We trekked into Erg Chebbi desert, rode camels, slept in nomad wool tent. We drove through cedar forests, valleys, gorges. We ran a gamut of sights from ancient Ait Benhaddou to modern movie sets.
Exotic Morocco
Blue town of Chefchouen. Medieval Medina of Fes
with leather tanneries and elegant lodging
at Dar El Ghalia.
Nunca fatigo de querer Madrid
Junior Year in Spain (1966) may have worried my parents into Senior citizens, but it expanded my horizons.
In 1999, Larry & I visited Madrid together and traveled to Sevilla, Granada, Cordoba and many towns in between. En route to Morocco (2015), we flew in/out of Madrid and enjoyed several days there. Madrid swings!
TURKEY May 2014
On The Aegean Sea
Fairy Chimneys in Cappadocia
Travertines of Parmukkule
Faraway places with strange sounding names called to us to Turkey.Istanbul: Topkapi, Beyogul, Taksim, Bosphorus, Sultanahmet, Haghia Sophia. We absorbed sights, scents and sounds of this superb city. Cappadocia: Goreme, Pasabagi, Avanos, Nevsehir. We climbed amazing rock formations, crawled around in underground and cave cities. Konya: Rumi & whirling dervishes. Through Taurus mountains to Antalya and Agean sea where we swam in Oludentz blue lagoon and sailed on traditional gulet boat from Olympos & Demre to Fethiye. Healing spa since Cleopatra’s time, Hierapolis/Pamukkale is UNESCO World Heritage site with carbonite terraces called Travertines and hot mineral springs.We toured Roman ruins at Ephesus where Seljiuk storks build nests atop Artemis temple.
Yin Yang in Artel gallery’s “The Jurors’ Invitational”
Cheryl’s assemblage Yin Yang is included in Artel gallery’s special show “The Jurors’ Invitational”. Artel (www.artelgallery.org) is celebrating 20 years. Those of us who selected pieces for juried shows through the years were invited to exhibit. Reception scheduled for Friday, April 26, 6 to 8 o’clock.
“A Mythological Toolbox” with Bob Walter, Director of Joseph Campbell Foundation
I
met Bob several years ago at Chungliang Al Huang’s 70th birthday celebration. Since I’d traveled to Esalen Institute, Big Sur, CA, to dance Tai Ji with Chungliang, I figured I’d stay on for Bob’s PlayShop. Quite the Call to Adventure! Myths. Rituals. Rites. Totems. Magic. Djembe drums, tambourines and assorted rattles provided percussion for lively dancing. Keyboard music set the sounds for singing. Story telling. Dream revealing. Films. Poetry readings. In Art Barn, we painted expressive masks and T-shirts. We watched grey whales. We blew soap bubbles. Paired with partners by drawing animal cards or into small groups, randomly selected by wheel of fortune,
28 of us explored personal interests and collective visions. For 6 days we shared in-depth dialogues. Joseph Campbell often celebrated his birthday week at Esalen. In this Spring celebration, we connected with his spirit, his wisdom and his bliss.
“MythBody” at Esalen Institute with Chungliang Al Huang
To play Tai Ji with my first & favorite teacher, Chungliang, I traveled to Esalen Institute, an education and retreat center, in Big Sur, California. Chungliang and mythologist, Joseph Campbell, coined the word “MythBody” for workshops they taught together for many years. Forty participants moved in Tai Ji forms and free dance. Poetry and fairy tales were read. Tai Ji insights and praxis were processed. We shared personal snake stories and dreams. Chungliang demonstrated his Qi-lligraphy drawing and taught us the Five Moving Forces sequence that he choreographed. In the Chinese zodiac, this is the Year of the Water Serpent. In Chinese legend, the silvery snake meditated in the mountains for centuries to expand potential. He grows and transforms by shedding his skins. This Serpent is a symbol of wisdom, intuition and mysticism.
Abundant Gratitude to Webmaster Larry Fox
February 2013
When spouse, Larry, asked me, “What do you want for Christmas?”, I responded, “Web presence.” His former career as Computer Systems Analyst and Programmer was a great asset. He viewed many Websites and researched various 21st century approaches. He collaborated with me about text, fonts, photographs and patiently indulged word and image tweaks. He awakened retired brain synapses and learned fascinating words such as plugin and widget. What a superb holiday gift. Thanks!