Powder (pysillium husks) in 8-10 oz. of warm water. Shake well and drink quickly before the liquid thickens.

* breakfast with a small cup of plain low fat yogurt and fruit (strawberry, blueberry and banana)

* mid morning: GAIA herbs + organic fruit juice (apple)

* lunch: GAIA herbs + raw veggie salad. A dessert plate of cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower, green peppers, sprouts, a slice of tomato and a couple of slices of avocado (I love avocado!).

* mid afternoon: GAIA herbs + juice or fruit or veggie snack

* dinner: GAIA + a dessert plate of steam veggies with tofu + sm salad

And it pays off to be good! As part of our detox program, on Day 7, we decided to indulge in 1hr massages at my favorite spa in San Francisco! Mmmm... I am so glad Rich and I are sharing this experience together!

Onto Day 8...

Gypsy Camp, Living the Gypsy Life, Santa Barbara, Spring 2007.

I just came back from a little short adventure where I enjoyed some quality gypsy time! Every time I go on a trip like this one, I realize how much I love the gypsy lifestyle. It just makes me so happy to be playing in nature, sleeping in tents, cooking outdoors and watching the stars under the moonlight...

This weekend I was here with a bunch of other gypsies, experiencing the true essence of living.

Images from my weekend:

Organic coconut water for breakfast
Lots of gypsies crafts
Crystals and Stones
Fortune Tellers tents
Henna on gypsy girls hands
Massage and Yoga
Watching artists paint huge panels
Hula hooping to breaks and beats
Poi and staff spinning in the sunshine
A parade of stilt walkers
Dancing in a tree house dome decorated with roots and foliage
Drumming by the fire
Burning designs on wood with a magnifier (and the sun!)
Colorful gypsy wear ~ skirts, veils, fans...
Furry hats and pouches
Big chunky boots
Performers, musicians, clowns
Gypsies properly adorned like gods and goddesses...
Lots of Eye Candy (gypsies are hot!)
Body paint
Costume making
Green Living workshops
Two glowing dragons and two sea horses
Sparkling glitter around my eyes
Bindi jewels
Tribal jewelery around my neck, wrists and waist
Putting on a big furry coat to go for a long quiet walk in the dark misty night
Enjoying my gypsy man 24/7!

Can you get the idea? This was such a lively time!

I'm excited to be in California where amazing creative people devote their time to create events that share the magical gypsy spirit and the desire for leading a simpler fuller life.

For more glimpses of my gypsy time in the forest, go here!
(I'm slowly uploading pics)

***
And for those of you who have followed my cleanse journey... Yes! I'm still cleansing. But this is my last week! Yay! I'm so adjusted to it though, that I think I'll keep it going longer in terms of eating raw organic produce and brewing cleansing teas. I lost some weight and I feel great. My skin also feels smooth and rejuvenated. My tongue is cleaner than ever too (whatever than means)!

Rich and I prepared a bunch of healthy raw snacks to take with us and we also kept taking our herbs during the entire camping trip.

Oh! BTW - I'm going to create a pdf with the detailed cleanse plan for those of you who are interested in trying it! Stay tuned... I'll be posting it later this week.

Hugs and Love,

Freedom of Speech, Santa Barbara, Spring 2007.

Rubyslipperstagged me with this fun meme. This is my first response to a meme ever! How exciting! Thanks, Nicole!

4 jobs I have held:
Oh! I've had quite a variety of jobs. Curiously, some of my favorites jobs were totally outside of my Advertising & Film Industry career:
1. Camp Counselor & Organizer:I organized and lead holiday camps for kids between 7-17 in Brazil for about 5 years. Such fun times!
2. English Teacher:I taught ESL for kids and adults. My favorite was teaching 1-4 year olds.
3. Innkeeper:While getting my MFA, I worked the graveyard shift (from 10pm to 6am) at three different inns. It was a nice and quiet job. Ideal for me to study, read and work on my art in a beautiful Victorian setting. Check one of the gorgeous places I worked for in Savannah, GA!
4. Art Gallery Exhibit Coordinator: Through this job I discovered many fantastic contemporary artists. Among many other favorites, I'm honored to have helped set up an exhibit for the extraordinary glass master Dale Chihuly.

