Butterflies and Burros

And on this episode of the Pilar travels south, pit stop Troncones, our cast consists of:

Alejandro, the beloved Tronconian, as our main guest star.

Chris, Present Moment Guest, a beautiful soul visiting from San Francisco.... unplugging for a week to take "Self" time out. Smart Chica.

Last, but definitely not least... a surprise appearance by the infamous Seferino de la Poblado,

Plus extras.... dogs, burros, cows, and people of Poblado.

On this episode, we leave the beachside bliss in exchange for a wild walk/burro ride in the jungle. Alejandro, this time, taking the position of Captain Team Love, leads us through on a tour through the hillside jungles of Guerrero. He is a very knowledgeable, kind hearted spirit that has been making a living running an eco tour business in the area.. amongst other jobs. We were so fortunate to have Alejandro as our guide, being that he knows so much about the flora and fauna, the history of the area, and most importantly he is involved in giving back to the local community of indigenous people.

On our way to "la Salta" we came across the surprise guest, Seferino, a last minute, unexpected add on to the group of three trekkers. We came across Seferino as he was working his "ejido" land, half farm (corn and mango), half cow grazing pasture... plus the burros... Senor Seferino is of la Poblado, which is not what I would call a town, but more of the suburbs of the teeney, tiny village. He has most surely lived in this isolated area of the jungle his whole life, making him a hidden gem, untouched by the roughness of society. He also knows the environment, not from text books, but from actual life experience and age old wisdom passed down from generation to generation. Ask him how old this ceder stump is, and he will most sure have an answer more exact than most machines or ecologists.... Or why the ants and the coral snakes have a simbiotic relationship... He was a great co-captain of Team Love. AND just as I was eyeing his burro, wishing I could have my own burro to ride... he offered up his saddle and I most certainly took him up on his kind hearted offer. Hell yeah I want to ride the Burro!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!



"La Salta" means "the jump" so you can only imagine what we had in store for us at the end of the trail... my favorite... rock/cliff (pequeno) jumping. The water was incredibly clear-green and refreshing... sun rays pouring through as I swam underwater with my eyes open of course. (reminded me of lake swimming on Quadra)... The jump was just the right height... just enough for the adrenaline rush... Gentle back massage underneath the waterfall... swimming with my baby girl, all grown up now, Yola for the first time ever! (Yes, she swims in the ocean, but the wave thing is a challenge and she is cautions... this time, it was a free for all in the calm waters of the water hole)... muy buenos tiempos....



The heart felt climax of the episode comes at the end of the eco tour when we get to experience and taste the real life of this small village. Alejandro, coming up as often as he does, with or without tours, has formed a relationship with some of the people there. He takes kids up to teach them about the environment, and work with them on small tree planting projects. What a guy, huh? A couple of Present Moment guests, the lovely Alfred and Joe, (personal favorites of mine... I really should blog a whole episode on them and their Apples to Apples... tal vez despues....) donated a whole bunch of school supplies for the children of and we just happened to be there for the repartition... School Supplies Santa. So on our way back through the village, we stopped at various houses to deliver the goods. And I must mention the houses, all adobe. That means mud, kids. Amazing and beautiful structures. Why bother with cement when we have earth? I might have to incorporate some of this adobe into the tree house concept? Think it will work? These people also still cook on wood burning stove and mill their corn on stone to make tortillas. Can you imagine the beauties that come out of that kitchen? Yo quiero... por favor....



This eco tour was so much more than seeing the beautiful surroundings in nature... trees, birds, mucho mucho butterflies of all colors and sorts, water hole swimming and diving, bonus burro ride for me... It ended up being a real experience of the indigenous culture. Unforgettable. And this is exactly what my brilliant mother is trying to do in Canada with Aboriginal Journeys. People take away a cultural experience beyond just site seeing. This is the stuff that changes peoples lives and what we can take back with us to "society" and apply these simple, beautiful customs. Theses people have very little in terms of what most of society would call "wealth" and they live very simply, yet as most of us know, the secret to life lies not in possessions, but in open hearts. These people live from their heart, no matter what comes up in life. I am sure things aren't always easy, but love conquers all....Just something to remember as we get tossed around in the chaos of society.... Love, Compassion, Gratitude... teachings to be found in the simple.

