29 Palms Inn
Our room at 29 Palms Inn
Our room at 29 Palms Inn
Joshua Tree National Park
Joshua Tree National Park - The Skull Rock
A must visit place if you are at Joshua Tree!! :)
26 Kasım 2015 Perşembe
25 Kasım 2015 Çarşamba
On the Desert Road… (6)
When you are on the road to discover new lands, you are basically going to the unknown. And that unknown keeps you alert all the time. That's one of the things I love the most about traveling: My meditative, in-the-moment mind.
No matter how much you read about a place, it's unlikely that you will find exactly what you imagined it to be. It has a lot of components and whether the vibes of the place resonate with you or not defines your entire adventure. You learn to be open and accepting to what may come and be ready for various surprises! I guess that's what is making me more flexible than most people I know… Because I learned that only a wondering and flexible mind can be at ease and ready for what the roads may bring… This is actually also applicable in life. Roads teach me a lot about life, that's why I call our journeys a "pilgrimage"…
No matter how much you read about a place, it's unlikely that you will find exactly what you imagined it to be. It has a lot of components and whether the vibes of the place resonate with you or not defines your entire adventure. You learn to be open and accepting to what may come and be ready for various surprises! I guess that's what is making me more flexible than most people I know… Because I learned that only a wondering and flexible mind can be at ease and ready for what the roads may bring… This is actually also applicable in life. Roads teach me a lot about life, that's why I call our journeys a "pilgrimage"…
Yesterday was one of those challenging unknown days for us. My limits were pushed and I had to be extremely flexible… We went through a day of intense emotions and full of learning…
Cagri (my husband) went out to rent us a car to travel to Joshua Tree National Park; -a place my friend Augustina suggested us to go- while I was waiting for him at the hotel with our luggage. I waited for him to get back for 3 hours. (Normally it should have been 1.5 to 2 hours tops.) I didn't have a phone nor any means to reach him. (Yes! We didn't get a phone package here, so we had no means of communication…) I silently weeped on my own, feeling desperate and imagining catastrophic scenarios in my mind. "What if he had a car accident?" "What if I call all the hospitals?" "Who should I reach out to?" "What if he got lost and was robbed?" My mind usually doesn't work like that. I almost never feel this worried nor anxious. But this time, my mind purged whatever it had in stock.
I thought about the enormous love and care I felt for him. I promised not to ever be the bitch I become during my PMS. (Hormones!) He came back at the end of the 3 hours and I cried, kissed and hugged him. He was worried that I would be worried and he actually had found a place to go online and sent me a whatsapp message that I never got because I wasn't online… Anyway to cut the long story short, we took off for our great adventure to the desert. When we took off, it was 4pm already but because it was only 3 hour drive, we decided that it was ok to drive a couple of hours in dark.
It was not ok! We were driving on narrow empty desert roads and leaving the darkness behind. It was extremely spooky! I prayed, prayed, prayed during the entire trip. We were worried because the road was deserted and damn dark and if some crazy person dressed as a police officer pulled us over and simply got rid of us, none would ever hear! (Too many movies haha!)
When you feel desperate, you actually remember how fortunate you have been so far and how your life has been filled with so many good things. Your life may not be perfect but the amount of joy you experience in it, actually defines the quality of your life. And I believe that this kind of joy stems from feeling fortunate and grateful for the things that are already there.
We almost cried when we found our hotel. Wow what an intense day it was!..
The owner of our hotel was an Indian guy. He welcomed us at the doorstep, compassionately saying that he had been waiting for us. I had missed that kind of compassion and care since we have been away from out families who care for us like that… His reception decorated with Ganesha statues and incense smell made me feel at home.
We briefly told him the story and he suggested us to go to the park and watch the sky in darkness… After having an exceptionally delicious Thai food, we went down to the entrance of the park and watched the bright sky filled with a galaxy of stars... Wow!.. It was magic.
While embracing my husband and watching the star full sky, all I was feeling was gratitude, so much gratitude…
Cagri (my husband) went out to rent us a car to travel to Joshua Tree National Park; -a place my friend Augustina suggested us to go- while I was waiting for him at the hotel with our luggage. I waited for him to get back for 3 hours. (Normally it should have been 1.5 to 2 hours tops.) I didn't have a phone nor any means to reach him. (Yes! We didn't get a phone package here, so we had no means of communication…) I silently weeped on my own, feeling desperate and imagining catastrophic scenarios in my mind. "What if he had a car accident?" "What if I call all the hospitals?" "Who should I reach out to?" "What if he got lost and was robbed?" My mind usually doesn't work like that. I almost never feel this worried nor anxious. But this time, my mind purged whatever it had in stock.
I thought about the enormous love and care I felt for him. I promised not to ever be the bitch I become during my PMS. (Hormones!) He came back at the end of the 3 hours and I cried, kissed and hugged him. He was worried that I would be worried and he actually had found a place to go online and sent me a whatsapp message that I never got because I wasn't online… Anyway to cut the long story short, we took off for our great adventure to the desert. When we took off, it was 4pm already but because it was only 3 hour drive, we decided that it was ok to drive a couple of hours in dark.