4 movies I can watch over and over:
Oy! Not an easy question for a Film producer and movie "aficionado"! So I'm going to cheat a bit and avoid classic pics!
1. Bernardo Bertolucci - Stealing Beauty, Besieged, Sheltering Sky (Because these beautiful Bertolucci movies have stuck with me over the years... And I just can't get enough of them!)
2. Pedro Almodovar - Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown, Volver, Talk to her, All about my mother (Because Almodovar's colors and humor make be celebrate being alive! I never will get tired of them!)
3. Central Station, City of God (Because these Brazilian movies make me proud! I will watch them again any day!)
4. Hideous Kinky, Born into Brothels, Water (Because these movies made me travel, dream, cry, smile and gasp at their beauty. They also reminded me of why I started to make Films in the first place. And because the last two were directed by two amazing women!)

4 places I have lived:
1. London
2. Melbourne
3. Sao Paulo
4. Los Angeles

4 Categories of TV programming I enjoy:
Well, okay... I've gotten addicted to a few series lately, which I watched mostly on dvd). Otherwise, no TV for me.
(4 recent addictions):
for my adrenaline boost:
Alias
24
Lost
for my creativity boost:
Project Runaway

4 Places I have been on Holiday:
(Favorite destinations for relaxing on the beach!)
1. Maui, Hawaii.
2. Krabi,Thailand
3. Byron Bay, Australia
4. Placencia, Belize

4 of my Favorite Dishes:
1. Sushi (all kinds!)
2. Northern Indian dishes with korma and masala sauce. (Although Southern Indian vegetarian and seafood dishes are also to die for!!)
3. Panang Curry (Among other Thai favorites)
4. Northern Brazilian food with West African influence such as: seafood muquecas, acarajes, bobo, etc.

4 websites I visit daily:
1. Lately... Flickr
2. SF Gate (SF chronicle)
3. Folha de Sao Paulo
4. My yummy "bookmark" page

4 places I would rather be right now:
Hmmm... Today feels pretty good right here in San Francisco. But I guess I can think of a few good places to be at right now too :D
1. Milan (Because our gorgeous and fashionable friends from Milan just left SF, after spending a few days here with us)!
2. Bali or Fiji (Do I need to explain?)
3. Rio (Sitting outside - on 70F weather - in a "boteco" - having "caipirinhas", eating "mandioca frita" and listening to sambas and bossa nova!)
4. Festival de Cannes (Happening now May16-27)

Now I get to pick 4 other blogger buddies to do this meme (Only if you're inclined to do so, gals!)
1. Brave Frida
2. Romantic Sophie
3. Wise Leonie
4. Talented Stacie

Minimal Fruit, Yummy Photo by the talented Barbarina. Check more of her beautiful photos here!

Finally, here is the COMPLETE GYPSY GIRLS GUIDE CLEANSE

Shop for the book:
Cooking for Healthy Healing: Diets and Recipes for Alternative Healing

Shop for GAIA Supreme Kit:
Gaia Herbs - Candida Supreme Vital Cleanse, 1 kit

Enjoy!

Canyon Road Doorways, Santa Fe, Spring 2007.

"Where I was born and where and how I have lived is unimportant. It is what I have done with where I have been that should be of interest." Georgia O'keeffe.

I've just come back from a few unforgettable days in New Mexico. Although work and circumstances are keeping me away from you... I wanted to post an image and a gypsy quote that embody my recent adventures in the Santa Fe' area.

Missing this space and your comments dearly...

I will be back soon.

Update: I just found out there was a problem with my server last week and also with my comments publishing system! It all should be fixed now. But more importantly, this means you had not completely abandoned me... I'm much happier now that I saw a few of you did stop by! Phew! Sorry about that! =)

Wood Angels, Street Art, Santa Fe, May 2007.

