TravelStream™ news feed for member danielandeileen on TravelPod's free travel blogs service http://www.travelpod.com/syndication/rss/danielandeileen en-us Copyright ©2009 TravelPod.com Mon, 26 Oct 2009 16:13:29 -0400 http://www.travelpod.com http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/danielandeileen/6/1256577330/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/danielandeileen/6/1256577330/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/danielandeileen/6/1256577330/tpod.html Mon, 26 Oct 2009 16:13:29 -0400 Ireland

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Helsinki, Southern Finland, Finland

So this entry is about my travels this summer, which took me to most of northern Europe. Countries included Wales, England, Netherlands, Germany, Finland, Estonia, Sweden, and Denmark. I went on a partially funded trip to visit Eco-villages and similar communities. 70% of my travel costs were paid for, and most of the trip was planned out. So the communities we visited knew we were coming and provided accommodations, food, and so on.

For me, the trip was about exploring "Community" and the dynamics that are involved. It was a bit of a follow up to the Permaculture course, in that I got to see Permaculture setups all over Northern Europe. But it was also a follow up for one course in particular, called “Team building and Community leadership.” In this class, we really got down to the nitty gritty aspects of working, living and communicating with people. And I feel that wherever life takes me, I know that living in community is very important to me. So I wanted to see first hand, how people in Europe were going about it. I got lots of answers and as it usually is, developed even more questions.

The trip was about 2 months, and the majority was all travel by land and sea. Hitch hiking, buses, trains, roller-blades, and bikes…

There's actually way too much to say about this trip in one entry. I visited about 14 communities, and each one has amazing stories. So I’ll leave it at that, and let you watch the video I put together of the trip. If you have any questions, feel free to ask.

I’m trying to organize another similar trip this summer in southern Europe. It would most likely bring us through France, Switzerland, Italy, and then some of Eastern Europe. But nothing is set in stone just yet, so we will see.

Slan go foill (s’lon-ga-fole – Goodbye for now)

Daniel


]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/danielandeileen/6/1256575157/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/danielandeileen/6/1256575157/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/danielandeileen/6/1256575157/tpod.html Mon, 26 Oct 2009 15:32:19 -0400 Ireland

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Sligo, County Sligo, Ireland

Our dear friend Helen from Kelowna, BC came to visit us…. I believe it was the week we were finishing school. So it was the end of May.

Just before she came, we got a new little car. Well, its not new, but it was for us. After a year of hitching around Ireland and using the worst public transport system I've ever come across, we thought it was about time to find some wheels. So it was good timing when Helen came, cause we were just finished school, and realy to try out our new wheels. We were able to go out to West Cork, and up the West coast in to Connemara, Mayo, and up to Sligo. We named the little car, 'Jumbo Murphy’ (Murphy being a Cork name). He’s now a good part of the family, sort of like a second home.

Anyways, we had a great time, and I think I’ll let the pictures tell it.

Thanks for the good times Helen, Cheers.

Daniel & Luna
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/danielandeileen/6/1256575219/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/danielandeileen/6/1256575219/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/danielandeileen/6/1256575219/tpod.html Mon, 26 Oct 2009 12:42:35 -0400 Ireland

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Kinsale, County Cork, Ireland

Well hello there, long lost friends of our blog.

A thousand apologies for the 12 month delay since our last entry. I suppose our time here in Ireland turned into a lifestyle, in contrast to a 'travellling experience'. And as such, the idea of posting blogs seemed to pitter away.

Alot happens in a year... so where to start? I suppose I’ll keep this update short, and continue on with other entries about specific experiences.

Well, last year, we lived out our lives happily in our little cottage in town. The average day was a 6 or 7am rising, turn on the kettle, warm up and go out for a walk before the rest of the town woke up. Then breakfast, and off to school. We’d be back for lunch, and then again at the end of the day around 4. Dan would usually go off for work, and then back for dinner, kettle, music, and catching up with each other or internet stuff. Luna would get the time to bake and get some studying done on her Natural health course. Though, throughout each day and after 4, our house turned into a bit of a drop in centre for friends. We just happedned to be on located along a convinient pathway from school to town. So more than not, someone was around with us.