"Family Night" at Casa Majahua

A "family night" at Casa Majahua... the players consisting of Alberto and Pamen of Mexico and Cuernavaca, visiting for the weekend. Mariana and Alejandro, well known and loved players of Troncones. Myself. And of course the beautiful Denni and Moira welcoming us all into their lovely casa a la Swiss-Family-Robinson-meets-the-Beverly-Hill-Billies(probably one of the best places for a family reunion/wedding/friend gathering... in case anyone is looking for a vacation villa in the tropics of Mexico... for the second time to be mentioned in the blog... it's just that good)


The gathering starts with a sunset float in the seamless ocean front pool. Denni,continuing to live up to her reputation of all time hostess, serving a happy hour cosmopolitan that just happened to fit perfectly in my little raft cupholder. How many different types of clouds can you see in one sky? How many colors of the rainbow in one sunset? I don't think I can come up with a better description for "god" than a sunset like this one... and the many I have been a part of on this trip. How can their be any doubt of "its" pure existence?

Next moving into a stimulating conversation with Alberto... a time for story telling... the universe again lines up with my intentions and presents a connection to las shamanas de la Sierra de Oaxaca... my next campus site for learning/remembering. Gracias universo! That brings it up to three.... Peter QiGong, Connie Aztec Flower Elixirs and then some... and now Alberto uniting me with the chance to experience and learn from the ancient shamanic wisdom in the sacred lands of Mexico.... I am blessed....

Wrapping up the final moments of sunlight by the sea, TEAM LOVE then unites in the kitchen to prepare the most LOVEliest of meals. Alberto stepping in as Capitan of Team Love, directing the symphony of hands, creating a master piece of love through food. Each player of TEAM LOVE contributing their unique touch pulling together for a menu of...
Fresh Warm-out of the-oven, Homemade Wholewheat Bread, one loaf with olives, one without... prepared by yours truest, with the guidance of our Captain of course... a new skill to be added to my repitore of love for cooking.

First Course - Avocado Gazpacho Soup... thank you Denni.
Side Dish - Roasted Squash and Peppers... gracias Pamelen y Mariana
Main Course - Homemade Pasta A la Puttanesca, with a touch of sauted eggplant.... gracias Alberto, con la influencia de su bella mujer Pamen.


Another amazing meal created with love. The food in itself was amazing (the recipes I have locked tightly in the memory cells... with the condition that I can't reveal or sell them, but expected to share the creations with loved ones... anytime, lovely friends and family, it would be an honor to cook you such a feast), but what i believe made it even more special was the manner in which it was prepared. A communion of efforts. Pure Syncronicity of hands and hearts... culminating in a master piece of love.

The grand finale to "family night" ends with a hot tub soak flowing into a star gazing pool float with a dark, moonless night sky background. Pure Oneness with all.... And I ask you again... HOW DOES IT GET ANY BETTER THAN THIS?


p.s. pictures aren't mine... took them from the Casa Majahua website so you could get an idea of the set up...

Lunatic

Lunatics = Moonstruck... "luna" being moon. "tic" being struck.... Struck by the moon = Lunatic.

Something to think about. We are 90% made up of water... so similar to the ocean... We see how the moon pulls the tides, so what makes us any different? Is the moon pulling us as well? Is it that we find ourselves a little off on those full moon nights? That being said, we just had our Leo full moon... Anybody notice anything different?I find myself more and more sensitive these days, and therefore noticing how the full moon plays it's part.... This time I was in San Miguel de Allende. I would advertise it as a "must see" because it is a beautiful, old colonial town in the heart of Mexico... but honestly, despite all it's charms(and it is loaded with charm... hilly,windy cobblestone streets, old colonial structures, a masterpiece of a cathedral), the town is just too (United States of) "American" for my liking. I find San Miguel beautiful to visit, appreciative how the non-nationals keep it orderly and clean, but find it lacking the flavor of real Mexico. Nonetheless, I was very happy to be there this past weekend, revisiting a place of my college/high school years...

After 6 weeks of life in Troncones and giving daily yoga classes, I found an escape to San Miguel for a QiGong workshop very inviting. So the girls(Marisol, Yola and myself) packed up, and we were on the road again for a 7+ hour drive inland... And we had Peter, (taking Margot's founding position) with us to ring the bell for all the passing we were doing on the highway... GO MARISOL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Being that San Miguel is so close to Queretaro(where I lived and went to school for almost 7 years)o, I took the first day to see old friends, visit a healing practitioner that I have be hearing about for years, AND (most importantly) to indulge in one of my favorite Mexican cuisines... Tacos del Guerro. Eight years after my departure, and I still find myself dreaming about these damn tacos. Honestly, QiGong and friends come second to Tacos del Guerro...; ) no offense friends....

