photo above: view from Santa Maria Volcano (Xela, Guatemala)

I just got home last weekend from an amazing trip, backpacking from Mexico to Guatemala. The journey started with my sister’s wedding in Mexico and from there we traveled down through Belize to meet up with friends from Guatemala. This trip reminded me of the brilliance of travel which is so easy to forget amidst the work / live routine at home. More than ever, the travel bug is alive in me and I look forward to the next window in my life where I can throw on my backpack and trek around. Nothing in the world makes me feel more alive than having my pack, with all I REALLY need, on my back. — On this trip I felt many instances of absolute joy and gratitude. I felt so lucky to experience Mexico and Guatemala.. for the second time. (I was there in 2008)

In some of my past adventures I have included a spiritual component to my explorations… usually meditation or yoga. This time, however, the focus was ADVENTURE. Hiking, swimming, exploring… and just taking in the culture. And I think this adventurous, active perspective was good for my soul, and I was really able to RELAX.. even my jaw tension melted away! I think that being away from familiar surroundings, people and places that remind us of habitual ways of living is so incredible. There is space in ourselves, and our schedules, for learning, absorbing and changing. Without a schedule, routine distractions (aka the internet!) and all the stuff that doesn’t fit into a back-pack we are able to live more in the PRESENT MOMENT. So the big job now that I’m back, is to continue to live with that same ease and presence and to experience every day like it’s a magical day of travel! Haha…

On the musical front:

I do have a show coming up!!
April 9th at the Wise Hall (Vancouver) with Jessica Stuart Few. More details to come!