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Noemi Mones
Writer, Strategist, Traveller, Adventure-seeker, Truth-Seeker, Singer & Songwriter, Life-enthusiast, and Aspiring Social Entrepreneur.
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Tweets
- Love this 10 Life Lessons from Calvin & Hobbes: http://t.co/uuwNbBsnKmMay 21, 13 from web Reply, Retweet, Favorite
- “@imdaGrumpyCat: Shine bright like a no.” #lol 😂
- Remind yourself constantly, that you are the only person who can control your happiness, attitude, choices, environment, and growth.
- RT @businessinsider: Do A Google Image Search For The Words 'Atari Breakout' $GOOG by @Julie188 http://t.co/9KmHBz0GvOMay 14, 13 from web Reply, Retweet, Favorite
- Happy Mother's Day to all the beautiful women out there!!!
- Whatever you want, is whatever you get. You don't predict things, you make them.May 10, 13 from web Reply, Retweet, Favorite
- Problems with having a car: Forgetting I have a car and not remembering where I parked it. #citygirlproblems
- Another lovely day. May the fourth be with you #maythefourth http://t.co/eID0DYbmv2
- What a lovely evening stroll during a warm spring night. #oneofmyfavorites #enchanting
- Where is my umbrella when I need it? #asianphobiaofsun #notahotweatherperson 😑😭
- The Seeds of Our Soul http://t.co/RqrYOOpN1B On why "thinking small" is important, too.
- To go or not to go to the Shout Out Louds concert?? Questions. Questions. Difficult decisions…hmm hmm.
- Every night I feel like Amélie when she listens to people having orgasms. #cantsleep #whenyourneighbors #arehavingloudsex. 😐😤😐🕚
- OMG I miss SF so much. http://t.co/HKMdmXltOr #leftmyheartinSF
- A thought to start the month of May: http://t.co/ey0OugTBg9
- http://t.co/v81JrGgWgI This is wonderful. Science, art, and media meet! This tickles the child in me. :0)May 01, 13 from web Reply, Retweet, Favorite
- Enfin, une nuit d'enchantement et de sincérité doux.Apr 30, 13 from web Reply, Retweet, Favorite
- It's not even 8am yet, and already, I need a bottle of Veneto Wine. Sangrias anyone?Apr 28, 13 from web Reply, Retweet, Favorite
- I love that my mom holds conversations with me at Target standing 100ft away from me. #filipinohabits #filipinomoms #lolApr 27, 13 from web Reply, Retweet, Favorite
- Grumpy cat follows me!!!! [^_^] 🙊 http://t.co/eNXrJGJG0X
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Posts
- Jan 30, 13
Hello, Friend, Stranger, or Passerby…
I decided to write on here tonight to simply tell the stories that have brewed in my soul and bubbled in my mind for the last year. I left my heart in a city I thought I’d never fall in-love with, and suffered a few months from the hollowness and loss I felt from having to leave behind all the foundations I’ve built. From memories to friends, to my favorite $4 bahn mi deli hidden inside of a chinese food market, to all the daily routines that brought growth to my well being: running, going for long walks at 3am, finishing a book on the bus, discovering new eateries, and finding the treasures that lay beneath the façade of the urban city. And you know what? I made the choice to leave it all behind.
I set a goal to break away from material attachment and dependancy and sold almost everything I could, donated what was left behind, and gave away clothes and shoes to friends. I wanted to own only the necessities and items that brought me happiness. I gave away some of my most treasured books so that someone else may discover and be enchanted by the treasure I found within them. I donated really expensive clothes and shoes so that someone else could buy it for less than a dollar. I wasn’t interested in gaining money for the items I was letting go of–though in hindsight I probably should have sold it for a little bit of money (to help with moving costs)–but that wasn’t the point. The purpose of it was to rid myself of all things material so that others who could not afford or have these things, can dazzle, be beautiful, and live comfortably without worrying about the burdens of paying for it.
I wanted to start teaching myself good habits to have as a human being. People don’t realize that the habits we make when we are younger, are habits that form and shape who we become in our future. I also want to add that choosing to make something a habit is of importance as well. Choose a life that is filled with value and not material. Choose a life that is independent and free of the social stigmas our society wants us to live. Choose a life that brings meaning not only to your life, but to others. But you have to make the choice–even if it means leaving behind what you’ve grown so comfortable with and donating the rest to charity.
Discover what is valuable in your life, what your passionate about, and prioritize and honor these things. Figure out all of this stuff early on. It’s okay to be the different one among your friends if you’re doing these things. Different is what we need, so that the rest who don’t quite get it, can learn the habits of the different. I chose to leave behind the things I built in the city I love the most because I learned how to turn memories and experiences into the bloodline that brings life in my spirit, and how to turn change and fear of the unknown into heartbeats that bring courage, determination, and resilience, in my hopes and dreams.