As for school... alot can be said. What we learned in this last year is more valuable than anything I could imagine learning at this point in my life. And among the specifics of how to grow food, design our environments, facilitate groups, and so on... I could probably say that the most important wisdom I came away with is found in one of the Permaculture principals, "The Problem is the Solution."

It is a simple philosophy that can be applied to any situation. When you encounter a problem, the idea is that there is something about that problem that can be utilized or turned around to create a solution for itself. In this way you reduce your stress and flex your creativity, while finding ways to be productive in everyday situations. I’m not quite sure how to explain it any more in writing, but I really feel like this one will stick with me – so I thought I’d share it.

We finished up college in Mid May, and moved out of our cottage then. We house sat a a friends for 2 weeks, then moved into our current home, Pearl Cottage. It is located along a gorgious 3 km walk from the town centre along the water. The idea was to be just outside of town so that we forced ourselves into exercise, and so that it would be less distracting. We moved in with a group of great friends, with our own garden plot and all. Theres a lovely little pub out here, and we’re right by the water.

Shit, I said I wouldn’t make this too long.... So then I went travelling this summer (which I will post another entry for), and Luna stayed around Kinsale. We met up in England to do some travelling together (maybe another blog), and kept busy until school started again in Setpember. Since then, all has been going well. Luna is working at the health food store in town (along with a few other cleaning jobs) and Dan is busy with the Student Council at our college and a few other projects around town.

Again, sorry for the lack of write ups, but heres a few to keep you going for a while.

Daniel & Luna
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/danielandeileen/6/1224527520/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/danielandeileen/6/1224527520/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/danielandeileen/6/1224527520/tpod.html Tue, 21 Oct 2008 16:20:46 -0400 Ireland

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Kinsale, County Cork, Ireland

The day we arrived in Ireland was a time of fulfillment & excitement. We landed in Dublin, & managed to hall 2 bike boxes, 2 big backpacks, a 50lbs camping bag, & 2 carry-on's across the country to County Cork in the far south. We just barely made it to Kinsale's only Hostel by sundown. There we stayed for a few days, scoping out our new neighborhood, and picking up a sense of the Irish culture we had just delved into. 

For the following 2 weeks we moved into a shared house accommodation, which was significantly more cost effective than the hostel, and a little more central to downtown Kinsale. There we shared a cramped, wee, cozy, single room.  After being away from each other for 6 weeks, there was no lack of resurgence over that time, spending hours reconnecting on long walks around town, & sleeping in our tiny shared single bed..... And I'm not talking Canadian standard single bed, we're talking 'Ye Old Irish' single bed..... Made for the leprechauns.

During those 2 weeks we tracked down just about every housing option available within a 10mile radius. We thought it would be great to live outside the town so that we could live in the country, and be forced to use our bikes everyday, while staying fit through the winter months. But in the end, we decided that for the first year (at least) we would stay in town, close to the action. Our options came down to 2 possibilities, on 2 opposite ends of the living & lifestyle spectrum. One was a modern, fully equipped apartment, with high ceilings, lots of natural lighting, big kitchen, and fancy gadgets all around. The other was a small, stinky, and dungeony cottage, with low light, a fireplace, and a backyard space worth humoring.... This decision was one that would completely shape our year here in Ireland. And for those of you who know either of us well enough, you'll know which option we chose. In one sense, we were looking for the cottage life, with a fireplace to come home to out of the rain. But it was difficult to envision a life in the dark cottage. But intuition & our initial intentions were guiding us, we just needed to focus into what it was really saying.... And that was "The Stone Cottage."

Oddly enough, in Ireland, many of the houses do not have numbers on the front per say... they have names instead for each house, as well as the area of town, which it is in. Our house's name is called "The Stone Cottage." Which is exactly what it is. The house is at least 200 years old (or older still), but our landlord doesn't know the exact age for sure. It's had its facelifts, but you can really feel an ancient essence, similar to the Island itself. As we were saying, it was difficult to envision living in the place when we first arrived. There was ugly blue china plates as wall décor, and a horrible sense of energy flow. But living in a home, older than Canada was appealing and fit well with our vision of living in Ireland. It just needed some work.

