Cultivation of Mind, Body, & Spirit

May 23, 2013

Don't get trapped with your
head in the clouds!

Most of us spend 40-80 hours a week trying to fill our bank accounts in hopes that one day we will reach a certain level of success.  We set aside our hobbies and personal interest for the majority of our lives during “the working years” so we can “get ahead.” Telling ourselves along the way….. One day I'll be able to relax.  Unfortunately getting old is and reaching retirement is not a guarantee.  Relying on our social security checks will never be enough…..suddenly realizing that your “able years”- the ones when you could climb the rock of Gibraltar are behind you!

What if you retired young and worked until you're old? As ass backwards as this seems, in a nutshell that is what we are doing on this journey.  We are spending the funds we would have wasted on a wedding- a typical American wedding costs more than what some people I know have to retire on- our main aspiration is to learn how to cultivate our mind, body, and spirit.  We are taking the focus off material wealth while embracing the riches of time and relaxation.  

Joey

What would you do with the gift of time? I'll tell you what we do with such a precious gift.  We communicate with one another about everything, spending hours discussing anything that crosses our minds.  I encourage my husband to express himself artistically- recently he finished portraits of our               beloved dogs Joey and Zoey!

Zoey

He supports my desire to keep an active mind, always learning something new. Origami one day, flower arrangement the next. We meditate which teaches us to control the simple things we can like breathing, while learning to let go of frustrations that we have no power over- like others actions! 

Dr. Oz's  7 Minute Workout

We have a daily workout routine that builds our endurance and keeps us healthy.  I am not a fan of running or physical exhaustion but we picked a plan that is doable and enjoyable for the both of us.  It takes 7 minutes of our day and after word I feel good that I completed it! 

Bon Bon in the front
Carajillo in front of Ross

We seek out local cultural activities and new experiences. For instance we sat on a sidewalk café drinking different traditional Spanish coffees; the bon bon-espresso and condensed milk – and carajillo – espresso served with a shot of brandy, a lemon wedge, and two espresso beans sunk to the bottom.  We have embraced kindness of strangers as well as developed a few strong friendship bonds.  Life is not about what you can buy and never use.  Life is too short to spend it behind a desk or computer. 

Our temporary home! We are thankful
for the generosity of family!

Life to us is all about giving and sharing experiences with those you love, humanizing ourselves with the simple things, being appreciative of others kindness,  and learning that our time on earth is limited…..Why not enjoy it while you can! Live with a purpose, full of love, free of regrets! 

May 25, 2013

Cream Aisle @ Grocery store...
They all say Nata...followed by a % Very Confusing!

Cooking for ourselves in Spain has been delightful, because not eating out every meal saves us money, but it has also been a challenge from time to time.  For example going to the grocery store in America, we have practically no seasonal items; everything you want is available year round due to the global market. In Spain shopping is not that way! You eat what is in season; if you can find imported, out of season items, they are pricey. You cannot find okra, artichokes are everywhere but they are so small I wouldn't know how to prepare them, no Velveeta for making macaroni and cheese and I have not been successful in finding a replacement, no clearly labeled half and half for coffee- picking the correct percentage of cream for our coffee has been a weekly challenge.


We have adapted to our environment, eating at least five baguettes a week, drinking espresso on the regular, and serving a variety of cheeses on a platter with wine as a meal. I do miss some things from the states that are not replicable; such as traditional Mexican cuisine; a foreign treat NOWHERE to be found near Calp! We eat three squares a day, we are not starving or anything, we are simply limited in what meals we can make.  My husband tells me I have a lavish pallet, compared to a man that could eat bread for every meal, I guess I do. Planning a menu, grocery shopping, and cooking are things I truly enjoy and Spain has put my skills to the test is all I'm saying.

Jane Fonda eat your heart out!
Its okay to laugh! We did!

I have a much larger sweet tooth than my husband! I never really noticed how my body craves sugar until I we started a daily workout routine. Making me more cautious about what I consume and when.  Knowing your body and its subtle warning signs takes time. I am learning how to listen to what my body needs and when.  I can actually feel when I need to drink water, I notice when my blood sugar is low, and I have been able to adjust the times of the day I eat, which has increased my energy level. What has not changed is how much I miss my brother-in-law’s homemade ice cream! Store bought will never satisfy me again! Thanks Josh :*).