Traversing this last year may have felt lonesome at many times, but I’ve gained a lot that most won’t discover until later on in their life. I don’t make a ton of money or have the latest fashions on my back. I haven’t yet found my favorite $4 bahn mi deli or even loyal friends in this town to call so I can vent about my frustrations with the Lannisters or why I haven’t been more disciplined with working on my novel, but I’m happier because I’ve learned to love my solitude and find comfort in the unknown. The dark and luscious emerald forests of the unknown may be frightening from the outside but, with a little curiosity and confidence to discover what’s within, you’ll find and realize all that we, as beings in this world, should value in our hearts.
Keep moving, keep moving, keep moving. Growth can only happen with change and movement.
Yours,
Noemi
- Sep 11, 12
As 2011 nears to an end, I reflect back at five years of the love stories I've created for myself and with others. I've fallen madly in love twice, shared short-lived romances filled with intense ecstasy for life, encountered many beautiful individuals along the way, and discovered the most important person to have a relationship with: yourself. Having been in two serious relationships--one of lust and utility, and one of romance and intimacy--I've always come out a better person.
A constant reminder to love and exist. - Nov 22, 11
I sat on the edge of Ponte Santa Trenita bridge at sunset, facing the Ponte Vecchio Bridge. I watched the crowds of tourists and their flashes of light reflect across the the surface of the Adige River. I wondered if they were trying to get a shot of me in it. Perhaps I was some sort of “abstract and lonesome object” placed along the edges of the bridge that would make for an interesting composition. That could’ve been a possibility. I sat with my hands leaning behind me, and with complete silence, I gazed across the river at Ponte Vecchio Bridge and watched the setting sun give its final kisses to the historic edifices of Florence. It was my last day in Florence and all I could think about was how marvelous of a world we live in and how little we appreciate being in the present moment of life–watching its natural wonders and experiencing it without any interruption from the modernization of our lives.
Earlier that day, my CouchSurfing host, Pando, gave me the keys to his Vespa and requested that I give it for a ride. Despite my inexperience with driving Vespa’s, I thought, “why not take a chance and enjoy it? I’ll come out alive anyway.” Of course, the coming out alive was completely pure luck, but there were definitely moments I could have spun out of control! I took the Vespa and rode through the countryside in Tuscany. I had no map, no sense of direction, and no service on my iPhone to use the GPS–but it didn’t matter, and I wasn’t scared. I knew the direction I wanted to go towards and followed whatever road that led up. If you can think of travel–or just about anything you do in life–this way, enjoying any environment and circumstance you’re in will be delightful. Sometimes, the best rewards come from following your instincts. You don’t need maps or plans to enjoy the present, just a positive, curious, and fearless attitude.
The trees were ablaze with shades of orange, red, and yellow. The stormy clouds crept silently above as I sped through the empty roadways. The whistling wind howled through trees and its leaves to remind me that rainfall was approaching. Despite the treacherous scenery and unpredictability of when rainfall would land, it was a beautiful sight and experience to take in. I reached the top of a mountain to take in the views. The Tuscan countryside, with its vast vineyards and olive groves, its orange and yellow villas, and narrow cobble roads, made riding a Vespa and discovering the heart of Tuscany, an enchanting experience that left me beyond spellbound to the nature of Italy. I spent an hour or so by myself to take in the beauty of nature and the haunting weather above me. It was a perfect chance to reflect on the state of culture, the world, and the things people take for granted.
Being surrounded by nature is a remarkable experience. I’m not a super-green-enthusiast, but I do love the outdoors. Nature is definitely an enchanting gift–so glorious and honest to human life and the world we live in. If you think about it for a moment, it calls us when we are desperate to breath in life; provides us shelter for when we need a warm house; feeds our hunger and replenishes our thirst; invites us to seek its hidden treasures and mysteries; allows us to use its resources to aid our lives–and yet we destroy and abandon its gifts ungratefully. When we do not care and appreciate the enchantment of Nature, we are punished with floods and storms that destroy what we were given. I’m not religious or anything, but I am spiritual, and believe that what we take from this world should be used respectfully and gratefully. I sometimes think natural disasters is the Universe’s way of providing second chances to people and places–a sort of way to “replenish our souls of artificial delights”.