When we moved in, we got strait to it. In fact, we are still adding to it now, but feel that we have made enough contributions to the environment to call it home. We spent the first week painting every wall we
could. (Mainly in the upstairs, because the entire main floor is stonewalled. We put up our personal belongings, and even built an awning in the backyard for wood protection and a place to hang out. Turns out that the 196 ft2 outdoor space is like having another room to the house. The house's footprint is only about 246 ft2 (inside the walls, on each floor). If your not familiar with house sizes and measurements, we're living in a tiny little house. But every person who has walked through our door has eyes lit, and sparks of awe. From
the outside, the home is attached to a sting of stone houses, and unsuspecting.  But as you walk in, it is like walking into a faery tale... A hobbits home to be precise. Yes, our love & respect for a positive space has proven itself again.... We've really created something special here.

Oh, and for all of those ambitious folk who are interested in coming over to have a little visit, we even have a spare bedroom, which is used as a meditation, arts and yoga space. You get an idea from the pictures, but this is a home that contains an energy, absent in photographs.

Needless to say, we are more than happy with our choices. We give much gratitude and blessings for our new home & those that have been helping us along our journey.

Our choice to live simply this year has really manifested in this home. As we are known to do, our energy (and money) has gone into our food, health, & environment... And in this way, we are living in abundance.... "As is the Permaculture way."

Namaste,

Daniel & Luna
ps. here are a few you tube video's of Kinsale, the town we're living in. 

1. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hm2wLFMoJUI&feature=related (a 30 sec view of the downtown area)
2. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zePkjIM4hO0&feature=related (a 25 min show on Kinsale's transition town initiative - born from our school... a little cheesy, but you can get the idea)

3. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ntW9wnBEB60 (Rob Hopkins is the founder of our school, and an important figure in the sustainable movement. THis is the 1st part of an interview with him on "Transition towns" - A now international concept also founded in Kinsale through our school. 
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/danielandeileen/6/1224578640/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/danielandeileen/6/1224578640/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/danielandeileen/6/1224578640/tpod.html Tue, 21 Oct 2008 15:42:30 -0400 Ireland

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Kinsale, County Cork, Ireland

So, we figure a lot of you are wondering what the hell is Permaculture anyways?... "I mean, what are these 2 kids doing, traveling around the world to learn about a word I've never heard of?... and more over, if I haven't heard about it, can it really be that important?"
 
Though Permaculture is a fairly new term, it has been in practice in pockets of human cultures as far back as the Fertile Crescent, when humans began to take control over their own environment. In this day in age of
peak oil and climate change, Permaculture has been said (over and over again) to potentially be one of the most important philosophies of the new age. And not only is it a philosophy, but it is a way of life & a culture on its own. 

It is hard to summarize a definition of Permaculture, as it can take many shapes and forms. From building to landscaping, gardening to commercial farming, reducing your carbon footprint while sourcing localized
resources & connecting with the natural world. It is occurring in urban, rural, and off grid environments, and emphasizes the sciences of Biology, Botany, Ecology, Organic Agriculture, Sociology, Physics & Design. To us, Permaculture is a way of growing your own food and living a sustainable life without nearly as much labor as conventional farming. It is a way of manipulating your land to receive the most possible yields in ways of food crops, energy resources, and income. In fact, the whole idea to Permaculture is that over time, your input of labor and money becomes very minimal, while your outputs become greater and more abundant. The trick here is to put a heavy emphasis on the initial "design" process of your Permaculture. This includes your locations, landscapes, buildings, woodlands, planting placements, and so on.Here are a few definitions taken from a number of sources to help you get a greater sense of what it is meant by Permaculture;


"Permaculture is a consciously designed landscapes which mimic the patterns and relationships found in nature, while yielding an abundance of food, fiber and energy for provision of local needs."

"Permaculture is the conscious design of sustainable human
habitats, taking nature as the model and caring both for the earth and for
people."

"Permaculture is a philosophy of working with, rather than against nature; of protracted and thoughtful observation rather than protracted and thoughtless labor; and of looking at plants and animals in all their
functions, rather than treating elements as a single product system."

"Permaculture is the science of maximizing beneficial relationships."