Chocolate Chip Brick 

I miss baking edible cookies. I made chocolate chip plaster, that was an utter failure! I had to eyeball the ingredients because we have been unsuccessful in our attempts to buy standard measuring cups and I don't know how to cook with metric utensils.  The cookies melted together, never rising, forming one massive cookie sheet. After only a few hours they were hard as a brick.  They tasted like buttery sugar...yuck!

Black Cherry Cobbler

 My new favorite dessert, mainly because it is hard to mess up, is cobbler.  The recipe is simple and locally grown black cherries make it a real treat. I plan on paying close attention to any cooking lessons from my Aunt Maria when they arrive.  She has a reputation in the family for being an amazing cook; I hope she doesn't mind showing me a thing or two about Spanish cuisine.  

May 29, 2013

As you get older people seem to not like celebrating their own birthday, but no one seems to mind attending a party when celebrating someone else getting older. Lucky for us today was such an occasion.  Our British friends threw a shindig of a birthday party today celebrating Dorothy’s 70^th. 

Dorothy and Me after she opened the gift
from us

Do not jump to conclusions about this party because it was nothing like what you would expect in America.  There was no bingo and shuffleboard, it was quite the production.  There was live music, dancing, a full spread of food, a full bar and three stocked refrigerators full of booze. The party began at 2:00pm and continued well into the night with no signs of slowing when we headed out around 9:30pm.  Friends and family flew in from all over the United Kingdom for this celebration of life. 

The stage for dancing and live music

 No detail went unnoticed, from the beautifully landscaped yard down to custom printed napkins.  We drank, ate, and chatted the day away.  The guest were overly interested in our love story, our decision to sell all of our things and come to Europe, and many of them extended an invitation for us to stay with them in their homes and be shown around their town or city in the UK.  

Graham pulling out the pastas 

We were treated to a traditional British dish known as pastas and mushy peas.  The ‘pastas’ looked like puff pastry style pot pie; inside they were filled with mashed potatoes and corn beef. The mushy peas aren't the most appealing to the eye but they sure are tasty.  We gobbled up the food so quickly I scalded my mouth.  

At the bar enjoying
British Pastas & Mushy Peas

The day passed on as we listened to them sing traditional English hits, Elvis Presley, and Neil Diamond.  Everyone was “lovely” if I may steal a little British lingo. Graham and Dorothy have a beautiful custom built outdoor bar and I felt right at home playing bartender for the day serving up cocktails; the most requested beverages were G&T ( gin and tonic) or a bubbly glass of cava ( sparkling champagne)  

Ross soaking up travel recommendations

We were given specific travel advice from a few guests that travel Europe often. Italy was highly praised by many of them for its beauty and history, bearing in mind the warning of how expensive it was to tour.  Before retreating home I made sure to collect everyone’s contact details while Ross thanked everyone for such a wonderful time.  Dorothy and Graham have won a place in our hearts and we will never forget them. They exude humility; they are genuine, worldly, and delightfully gregarious.  Hopefully we they will visit us in the states so we can show them the same hospitality! 

Soul Searching & Urban Exploration

May 19, 2013

This afternoon we watched a beautiful black stingray swim into a calm cove we were sunbathing in. At least 50 people gasped at the sight in awe; nature was before us in a very up close and personal way.  As I thought to myself, how cool it was to see something so natural and rare…my moment of bliss was ruined as a child picked up a rock and threw it at the sea creature. Instantly I yelled, “stop that…why would you?” My voice fell on deaf ears, the child bent over grabbing another rock to strike the animal again. No one else seemed to care; the child did not even look back at us before he hurled the stone at the stingray again, missing it this time as animal quickly swam back out to sea. Ross chimed in with “Hey kid I would not do that again if I were you!” The boy laughed while gaining some cheap admiration from the other children around him; all the while we were disgusted with his behavior and the lack of concern from any other adults around. 

