Present

I can feel myself becoming more present than I have ever before, and I realize this was a big part of why I went on this journey. I feel like I am living in a dream...I am in awe as life unfolds before me...it is overwhelming and at the same time I feel completely calm...a change is happening that I am unable to describe in words.

I took the train from Rome to Ostuni Puglia. I learned that train doors do not open by themselves as the train began to depart from the station I was supposed to get off of, lolol! Man I was freaking out! I ran through that train so fast. Fortunately, my wwoof host Mary had a cell phone. I was able to get off at the next stop and return within an hour.

Mary pulls up and the first thing I notice, besides her bright blue eyes and warm smile, was Raam Daas playing and an "Om Namah Shivaya" sticker on the dashboard! And that was just the beginning. I am living in an area that is known for its Trulli houses...the home I am staying is one such house and the room I sleep in is the Trulli...pyramid power!!! I realize that this is probably the nicest place I will stay while on my trip, lol. It is not so much a farm, but I have been helping harvest almonds (which are amazing! seriously everything tastes different here) and chestnuts. The primary crop they have is olives, though I will not be here for the olive harvest, since I have already committed to helping a farm in Sicily.

What has been the most amazing is that I have been led directly into my purpose and also the Vedic tradition. How incredible is it that I end up staying with a woman who teaches yoga and has been studying the Veda for most of her life. I landed here two days before the sacred period of The Nine Days of Mother Divine, and it just so happens that my host lives near a Babaji Ashram where they are performing Yagyas (spiritual ceremonies)for the duration! (a link with some info: http://www.akhandjyoti.org/?Akhand-Jyoti/2003/Sept-Oct/AshwinNavaratri/ ) When we left the ashram this morning we went to visit some friends to bring them prasad (blessed food) and I was introduced to a man "who had lived in America." I asked him where he lived, and when he said Nebraska, I was like "What?" I told him I lived in Iowa this past year and he said, "In Fairfield?" This is when I say...HOLY SHIT!!!!...inner dialogue of course, lol, but seriously...pretty incredible.

So for right now I am planning to stay until the end of the nine days...but, you never know. For right now, I am just being, and loving...and this feels like the right thing to do.

I must go for now. I was given some time to roam the Old City in Ostuni and have spent too much time on the net, lol. I am going to get a book and notebook to work on learning Italian. My hosts are being very gracious in helping me to learn so I have decided to get serious about it.

I love everyone immensely...keep holding my highest good in your consciousness...I can FEEL your love and prayers...just look at the experiences I am having!

love, peace and blessings