smaller town vs a bigger town

Kelowna kids_2, originally uploaded by veggy.

I have spent most of my life in the 'big' city of Vancouver. 2.7 million people isn't considered that big in the grand world of HUGE cities, but it's still bigger then the one i am in now. I am spending some time in Kelowna whose population explodes in the summer due to it's hot, dry heat and beautiful surrounding. Even there is a massive increase of people from all over BC and Alberta, there is something humbling about this space. People smile and say hi on the bike paths, stranger immediately introduce themselves at yoga studios, neighbors join in on conversations in the back ally's, mutual enjoyment of the small beach starts conversations, and then there's the farmer's market with its abundance of amazing local vegetables, fruits and treats. Don't get me wrong, you do get these things in the big city, but not as much. In the city people avoid eye contact, rarely smile or start conversations or do things with your neighbors. I have met more neighbors here in a month then i met in years living in condos. So as you can see i am enjoying this community living, and i challenge you to get more involved with your neighbors and say hi to people on the bike paths. A smile goes a long way.. oh and make sure to take a dip in the ocean or lake :)

lynn log

lynn log, originally uploaded by veggy.

Lynn Canyon in hidden gem in North Vancouver. With a handful of trails that interconnect and loop, or just take you along the river or across the suspension bridge. I am living in North Vancouver for a few weeks and i spend 3 nights a week in this valley.

The sun is sets through the evening sky and it casts this magical light that makes you think it can't be real. The first few hikes i didn't take my camera out of laziness but now i take it every time now. There are an abundance of decapitated trees and looking at them makes you wonder how different the forest was when they stood tall. It is a truly a beautiful place.

Nepal

Prayer Flags in the Annapurnas, originally uploaded by More Altitude.

In one month i leave for Kathmandu, Nepal. A place i have been before only for a few days when the booking agent in Varnasi, India said 3 days was enough for a visit. Three days is not enough for a visit to Nepal, it's enough to walk around, rent a bike, eat, and see how different it is from India. It was a breath of fresh air in terms of attention. But that was 12 years ago when i was 20 years old and now i am embracing Nepal for a minimum of 2 month and doing a 6 week Yoga teacher training and Thai massage in the outskirts of Kathmandu with Yogi Nomad. It's like a dream come true and made possible by many wonderful people who i don't know, and some who i know well.
To be able to study in the birth place of Hatha Yoga seems only natural to me. It feels like the right spot for me in my life right now. I am now researching some treks since i will 16 days to explore Nepal on my own and take as many photographs as i can.

I read this quote the other day that is ringing true to me right now: When you truly feel equal love for all beings, when your heart has expanded so much that it embraces the whole of creation, you will certainly not feel like giving up this or that. You will simply drop off from secular life as a ripe fruit drops from the branch of a tree. You will feel that whole world is your home.