The lesson learned from this is that children are not connected to nature in the same way that I was as a kid.  Outside was my paradise! Climbing trees, swimming, playing in the dirt were all things I did to release energy; I didn't know at the time but now I can say that was how I relaxed. Some of you may disagree but being a kid is stressful….it was for me….and today I can only imagine it is worse. Today our ideas of summer camps exclude education about plants and animals in exchange for fat camp and computer camp. Let’s be honest and call them what they really are: a few weeks of parental vacation. My parents signed me up for sports for the social interaction with other children; making me appreciates the outdoors for as long as possible. They did not pressure me to become the next super star of blah, blah activity. In today’s society recess time is being cut, intramural sports are viewed as a waste of academic time, and playing in the neighborhood is seen as dangerous by most parents.

As modernity and technology take over our world we must not forget that having a strong connection to nature’s beauty is crucial. Otherwise disconnect will continue to grow, as will children’s lack of understanding about where things come from.  Belief that food comes from the grocery store rather than a farm, the idea that the only thing that grows on trees is money because they have no clue what value is, and the belief that science holds all that answers. Would making your children turn off their Ipad’s when driving along scenic road laced with mountains and creeks be a better option? Perhaps swap a trip to the amusement park for a camping trip, where they can be taught not to fear the creepy crawly things? Educate them of nature’s dangers while showing them how to embrace the beauty of its creation. Preservation & Conservation are KEY!  If you share these concerns I recommend reading “Last Child Left in the Woods” it will shed more light on this topic and surely open your eyes to this rapidly growing concern.   

May 20, 2013

Stock Image

 They say that home is where the heart is….the origin of that saying is unknown to me but I know it’s a common expression used when someone is experiencing feelings of sadness related to being away from our comforts and conveniences of home.

As a child I rarely remember such a feeling. Although I had a number of friends that could never sleep over the entire night, they would get sad, or scared, leading to a late night phone call to their parents requesting to be picked up. Perhaps these feelings are unfamiliar because we moved  so often; I adapted quickly to change, or  my home-like comforts were simple objects like a pillow or doll. I feel, you make your home wherever you find joy. What I consider home has little to do with comforts and conveniences and more to do with being with someone who makes me feel safe, full of life, and free to express myself in whatever fashion I feel like at any moment.

To my surprise I'm feeling a little “homesick,” with that comes feelings of confusion and weakness. Why now? After being gone for about a month and a half?  Is it because I have no daily routine here? Or that I am living, for the most part, stress free?  It is odd to believe that I feel more at home when I am in a state of panic, with constant concern and something to bitch about.  DING…that’s it! I'm not ‘homesick’ I'm uncomfortable being “freedom rich.” 

Is there anyone else out there that feels they stray away from change because they would lose the ability to complain? That they would feel unlike themselves because we have grown so accustomed to running around chasing deadlines. Did we forget how blessed we are to be alive? Life is not supposed to be the “woe is me” story, although we feel we are trapped in one.

Our true home is the present moment. If we really live in the moment, our worries and hardships will disappear and we will discover life with all its miracles.

Real life can only be found and touched in the here and now. This is because the present moment is the only moment we can actually experience and influence. The past is over and the future has not yet arrived. Since the present moment is the only real moment for us, we can always return here to get in touch with the wonders of life.

As long as we are consumed with our everyday problems, distress about the present, holding regrets about the past, or constantly worrying about the future, we cannot be free people; we are not able to live in the here and now.  I encourage you to break free with me and start living as if each day is another day in paradise, doing whatever you can to free others from their daily anguish. 

May 21, 2013 

Have you ever heard of ‘urban exploration?’ I had not either! Ross stumbled across it on Reddit.com awhile back when looking at some pictures of the Chernobyl nuclear accident sight in Russia. Basically, it is when you go explore an area that once was urban and since has been abandoned for either reason’s known, like in the Chernobyl case, or perhaps unknown like in our experience. 

