Stranded in Paradise....Part 1

    Paradise.  Do you have a destination that speaks of paradise?  My Love and I traveled to paradise and what a trip it was!

      T. had always wanted to visit the South Pacific and when the movie Hurricane
 came out in 1979 starring Mia Farrow we knew we had to go.  Granted the movie wasn't great but the scenery was amazing.  We talked and talked about how we could go, how we could make it happen.  With some clever maneuvers we figured out a way.


     We went to our travel agent who helped us with our honeymoon trip two years before, and came home with the knowledge that we would be setting off very soon to the exotic islands of Tahiti, Bora Bora and Moorea.  Such dreams we had of what it would be like.  I could only imagine how much T. would love this trip!  This destination that had talked to much about and longed to visit.

     Our trip began in Oakland, California flying to Los Angeles where we had a layover till our flight departed after midnight.  From Los Angeles we flew to Papeete, Tahiti where we planned to stay for three days.  Three days too long.  

     We landed in Papeete at 5:00 A.M. at the Faa's International Airport.   It was very small with one large waiting area that was filled once our airplane was emptied.  Walking outside with our suitcase we caught a Tahitian version of Le Truck to The Maeva Beach Hotel.  Le Truck had open air windows with bench seats on either side. There were many stops along the way letting people off and people on.  Everyone spoke French except the tourists. 

Le Truck ~ not my photo but what a Le Truck looks like

     When we arrived at the hotel our room was not ready since it was very early in the morning, so we walked around the grounds.  Did I mention how humid it was?  And fragrant!  Such lovely flowers that grow in the tropics.  Birds were making sounds that I had never heard before though I could not see any of them.  Morning sounds of wake up.  No one except the front desk staff were to be seen and it felt like we had the whole place to ourselves.  


   
     Eventually we were able to get our room and to have some breakfast.  While we were doing that we were robbed.  Yes, housekeeping or someone had come to our room and gone through our bag.  We didn't even think this would happen to us and at least it was a small amount of cash.  A big lesson I learned to not leave any cash or traveler's checks in our room.  I should have remembered this from our honeymoon to Europe where we always wore a money belt.  The remainder of our trip we carried all of it on us always. 

View from our room ~ Papeete

     This hotel was part of our tour package and not the accommodations we looked forward to which was to come when we went to Bora Bora and Moorea.  Those would be thatch huts with a beach beckoning us outside our door.  Coconut trees swaying and a lagoon to snorkel in was what we had been dreaming of.  Yet here we were in a nice hotel with time to visit botanical gardens, catch a catered lunch with Tahitian dancing, and dine at Le Belvedere, a restaurant on the top of one of the high hills with a gorgeous view at sunset.  We went to the open air market one day which was a bit too aromatic for me and lazed by the large hotel pool.  Funny how what I enjoyed at age 21 is so different for me if I was to be there now!


    We arrived back to airport three days later to take a plane to the Island of Bora Bora.  I need to explain....the Tahitian's have no concept of time.  Plans happen whenever.  The airplane will leave...whenever.  We were on time to catch our plane and it did leave,  just not on time.  We quickly learned in the three days while in Papeete that you need to put the watch away, relax and enjoy the moment or better yet enjoy yourself for as long as you want.  All the locals are, how to politely say... slow.  Slo-mo.  Once you learn this new concept you can begin to have a good time and not be bothered by how life is in paradise. 


     The airport on Bora Bora sits on an atoll, which is a coral reef island that partially circles the island.  The landing strip outside our plane window showed us water on both sides of it, one side ocean and the other side a gorgeous lagoon.  A narrow strip of land that you pray the pilot can land on and not land in the water.  This island was used as a military supply base during World War II and the airstrip looked like it was that old.  

Yep me!  Bora Bora at the airport.

    The sheer beauty as we disembarked the plane was breathtaking.  The incredible shades of blue in the lagoon are because of the sandy bottom of  various depth.  The middle of the island rises up in a striking rugged display for us to wonder at what it looks like amongst the thick foliage.  It felt like we had landed on a deserted island.  One other couple got off the plane with us before it headed off to another island.  We wondered how we were getting off the atoll and onto the island when we escorted to a fishing boat, our bags placed on deck, we climbed on board with the other couple and off we went with fishing lines trailing behind us.

    

Sudden Light

While on our weekend getaway at the place we stayed for the night...there is a lovely tranquil meadow we look out upon.  The light in the sky as the day shifts from midday to late afternoon, the peacefulness of the sheep as they grazed....all so simple and quiet.  


This poem for you to mull...and those who may know of Rossetti's poems...I chose the other version of the last stanza...

                    Sudden Light

          I have been here before,
              But when or how I cannot tell:
          I know the grass beyond the door,
              The sweet keen smell,
    The sighing sound, the lights around the shore. 

