What makes a family!

I rode a few miles out of town to find this place I had read about in San Miguel. It is a girls home where 32 girls ages 4-16 live, love, laugh, play, cry, sleep, eat, study and support each other. The place is all run by private donations and the VERY hard work of some incredible nuns and volunteers. One Volunteer Robin from Texas who has made this her life passion is a woman who I have GREAT respect and admiration for. She never wanted children and one day as she puts it God told her to find purpose. She did and is now going above and beyond to give these girls a chance in life where before they have been abandoned, taken away from their unfit homes or have lost both parents. As you walk in to this place you can truly feel the joy and love of the girls. They walked up shook my hand said hello in English and all had beautiful smiles. Robin gave me a tour explaining how things worked. An image I will never forget was walking into a room or dormitory and seeing all the beds each having a dresser next to it. On the dresser was the girls personal things, all their little "alters". It reminded me of the movie I loved so much Annie. In the little girls room a nun sleeps with them, this also told me this woman has given her life to these girls raising not one but 32 girls. She awakes at 5am and rarely gets to sleep before 12am. How hard they work but you would never know looking at their faces. They smile and have such patience with all of them. One girl really a woman was left at the home a few years ago, 24 year old Alma which means soul. She is severally mentally challenged, I saw her from a distant and she grabbed my soul. I sat down next to her, she grabbed my hand so tightly and giggled. Robin told me this was not normal for her and I immediately thought of the gifts my mother has passed on to me in playing and working with handicapped people. I sat with her for 10 minutes sometimes speaking in Spanish but mostly just showing her I knew she was there and I already loved her so much. As I went to leave she kept shaking her head and would not let my hand go. Tears welled up as wanted to protect and love her for the rest of my life. All the girls really…. They already have girls with Scholarships to Harvard and many colleges. They go to church but not just to learn about God but about Spiritually and love. As I stayed a few hours and watched how they all supported each other, there was no arguing at all. I bonded with many and have promised to return they really want to learn yoga and dance they told me. I sat on the couch as they braided my hair and asked me how much I liked Justin Bieber. They also asked if I had a boyfriend or any kids. I told them no but someday, right now I was traveling and learning more about life. One girl said one day she to wanted to travel around the world. I asked her how come, she responded "because I can". I love what these woman and the supporters are doing for these girls. I plan on returning for a few weeks in January to teach yoga but also to learn what they have to teach me. Grace, love, patience, gratitude, and play. If you have time or even $10 to spare this is a place where your dollar goes far and every penny is used to support the girls. I am extremely grateful for the day of love they showed me! 

http://www.santajulia.org/

Life in Mexico where minutes turn into hours....

To explain the last 30 days of my life is challenging because I want to put the joy of my heart into these words…… 

I started Spanish school a few weeks ago, it has been so challenging not only because I have to arrive early but sitting at a desk, raising your hand, and HOMEWORK is something I have not done for a minute or two... At the same time it feels amazing to be doing this for me. For so many years my schedule was taking care of others, helping them with their goals and future.  It has taken some adjusting  just looking out for myself, no complaints just different.  After my first week of school, I went out in the streets to put my Espanol to work. I decided I needed some new sneakers for the gym I joined. I walked into a shoe place to be greeted as always here with warm smiles and greetings. After 5 minutes I was invited to sit down and sip on tequila with the owner of the store along with his store manager. It was 12:15pm and I was sipping on tequila with my new friends talking about love….. By 1:30 and a few shots later my Spanish was really good 
( I thought) and I was learning about the love life of Carlos and his wife. They had been fighting all week, his heart was heavy I learned. He explained how they met and the many reasons why he loved her. I hugged him with tears in my eyes of learning of his beautiful life and said thank you to Carlos. He then told me to please pick out a pair of shoes. I tried to pay but he would not except. Once again this culture has taken my heart.  

I have spent days just walking the streets meeting people, learning the culture. I walked by a gallery that grabbed my attention. I walked in to be greeted by a handsome young man Rene. Ironic I thought the only other gallery I walked into the owner was also Rene. As I introduced myself and kissed his cheek a look of surprise came over him. In English he said  " you are the Hannah my father talked about" I looked at him surprised… San Miguel is small but still a city with a lot of art galleries. This was Rene's son Rene Jr, he owned this gallery. We laughed at the small world and small town.  Rene guided me through both his galleries and explained art in his words giving great detail and passion.  A few hours later he explained what it took to be a Mexican. 

