Month: April 2024

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Our temporary neighborhood

Monte San Salvatore viewed from the village of Castagnola.

Right now we’re temporary residents of Castagnola, a village just north of Lugano. It’s not so high up Monte Bre, making it much more convenient than Aldesago, where we stayed in 2019 and again last year. The view from Aldesago was amazing, but driving up and down the mountain every day got a little old.

This year we’re on the second floor (out of six) of the apartment building, facing the mountain instead of the lake. So no view, but we got a lot more space for the money (which makes a huge difference when you’re staying someplace for a month).

These photos that I took on the way to caffè and brioche this morning will give you an idea of the neighborhood.

Leaving our apartment building…
…and walking down the street in search of cappuccino..
Catching sight of the lake in-between houses.
Beautiful hills.
The local bar where we got cappuccino.
The bar is rather unique — kind of old and funky.
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Delicious, beautiful, relaxing

Beautiful flower beds in Parco Ciani

Today we enjoyed an excursion to Centro Lugano.

First was lunch at Migros: fresh slices of pizza, followed by caffè macchiato, and mini-fruit tarts.

Then we walked to and through Parco Ciani, enjoying the beautiful spring flowers that are blooming everywhere.

A lovely, relaxing day.

Mini-fruit tarts from Migros
Walking the path along the lake in Parco Ciani

Tulips on the way to Parco Ciani
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Life after jet lag

At the moment “life after jet lag” feels like a slightly desperate affirmation.

I don’t know if it’s my faulty memory or if it really is hitting me harder this year. Either way, right now the jet lag is winning.

I sure hope tomorrow is the turning point.

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Jet lag limbo

Halfway through our longish layover in Istanbul.

It’s been a lot of hours since we left San Francisco, plus we’re now in a time zone ten hours ahead.

In fact, it’s already Wednesday afternoon here, so I’m taking a few minutes to write “today’s” blog post.

First time in Turkey and I’m very much enjoying the people watching!

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Planning ahead

Well, it’s almost time to board our flight. We’re flying Turkish Air to Istanbul and from there to Milano.

I got a bunch of my Italiano Automatico recordings transferred from laptop to phone so I can spend time on the plane making the mental shift to Italian (finally!).

Now I’m posting today’s blog, before heading into the twilight zone of jet lag. ✈️

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Bye for now

It felt a little crazy but this morning — in the midst of packing; dropping off recycling and garbage; and learning we had to get the car smog checked today — we actually took a few minutes to visit Crystal Hermitage Gardens and witness the beauty of the tulips before heading off to Europe for four weeks.

The truth is, I was feeling a little crazy, but as I stepped into the lower gardens and literally drank in the view you see in the above photo, with its incredible beauty and palpable peace, I was able to stop. To be still. And to simply appreciate the blessing that Crystal Hermitage Gardens is to each of us and to the world.

To be honest, it made it that much harder to leave. But we’ll be back soon.

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Ready or not

I’m almost mostly ready. Suitcase is packed but there are still a lot of little details to handle early tomorrow morning. Unfortunately, it’s taken until after midnight to get this far. Arrgghhh!

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Serenaded by high schoolers

Tonight students from Living Wisdom High School of Palo Alto blessed us with a rousing performance of a large portion of the Oratorio.

It was heartening to see and hear young people who really get Swamiji’s music. They sang with great energy, devotion, and some really beautiful voices.

There’s a part of me that feels a wee bit envious as I try to imagine what it would have been like to know about Education for Life and be singing Ananda’s music in high school!

It’s fun to think about but I know better than to really go down that rabbit hole. 😊

P.S. You might notice a few familiar — and distinctly older than high school — faces in the choir. A few key students couldn’t make the trip, so Keshava recruited a few “ringers” from the Village.

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Writing short fiction

Hopefully I can make my “fiction” somewhat believable, since my life is all about to-do lists from now until we leave early Monday morning!

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A visit to India

No, I didn’t actually visit India this afternoon, but having lunch with Nayaswami Dhyana was the next best thing.

Dhyana has been one of my favorite Ananda teachers ever since I heard her give a downright thrilling Sunday service over New Year’s weekend way back in 1999. I’ve always loved her combination of deep wisdom, down-to-earth practicality, and delightful humor.

She’s been serving with Ananda India for over twenty years now (hard to believe!) and it’s always a joy to learn about the progress of the work there through her photos, videos, and stories.

Of course, I’m still waiting (im)patiently to see if all for myself. 😊