          You have been mine before,—
              How long ago I may not know:
          But just when at that swallow's soar
              Your neck turned so,
    Some veil did fall,—I knew it all of yore. 

Then, now,—perchance again! . . . .
              O round mine eyes your tresses shake!
          Shall we not lie as we have lain
              Thus for Love's sake,
    And sleep, and wake, yet never break the chain? 

         
Dante Gabriel Rossetti (1828-1882)

To the sea...

To the sea...
   to breathe in  the sea breeze,
     let it play with my hair where it will swirl
        up, and around,
        salty lips, veiled skin of sand and sea
        I will not wash away.

To the sea...
    where my heart has always held close
        memories of sitting on the beach,
        fingers and hands making sandcastles,
        where I lie upon the warm sand so deep, 
        bathed in sunlit rays to wash over me,
        to daydream.

To the sea...
     to feel the pounding waves as they crash
       upon the sandy shore
       my heart feeling each wave as it begins their crescendo
       the release of the diminuendo
       the calm, the sizzle of the water in the sand as it
       dissolves away.


To the sea....
     where at night the lights around the shore
       sparkle like the stars above,
       a fairy world of enchantment,
       lovers held close as they embrace,
       stolen kisses give way to generous bestowment.


To the sea....
     ever will I come and drink you in,
        my eyes fill up the blue green shades of
        her depth in shady pools,
        the shattering foam that spills from waves
        the dancing birds on spindly legs,
        the glint that blinds me while it warms me
        with it's the daylight twinkle


To the sea...
     my release of the world complete,
       rebirth, renewal complete,
       my transformation of a nymph
       to my human soul.
     
     

Squeeze

"And squeeze, and squeeze.  Just nine more.  And nine, and eight, and seven....just one left..."

I decided I had to try the class.  I had talked about and never got the nerve to do it and yesterday morning I know longer was going to talk, I was going to do it.  On Monday I had called the "Dailey Method" that is in our town and talked to a very pleasant woman.  I shared with her my concerns of doing the class because of my broken wrist from August, the tendonitis in my other arm and my neck issue.  She explained that I would fill out a form and explain my issues which would be updated on their computer and that the instructor would see this as it would be highlighted in red.  The areas that I might have trouble with then would be modified for me.  This sounded great and gave me no excuse to not try it.  I asked which class was the least crowded in the event of having the instructor being able to help me if I needed it.  That was the 11:00 A.M. class.  

"Now hold it, and squeeze, and squeeze..."

The receptionist greets me as I walk in the door.  We talk chitchat a bit and then I fill out the form that asks the usual information as well as any health concerns.  She encourages me to take a look around before the class time begins.  I note they have a neat, small locker room with a large mirror on one wall.  Around the corner of that room is a shower and a restroom.  They have a childcare room as well as another restroom.  White walls and high ceilings with skylights let in natural light.  There are large format photographs of children on the wall which makes me think someone who owns or goes here must do photography on the side.  

"Keep the ball between you thighs, go up on your toes.  Tip your pelvis and squeeze and squeeze..."

Another door opens and many women walk out from the previous class.    The air is warm, much warmer than I expected.  I am bothered by this as I had heard that you barely break a sweat in this class.  I wonder how hot this place will be in the summer.  I had read about the "Dailey Method" which is a similar type class as the "Bar Method", as one of intense, concentrated, repetitions of movement that work muscles that one normally cannot work by simple exercise that most of us do.  That it would work on lengthening, toning  and strengthening the muscles, especially the thighs and butt.  Sweating was not part of the deal.  It takes roots from ballet, yoga and pilates as it incorporates many of the same moves.  Well, I love ballet barre work and I love yoga so this sounded like a great mix.  

"Go higher on your toes.  Keep your back straight, shoulders down and tilt and squeeze...and squeeze"

We begin with marching in place with knees high.  So far so good.  Then we add arms.  We add light weights and I am still okay but I was getting warm.  I sure wish we could open the french door and some of the windows that circled two walls of the room.   The fresh air would feel so good.  The ceiling fans above are on low.

The fatigue begins to set in as we move farther in the class.  I find that they do many of the signature moves while in a plank position as well as doing push ups.  Now all this would be great except for my wrist,  that held up pretty well but I didn't have any desire to push it.  In fact I paced myself carefully having heard how sore one could get.  I had no intention of making myself be unable to move the next day.  

I can feel my body twitching with these new awakened muscles.  Really!  There are just enough repetitions to burn and make the muscles quiver.  I had to break many times.  No one else in the class did.  I didn't compare myself to anyone but I felt like the kid in P.E. who couldn't do what the teacher asked of him to do.