The one day in Verona that I spent was quite charming and enjoyable despite the pouring rain, strong winds, and my soaking socks. I stayed with a very lovely, caring, and driven girl who reminded me a lot of myself. We shared very similar interests and point of views, which are the best kinds of connection to make when meeting new people. We made Pumpkin Risotto together for lunch and it was molto bene! I may try to attempt making my own version of this when I get a chance. There was not much I wanted to see in Verona besides the Casa de Giulietta and the architecture of the buildings, but I suppose it’s because I care more about spending the time to take in all that I see and just wander around. I love wandering. Paola and I stopped in this tiny cafe that served the best cappuccino I have ever had. We sat inside and watched the rain fall angrily on the marble roads (yes, Verona has roads made of marble).
During the evening we laughed and drank at this very cozy Osteria. I had wine from the Veneto region, which by the way was the BEST red wine I’ve ever had, and prosciutto on flat bread. It was comfort in your mouth–deliciously tingling every taste bud–not to mention a really nice pairing of food and wine. Paola’s boyfriend, Francisco, was very warm and friendly too. I’ve never enjoyed such a time with new people as I did with Paola and Francisco. The evening thunderstorm beat down on Verona as we slept. Lukily, by morning the rain clouds had drifted and we were greeted by a spotlight of sun. It was a glorious and fresh morning. I parted ways with Paola that morning, said my many “grazie’s”, and set sail for Venice.
I wrote laying on my bed in Venice gazing out the window as the rain fell. I stayed in the Cannaregio and Costello islands of Venice, a place the locals call the “Real Venice”, which I won’t argue with–they were right, and I fell in love effortlessly. It was away from the tourist areas and in a location where buildings were splashed with bold colors of green, yellow, and red. The way of life seemed so tranquil and special here. Clothes hung from clothesline strewn across windows, the elder women swept golden leaves aside to clear out the alley way, and the sounds of laughter from children began to adorn the streets as the storm finally gave its last hurrah. It was a calm and delightful Monday–a Monday different from any Monday I’ve ever lived.
What a feeling.
Yours,
Noemi
- Nov 18, 11
My it’s been a long time since I’ve last written here. I like to think that inspiration comes when you can take a break and push away from the norm and the daily routine. I wrote about the human experience in my last post and continue to allow those interactions in my daily life to flourish. I hope they are flourishing in yours as much as they are in mine. In a world where hyper-connectivity is the norm in developed, Westernized countries, and communication to one another is made simple by one touch of a fingertip, we forget that the most important developments of human interaction and hope to the progress of humanity is made by simply meeting and sharing. In the past four months, I’ve visited and traveled to small towns in New York (yes, they exist), the dripping facades of artistic mastery and high-fashion city of Florence, the crisp and colorful fragrance of the Tuscan countryside, the romantic mystery of Verona, the maze of blue lagoons and small alleyways of Venice –a scenery that quite fits a romantic thriller–and Rome, the most beautiful, vibrant, and enchanting city of them all. It is no wonder literary geniuses were inspired here.
Traveling alone requires a lot of self-confidence, cultural acceptance and awareness, the ability to adapt to change and the unknown, and most importantly, an optimism towards immersing yourself with the new, the different, and the possible. Many people ask how I conjure up the courage to do this and the answer is really simple: Life is short. Seek the truths, discover the beauty, and the stories of people in our world. I promise you that a life rich of experiences and cultural awareness instead of material possessions, will bring you a happiness words can’t express in your lifetime. Our world is so rich of many things waiting to be discovered, and yet we consume ourselves in technology and completely miss the “real-experience” part.
While I would agree that technology has helped advance our societies and freely inform us of things we would never thought possible, technology could never recreate or simulate the real human experience that is felt when you surrender to adventure, love, and the unknown. How would it react to the unknown? An algorithm or pre-calculated equation could not possibly or accurately predict the outcomes, because predicting the outcomes would be to miss the point of life entirely. Perhaps the best way to enjoy life and be educated by it is to travel and seek the things you do not know or have yet to experience. You do not always have to hop on a plane to another country, instead, a journey down the unbeaten path where city-dwellers or local know-it-all’s don’t go, may be the best way to learn and come out a better person.
I left for Italy about two weeks ago and have returned to San Francisco with much more appreciation for food, technology, art, and gelato. Believe me, the gelato (and just about everything you tasted in Italy) is the most delicious, most holiest thing I’ve ever tasted. It really is unbeatable, and I will never have a scoop of ice cream from else where. Just before my evening flight to Zurich, I couldn’t help but think how surreal it was that I was traveling. Sometimes it doesn’t really hit me that I’ll be in another country until I get my servings of airplane food–yum!