Rainy cold weather makes getting out of the house nearly impossible, which enhances feelings of cabin fever.  When not painting or reading, watching TV is not really an option because we only get three channels that can be translated into English. Since our arrival in Calpe we have watched seasons one through four of The Sopranos to pass the time. Today we took the weather with stride adventuring out of the house for a while.  We decided to give ‘urban exploration’ a try, considering the number of run down, abandoned properties we have passed when driving through the countryside.  I should have known that the cold wet day would add to the eerie creepiness of this type of exploring. 

Bar Area

As we walked into the first building, it looked like a kitchen except it was dark, damp, cold and smelled of mildew. I felt a cold gust of wind, giving me goose bumps from head to toe. The ceilings were caving in, the floors littered with trash and debris. In another room we found liquor and wine bottles scattered but not broken, some empty, some still full.

Seating for patrons 

There were broken card tables, napkin holders, and menu boards. The more we investigated we concluded this was an abandoned bar/restaurant.  The shelves were falling off the green painted walls. Dust coated every item we touched. There was a large calendar hung on the wall, a dated business transaction log, and stacks of newspapers that stated the year 1992.



Twenty years ago for some reason this place was closed down and it was never thoroughly cleaned out, yet it was not trashed from vandalism either. I’m sure it had been a safe haven for a few homeless and a gold mine to any wino, due to the amount of alcohol left behind.  The most interesting items we found included old Spanish coins, the outside toilet with intact vintage TT paper, and a crate of mineral water, in which the minerals had actually crystallized making them visible in the bottles. It was like walking back in time, our imagination filling in reasons why it could have been closed and left this way.

                                                                                                                                         

Workshop Bench

The second place we wandered through was a deserted house. As we walked onto the property we saw an empty, overgrown pool with the rusted ladder still in place. It was full of leaves, a layer of algae glazed water, and broken tree limbs.  The lot was rather large; it seemed to have been used for crop growing since the once neat rows of olive and almond trees were hard to identify. We turned the corner to enter the building from the back side, yelling “hola” in case a scavenger had made this their residence.

I dare you to eat those olives!

There was a large workshop bench that held hundreds of mason jars. I assume they canned their own produce because there were still a few jars full of olives. Over the years nature has taken back this space because vines covered in thorns and weeds took over the walls, ceiling and floors. Again this space was littered with trash, speckled with broken glass. Above the fireplace hung a framed portrait of Jesus Christ.  The bedroom still set up for living with an old wooden dresser, closet- containing jeans and jackets, and multiple mattresses stacked on top of one another. Just through another doorway took us to a makeshift shed that inside sheltered a 1970s camping caravan.  I don't know what I was thinking but I got inside and dug around for awhile fearful every second that a rat might run out. Here we also found old Spanish coins, a silver rosary, framed hand painted Spanish tile, and a vintage license plate.

Spanish Coins

Religious Relic 

Vintage Licence Plate

Painted Spanish Tile

Mysterious Keys 

My leg trembled every moment we were inside these scary yet interesting spaces; all in all the day was exhilarating and we got some unique “free” souvenirs.  I would definitely do it again, although I'd prefer a sunny warm afternoon for sure. If this sounds like fun to you, try it but keep a few things in mind: never break into a space, only enter if able to without force, be careful of wild animals or inhabitants showing up angry,  never leave any trace of being there so you do not get in trouble for trespassing, and bring some plastic gloves, if you plan on touching stuff, a flashlight is also useful.

Rocking & Rolling Andalusian Style

Seville, Spain

View of Seville from Giralda Tower

The Andalusia region of Spain is rich in history and cultural tradition. It expresses dramatic changes in its geography and illustrates varied cultural identities.

On our way to Seville we experienced the continually changing landscape first hand. In a mere 31 miles we saw the subtropical coast of the Province of Granada, the snow covered peaks of the Sierra Nevada Mountain range, and the Tabernas Desert (the only desert in all of Europe). Every moment of our six hour drive from Calpe to Seville was eye catching and left us in awe.  Nearly 50% of this region is cultivated for agriculture.

Sierra Nevada Mountain Range

 The picturesque countryside is blanketed with fields of wheat, sunflowers not yet in bloom, rows of corn, and cotton. While the rolling hills and flat plains draw the eye into the distance following endless rows of olive trees and wind turbines; creating renewable energy for the region.  

