gratitude

today, i awoke at 7 am to the sound of the alarm clock...groggy and slightly parched from drinking whiskey with departing friends last night.

it was time to get up, and make my way to the green gulch zen center in marin. i grabbed my green tea and a yoga mat, got in the car, and drove over the richmond bridge, towards the ocean.

upon arriving at the zen center, i informed man at the entrance that i was headed to a day-long yoga retreat at the yurt. he said, 'oh, i haven't heard about that, but go on ahead.' i waited for fifteen minutes, slightly dubious since no one had arrived, and we were supposed to start the practice.

realizing that something was fishy, not knowing where anything was, i started walking. i spotted a mellow looking older woman, and asked her if she knew anything about a yoga retreat. she listened to two of my words, grabbed my arm, and said - 'no, but i'm looking for someone too. together, we'll find our way.'

the woman had light purple eyebrows, and reminded me of a pixie. in the two minute walk, she told me about her trip around the world, ending at her home town in germany from where she escaped as a youth. went to british columbia to rock-climb, and found a 99 year old guru who she had been assisting ever since.

we went to the office. i asked about the retreat...looking at the schedule, i was a month early. i took advantage of the mistake by wandering around the zen center, buying an awesome book, and then i went on a beautiful hike.

i hadn't eaten breakfast, and the hike was long...but the fog and the beauty of the scenery kept me going and meditative. i got back to the center, walked around again, did some yoga in the yurt, and headed back to oakland for a burrito and a nap.

today was unexpected, and it was amazing. i hope you enjoy these pics, even though they don't fully capture the beauty of things.

xo
alis