The plane soared through the starry night sky as passengers around me slept. I love flying at night for one reason: it’s the only chance you get to see and be closer to thousands of stars dangling around you from 30,000 feet high. So if you’re looking to see something beautiful or maybe enjoy your plane trip for a change, book an evening flight. You’ll wake up truly captivated. So as we flew across time zones and star-filled skies, I looked out through my window in amazement, took a deep breath of air, and surrendered to the feeling that adventure and travel give you–freedom, comfortability with uncertainty, and a chance to discover the beauty of this world.
We landed in Zurich about 8 hours later. As I sat waiting to board my connecting flight to Rome, I closed my eyes and listened to the many different languages being spoken around me. It was like listening to an orchestral symphony of languages all interacting with different inflections and sounds. The “schs” and “zees” or “iano’s” reminded me of why I love traveling. Traveling constantly reminds you that difference is the one thing that unites us all. Difference is what makes us unique and beautiful in this world. To immerse yourself in something different, as well as contribute your own difference to society and people, is the best possible gift you can give to humanity and to ourselves. Surround yourself around culture, because culture itself, is the existence of beauty and art. Someone recently wrote in an article in The Economist that, “people create culture and vice versa”. If we could create a better culture of people and culture in general, then surrender yourself to the unknown and immerse your soul, mind, and thoughts into differences and the stories of people we meet.
I’ll leave this with a quote from the Holstee Manifesto:
“Travel often. Getting lost will help you find yourself. Some opportunities only come once, seize them. Life is about the people you meet, and the things you create with them, so go out and start creating. Life is short. Live your dream and share your passion.”
Go on, discover and share. Play with abandon.
Yours,
Noemi
- Jul 13, 11
There once was a time when people wrote hand written letters to express our feelings and thoughts to our loved ones or travelled miles to surprise those we admired and held close to our heart with the hope of meeting face-to-face. When I think about “human connection”, I think about being with someone in the very physical presence and sharing an experience that doesn’t quite match the hyper-connected relationships we nurture online. Being with someone physically, expressing part of yourself through hand written letters, or interacting with true authenticity and honesty, holds a sentiment that no real online connection can make. When I think about “human connection”, I think about how beautiful the feeling is when we have nothing else on our mind but the person right in front of you–living, breathing, blinking, staring right back at you and listening right there with you. It’s what’s missing from our human lives today. We find ourselves so unknowingly devoted to our phones, and mobile devices that connects us in an instant to millions of people we barely know–or in my case, hundreds of people I rarely know or speak to anymore.
As much as I love expressing my ideas and feelings through online mediums, there is nothing more that I love than being with a person or people in the flesh and blood. Breathing the same air with me. Thinking, sharing, laughing, discovering, contemplating and feeling a real human experience that cannot be replaced by a screen. It’s this sort of feeling that really ignites my nerves and gets my blood flowing. It’s what makes me feel alive. We’re all so consumed in our digital lives (I’ll admit that I am guilty of this too) that we forget the real human experience that happens outside of our online realms. I too, forget at times, but make every effort to remind myself that nothing can substitute a real human body and it’s real human warmth and fascinating mind and soul to an online body. Before our lives became consumed by hyper-connectivity and over saturated with a number of social networks, connecting and interacting with someone in a physical sense–whether it was through an extension of our feelings onto paper or being in the physical presence of someone–”connecting” meant giving a part of our real intimate selves to bare the wait for the second our physical selves met face-to-face or to sit patiently with time to receive written words back from our beloved.
What we need now more than ever, is to shrink ourselves back to the basics of real human connection and give ourselves back the human experience we long for. Whatever it takes, whatever places you must remove yourself from, I dare you and myself to risk one or two hours of your time without the comfort of our instant online connections in the palms of our hands, to spend some time experiencing the feeling of being in the physical presence of another unknown to you. It’s a feeling that nothing else could match. It’s discovering and travelling through the stories of a past to understand a little bit of their soul and the life they have now. It’s listening to a living creature breath and speak the things that drive their passions for life or spark their curious minds. Nothing can substitute this feeling, and you’ll know what I mean when you’ve done enough of it.
- May 29, 11
Dear Curious Soul, Intrigued Reader, or Wandering Star,
I am deeply and sincerely apologetic for having been absent for over three months now. It ached my heart and soul, especially the writer and believer in me, to have left you guessing where I have been or what I have been up to. These past few months have been quite an internal journey for me. I left you off with my experiences in Thailand and had meant to continue sharing my experiences and insights, but time is not always giving. For days I had content ready to be published, but with managing work, school, and life’s surprises, publishing my stories (this is so completely heart-wrenching for me to admit) needed to be placed on the back burner for awhile. It is heart-wrenching for me to admit this because writing and sharing important values, beliefs and insights through my stories is an important truth that I must constantly live and express. But I will not be hard on myself because if I am, then confidence and direction are lost, and you, my wonderful reader and believer, should not be given any less. My heart, passion and tenacity are here for you. Please accept my sincere apology and never misjudge my most faithful heart.