Plaza de Espana 

Seville is the 4^th largest city in Spain therefore we couldn't possibly see and learn about everything it has to offer in four days- nor could I fit it all into a blog format.  So let me share with you the things we did learn and see including: the center of the city, a number of the Spanish plazas, Seville Cathedral, Giralda Tower, Casa de Pilatos, Alcazar, and a traditional Flamenco show.

La Macarena Wall

Once we settled into our temporary home – a nice apartment we rented using AirBnB- we were determined to see the layout of the city while deciding what sights were worth revisiting for a closer look. Overwhelmed would be a good way to express our initial impression of Seville.






It was challenging to stop myself from snapping pictures because every street, building, garden, and corner offers excitement to our senses.  The beauty is endless in this city- not like others we have visited where you must track down the beautiful parts hidden beneath the litter and graffiti. 

Wrought iron bars cover every window

Sevillian Restaurant Decor 

Statues of Hercules & Julius Ceasar 

Seville is said to have been found by Hercules in Greek mythology but its historical fame began after Christopher Columbus returned from discovering America. 300 years as a shipping port to America made it the wealthiest and most influential region in all of Spain.

Cathedral Entrance

Tomb of Christopher Columbus 

Inside the Cathedral we saw the tomb of Christopher Columbus’s which houses his remains.  Although this topic has been widely debated in 2006 DNA testing was done and it was determined these are the remains of Christopher himself.

Back of Cathedral 

The Cathedral’s construction began in 11^th century as a Mosque built by the Moors but has evolved in architecture until the 19^th Century.  It is the most extensive gothic cathedral found in the entire world. The Cathedral Treasure, the High Altar, and the Giralda Bell Tower are worth mentioning for their exquisite décor and spectacular views.  

Giralda Bell Tower

Cathedral Corridor

Treasure Room

High Altar

Top of Bell Tower

Gothic Architecture

View from Giralda Tower

Casa de Pilatos

Casa de Pilatos illustrates 16^th century Gothic and Mudejar  meaning Islamic style- architecture used when building an Andalusian palace.  The walls are covered in hand painted ceramic tiles, the ceiling are ornately carved, the rooms filled with Greek and Roman statues, and the gardens alive with pools and bubbling fountains.  It was interesting but not worth 16 euro we paid to go inside.

Roman Royalty 

Mudejar style Architecture

Garden at Casa de Pilatos

Ceramic tiled walls & Carved ceilings

The Real Alcazar was built in the 14^th Century and today is the oldest Royal residence still in use.  This royal palace, known for its extensive gardens, welcomed Christopher Columbus and was at one time home to King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella.

Temple in Alcazar

Mercury's Pool

Alcazar Garden 

Terrace overlooking the grounds

The Bath in Alcazar

We enjoyed Mercury's pool- filled with huge fish that had not problem being petting or hand fed- the underground bath -which made us appreciate hot water and indoor plumbing- and the Tapestry Room- housing tractor trailer size hand sewn murals illustrating conquest and religious traditions.

Tapestry Room 

Flamenco and bullfighting originated in the Andalusia region. Recently bullfighting interests have declined –taking a backseat to more humane activities- while flamenco has grown to be an international sensation. After experiencing a traditional flamenco show we understand its increase in popularity.








The guitar music has an unmistakable rhythm, the dance is erotic and strenuous, and the vocals are passionate and drawn out. We highly recommend seeing a traditional flamenco show if you ever have the opportunity. Check out the video clip below to see for yourself.

Our four days in Seville opened our eyes to Spain in a new light. Seeing history and tradition amidst a modern functioning city was a delightful treat. There never was a dull moment because there is so much to do and see. It is close to beautiful mountains- for hiking/camping- it is only two hours from the beach-, Africa is easily accessible if one is drawn to more exotic travel, and it is only a few hours from Portugal.  This is the first place we visited were we could actually see ourselves living.



