Assorted pictures and summer solstice ceremony

These hold water and are by all the doorsteps since no shoes are worn..this way your nit sandy when you go in a building


My hut


My private beach





More huts


Going to summer solciste


Ceremony on Mayan ruins


Dining area


View from my room


Paul from Austin

Summer Solciste and Sian Ka'am Muyil experience

This entry is going to combine the cast 2 days. I was so exhausted last night, I ate dinner after yoga and conked out! But I awoke today to a glorious morning...the sun was shining and of course the familiar ocean breeze gently reminded me it was time to get up for 7 am yoga...nothing much to get ready..brush my teeth, put on some yoga clothes and off I go...no shoes...no worries.I am there in 30 seconds and Saneih taught one of the best classes so far...concentrating on the fire within us...our core. Great class! Then quick bite and off to see Sian Ka'am , a unique biosphere of 8 ecological systems . We hiked into the jungle and saw some beautiful ruins...Alberto, our guide was full of Mayan stories, medicinal Trees and plants he would point out to us . All claiming to cure some ailment or make you live forever. His great great grandfather passed away several years ago at 124 years old. I couldn't get the recipe, but I know it contains honey from Mexican bees.Then We were off on a boat across a pale blue lake to meet up with narrow canals we floated down....on our backs or stomach..We had snorkeling gear on so we could see the fish and turtles...it was so amazing ...the current just gently carried us down the narrow canal, twisting and turning. Wine, cheese and fruit were awaiting us at the end. Then back to Maya Tulum in time for 6 pm yoga. a beautiful day in paradise.There is talk of going salsa dancing tonight...but honestly...I am pooped. Yoga and a clay massage in the morning...that should be an experience . See pictures below...I also have some of the summer solstice ceremony we went to at some local ruins with the local mayans..


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One of the temples today


This is a nut incense us made from..smells good




Couldn't resist



On the boat going across the lake


Reaching the narrow canals





Here I come


This is heaven !


Wine and cheese awaits us



Group shop


Back hone.. Waiting for class to start


Class starting....got to go..namaste

Maya Tulum yoga retreat day 2...I am almost mush already

It started out as a wonderful day..I slept in my mosquito tent with a fan blowing on me, listening too the waves crashing outside my windows..There was a warm tropical breeze that kept the temperature cool ...great for sleeping. My net kept me safe and I didn't stir all night . I wish I could sleep at home like this. But the combination of 3 yoga classes, healthy food and no midnight snacking, the ocean air and a relaxed body and soul led up to the perfect nights sleep . I awoke to some blue sky, but a pelting rain came done during yoga class at 7am..no worries,,the weather is getting better, I just came in from hanging on the hammocks on the beach with 6 or 7 others..we were singing songs..it was like being in camp again.it was awesome.I then walked into town to poke around in some of the shops , but just a lot of junk. It was a nice walk though. Then the best part of my day...evening yoga...what a class. I got into a posture I have never done before but have been eyeing it in Yoga Journal for months...it just took the right sequence
and few tricks by Tim , one of the instructors..I was so happy that i let out a big smile, which Paul noticed( another student) and congratulated me afterwards. I felt on top of the world!!! All the students are really nice and friendly, always inviting me to join them in whatever activities they may be doing, like swinging on the hammocks tonight .Sometimes i join them, sometimes I don't..like after breakfast I took a 2 hour nap! Go figure....but it felt really good...I like my no makeup,naturally dried hair and barefoot look, ( never in ormond beach) Tommorow is the summer soloctise so the town has a big Mayan celebration at one of the ruins, at 8 am. So yoga class at 6:00 instead of 7
So it's a good time to turn in.....miss everyone, but I am taking it all in ..


K

Tl


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Maya Tulum ..yoga ,yoga and more yoga

so today was the official start of my retreat. I had some ah-ha moments . Despite some pretty impressive rain, I still feel like I am in paradise , and lo
Like a kid, experiencing sand for the first time...its just everywhere. I am just amazed at a truly barefoot resort.I also took a shower today without blow drying my hair...that's a first. I actually have a little wave to my hair and a lot of frizz....not my most attractive look. But as my mantra for this retreat goes...who cares? It was a little odd sleeping in a mosquito net...I felt like I was in a movie starring as the carefree yoga goddess on a safari with killer mosquitos destined to ruin my search for the Indian Guru living in mosquito infested Africa who was going to teach me the ultimate yoga pose that would amaze all yogis.( OK, maybe I spent too much time on my head today) The yoga was awesome and I took and additional class the resort offered in Acroyoga...I was flying through the air( on Daniels feet) but it was a great class. I also had a Mayan massage called a yeet where they massage your power house( translated abdominals) so hard , they actually reposition your organs for better digestion . it was really awesome...My spleen and liver loved it..Then more yoga before dinner...another great class and I just about got my foot behind my head... I am about a half inch away from the full pose !...despite all this activity, I am about as mellow yet energized as I can remember . I. Can't figure out how to yes the flash on my camera, so no good pictures today. Weather should be better tomorrow . Planned a few exursions for later in the week...I will blog about those then. Getting to know everyone , everyone is really nice. We have a group from all over including Australia, California, Texas , New York, and Spain...oh and Florida...only me.Spent most of my day with Kimby...a medical student at Mount Sinai!!! I am hanging out with someone my daughters age...go figure...but many ages represented here. The dining room is closing now...they need to turn off the electricity....later




