We've had quite a few adventures in the past months so I thought I’d put up some pictures:

Yoga Shala reception area

We made a spontaneous trip to New York to practice with Sharath in his second week there. I took the primary led and Adarsh the intermediate. That way we could swap Evan and it worked out Perfectly. We stayed at a hotel that was just a 3 minute walk away from where the classes were. For a family with a small kid it was the perfect hotel as it had a seperate bedroom. We could put Evan down for a nap easily and also at night we didn't need to tiptoe around being in the same room. It was all perfect and for me it was bliss to practice without interruptions for a couple of days.

Reading the Subway Map

Adarsh and I had both been to New York on several occasions in the past (before we knew each other) but this time it was all different with our little man with us. We went to an art exhibit of one of Adarsh’s favorite artists and visited a few of the known Yoga studios in town. Some touristy stuff completed the week beautifully and before we knew it we were flying back to Miami.

That same day Evan and I continued to travel to Holland to visit my family and friends. It was the first time for Evan to go over there and I was very excited. On the 10hr flight there Evan was THE baby on the plane that no-one wants on it. The poor little guy had the roughest flight ever, 3 flights in one day was just too much (doh!). But we finally arrived at the airport to smiling faces of my sisters who were soooooo nice to pick us up. From then on Evan adapted beautifully to his new circumstances.

Later that day he ploughed through my sisters garden and played with his friend Pelle who is my dear friends first son. Pelle was such a good boy in taking care of Evan. He has a small brother who is 2 months older than Evan so he had some good practice there. They had a good time together and Ihad a thoroughly wonderful time watching them.

Dutch kindren

Evan also took a special liking to his cousin Marieke whose hair he totally fell in love with. My little dutch boy already knows how to flirt well....

kissing cousins

The week went way too fast and soon we were on the plane back to Florida. This time we were pleasantly surprised by having an extra seat for Evan. The journey was much smoother and he was his old travelling self again.

Back home I was getting ready straight away for friends from California who'd arrive the next day for a visit for a few days. It was Evans best friend Jakey who came with mom and dad. We all had the best time. Off course we took them to our local beach where the two boys enjoyed the sand and the water, we had the best day out on the boat (although Evan wasn't so sure...) where we all snorkeled away and we closed the visit off with a fantastic diner on the beach. Perfect, little ones playing in the sand while we were enjoying good company and good food. We looooved having friends share our time here in the Keys.

Oh and talk about adventures...on my first day back from Holland I went to get something out of the car. I opened the door and felt something on my foot. I thought it was kitty as usual and tried to kick him off my foot. After a few kicks it didn't go away though so I looked down and saw a big snake crawling up my leg. I can't tell you how fast i kicked to get that thing off me but I surely screamed loud. Phew!!! Hope never to have that experience again.

Yesterday (Tuesday) was our day off and Adarsh, Evan and I went to a beach further down south which looks like a postcard. Evan is extremely comfortable in the water and wants to be his own man. He has no fear and just keeps walking in until he notices he’s gone too far. Oeps, busy times for us keeping him from going under ;-)

More to come soon…..

Heleen

Update from Florida

It is hard to believe that it has only been 6 weeks that we left California. We have had so many changes and adventures, where to start? I guess I should begin with the present and work backwards. I'm sitting on the front porch of our rented house all by my lonesome...Heleen and Evan have left two days ago for a trip to the Netherlands. I am a little jealous that I do not get to see Spring time in Holland through Evan's big eyes. I am not jealous, however, that I did not get to take the 8 hour flight....All reports say that the little fella did just fine.


They left on Friday which is the day that we all returned from a spontaneous trip to NYC for a week of yoga with Sharath. Wow, that was something! It had been years since either of us had been to Manhattan (first time for Evan). That kid fit right in though. He was making friends with everyone on the subway.


The yoga was good. I've always enjoyed Sharath's slow steady count through the series. And I got a lot of help, I guess I was looking a little stiff! Sharath gave a talk on Wednesday evening at the Sri Ganesha Temple. It was a inspiring discourse on the Guru tradition. I love to hear Sharath speak of his grandfather. He is so sincere. After visiting different yoga schools and guru's throughout India, the one thing that has always struck me about Pattabhi Jois and Sharath is certain elegance and integrity that is there. It seams so pure, so clean. We left New York inspired and grateful.


We have enjoyed the perfect weather in Islamorada. This is the part where you get jealous! We have been in shorts and flip flops everyday since we arrived. Most days the temperature is in the 70's. It has not been overly hot at any point and so far no bugs. Our cat has had a ball. He is chasing lizards, birds and the various wildlife. Dude, there are even wild iguanas roaming the streets. It was shocking the first time I saw one. I was leaving the yoga studio and out of the corner of my eye, I saw a creature run by. I thought to myself, "that ain't no squirrel..." When I went over for a closer look, I could not believe this giant iguana.It looked like this creature was on steroids - I mean he was ripped! Nothing like the lazy overweight iguanas that I've seen as pets. This guy was wild looking. Hopefully they do not eat cats...

According to my guide book, the Florida Keys has the largest coral reef in North America. That means this is the place for diving and snorkeling...and dolphins! Several people have told me that they have encountered pods while out boating. We visited a facility near the yoga studio where one dolphin got a little fresh with Heleen.


more later,

adarsh