The term "Permaculture" was a term coined by 2 Australians in the late 70's as an abbreviation of the words "Permanent Agriculture" or "Permanent Culture." It uses these terms to signify the idea of a landscape capable of sustaining itself as long as the land can provide its basic needs such as air, water, and sun energy. It is also 'Permanent' because of the extensive use of Perennial plants, which are those plants that reproduce a continuous yield every year (as opposed to annual crops, which need to be replanted once a year). This is only one of the many examples in the philosophy of Permaculture.

For another look at Permaculture, check out: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lBcmRjroLLY&feature=relatedfor a short 3 min you tube overview on the subject (entitled 'Permaculture 101")

Ok, so hopefully you have at least an idea of what Permaculture is all about. So why again did we go all the way to Ireland to learn about this Permaculture thing? Well, for a number of reasons. But primarily because the subject is growing at such a rate that the demand for courses in North America has shot the costs through the roof. (Even for simple workshops on the matter). It costs close to $2000.00 to get a Permaculture design certificate over '2  weeks' in North America. And here in Ireland, we found the worlds only '2 year' program, for only around $600.00 (for the 2 years)!... The climate is similar enough to gain knowledge in ecological studies that will be relevant to our home country, and it has given us the chance to come to an area of the world where Permaculture has spring boarded over the last 30 years.

Moreover, the full Practice of Permaculture is a lifestyle we have chosen. And to be given the opportunity to learn these absolutely essential life skills is not only a pleasure, but a birthright worth fighting for. In a sense, we have entered a world that promotes growth, financial progress, & development on a planet that has been underestimated for its demise. We're living in a time where resources are becoming scarce and our population is catching up with our lack of sustainable infrastructure. Permaculture is an answer to sustainability.
 
Author, Richard Heighnberg said, "For the last couple of centuries we've been doing something incredibly stupid. Developing economies on the ever increasing consumption of non-renewable resources."

We have been born into the realm of peak oil, thus sparking the revolution of our time. And we have decided to take an active role in the solution rather than remain contributions to the problem. 

Food security, Financial Debt, and the Dependence of Fossil Fuels are among the major issues that Permaculture and this Green Revolution aim to gain sight of.  We believe that by the next generation, an individual will be measured by the size of their skills and not necessarily by the size of their bank accounts. And theirin lies the shift.


Now saying all this, we hope you don't get intimidated by the degree of passion required to get involved in a Permaculture. This is OUR take on the situation, and it does not represent all perspectives of those involved in this resurgence. In our view, Permaculture will become an adaptible practice by a diverse range of families and individuals world-wide. Urban Permaculture (for example) is a prominent option for many, and even with a small amount of space there is still very much adaptations that can be accomplished with a little Education & Will. And even Rural Permacultures have to start somewhere. In most cases, we have a house and land which can be assessed and redesigned to retrofit a more sustainable & cost effective life at home. 

And moving onto why we are here in Ireland; we hope to return with the skills to help our community make these kind of small shifts, and to encourage the simple and extremely beneficial ways of Permaculture. 

At our school we will be learning everything from Ecology to Woodland management, Gardening to Organic commercial Farming, Entrepreneurial skills to effective Community minded communication & leadership skills. Nutrition, herbs, Natural building and so much more.

We hope to come home and have the skills to be able to set up our own Permaculture if given the opportunity to do so. As well as eventually share the knowledge with friends, family, and the community.  So until then... feel free to contact us with any questions or possibilities... We'd love to hear from you... So long for now, Daniel & Luna
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/danielandeileen/5/1218369420/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/danielandeileen/5/1218369420/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/danielandeileen/5/1218369420/tpod.html Wed, 20 Aug 2008 07:59:32 -0400 Summer in Canada

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Kimberley, British Columbia, Canada

I posted a bunch of pics from my 6 week natural building program. It was amazing!... I got a lot out of it, and I'm gonna bring the knowledge over to Ireland, and then back to friends and co-workers in the furure.

