To everyone that has been asking me about and looking for posts, my apologies! It's been a whirlwind week since I got home last Thursday, and it's only getting busier! I leave Saturday morning for my next two trips -- Costa Rica for three weeks, Mexico for two -- and I've been trying to get ready for that. I will try my hardest to at least tell you about the Bahamas before I leave...I have much to say! :)
Talk to you soon!
4.26.2012
4.18.2012
My First Passport Stamp!
You never forget your first! Islands of the Bahamas, was it as good for you as it was for me?
4.16.2012
Let the Journey Begin
Theres a reason they call it Paradise Island. Nassau, Bahamas is one of the most beautiful places I've ever been. I know, I know, I haven't been anywhere...yet. But it's gorgeous all the same. On the taxi ride from the airport past stores I can only gaze longingly in (an Audemar store? Really?!), the scenery got more and more breathtaking as we approached the dock to meet my boat. By the time I stepped on the shores of the Sivananda Ashram, I felt like I'd died and gone to heaven.
Wait...you're where?
Yes, you read that correctly. I, Candace, loather of exercise, skeptic of organized religion, notorious late riser and nonbeliever of meals that don't contain meat or cheese (preferably both), am spending 10 days on a yoga retreat at a real live Hindu ashram.
For those that don't know, an ashram is a type of spiritual hermitage, or monastery, where one goes to be instructed in religious practices. The Sivananda ashram in Nassau was founded in 1967 by Swami Vishnu Devananda, a disciple of Swami Sivananda, and is governed by the five principles of classic hatha yoga: proper breathing (pranayama), exercise (asana), relaxation (savasana), diet (vegetarian), and positive thinking and meditation (Vedanta and dhyana, respectively). They're pretty serious here, too. There's a strict schedule that espouses the yogic lifestyle, and it doesn't need enforcing because the majority of the residents at the ashram are hardcore devotees. Others, like me, who are visiting for a short time or may be new to Sivananda, are reverent enough of the traditions and values that we go along as well. Plus, it's what we paid for, right?
A typical day goes like this:
6:00 am - Satsang
Satsang is an Indian philosophy that basically means being in the company of an enlightened person. Here, satsang starts with a period of silent meditation (about 30 minutes or so), followed by a (long) daily chant. After that, there is a lecture from a guest speaker that usually deals with the health of the mind, body, or spirit. Each satsang is closed with a final prayer.
8:00 am - Morning Yoga
Two hours of classic Sivananda yoga, which practices pranayama (breathing), savasana (relaxation), and asanas (exercise), various postures that improve well-being and flexibility that are designed to be held for long periods of time.
10:00 am - Brunch
Lacto-vegetarian fare -- no meat, fish, fowl, eggs, onion, or garlic...basically all my favorite things. The only things I've seen that aren't a veggie, grain, bean or nut are butter, cream cheese, and yogurt. Thank God for those. Brunch is served buffet-style, and as they say, "Take all you want, but eat all you take." No American-style eating with your eyes here.
12 & 2 pm - Lectures/Workshops from Guest Speakers
Typically more in-depth discussions of what was discussed in Satsang.
4:00 pm - Afternoon Yoga
6:00 pm - Dinner
8:00 pm - Satsang
10:30 - Quiet Hours begin.
As you can see, these are long days, and if you choose, you can be occupied all waking hours. However, while the satsangs and yoga are mandatory, the midday lectures are optional, and you can essentially have free time to do what you'd like from 10-4. For me, most of this time has been spent on the beach, reading, or being frustrated that my iPad and iPhone aren't picking up the wi-fi signal so I can bullshit my life away on the internet. This is probably a good thing.
I mentioned before that I am not a big fan of organized religion, I hate exercise, and meat is my right-hand man. So why am I here? I have a few reasons.
1. I was so stressed from the daily grind of work that I'd pretty much forgotten how to relax. My time away from the office was usually spent running errands, feeling guilt for shirking household responsibilities, or trying to forget I had to go back to work the next day. I'd lost the ability, if I ever had it, to just live in the moment and enjoy it. I'd heard yoga was good for curing this, so I thought, why not totally immerse myself? I had time. So, I planned this trip and purposely scheduled it first in order to clear my mind and get me in the mind state to be able to enjoy my future travels.
2. Five years of sitting at a desk and "working lunches" (all the cool kids are doing it), indulging in DC's finest restaurants (and drinking establishments), and not taking the time to get up and move often enough has taken its toll on me. In the past two years alone, I'd gained 25 pounds (gross), and my body was worse for the wear. I didn't feel good, I didn't look good, and equally important, I didn't feel like I looked good, and it was time for that to change. I figured ten days of exercise and veggies wouldn't be such a bad thing.
3. Are you kidding me? It's the Bahamas! Have you seen this place? This is the view from my room. I'm never coming home.
I apologize for the long post, but I wanted to give you guys a thorough introduction to the ashram. I'll write more later about my experience here, and post some of the beautiful pics as soon as I can. Again, lesson learned: travel with a computer if you plan to blog!
Om Shanti
Wait...you're where?
Yes, you read that correctly. I, Candace, loather of exercise, skeptic of organized religion, notorious late riser and nonbeliever of meals that don't contain meat or cheese (preferably both), am spending 10 days on a yoga retreat at a real live Hindu ashram.
For those that don't know, an ashram is a type of spiritual hermitage, or monastery, where one goes to be instructed in religious practices. The Sivananda ashram in Nassau was founded in 1967 by Swami Vishnu Devananda, a disciple of Swami Sivananda, and is governed by the five principles of classic hatha yoga: proper breathing (pranayama), exercise (asana), relaxation (savasana), diet (vegetarian), and positive thinking and meditation (Vedanta and dhyana, respectively). They're pretty serious here, too. There's a strict schedule that espouses the yogic lifestyle, and it doesn't need enforcing because the majority of the residents at the ashram are hardcore devotees. Others, like me, who are visiting for a short time or may be new to Sivananda, are reverent enough of the traditions and values that we go along as well. Plus, it's what we paid for, right?