Navigating through the three months of fog has left me unconditionally at peace with myself. I may not have physically travelled to remote places of the world recently, but I have experienced an internal journey that has taught me an important lesson: Learn to be at peace with yourself. So this experience is worth sharing here since it relates to the concept of my site and travelling. As we journey through life’s lulls and surprises, we may find ourselves feeling lost or out of touch with ourselves at times (I know I did). It can be discouraging and sometimes we will feel hopeless that things may never change, but don’t give in–there is always sunshine at the end of a storm and a valuable experience that you gain. Learning to be at peace with yourself is not an easy process or discipline to acquire but with the mantras I list below, you can get yourself moving towards that direction. So, here are “33 Ways to Have More Peace” in your life that you should consider acting out:
- Slow down and let your body come to rest once in a while
- Let you inner critic go and instead talk nice to yourself
- Listen to you heart and love more freely
- Pay attention to your feelings, make sure you are doing ok
- Spend time in the calmness of nature
- Take a nap and dream about being peaceful
- Pay attention to your intuition and act accordingly
- Be more playful, do more fun things and laugh often
- Have art days and express yourself creatively
- Read about being peaceful, Thich Nhat Hahn is great
- Sing songs that uplift you
- Check out the dances for universal peace in your community
- Go for quiet and relaxing walks
- Listen to the birds sing, the sounds of a stream or the wind
- Feel gratitude for all you have and for each moment
- Expand your breathing and feel how alive you are
- See the beauty of the world around you
- Finish unfinished stuff that is bothering you
- Have friends that really listen, be a friend and listen too
- Change beliefs that limit you or make you feel guilty
- Stop watching nightly news, do something healthy instead
- Notice where fear runs you and change your thinking
- Be kind to yourself and love and accept who you are
- Do what feels right, say no to what doesn’t
- Follow your own truth and live by your values
- Enjoy your uniqueness and express who you are
- Have a purpose in life and live it with passion
- Only make commitments you can honor and follow through on
- Focus on the positive and expect good things to happen
- Stop blaming, take responsibility for creating your life
- Explore what interests you and be a life long learner
- Wake up and see yourself having a wonderful day
- Find the peaceful place inside and visit often
Source: Joseph Bernard, http://www.ExploreLifeblog.com
We must never forget that life is travelling too. It is just a different kind of journey–a journey into the depths of our soul. A key tip to remember when travelling: Life is about the journey, not the destination. So, if you take a second to focus on the moments and experiences in your life and discover the peace that can be created there, when you do reach the destination (wherever that is), you can look back in amazement and happiness for the journey you’ve just experienced.
Stick around for future posts! Stay curious, stay inspired and keep dreaming.
Until then my passengers of life!
Noemi
- Feb 12, 11
Travelling requires you to learn to pack lightly, and with that in mind, the ideal piece of luggage to carry is of course the backpack of all official “backpackers”. Hard not to miss, and apparently easy to lose; as in the case of my first two days being in Thailand. Thankfully I had kept my toothbrush, the essential pieces (wallet, passport, money), a spare shirt, my sunglasses and a cell phone all in one small messenger bag. Being without luggage and without any change of clean clothes is really tough, especially if you’re a female and the country you visit just so happens to have 100% humidity. Imagine that. Not good. Although it was really frustrating that my airline carrier had lost my luggage, I made every effort to make the most of my time and reminded myself that having gotten to Thailand safely was the most important thing. Remember that your bound to encounter some sort of problem that will frustrate you when you travel, but if you can give yourself a moment to reflect on all the other things that aren’t a problem, you’ll begin to be grateful for all the little things you overlook. So how do you make the most of your time in two days in Thailand with no luggage and with only just the bare essentials that you have? The first thing is to tell yourself that “you will not waste a single moment or second waiting for the problem to be fixed.” Hop on the “railroad to somewhere” and take in the views of the city you’re in–and in my case, I hopped on a motorbike taxi. Most travel books and travel experts will probably suggest taking a taxi first instead of a motorbike taxi since the drivers tend to give you more of a thrilling ride–one with close encounter accidents that leave you with your heart pounding in your throat, but hey, they do get you to your destination quicker! And another thing, you might want to have real good bargaining skills and speak a little bit of Thai but since I possessed neither of the two, using finger gestures always work. Anyway, here is a list of things that I did and would suggest doing if you ever are without luggage for two days:
- Take your chances, take a motorbike taxi.