It was not ok! We were driving on narrow empty desert roads and leaving the darkness behind. It was extremely spooky! I prayed, prayed, prayed during the entire trip. We were worried because the road was deserted and damn dark and if some crazy person dressed as a police officer pulled us over and simply got rid of us, none would ever hear! (Too many movies haha!)
When you feel desperate, you actually remember how fortunate you have been so far and how your life has been filled with so many good things. Your life may not be perfect but the amount of joy you experience in it, actually defines the quality of your life. And I believe that this kind of joy stems from feeling fortunate and grateful for the things that are already there.
We almost cried when we found our hotel. Wow what an intense day it was!..
The owner of our hotel was an Indian guy. He welcomed us at the doorstep, compassionately saying that he had been waiting for us. I had missed that kind of compassion and care since we have been away from out families who care for us like that… His reception decorated with Ganesha statues and incense smell made me feel at home.
While embracing my husband and watching the star full sky, all I was feeling was gratitude, so much gratitude…
Joshua Tree National Park
Joshua Tree National Park
Joshua Tree National Park
Joshua Tree National Park
Being on the Road… (5)
To me, traveling actually is finding the limits of my comfort zone and expanding them. It looks magical from outside. And that is true. It's amazing in many ways. And most people who choose to spend a lot of time on the road as a way of living absolutely love and adore it (just like me) but I have to tell that the challenge is as big as its great adventure and fun.
First of all, when you are on the road, you don't have a routine. For example, the only routine of our day is to have coffee in the morning and check and arrange tickets and hotels to our next destination for half an hour or so. Although it can get boring from time to time, daily routine makes life comfortable and more predictable. Did I miss my routine? Not yet.
Being on the road for long periods of time can also be an emotionally challenging process. Small things like making coffee, doing laundry and finding a good place to eat could be somewhat luxurious from time to time.(I don't even mention about finding the kind of manicure and pedicure I am looking for hahha :D ) But the moment you stop wining about it and start taking these small challenges as a game, you are on top of it. You became a good traveler already!
Being on the road for long periods of time can also be an emotionally challenging process. Small things like making coffee, doing laundry and finding a good place to eat could be somewhat luxurious from time to time.(I don't even mention about finding the kind of manicure and pedicure I am looking for hahha :D ) But the moment you stop wining about it and start taking these small challenges as a game, you are on top of it. You became a good traveler already!
22 Kasım 2015 Pazar
Being on the Road… (4)
Santa Monica & Venice Beach
I was sitting on the beach watching the humongous waves beating the shores…
When you physically come across with the vastness of this universe, you stop worrying about little small things and start thinking big… We are at least 6 billion people living on this planet and we all function in our own reality and within the limits of our designated identities… We go through different feelings throughout life…
Santa Monica
We get ambitious, jealous, angry, annoyed or sad based on what we were believed to be real and true, mostly depending on our culture and conditions… Some of us are more open to change than others… We become intolerant mostly to what is different from our point of view.
Only a few of us is aware that as 6 billion people, we are just one organism, radiating from all different frequencies… Just like the sand in the ocean… All different but actually one…
Santa Monica
6 Kasım 2015 Cuma
Being on the Road… (3)
First day, Venice Beach…
When I am on the road, I realize how insignificant I am in the vastness of the universe. I sit on the beach and stare at the ocean… I can do that for hours. I watch people surf at sunset and think about my surf in life… All my ups and downs, all my mistakes, stabilities and instabilities… I think what I can do differently to create a better version of me on a daily basis…
We live our lives mostly in its delicate routine. We have responsibilities; there are things that we need to get done and people to sustain. This routine is sometimes boring but mostly safe. Some of us even freak out when the routine is broken. When it gets boring, we take holidays, we go to that new restaurant around the corner, we buy stuff or -sad but true- some of us have kids...
I gave it a little thought about the routine of my own life. Did I want a routine or did society want it for me? Did I want to live where I lived or was it chosen for me? Could I get out and forget the story that I was told? Did success really mean to succeed at what I did or to simply be happy and make the best out of the moments that I was granted and be the best I can? Was life meant to run after a piece of paper, eat, drink, enjoy and die or was there more to it? Was it only that one layer of reality that most of us survive on or could I get through and open my eyes towards another reality that everyone seemed to have forgotten? Did I really have to be ambitious or was it enough to simply allow things to happen? How much did I need to control things and how much to let go? Did I have to build a big house to set roots or was a plane ticket enough for me to recognize that this earth was my very home?
I was well aware that it wasn't going to be easy. Roads and unknown territories are always tiring… But it's in my blood. I can't help it. I had to break through and rewrite my story… As I quiet often do…
So I did pack to hit the road, not to wander as a tourist but to find my souls' calling… I call it pilgrimage, even though it doesn't exactly look like one…
When I am on the road, I realize how insignificant I am in the vastness of the universe. I sit on the beach and stare at the ocean… I can do that for hours. I watch people surf at sunset and think about my surf in life… All my ups and downs, all my mistakes, stabilities and instabilities… I think what I can do differently to create a better version of me on a daily basis…
Somewhere between Venice Beach and Santa Monica
We live our lives mostly in its delicate routine. We have responsibilities; there are things that we need to get done and people to sustain. This routine is sometimes boring but mostly safe. Some of us even freak out when the routine is broken. When it gets boring, we take holidays, we go to that new restaurant around the corner, we buy stuff or -sad but true- some of us have kids...