Kimby and I before our "guts" massages....we both loved it


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Betty from housekeeping trying to clean up the water from the rain In my living area

Arriving in Maya Tulum

It's been a long day....Although Tulum is closer to florida than I thought, it's been one calamity after another to finally reach my destination . However, I got out of the van, and looked at this beautiful beachside retreat and I knew I had arrived at exactly where I needed to be for the week...to recharge, re-energize and relax . This is a resort made of thatched huts...all with beautiful Mayan features. It sits on a beautiful beach and there was sand under my feet the minute I got to the registration desk. It's all open aired.. The yoga rooms, the restaurant , the spa...everything. you can hear and feel the strong , salty ocean breeze from anywhere in the resort as your feet sink in the beautiful white sand. No shoes required here.But the best was yet to come. They led me to my room....a beautiful thatched villa steps from the ocean water....beds covered in elegant mosquito netting...a large living room , all facing the ocean with large windows throughout allowing me what I will imagine to be an awesome sunrise. I can't go through all the traveling blunders..,,I don't even care anymore. I am here. Everyone seems awesome and yoga at 7am can't come too soon in this paradise. Of course, this comes with rustic charm. No AC, electricity only during certain hours , no phones or TV and yes some pretty awesome rain while in my first Savasana, with little drops ticking my nose coming through the thatched roof. I took a few pictures, but more to come when I have some daylight . I don't know what I am going to do about drying my hair.. But right now.. Who cares ? More tommorow ...I hope the sun comes out. But if it rains again , I will just have to get a massage . Adios...






Part of my room





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Bathroom





View from my front door...that's me #16... can't wait ti climb those rocks





Hammock outside my room













Living area...looks right out to the ocean steps away








Entrance to restaurant( wifi spot) have to take this during the day





Another view from my room

Location:Tulum, Mexico

Tel Aviv pictures

Pictures in Tel Aviv


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The beach


There are almost never waves here...there is rain coming through...





Hotels along the beach, we stayed in the one closest to the left..David Intercontinental


Surfers taking advantage of the rare waves


you can bring your dog to lunch with you


Rebecca enjoying her favorite drink at her favorite cafe in Tel Aviv


I am full


Playing cards...rummy...we played for hours. Rebecca creamed us


Dinner with her friends.
Now off to the airport we go for a 5am flight .

Tel Aviv

Today is our last day in Israel.I am really sad to have to leave Rebecca. We have had a great trip. We have seen so much of the country on our great " off the beaten path tour" in fact it was really a combination of places we did not visit on our last trip here and places not well known to tourists, but places Israelis would visit including a lot of Israeli cafes for very authentic food. I felt like we lived a lot like an Israeli would with Rebecca's guidance.Right now we are eating in Rebecca's favorite cafe in Tel Aviv, Saquella Friends. It is delicious, with huge portions.It is also shabbat which for those readers who don't know is the Jewish sabbath that begins friday at sundown and ends Saturday after sundown . All the stores, businesses, government and most all kosher restaurants are closed.It's a day of rest and time to be with family and friends without diversions. Observers don't use cellphones. , TV, electricity ,or cars for that 24 hour period and all forms of public transportation like buses don't run.So we did what a lot of Israelis do....We found a non-kosher cafe and spent the afternoon eating, talking and playing cards.The restaurants in Israel are very much social meeting places. They don't give you a check unless you ask for it, they will never rush you. Many others in the cafe were on their computers or playing board games for hours as well. It was really great fun.We left about 5:00 and walked around until we had to meet Rebecca's friends and another set of parents also visiting. We all went out to dinner together , the food and company were great. just as we finished dinner the shops begin to open and the buses start running again . Rebecca likes shabbat. She thinks it is a good day to rest and be with your family and friends, it strengthens bonds and creates close families,which is very Israeli. The kids live near their parents etc.It is a wonderful country with natural beauty and a high standard of living.Whether you are a secular or religious Jew , Israel is a country to be proud of. I as an American Jew am proud of Israel and we should all be. For those who don't believe this I would challenge them to visit this beautiful and hospitable country.It is full of history, manmade and natural wonders, a land full of beautiful places to see for all interests and all religions.The food is wonderful and plentiful. I am also proud of my daughter spending 10 months of her life volunteering in this country and becoming a part of Israeli culture.She is full of life, passion, compassion and is a true down to earth old soul with a big heart for all. I love her with all my heart and I will miss her as I leave in a few hours. But I will have these memories of the last 2 weeks to cherish for the rest of my life,and I can only pray Rebecca feels the same.As this is my last blog in Israel, be safe my Rebecca, be well and enjoy all you do.Go live life to the fullest each day as I know you can. You will always be in my heart and soul. I love you.....shalom