- Get acquainted with the public transportation system by finding an “Info” center at a public location (like a mall).
- Go to a book store and buy yourself an “Essential Thai phrases to Know” book. Assimilate yourself to use their language instead of them using yours.
- Take a river taxi to see the temples for 5 Baht (16 cents) and just walk around, take in the scenery and contemplate.
- Be fearless, try the street food. It is really really spicy compared to the western style of Thai food and so indescribably delicious.
- Try a local neighborhood eatery even if water is served in a tin cup.
- Drink 5 Baht beers and mixed drinks at Red Wagon in Nana.
- Dare yourself to make friends with locals. Not everyone living outside of the U.S. or a Western civilized country is a threat. Thai people are immensely friendly, respectful and genuinely peaceful in nature.
“If you reject the food, ignore the customs, fear the religion and avoid the people, you might better stay at home.” – James Michener
The underlying point I’m trying to convey here is that, ultimately in the face of a problem or, waiting for your luggage to arrive in my case, you can’t let time pass you by–that you really have to make the most of what you have with you and make every moment worth remembering. Too many of us confine ourselves to the problems we face and preconceived notions of “what ifs” for no good reason when there are so many wonderful things worth discovering. Feed your soul by giving yourself the chance to try different things, to do different things, and step outside of that confined world that lives in your head. The very act of having compassion for yourself by allowing yourself these chances to be moved, teaches you to have compassion for other people who will reciprocate that kindness to you and others. What you take away is a deep and permanent change in your soul and perspective of life and that is the lightest piece of luggage of all.
- Feb 11, 11
“A good traveler has no fixed plans and is not intent on arriving.” – Lao Tzu
It’s been a little over a year near now since I travelled to Thailand and my memories of the country still seem so fresh. My journey to Thailand lasted much longer than my visit to Shanghai since it fell during the winter holiday. Thailand is a highly popular tourist destination during the winter which is considered “peak season” because of it’s summer-like temperatures, so you’re likely to run into many Europeans and Russians who escape their sub-zero winters. I spent three weeks in Thailand, mostly in Bangkok and Phuket. When I travel, I like to strip away the idea that travel should consist of a plan. Sure, planning what to do and what to see is a good thing to start off from but the idea that controlling what you plan is not travelling at all. Perhaps the reason why most people like to plan every-little-thing-they-do when travelling is due to a fear of the unknown and unpredictable. To be brave and build your confidence as a solo traveller, you’ll need to understand that travelling really allows you to explore your own inner journey through the outer world. Before I take you through what three weeks in Thailand is like, take a moment to to let your soul absorb the words and imagery that these quotes produce.
“Travel is more than the seeing of sights; it is a change that goes on, deep and permanent, in the ideas of living.” – Miriam Beard
“Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines, sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.” – Mark Twain
…until we meet again, be inspired, dream, imagine and soon enough you will understand.
- Feb 06, 11
Three hours south of Shanghai just beyond the scenic West Lake in Hangzhou lies a vast bamboo forest located in the hills of Moganshan. Away from tall skyscrapers and the chaotic noise of traffic, Moganshan provides the closest interaction with the beauty of untouched nature. Nestled deep inside the whistling bamboo trees and atop the 300 stone steps lies a tiny village and the boutique hotel, Naked Retreat. Now, don’t be fooled by the name of the hotel. The terms “naked retreat” identify with the eco-friendly aspects of providing organic foods and promoting “green” sustainability. The wonderful thing about staying at Naked Retreat is being surrounded by the ideology that everything is green friendly. From the deliciously all organic chinese meals (that you can request be cooked inside of your room by an “Ayi”) that is chinese food like you’ve never tried before to the eco-friendly bathroom amenities and amazingly serene location makes Naked Retreat one worth staying at.
The mornings here are peaceful like no other place. You wake up to the sounds of whistling bamboo trees as gusts of wind sway their branches from left to right. Rays of sunlight creak through your bamboo-built bungalow and kiss every inch of your skin awakening you with warmth. The subtle chirping birds and howling monkeys call from distances away to signal the start of a new day. Being miles away from any internet/cell phone connectivity, waking up here in Moganshan at Naked Retreat must be like waking up in heaven. As you wake, you are welcomed by the travelling scent of Doug’s freshly baked loaf of bread sitting inside a basket atop the kitchen table. Nothing is as cozy as being surrounded by the very basics of life given to you in the most organic and pristine way.