I gave it a little thought about the routine of my own life. Did I want a routine or did society want it for me? Did I want to live where I lived or was it chosen for me? Could I get out and forget the story that I was told? Did success really mean to succeed at what I did or to simply be happy and make the best out of the moments that I was granted and be the best I can? Was life meant to run after a piece of paper, eat, drink, enjoy and die or was there more to it? Was it only that one layer of reality that most of us survive on or could I get through and open my eyes towards another reality that everyone seemed to have forgotten? Did I really have to be ambitious or was it enough to simply allow things to happen? How much did I need to control things and how much to let go? Did I have to build a big house to set roots or was a plane ticket enough for me to recognize that this earth was my very home?
I was well aware that it wasn't going to be easy. Roads and unknown territories are always tiring… But it's in my blood. I can't help it. I had to break through and rewrite my story… As I quiet often do…
Santa Monica
So I did pack to hit the road, not to wander as a tourist but to find my souls' calling… I call it pilgrimage, even though it doesn't exactly look like one…
Being on the Road… (2)
We started our journey from Venice Beach, California. One reason why we picked this area in Los Angeles was that we came here last year and we were charmed by the energy of this place. Unfortunately, we only had one night to spend. This year we wanted to explore the area. Plus, the weather is nice all the time, people are friendly, food is amazing (when you seek for healthy places, Los Angeles is a heaven for that) and my husband could continue writing his books and surf when I go to my yoga classes, perfect combination!
Besides, since I left U.S. for good 12 years ago, a part of me has been wanting to spend more time in this land. I lived in the East Coast but -even though I spent a couple of weeks here in the West last year- I never got a chance to make this place home. (Making a place home to me means to have enough time to get to know the locals, hang out at the local coffee shops and restaurants, wander in its streets (even though everyone seems to drive!), shop for groceries and become familiar with the street names when a foreigner asks me for directions.)
East Coast and West Coast are significantly different. Even though I don't like to freeze all the time, I personally still feel like a New England girl. Weather matters a loooot though! I am not "Oh well, I don't mind the cold…" type of person. Actually, I do mind the cold. Even more than the cold, it's the sun I am desperately in need of.
So, enough explanations! Let's begin with the adventures, places to go and explore at Venice Beach & Santa Monica area… And moreover, my inspirations on the road…
Venice Beach
Besides, since I left U.S. for good 12 years ago, a part of me has been wanting to spend more time in this land. I lived in the East Coast but -even though I spent a couple of weeks here in the West last year- I never got a chance to make this place home. (Making a place home to me means to have enough time to get to know the locals, hang out at the local coffee shops and restaurants, wander in its streets (even though everyone seems to drive!), shop for groceries and become familiar with the street names when a foreigner asks me for directions.)
East Coast and West Coast are significantly different. Even though I don't like to freeze all the time, I personally still feel like a New England girl. Weather matters a loooot though! I am not "Oh well, I don't mind the cold…" type of person. Actually, I do mind the cold. Even more than the cold, it's the sun I am desperately in need of.
vs
5 Kasım 2015 Perşembe
Being on the Road… (1)
Santa Monica
When you are on the road, you are nobody. None really knows who you are and you are important to none (unless you spend some time together and become significant for them). Becoming none is partially freeing and partially scary and alone… When I am on the road, I am out of my daily routine and definitely out of my comfort zone and this uneasiness leads me to think, reflect, and let go of the unnecessary garbage that I am holding on to. Every destination frees my soul and inspires me to fully open my arms and accept what may be… My heart fills with joy and I enjoy my role as none. Absolutely none.
Venice Beach
It was on a rainy day last winter in Istanbul. I was sitting on the couch in my yoga studio, kind of feeling the uneasiness when I feel at times of necessary change. I suddenly recognized that it was exactly the same sensation that I felt many years ago when I decided to go to New Zealand: I had to go. This realization was like an ice water splash on my face. All my protective agencies rushed into my system as worrying thoughts, of course! "What about your career? What about the classes and sessions? What about your clients? How will you tell people? How will you make money? Is your husband going to be ok with that? You are so busy, how will you detach from so many things? But you will miss your friends and this place… It won't be easy." Blah blah blah… Compared to the enthusiasm I was feeling inside when I imagined myself hitting the road, this chattering was too small; almost insignificant.
I immediately rushed into our office room where my husband was quietly meditating. I spilled it all out all at once. As the cool guy he is, he smiled. (I never said it was going to be easy to put up with me but I guess he already knew that.) As he is immune to my even-though-seemingly-abrupt-but-when-you-think-about-it-usually-sane-ideas by now, he drew us a financially sustainable savings plan and we started planning to hit the road for a couple of months…
This one is from Bodrum
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