1. Family and friends

2. Trust and respect

3. Time does not rule your life

4. Drinking and food

5. Family. 

I smiled as this culture is sinking deeper into my bones. 

I have to admit most of my time has been spent exploring during the day and sleeping in my cozy bed by 10pm. I have been cooking almost all my meals. I love going to the organic market, picking out fresh food then coming home to make something delicious.  On the food topic I randomly walked into a place that said fresh juice and smoothies. Inside was a vortex of goodness. I found a place called life path, Inside this beautiful old building is a place of healing.  Massage, yoga, products, counseling, and a kitchen with a chef named Alicia. Alicia was sitting in the kitchen and I walked in to introduce myself, right away I liked her so much, she reminded me of my friend Summer Bock. She was making yummy kale chips, soaking almonds and had her crock on top of her fridge with kraut. Again minutes turned into hours of conversation that lead to laughter, amazing information and the feeling of being with my girlfriends who I miss so much. I was introduced to many wonderful people and this included Eduardo a Shaman with magic hands. I made an apt to meet with him the next day, hugged the inspiring Alicia and walked home contemplating could I make a life here? 

 I have times of missing my friends very much, being away from Oceana I find the biggest challenge of all. I walk by a car every morning with an Ohio license plate that makes me smile as a good portion of my frieHaving no phone, no text, no Internet at my house, I feel very disconnected at times from those I love. At the same time it is teaching me to go deeper into my meditation, trust that those you love will be there when I truly need it and I for them. My dreams have been so beautiful, I was told San Miguel is built on top of healing crystals. If this is true or not there is something here so magical and my dreams on a nightly basis confirm this.  The part of traveling I forget that can be difficult is you want your friends and family to experience this joy, this happiness with you. So all I can do is express through writing this, hoping to share and inspire.

Heartbeats in Mexico

 I landed a few days ago in Leon Mexico at 6am. After packing a repacking my bags I realized as I walked out into the morning dawn I had overpacked. I was told by some wise people packing for 4 months is the same as packing for 5 days. I now agree and will be shipping some things back to the states :) So part of this journey after spending many years of organizing people and there lives for a living I want nothing to do with it. So  basically I have planned 3% of my trip…. As I walked out into the cool morning air the sun not yet rising the HOLY FUCKING SHIT what the heck am I doing hit me……. It was not like other airports I had been in with tons of cabs and people trying to get you into there's nope, NADA. I started to panic for a minute mostly due to lack of sleep for almost 30 hours and I had to much stuff. After spending 5 minutes outside pondering my life and all my mistakes I took a deep breath asked the universe to please help me out and headed back to the into the airport. I thought lets try this again with a better attitude….. I did a loop meet a young man with a guitar and told him lets find a cab to share. Walked out the door once again and this time an old beautiful man with a huge smile grabbed my bags we bargained for 2 minutes and off we went to San Miguel De Allende. Not only did I have some faith but Juan was such a joy and beautiful spirit who giggled at my broken Spanish. We drove around lost for over 30 minutes once we got to town but the whole time he said " no problema Anna, no problema" . Once I spotted Dawn and her adorable 6 month pregnant belly we unpacked my bags and I gave my new friend a nice tip and he hugged me like we where family. Thank you Universe and Juan. 