Speaking of the instructor.  She is young and her legs look strong.  She dons a headset and gives us the instructions.  I have a hard time following her as there is pounding music in the background.  That kind of music with a beat that goes with the squeeze.  She comes several times to me to encourage me and to correct a position I don't have.  

Half way through the class I realized that I will not be signing up for this.  In fact I realize that with all we have done I can certainly do yoga once more.  I would really prefer yoga to this.  My neck is not bothered though I am being very careful to not get tight in the shoulders.  I find this a relief and just focus on getting through what I perceive will be the half way mark to the finish.

The last half is an awkward, slightly slouched position against the mirror with the barre above us.  I cannot get the position.   I don't feel this is right for my back and neck.  We are to raise our legs in front of us, like a V shape, tighten our abs and squeeze up.  Right.  My abs have worn out.  I flake out during this part.  Nope.  I will not do this and do it wrong.

Give me the "child's pose" thank you.  Let me stretch it all out.  Thank you....ahhhh.

Tortilla Soup

I fixed a Mexican dinner over the weekend and tried three new recipes.  I think I was forgetting that is a bit crazy to do, especially for me but it all turned out well.  I was bone tired once I prepared all the dishes but I sat down with my afternoon Latte which revived me before the guests arrived.

I found this recipe online and would do it again as it turned out so tasty and the presentation is beautiful.  So here goes and hope you give it a try.

Tortilla Soup

1 T. vegetable oil
1 medium onion, chopped
1 large clove of garlic, minced
2 tsp. of chili powder
2 qts. of chicken stock
1 T. of lime juice
1 lime to serve sliced with finished soup
4 boneless, skinless, chicken breasts
1 (14.5 oz.) can diced fire roasted tomatoes
1 C. corn (if you can get fresh use that or use frozen)
6 corn tortillas, cut in strips  (use good quality homemade style) prepare ahead *
2 medium avocados, diced
Queso Fresco, for topping on the soup before serving
1/2 C. cilantro leaves

1.  Heat the oil in a large pot over medium heat.  Add the onion and cook for about 5 minutes, until soft.

2.  Add the garlic and chili powder.  Add the chicken stock and bring the mixture to a boil.  Then reduce to low.  Add the lime juice.

3.  Place the chicken breasts into the chili / stock and allow it to poach.  This will give it a delicious flavor.  Cover the pot and let the chicken cook until it is very tender.

4.  Remove the chicken from the stock and set aside to cool.

5.  Raise the heat to medium, then add the fire roasted tomatoes (I mashed them before I put them in the stock) and the corn.  Cover and let them cook in the broth for about 10 minutes.

6.  Turn heat to low and let it simmer awhile, keeping covered.

7.  Shred chicken with two forks, keep covered and warm.

*Cut the corn tortillas into strips.  Brush lightly with olive oil and sprinkle with a bit of kosher salt.  Bake in oven till crisp at 350 degrees.  Check so they don't get too brown

To assemble the soup.   Put some of the shredded warm chicken in each bowl.  Ladle soup on top.  Add the diced avocado on top along with the cilantro leaves and queso fresco and lastly the tortilla strips.  Squeeze some lime juice on top.  Enjoy!

***As a note:  I find that the soup can cool down while assembling so make sure you keep the soup real hot as well as keeping the chicken warm after shredding.  Have all the toppings ready to be put on.  Also one could add black beans to the soup which I might try next time. 

A Sunday here in Danville

What words when pictures say so much?  We had a dusting of snow and I have trees in blossom.

Enough...I just need to pause and look....

Come live with me and be my Love

The Passionate Shepherd to His Love

Come live with me and be my Love,

And we will all the pleasures prove

That hills and valleys, dale and field,

And all the craggy mountains yield.

There will we sit upon the rocks

And see the shepherds feed their flocks,

By shallow rivers, to whose falls

Melodious birds sing madrigals.

There will I make thee beds of roses

And a thousand fragrant posies,

A cap of flowers, and a kirtle

Embroider'd all with leaves of myrtle.

A gown made of the finest wool

Which from our pretty lambs we pull,

Fair linèd slippers for the cold,

With buckles of the purest gold.

A belt of straw and ivy buds

With coral clasps and amber studs:

And if these pleasures may thee move,

Come live with me and be my Love.

Thy silver dishes for thy meat

As precious as the gods do eat,

Shall on an ivory table be

Prepared each day for thee and me.

The shepherd swains shall dance and sing

For thy delight each May-morning:

If these delights thy mind may move,

Then live with me and be my Love.

~ C. Marlowe~ What a week....we had a call from our daughter K.   I am all a flutter....our dear K. has told us that she and B. are to be married!  Oh what joy to my Love and I...