After the divine tacos... I picked up some organic supplies (What a treat!.... Man oh man, Californians are soooo fortunate for the abunface of organic foods... be thankful, little ones. And anyone near a Trader Joe's also must count their blessings and include Joe in their daily prayers). And then off to my date with an all knowing machine partnered up with the healer Connie Sanchez. The machine was incredibly accurate in depicting my hold ups, emotional and physical. Biofeedback machines are a grand tool/interpreter for those that are ready and open. The cherry on top was meeting a new teacher in Connie Sanchez... speaking of teachers(side note)... What is a teacher really? What is a master? What is a disciple? Is it possible that we all play the roles of teachers and disciples at different times? I think so. I find an opportunity to (re)learn in every encounter, teachers all around... The ones that get under my skin the most, prove to be my biggest teachers. Forgiveness is one I am working on at the moment, and I am very fortunate to have a close relative to learn from... again and again... And a master.... well, I think they are harder to come by, but when you find someone or something with a crystal clear reflection, that all you "need" is to be in their presence to learn the greatest lesson of life... and you know... no words required. no scripture. just simple "is-ing." Someone or something that reflects y(our) true essence. Love. That, to me, is a "master."

Three plus months into the journey and here I am presented with teachers of QiGong, flower essence remedies(Mexican Flowers in particular), and crystal chakra healing... and this is only the beginning. Part of my intention for this "trip" (besides finding a sacred land to create a conscious space of healing, transitions, and harmonious communion) is to (re)learn sacred, ancient methods of healing. I opted for an outside the classroom education and skipped the whole initial idea of spending 5 years of studying Chinese medicine/acupuncture... call me a LUNAtic, but I think I made the right choice (for me)... I do realize that there are many teachers "out" there, but in essence, I am my greatest teacher. I choose to vibrate in environments that help me remember who I AM. There is nothing that can be taught that we don't already know... But once in awhile, it is sure nice to get the people/things/places that remind us of things we have forgotten...

And the weekend continues... back to food... (If this is my last time through... then I am going to make damn sure that I experience life to the fullest and that includes savoring all the delicious tastes prepared by the most loving of hands)... and in comes "the Spaniard" at La Cartuja. If you happen to make it to San Miguel, this is a MUST stop. This adorable, older Spaniard has been running this small, intimate little restaurant for something like 30 + years... maybe even 40... He has no more than 6 or 7 tables... and he, himself does almost all the cooking. 3 or 4 entrees to choose from, changed every day, starting with a killer appetizer of cheese, jamon serrano, fresh baked bread... and then there is the homemade wine... My oh my.... What a heavenly reality we stumbled upon Friday evening. "Lucky" enough, Mr. Spaniard let us in, even though it was 10 by the time we walked in... He pleasantly welcomed us and said we could eat there as long as we were patient since he had sent his staff home and would have to do the cooking and serving himself. Really? Seriously? um... Yes! Please.

Saturday was QiGong all day... powerful stuff I tell you. No words here to describe. How little movement can create so much heat surely puts the Law of Least Effort into clarity.

And we finish the story with Sunday... A drive out to "the countryside," on lands of healing thermal waters, sits a beautiful little hotel called "Casa de Aves." My dad, the birdman, would call it heaven... (aves means birds in Spanish, btw). Rolling, green grass, sitting (and floating and waddling) ducks, a pond, a beautiful pond-side restaurant, and a ZIP LINE! (plus all the other fun stuff for "kids"... a tree house, a trampoline, small boas for rowing around the pond). Again, food was mouth watering delicious... tender, yummy meat.... ooh la la.... good company, enlightening Osho reads, warm afternoon sunshine. AND of course I did the Zip. Trix are definitely for Kids and a Kid AM I... Too bad I got stuck about 10 feet from the end and had to pull myself back to go. Rats! Still fun... picture proves it for all those in doubt.


I realize that there seems to be a theme of mouth watering, mind blowing food... Food is just one aspect. It's all the senses though that are really just soaking in all this love. So much beauty to see in all, flavors to taste, softness to touch, symphonies to hear, heaven to smell... Pure Bliss available to all of us if we choose to perceive it that way. Remember, it's all a choice. Free Will. Choose yes, choose love, choose life.... It's anywhere we want it to be... but you really have to set that intention, and then let go of any attachment to it. No hopes or expectations to any outcome... You will be amazed what PRESENTs itself...

P.S. Syncronicities? Is there such a thing? Can we say that all "time" is in sync with the divine plan? We may or may not see it in the moment, but always, when stepping back and looking at the puzzle, and not just the individual pieces, everything fits. Life is one giant Syncronicity. Sometime we perceive them as "good".. maybe even miraculous... when the magnets match up just right and are drawn together... (we are magnets, by the way, just like water. Bipolar.. some just swing more from opposite ends while others remain more toward the middle. Neither is right or wrong, it just is where it is and that is perfection in the moment)... Other times we may be frustrated when things don't line up just right and the magnets don't match up, but ultimately everything is always just right and we have to let go and trust that "it" has it all enveloped in the grand master plan.... Don't react to either "good" or "bad." Observe. Be aware. And have faith.

and to end with a picture of the Present Moment Girls. Can you feel the love?

and a poem by Hafiz
With That Moon Language

Admit something:
Everyone you see, you say to them, "Love me."
Of course you do not do this out loud,
otherwise someone would call the cops.