Gibraltar 

The rock of Gibraltar has been called the “Pillar of Hercules” based on the legend of the creation of the Strait of Gibraltar in Greek mythology. There is evidence of Neanderthal habitation in between 128,000 and 24,000 BC based on artifacts found at Gorham's Cave, making Gibraltar the last known holdout of the Neanderthals. Today it is known simply as “The Rock.” It is densely populated with nearly 30,000 people – who call themselves Gibraltarians- living on only 2.6 square miles.

Cannon hole overlooking Spain from The Rock                            

Throughout history it has been a desirable piece of land. It has faced a number of invasions but the most notable being the Great Siege of Gibraltar- an unsuccessful attempt by Spain and France to capture Gibraltar from Britain. 

Siege Tunnels

                                                           

During WWII the rock was known as a British fortress offering the British military great protection as well as control of the entrance to Europe by land and by sea. Inside the Rock of Gibraltar itself, miles of tunnels were excavated from the limestone. Masses of rock were blasted out to build an "underground city". In huge man-made caverns, barracks, offices, and a fully equipped hospital were constructed. Today it is still an overseas British territory were oddly enough they drive on the right side of the road and not the left. 

Narrow streets

Full Coverage

Thinking Macaque

On the rock there are 500 species of flowering plants and at the top there is a nature reserve that is home to around 230 Barbary Macaques- the only wild population of monkeys found in Europe.

Chip Thief 

 These moneys are not aggressive unless you have visible food. When we were driving into St. Michaels cave I had my car window rolled down. There was an empty bag of chips stuffed in the car door… all of the sudden a macaque jumped on the back of the car, ran across the roof, hung off the side mirror while coming inside the car to steal the chip bag. Unfortunately for him I had eaten all the chips but he gave me a rather unexpected scare.

We had planned on taking a cable car up the rock but due to bad winds this was not an option. It was so chilly that I wore a beach towel as a shaw to stay warm for the rest of the day.

Windy 

So we decided to drive up instead. Included in our ticket price- 13 Gibraltar pounds each- we could visit all the attractions the rock has to offer.
























We began with St. Michaels Cave- a stalagmite and stalactite wonderland- that is used today as a concert hall because of its natural acoustics. As we toured the glorious cave we enjoyed the echoing sounds of classical music, staggered across a puddle ridden floor, and basked in the colored lights set to display the cave’s deepest corners.

Amphitheater Seating

Sand Castles in the Sky

Stalagmites & Stalactites grown to form a solid column

Look hard and you can see
Africa

From there we hiked to the top of the rock with hopes of a clear view of Africa, but the weather did not work in our favor again. Instead we found the Mediterranean Steps- about 321 stairs down – making it 642 stairs when hiking to the bottom and back up which we did. The wind was less fierce on the Mediterranean side compared to the Atlantic side. 

Top of Mediterranean Steps

Mediterranean Steps 

Ross Climbing mini-rock

 The views of Gibraltar were spectacular, the fauna was more colorful than a rainbow, and oldness radiated from the steps and the WWII bunkers along the hike. Once at the bottom we had a picnic lunch and watched the seagulls float on the wind. Just as we started to climb back up rain clouds joined us, the wind picked up, and we were greeted by a family of macaques- they must have smelled the PB&J we just ate. 

Zoe & Joey taking a break

Cave Exploration 

Once we made it back to the car we drove to the Siege Tunnels to do some inside exploring to get out of the rain. They were much more interesting than I originally expected because I am not war buff but the circumstances in which soldiers lived and worked in were rather impressive.

Scared the crap out of us because it yelled...
"Halt! Who goes there" as we passed by. 

Protected by War Curtains

Life of Siege Soldiers

Lighthouse at Europa Point

Because of the bad weather we drove to sightsee around the rest of Gibraltar. We visited Europa Point, where the Mediterranean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean meet. This was another viewpoint in which we should have been able to see Africa but could not. 

Mosque on the Mediterranean Sea

1st evidence of Courage family ties in Britain

Casemates Square

Before leaving to head back to Seville we made our way to Casemates Square and enjoyed a nice warm meal. Ross had been highly anticipating British fish and chips and he most definitely was not disappointed. 

Fish & Chip served with Mushy Peas