Santa Fe is an artistic oasis. There is so much art everywhere: textiles, jewelery, paintings, sculpture and pottery. The adobe architecture beautifully curves around and blends in with the red arid hills. The isolation and slow pace must be what encourages the grand creativity and warm hospitality in the area.

There is something special about that place.

It's surrounded by green rolling hills, hot springs, red desert, ancient ruins, rock formations and snow kissed mountain tops. In town, restaurants and cafes add charm to rooftops. Food choices range from festive tamale-stands on the plaza, to eclectic cuisine and traditional New Mexican feasts. Did I mention sunshine and margaritas?

What else?

Well... It's a place of hard choices...

Is it going to be a day at the museum or a day browsing craft stores? But it could also be a good day for a peaceful nature hike. You see, there are magnificent trails and vistas all around Santa Fe. There is Abiquiu and the sandstone cliffs that Georgia O'keeffe fell in love with. There is the High Road to Taos, with its forests and Hispanic villages along the way. There is the Santa Fe ski area and its views....The kind of views ideal for the sunset. (Views you enjoy even better when you bring a blanket and a bottle of champagne! Tip: It's chilly and romantic up there!)

But that is not all!!!

There are also the ancient ruins and rock monoliths at the Bandelier and the Tent Rocks National Monument. On some days, one certainly needs to hike up to dramatic and spiritual view points. I believe that from atop, with canyons ahead and the wind blowing gently, one feels the weight of the world lift off his shoulders. Suddenly, every worry becomes really weak and falls downhill.

And more... For the adventure seeking days, there are off the beaten track spots too. My favorites were tiny artistic communities such as Arroyo Seco, near Taos, and Madrid, at the Turquoise Trail.

Oh... Hard choices...

But one thing is for sure. Santa Fe is a delightful experience for everyone. Alone or well accompanied... There is plenty to do to stay busy or else, the perfect vibe to simply contemplate life and do nothing.

This trip was important to me in so many levels. I was having a couple of rough weeks and then, Santa Fe came along. I made room for it and it reminded me of why I travel in the first place: to enter a magical reality where you suddenly feel that you belong in this life and in this world. It made it clear to me, that this is why I need to travel periodically (okay, frequently in my case!). To learn new cultures. To learn about myself. To recharge. To stay alive. To be able to come back to life (and its crabby moments) with a smile on my face... Knowing it's all going to be all right...

And you? Where could you go to on a magical adventure? It could be to a local destination for you. If you never travel far or alone, you could start by taking a bus ride to another neighborhood in your own town. Even to a bookshop. Or perhaps to a favorite cafe or to the movies...

Try a small adventure now and then. :)

Where is that portal from where you can access your soul?

My beautiful sister, San Francisco, Summer 2008.

Where have I been, my dear readers??? I miss you and your comments so so much!

Well.. Things are hectic for me and so I opted to take the summer off! I'll be on "bloggie vacation" till September.

Here is just a quick update to introduce my sis to ya! Isn't she beautiful? I had a very special time with her during the month of July. She is a lovely, kind and tranquil soul. She also might be the best listener I've ever known! I learned so much from her sweet demeanor and her wise ways of always thinking before speaking... (Not my strength!) I hope to spend another big chunk of time like this with her soon... You see, this month was actually the longest stretch of time that we've spent together in the last 14 years! Yep! That is a long time to be apart... So you get the picture: It was truly a magical time for me. I'll forever be grateful for this opportunity to reconnect with her and get to know her true spirit... Especially as a full grown woman now! And I'm sure you can tell by the picture above... What an angel she is!

For the next month now, I will be focusing on wrapping up the visual effects for another feature film I'm producing. In the meantime though, I'll make an effort to keep visiting all of your blogs as much as I can to stay in touch. I'll be posting some photos here more often too, I promise!

Sending you love and sunshine from San Francisco xxx