A typical day goes like this:
6:00 am - Satsang
Satsang is an Indian philosophy that basically means being in the company of an enlightened person. Here, satsang starts with a period of silent meditation (about 30 minutes or so), followed by a (long) daily chant. After that, there is a lecture from a guest speaker that usually deals with the health of the mind, body, or spirit. Each satsang is closed with a final prayer.
8:00 am - Morning Yoga
Two hours of classic Sivananda yoga, which practices pranayama (breathing), savasana (relaxation), and asanas (exercise), various postures that improve well-being and flexibility that are designed to be held for long periods of time.
10:00 am - Brunch
Lacto-vegetarian fare -- no meat, fish, fowl, eggs, onion, or garlic...basically all my favorite things. The only things I've seen that aren't a veggie, grain, bean or nut are butter, cream cheese, and yogurt. Thank God for those. Brunch is served buffet-style, and as they say, "Take all you want, but eat all you take." No American-style eating with your eyes here.
12 & 2 pm - Lectures/Workshops from Guest Speakers
Typically more in-depth discussions of what was discussed in Satsang.
4:00 pm - Afternoon Yoga
6:00 pm - Dinner
8:00 pm - Satsang
10:30 - Quiet Hours begin.
As you can see, these are long days, and if you choose, you can be occupied all waking hours. However, while the satsangs and yoga are mandatory, the midday lectures are optional, and you can essentially have free time to do what you'd like from 10-4. For me, most of this time has been spent on the beach, reading, or being frustrated that my iPad and iPhone aren't picking up the wi-fi signal so I can bullshit my life away on the internet. This is probably a good thing.
I mentioned before that I am not a big fan of organized religion, I hate exercise, and meat is my right-hand man. So why am I here? I have a few reasons.
1. I was so stressed from the daily grind of work that I'd pretty much forgotten how to relax. My time away from the office was usually spent running errands, feeling guilt for shirking household responsibilities, or trying to forget I had to go back to work the next day. I'd lost the ability, if I ever had it, to just live in the moment and enjoy it. I'd heard yoga was good for curing this, so I thought, why not totally immerse myself? I had time. So, I planned this trip and purposely scheduled it first in order to clear my mind and get me in the mind state to be able to enjoy my future travels.
2. Five years of sitting at a desk and "working lunches" (all the cool kids are doing it), indulging in DC's finest restaurants (and drinking establishments), and not taking the time to get up and move often enough has taken its toll on me. In the past two years alone, I'd gained 25 pounds (gross), and my body was worse for the wear. I didn't feel good, I didn't look good, and equally important, I didn't feel like I looked good, and it was time for that to change. I figured ten days of exercise and veggies wouldn't be such a bad thing.
3. Are you kidding me? It's the Bahamas! Have you seen this place? This is the view from my room. I'm never coming home.
I apologize for the long post, but I wanted to give you guys a thorough introduction to the ashram. I'll write more later about my experience here, and post some of the beautiful pics as soon as I can. Again, lesson learned: travel with a computer if you plan to blog!
Om Shanti
4.13.2012
Bahama Mama
Hey everyone! Sorry for the super late update, but I've been in The Bahamas for the past couple days and the Internet connection here is not the best! Also, lesson learned next time: bring a computer. My iPad is not as handy as I'd like it to be for writing/editing/replying on this blog. Anyway, just wanted to give a quick update. I'll write more later today about where I am, what I'm doing here, and share some pictures. I promise!
4.06.2012
It's Official!
Are you supposed to tip your psychic?*
It was a gorgeous day in the District yesterday, so of course I had to take advantage and meet my ace boon coon Amber in Georgetown for lunch. We had every intention of getting seafood at Tackle Box, but the second I stepped out of the car the aroma of hickory was holding me captive like I was Pepe LePew, and we headed to indulge in barbecue and outdoor seating at Old Glory instead. Afterwards, we took it a step further and went for ice cream at Ben & Jerry's down the street, because...well, who can resist Ben & Jerry's? I'd had a hankering ever since I realized I'd missed Free Scoop Day for the bajillionth year in a row. Of course, after all that gluttony (definitely my deadly sin, what's yours?), it was only right we work up a sweat -- for me, it was by going into stores with price tags I could no longer afford. That always seems to get the heart rate a-rising. Anywho, quite accidentally, we happened upon a quaint little psychic shop. Of course we had to go in.
4.01.2012
"So...what now?"
Well, it's the end of my first week of unemployment...ahem, I mean freedom...and to answer the most common question I've gotten in the past seven days: No, I'm not bored yet. Trust me, I've had plenty to do. To answer the second most asked: No (hell no), I don't regret it. It's a little early for that, right? Ask me when I get back...aka, when the money runs out.
Which brings me to the most frequently asked question in general when people hear that I'm packing up and (temporarily) leaving my life behind: "What in the world are you gonna do next? You know, when you're done traveling? What will you do for money?" Well, my friends, I've decided to make a list of my options, in case this question is burning in any of your minds.
Which brings me to the most frequently asked question in general when people hear that I'm packing up and (temporarily) leaving my life behind: "What in the world are you gonna do next? You know, when you're done traveling? What will you do for money?" Well, my friends, I've decided to make a list of my options, in case this question is burning in any of your minds.
Where to, Boss?
So let me tell you a little more about me and my travel background. It's practically non-existent, so this shouldn't take long.
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