In the afternoons, you can hike through the bamboo forests and delve deep to find its hidden treasures. Along the way you’ll come across acres of tea plantations, butterflies and tree-top animals, chinese pavilions and temples, and maybe even run into a villager making their way back home. Being in Moganshan really cultivates an appreciation for nature and a feeling that you are surrounded by one of the world’s most majestic forests. It is here than you begin to realize and be touched by the simplicities of life and be without the materialistic items that we consume in our other modern society. It is here, amongst the wildness and purity of nature that our souls may begin to feel grounded and stripped of our material ideas and needs. When travel experts really suggest to “travel lightly” they really do mean that. But what they forget to imply is to travel with a clear mind and soul stripped from material longing and luxurious amenities. When we are without these things do we really begin to understand ourselves and our place in the universe.
“He is richest who is content with the least, for content is the wealth of nature.” – Socrates
In my short time at Naked Retreat in Moganshan, I learned to appreciate the majesty of nature, grew to respect the world and resources it gives us, and left with an impression in my soul that undoubtedly came from just being surrounded by the whispering bamboo trees. It was as if the bamboo trees whispered their very own words of wisdom into my soul. Perhaps they whispered Mao Tse-Tung’s words, “Let a hundred flowers bloom, let a hundred schools of thought contend.” –I have never seen more beautiful flowers bloom since.
Interested in staying at Naked Retreat? Check out their website at: http://www.nakedretreats.cn
- Feb 05, 11
There is something so mysteriously alluring about China. From its vast richness of cultures to its numerous mouth-watering cuisines unbeknownst to the modern world, travelling to China would make itself to be my first trip out of the United States on my own. When I decided that I wanted to travel to China, most of my friends and colleagues were surprised to hear that China was a country I even considered travelling to. Most twenty-something year olds my age would consider travelling to Europe or South East Asia, but I am not “most twenty-something year olds”. So many people know so little about China. What we do know is: its export of delicious Chinese cuisine, the chance that all of our consumer products are “Made in China”, and that the country is still under Communist rule. Most twenty-something year olds would probably not be so eager to travel to a country where the majority of the population do not speak english primarily because communicating in another language can be frustrating and stressful. Travelling should not be either of the two. What it should be is an opportunity to face challenges, educate yourself about another culture, and understand that differences in culture, food, values, and language bring color to your life. Understanding this led to my motivation to discover and unravel a slice of what and who China is. To open up my journey through Shanghai, a quote from a favorite play-write of mine, Tennessee Williams, will be your launch into the experiences and adventures in Shanghai. So keep on reading and fall into Shanghai, China.
“Make voyages. Attempt them. There’s nothing else” - Tennessee Williams
Imagine yourself surrounded by a multitude of honking cars and speeding motorbikes. Imagine a throng of people bustling in every direction and missing the fact on polite manners of maneuvering. The air is thick like that of the inside of a sauna and the heat of the sun sinks into every pore of your skin. Smells of newly washed undergarments hanging to dry, cigarette smoke attaching itself to every gust of air, the fragrance of spices, of raw meat and tea leaves all brewing a melting pot to produce an indescribable sensory orgasm. A little overwhelming at first but as you adjust to the very notion that you are not dreaming and are really experiencing these things, you will come to realize that you are in a place where life does not stop ticking. Welcome to Shanghai, where life does not stop ticking. My first few days being in Shanghai were all that I just described to you. A little overwhelming at first but not for long of course. I came to the realization that life never stops here and to be in the middle of it made it easier for me to relinquish my American-made comfort-zone and immerse myself into a new territory physically and emotionally. The first stop was to see the Yuyuan gardens and bazaar (语源，语源商场).
The entrance to the bazaar greets you with colorful hanging butterfly kites, steaming dim sum stands and a glimpse of the traditional Chinese architecture up ahead. Navigating through the bazaar especially with flocks of tourists at every inch of space can feel like you’re walking in a labyrinth but don’t fret! What lies behind all of this is the amazingly serene Yuyuan Gardens. The Yuyuan Gardens is quite a surprise amidst the density and urban setting of Shanghai. Once inside the gardens, you’ll find its sparkling ponds with gold coi fish, rocky terraces brimmed with bamboos, beckoning Chinese pavilions, and its secret pathways. It was a little hard to believe that a beautiful and tranquil garden like this could exist in Shanghai and because it really exists, the Yuyuan Gardens is a rare gem worth seeing.