One love,

Daniel
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/danielandeileen/6/1219167060/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/danielandeileen/6/1219167060/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/danielandeileen/6/1219167060/tpod.html Tue, 19 Aug 2008 14:25:58 -0400 Ireland

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Kinsale, County Cork, Ireland

In November 2007, while lying in the hospital bed, Luna was shocked to hear about an amazing Permaculture course with a mindblowing price tag, situated on the little Island where her family heritage has once decended from... And in the south, a wee magical town called Kinsale seemed to be our onward dream....

SO bring on the healing, on through the dirt roads, across one ocean, and Canada bound.... Then a summer, which did us well to be back home to ground ourselves, assimilate our notion of "coin" and reconnect before we headed off again... to a very different land from where we once were. Now we've crossed the Atlantic for our second time around the world... A one and a half stretch east bound around the globe.. And we have,our path along a rainy little island in Northern Europe.... Ireland.

Kinsale, County Cork is quite a magnificent little town... it really is like a small Irish Nelson. Situated on the water, the little picturesque and colourful bay town seems to double in population in the summer, and (apperantly) dies down to a hush in the winder season...

Since we arrived we have braved the first 3 days of constant rain... Nothing unusual we thought, as we had completely mentally prepared ourselves for the wheather... but appherantly, it's not supposed to be this bad!! Appherantly, this has been one of the worst recorded summers in their history... but it's not even that bad... Today was our first sunny, no rain day. And it was the day of the tues market. Fantastic stuff I tell ya!


I'll make this short, but just wanted to get down some pics and a little hint of our enthusiasm for our newfound home. We are currently house and job shopping through the day, and in the local taverns by night... Oh yes... the local tavers.. what else can I say. We came into town our first night for our ferst point o' guiness... and buoy wooz it a dandy!...

We start school Sept 15... and we will no -doubtibly post more pics, and begin to pick up an accent, hear through our writings....

Lots of love!

Daniel & Luna
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/danielandeileen/5/1212367980/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/danielandeileen/5/1212367980/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/danielandeileen/5/1212367980/tpod.html Thu, 03 Jul 2008 21:07:19 -0400 Summer in Canada

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Kelowna, British Columbia, Canada

Hey there everybody.

I feel horible for having 'ignored' the blog for so long now. It has been a while since we last posted, but to tell you the truth, we have been sort of avoiding the write up on the gathering.... It was beautiful, and full of purpose... But it is not the kind of experience that can be transmitted through words right now. Having come down from such great heights, we have been too exhausted to recollect the magic.... And as it turns out, we will just leave it at that and move on...

We will share stories in person, the next time we see you face to face.


As for our current situation... we are back in Canada in BC!...
After the gathering we went to Hong Kong for a few days... Soon after we decided it best to return to the homeland for the summer... It will be a time to rejouvinate, recollect our finances, and prepare for our time in Ireland.

I will keep this one short, and will return with more detail in the next entry. But for now I will say that we returned on June 1, when we split up for a week. Eileen (now known as 'Luna') traveled to Salt spring Island for a visit with our sister Hanna, and Daniel went strait to Kelowna to visit with our friends and family there. This was a rough 3 weeks, as we were both feeling the pressure of travel woe's... We were both pretty sick for that time, and took it to relax and gather ourselves.

Since then, we went to Nelson to visit, and ended up at a beautiful community in Grand Forks (in between Kelowna and Nelson). There, we experienced a side of life which we are in the process of attracting for ourselves. Little being said, I will post pics of the natural buildings and beautiful people we met there.

Daniel has decided to take a 1 month (somewhat government subsidized) Natural building course In Kimberly, BC. And Luna has decided to stay in Nelson. She is doing a food exchange with a friend of ours. She is working at Chantelles Organic Gourmet Raw Foods restaraunt!... exciting... It's like taking a 3 week workshop, and getting paid in food...

As we project into the near future, we need to leave Canada by mid Aug. So we will make our way back to Ontario towards that time (just after Daniel's program) and then head off to Ireland soon after.

Lots of information, in a short blog, but at least you now know what we've been up to.
Once again, sorry to keep you all in the dark - we didn't want to post anything just yet because we have been surprising our friends here in the west.

Love to all... and to all much love...

Happy Canada Day!!!