Dawn unlocked the door to a beautiful house, amazing gardens a rooftop for yoga and the most simple oh so cozy place I could have asked for. I was "home," I collapsed for the rest of the day after a great talk with lovely Dawn. The next day I set out to explore this place with my broken Spanish and walking shoes. The day was overcast and very peaceful, this place reminds me more of Europe like the small villages in Italy. So many retired people with little dogs, so maybe a little like Florida also :) I needed to find Spanish classes and I was bound and determined to do it old school by word of mouth! As my feet walked along the beautiful stone roads my eyes where filled with so many things, kids in uniforms, woman sweeping the streets, men washing cars, Lady's in their high heels walking the cobble stone streets (amazed) the smell of morning. I decided to walk into the art school and start there for classes. The building is a few blocks long, so old and filled with history, art and artisans. I passed by a studio and my eyes where drawn to a beautiful painting. I stared for a moment and a man appeared, " passa le porfavor" I hesitated but my feet did not.  I met Renee a local artist who was born and raised in San Miguel. He was soft spoken , easy to understand and smelled of sandalwood. He helped me with my broken Spanish and after 30 minutes of conversation I realized I did not forget everything I had learned. We talked about Art, life , traveling…. He told me about his friend who teaches Spanish above his art gallery in the Centro. I smiled and thanked him for showing me his art and the information he smiled and responded" thank you for showing me your kind eyes and open heart. " I had made a new friend. The rest of the afternoon I explored went to the organic market and met Lucia who loves to tell you about juice. Later on I met Dawn and we went to pick up her son Phillip from the bus. He is 5, attends the waldorf school here , when he speaks spanish with his bright blonde hair you just melt. The next day Dawn invited me to come with her to met her midwife Alison and see what she does. What some of you don't know is I am traveling to meet teachers, mentors who are natural healers. Alison has been a midwife for over 30 years, she grows all of her herbs and tinctures for the woman and children she works with. What a blessing, to describe this in words is a bit difficult for me. The path to her home is filled with incredible smells, the flowers are amazing, it feel like something inside of a plant/flower book. You walk into her home and can feel the power she holds. There is nothing simple about this house. The art is breathtaking, the smell of incense is burning, a spot an owl wing, drums, photos it feels like something out of Harry Potter but better. We walk up two stories as Alison opens the door we climb a small outdoor stairway to what almost looks like a treehouse, this my friends is her office!!! I was biting my cheek as not to scream I can't believe I am here, I have dreamed of places like this. We walk into a room that is so cozy you feel you have lived there forever. No florescent lights, no Dr. office smell just cozy. We all sit down with tea as Phillip plays with her wooden dollhouse and we talk baby's. Dawn was kind enough to let Alison explain everything she was doing, I sat wide eyed in awe at how little I know as a woman about child birth. I kneeled down next to Alison as she took me step by step in finding the baby's head in the belly. My heart swelled at what a miracle life is. I missed my dear friend Jill as she to is pregnant and I wanted to be this close to her. As we listened to the heartbeat Alison explained how to hear the baby's heartbeat and the heart beat of the mother in the placenta. She told Dawn this is the closest you will ever be to your baby, you are one. My eyes swelled up as motherhood came knocking at my heart. It was an epic afternoon. I asked Alison if I can come volunteer in her shop in helping make herbs and pretty much follow her around because woman life her are so rare and needed. What a blessing! So my friends if you kept up this long thank you for reading. I am curled up on my futon bed listening to the crickets sing me a lullaby and smile at how this journey so far has begun. I start Spanish lessons this week, will meet Renee to learn more about art and practice my Spanish, work with herbs and go to a thai boxing class with my new friend India, Alison's daughter. Remember your mothers for a minute as you feel your heartbeat, it's where it all begin. Cheers xxx

How to prepare to change your life

I have crawled into a borrowed bed and have flipped open my computer to write. I finished packing up my little nest of a home today, putting what I love in storage. I have two back-packs, a passport and my herbal supplements. Such bittersweet at saying goodbye to LA.... I feel such freedom in saying goodbye to my material things but my heart breaks as I leave my wonderful LA family.  My head is still spinning at the decision in which no real plans have been made as I have decided to leave everything that is comfortable behind. Taking off on an adventure of the unknown for 5 months to Mexico, Cuba, Ecuador, Columbia, Nicaragua and ending up back in Trocones Mexico to host a retreat. Friends have asked me to blog about my travels..... I have never blogged, I am a horrible speller but at times I do love to write. So for those who are interested I am honored if you follow this journey of mine. I leave October 9th for San Miguel de Allende to visit my friend Dawn and her son. I am looking forward to the journey into the unknown and my only expectations are to have none. Be in the moment, learn Spanish and enjoy what life has to offer. My list of errands to run are long but my list of places to travel are longer. I take a deep breath, give thanks for my life and prepare for a change!