Still, though,
think about this,
this great pull in us to connect.

Why not become the one who lives with a full moon in each eye
that is always saying,
with that sweet moon language,
what every other eye in this world
is dying to hear?

updates from the PRESENT

almost a month into life in Troncones and almost every day I have to ask myself... how does it get any better than this? This time is magical, and maybe that's just how things are now that I have made this big leap of faith and left a life of security behind. I live for the moment... there is nothing beyond today.... (well, except for Thursday Pozole/Tamale night in Buena Vista ; ) ... believe me... it's mouth watering delicious!). I don't know what tomorrow will bring, but I live with an open heart and give thanks for whatever blessings (in whatever form) the universe bestows upon me. I feel like I am looking through a child's eyes... I am in awe and wonder of everything around me, like I am seeing life for the first time as it really is... a reflection of Self... Crystal clear blue-green ocean waters to soak and play in. Incredible, never ending sunsets with the most intense colors, changing and evolving into different blends of art in the sky. Butterflies of all colors fluttering about these luscious, tropical lands. Humming birds whizzing by as the go from flower to flower. The night sky lights up with electric storms. I stand outside my house, sitting on the wall overlooking the ocean as these lightening and thunder storms roll in... A harmonious symphony of lights. And the night sky with no moon and no clouds... imagine the stars in this center of life without all the street lights of city life. It's like looking up into the heavens. Sea turtles popping their heads and shells up as I wait for the right wave to catch... not a bad place to practice patience.
And then there are people... Margot, a sister, a goddess, an angel. She arrived a day before me to teach yoga and do massage, and from the moment we met, it was like we were already well acquainted. I found an old soulsister in Margot. I will truly miss her vibrant presence now that she is gone back to her community life in Chalmita, but I know I will see her when I am looking into her bright blue eyes. In the meantime, we are connected through our hearts... Big P. A match to share a conscious space with. A teacher. A mirror. A friend. Perfect syncronicity in the moment we met... I don't believe it is the first time, but definitely so in this lifetime. Our guidance teams did some work to line it all up, and it worked like a charm....

Denni and Moira. A beautiful match. So much fun and so welcoming. (Thanks ladies, for the fun game nights and delicious meals... and we still have another month to play!) They have the most amazing house. "Swiss Family Robinson meets the Beverly Hill Billies" (pictures to follow... or just look up casamajajua.com.. an insane house to rent for a family vacation, btw) Fortunate for me, they like to share their amazing home that overlooks Manzanillo Bay, perfectly located for catching the summer sunsets... Helena, a beautiful guest that has been here for the last two weeks. Our conversations have been few, but I know we speak more through our hearts. I will miss your calming presence and bright smile after you leave tomorrow... but I know we all have our work to do in different parts of the world. And finally, a mention to "Dad"... not my real dad, but my Mexican Surrogate father ; ) He's a vagabundo like myself, but more of a high class one, while I tend to be taking more of the hippy route... A man that very much reminds me of my own dad... crazy, eccentric, a connector, an explorer, a lover of life. Glad we found each other down here. My guess is that we will be sharing some adventures along the way...

Speaking of dad's... my real dad is amazing. He just added published author to his list of many talents. I am so proud. You did it! My example of going after what you want and never giving up... Anything is possible if you really want it. "Faces, Souls, and Painted Crows" Excited for my copy to arrive in the mail.

And to finish the entry with a quote that I found inspiring... thanks for sharing Big P. "Access to your true essence will also give you insight into the mirror of relationship, because all relationship is a reflection with yourself. For example, if you have guilt, fear and insecurity over money or success or anything else then these are reflections of guilt dear and insecurity as basic aspects of your personality. No amount of money of success will solve these basic problems of existence, only intimacy with the Self will bring about true healing. And when you are grounded in the knowledge of your true Self (understand you true nature) you will never feel guilty, fearful or insecure about money or affluence or fulfilling your desires, because you realize that the essence of all material wealth is life energy, it is pure potentiality. And pure potentiality is your intrinsic nature." And this is what life is about for me in the present... setting the space for intimacy with Self. As I awaken to that source of Self, my heart explodes with joy and everything in my perceived reality is revealed as love. "all relationship(nature, friends, environment, etc) is a reflection of (your)SELF."

LOVE, LOVE, LOVE.

P.S. just checked my horoscope for the week and found it had this to say..."Show yourself and everyone who looks to you for inspiration that real change can be motivated by an exuberant lust for life -- by a generous longing to risk adventures that will yield greater rewards." How about the timing in that?