Daniel & Luna
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/danielandeileen/4/1210646640/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/danielandeileen/4/1210646640/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/danielandeileen/4/1210646640/tpod.html Fri, 06 Jun 2008 22:46:24 -0400 Road to the Rainbow

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Sapa, Vietnam

We're only posting pictures from our time up in Sapa in the north of Vietnam, Sorry it took so long to post!
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/danielandeileen/4/1210839180/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/danielandeileen/4/1210839180/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/danielandeileen/4/1210839180/tpod.html Sat, 31 May 2008 20:07:30 -0400 Road to the Rainbow

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Lijiang, Yunnan, China

Alright... we made it! at 4:30pm on the 9th of May, Daniel and Eileen entered the Chinese embassy in Hanoi with their fingers crossed. All expectations were halted, as anything could have happened. They could have interviewed us right there and then, or even just handed our passports back and told us that we were denied.... But fortunate for us, nothing was said.... Our passports were there waiting for us, and now weighing the more of 2 Chinese visa's. We left that night for the boarder town of Lao Cai, which was an overnight train, about 8 hours. The train was great... we had our first "train party" which Daniel and Tal know oh so well from their adventures through Europe.... Basically, you just find yourself in a small carriage full of foreigners from around the world. You realize that your paths have intersected in this tiny space at this particular time, where you have all night to share stories and experiences. We met some great people that night, which we met up with again the next day in SaPa, the near by mountain village.

It seemed only appropriate to make a stop off at Sa Pa, seeing as it was on our radar from the time we entered Vietnam, but always seemed too far to get to. Now that we happened to be boarder crossing about 1 hour from there, we just had to take an extra day to stop in..... We're not going to post the pictures unfortunately, because we just don't have the time... (It takes about 15 min to post 5 pictures), and when your paying by the hour and your in a wonderful new land, staring at the screen and waiting for pictures to load is the last thing you want to be doing... (well, I speak for myself).

The day came, May 11 - when our Vietnam visa's came to an expiry, and our Chinese Visa's were called upon. We went to the boarder with a few horror stories in the back of our minds. We've been reading up on alot of forums and blogs on Chinese visas and crossings lately. There have been numerous accounts of people getting pointed out because of their appearance, send into a dark "cage" and interrogated, and searched for hours.... only to sometimes be denied entry!.... So with our post modern, 'dashing' appearances, we weren't too sure what to expect...
But in the end, there was no problem! WE walked right through that boarder faster than you can say Nee How! (Hello in Mandarin). Actually, this boarder crossing was the most pleasant and friendly crossing we have experienced since we left BC!

And on to Kunming... WE hopped on another night bus to Kunming, the capital city of the Yunnan province. WE stayed the night, and explored the town by day... This is a huge city, with hundreds of thousands of people, but with more 'order' than we have experienced anywhere else in Asia!.... it was amazing... first off, you couldn't help but realize that the city was incredibly quiet.... it was like walking around downtown Toronto on Mute!.... WE soon realized that the majority of the vehicles in the city were either bicycles, or electric motor bikes... Wow, the way of the future. You should see these things zip around without even making a sound!... Aliens looking in on us would surely be giving there respect for such a technologically advanced sight.

Anyways, on to Dali... a 5 hour bus trip. Just before we left we had this feeling of ease... of sublime assurance, that we were "almost there"... After winding through south east Asia and traveling some 1500km by ground - we were getting ready to embrace the warm welcome of the gathering.... But as fate had it, we weren't done just yet... The night before we left for Dali, we found out that the gathering was actually NOT IN DALI AT ALL!!!... It was in Hainan Island, the most southern, and second largest Island in China. We took a closer look at the map and humorously noticed that Hainan was within 600km of Hanoi, where we were only days ago.