At the end of that day, I was really happy to have gone to the Yuyuan Gardens first mostly because it served as a good transition into the chaotic liveliness of Shanghai. What better way to feed your soul than by surrounding yourself with a dose of nature and tranquility! A few things worth noting about this place is that it is a touristy area. So, if you’re looking to catch a break, come early in the morning with a cup of joe or Chinese tea in hand (there is a Starbucks inside the bazaar for you Starbucks-only addicts) and an open-mind. Who knows? You might find yourself startled and amazed at how simple it is to free-up the tangles and knots of your soul and ease the tensions of unfamiliarity in Shanghai just by allowing yourself to absorb the tranquility of the Yuyuan Gardens.
After the first few days came to an end, I began to feel more comforted with the idea that I could travel independently without worry or fear of “possible threats” or “accidental mistakes”. Although those things should never be overlooked, they should also never be over-analyzed. The hardest part to being courageous is accepting that not all things can be controlled by you. They can, however, be prevented if you take the correct steps but for the most part, accepting yourself in uncertainty and welcoming the things that you are not familiar with is a leap of faith that takes a lot of letting go onto tightly held comfort zones and worry-some assumptions. Once you get past the hardest part, you will undoubtedly be rewarded with an experience and elevation that your soul will come to build upon. I close this part of the journey into Shanghai with a few words from Jeanette Leblanc,
“Go now and live. Experience. Dream. Risk. Close your eyes and jump.
Enjoy the free fall. Choose exhilaration over comfort…Awaken to the brilliance
in ordinary moments…Go now and live.”
..to be continued
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The intuitive mind is a sacred gift and the rational mind is a faithful servant. We have created a society that honors the servant and has forgotten the gift.”
― Albert Einstein- Positive Actions Create Positive Situations
‘Life doesn’t hand you opportunity. People don’t hand you great things sitting around on your ass.’ Grasp opportunity in whatever situation you can, and work really hard for the opportunity to keep getting them handed to you.”
- My best friend and worst enemy
I stare longingly at the bright blue sky through a web of black-netted screen. I lie here as my thoughts race each other, vying for my focus and motivation. Not writing when I know I should be writing is like courting with insanity for a quick escape. Each lap that my thoughts surpass, fill my idleness and imagination. How does one focus with such discipline and strictness, on the direction towards a dream? The blue sky knows no limit, as the ever darkening home of stars knows no boundaries.
My art bleeds inside me. It fills my veins and electrifies my nerves, with rivers of the warmest pools of blood. The rage that flows through my imagination—of madness, and art, and borderline transcendent—walks with me during my hours of solitude. The empty space of white or blue, or the blackest of all blacks, embraces the creation of ones own artistic madness through written words between the lines.
Nothing better than the imagination of one’s own to fill the life that creates.
I am certain of nothing but the holiness of the heart’s affections and the truth of the imagination
John Keats- Gitane
Unpredictable, confusing,
curiosity.
Despite My fears for failure and pain,
I fall.
Fall in love.
I fall in love with the challenges I face because
Someday, will turn into every day
love.
Someday, will turn into every day success.
And all the failures and attempts that bring me pain and scraped hands and knees
Will all be worth it when I wrap my arms around you with my very last inch of
strength.
Oh love,
that very moment
Where my heart has reached it’s last beat,
and my lungs have squeezed it’s last breath,
Just for that moment, life is
complete. - Determination is a Prerequisite
As I encounter more and more people and take part in the exchange of life philosophies and thoughts, there seems to be an occurring trend that is becoming more true as I divulge my dreams and passions to these particular people. I am never uncomfortable to share my dreams and passions with someone or tell stories of how I have chosen certain routes than others to experience life in my own unique way, but as soon as I am through with sharing, I encounter what I call “gatekeepers”, or in more ordinary terms, “naysayers”. These gatekeepers are people who will work hard to rationalize their choices, experiences, and life philosophies, when they come across someone who has made different ones. Essentially, gatekeepers try to prove that the choices, dreams and passions you have made are not “right” or are not the most “safest” to have.
Here’s a little secret that I will share, and it is one that I practice when I encounter a gatekeeper: Ignore everything they say once they tell you that “you can’t.” NO ONE is allowed to ever tell you that. NO ONE is allowed to tell you that your choices, dreams and passions do not fall in line with the society or fit with conformity. A great quote by Warren Buffet:
People will always try to stop you from doing the right thing if it is unconventional
Whatever feels right to you is all that matters. EVEN if your an out-of-the-box thinker who dreams of a better future for humanity, or a struggling artist who believes in the power of art and expression, determination is a prerequisite that you need to achieve your goals, passions and dreams.
Go and be you. Believe in your dreams. They’re there for a reason. :)
You can always make changes later on, but if you never begin, you’ll never know what could have happened if you tried.
Chris Guillebeau
- Please don’t flow this fast You little mountain din I’ll bottle sounds of me for you
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