So continue on or turn around?? (a metephor imbedded in our phyche from birth.... FOllow logistics, or our intuition.??.. Generally speaking, I never like turning around... even if I'm driving down the road and realize IM going the wrong way. Better to see new sights and find alternative routes than to backtrack, I say... And so is said for travelling long distances, and finding out that you are headed the wrong way.... whats wrong about it anyways?...
We had been getting too excited and prepared to visit the awesome edge of Tibet... the western region of Yunnans province. WE decided to go anyways, take a week off our track, and then B-line it back to south east China in time for the full moon at the gathering (which is always the peak). Besides, we have heard of the rapid development in that area... common for any small, popular location on the 'backpackers radar,' which has become familiarized into the all mighty, "lonely planet". This is the most common company that writes traveler's books all over the world in all different languages. They seemingly have a monopoly, as you can bet to find
a lonely planet in any backpackers pack, throughout the world. As a side note, these books are considered bibles by many travellers, and unfortunatly, those places that are encouraged or written about in these books eventually become overcrowded and loose their unique majesty and authenticity. As time goes on, and crowds roll ing, you witness the downfall of "Tourism." When locals begin to look at forigners as dollar bills, rather than wonderous peoples who they can share information and experiences with... Tis another pestilance upon these lands.

Right now we are writing from a small traditional Yunnan home, opened as a cafe. I am looking out the window right now to see the secondary hallway and decorated railing overlook the cobbled streets of Lijiang. Across the road I can see similar architecture on the opposite buildings... red faced, with rickety old windows, slanted Bamboo roof tops that curve so eloquently - fulfilling my ever known pre conceptions of a quaint, traditional Chinese home. Inside, Eileen is taking a nap on the wicker tea set... a common, low arranged meeting place for the family... We are upstairs on the only computer in the house, while the cafe/book lounge is downstairs. There is a table in the corner made of what looks like teak wood, with all the Asian influences I couldn't wait to analyze. (The through-tenons, the curved railings... haha, enough wood talk - sorry to get off track) But we are in influence-heaven, where everywhere we look rekindles an ever growing flame. I think by the time we leave China, that flame will be so hot, it will need the quiet indoor retreat from the rains of Ireland to cool down before someone gets hurt.

We visited Dali for only 2 days before we came to Lijiang. We took out some bikes, and did what we love to do.... explore great distances without fuel. Well, at least, the exploration is essential to us.... we went through an endless number of old villages/towns along the coast of of Erhai Hu (Erhai lake), far from the hustle of the rediculous prices and sea of tourists. Dali is sandwiched between this lake to the east and the mountains to the west. An unbelievable sight...

The only regret so far is that we have chosen to swift through this area, leaving very little time to explore the vastness of its nature. And aside, it has been pretty crummy weather since we arrived. WE have not yet seen past 10km into the open with all the fog that has been lingering. ANd wont have the time time to wait the clearing.... But there is still magic in the air, with the misty mountains and ancient essence... this Yunnan experience will be imprinted in our memory...

So, we are planning our agenda for the next few days here in Lijiang, now on the UN's Wold Heritage Site list. We will soon take a sleeper back to Kunming, where we left our Big packs... pick em up, and take a 24 hour train over to Ghanzou, a city within the Hong Kong region. From there, we will take another sleeper train down the peninsula and onto Hainan Island. Apparently, the whole train boards a massive ferry, and takes it across.... IF anyone can do it, it's the Chinese, huh... From there, we will take a bus to the southern city of Sonya. (NOW we're getting hot)... From the train station, we'll hitch our way even further south to the edge of the city limit.. and track down the "rainbow house." I'm not sure if the rainbow family has bought this house, rented it, or know someone who has donated it for this gathering. But this is the last known destination that is given to anyone who is heading to the gathering. From there, we will be welcomed with open arms, and further directed into the bush...
WE will arrive at the gathering that afternoon (probably May 19, but that could change if we stay longer in Lijiang). Keep in mind, that when we do enter the gathering, we will be out of contact for about 2 weeks... so if anyone has anyt requests, and comments, send em our way right now before we get in too deep!

As for the recent earthquake that has rocked Changdu.... we have not been effected here in Yunnan, even though it is our neighbouring province to the north. It is a really bad situation over there, and our thoughts and prayers are with the victims right now. When we make our way across the southern belt to Ghanzou, we won't have any problems with regards to this particular quake, and it's after shocks and effects. So don't worry, sorry it took so long to assure some of you that we were safe and sound... but we have been on the go, and had no time for a long internet session until now.

So wish us well on on final leg of our road to the rainbow... we'll need it with all this travel.

Singing off for now,
Love, light, and Ka-ra-te...

Daniel & Eileen

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