What happens when I come back?

I have been asked this question several times. The answer is that I have no idea. In fact, I don't really know WHEN I'm coming back. Everything is in storage, I have no office to go to, no apartment, no pets. The plants are in foster homes.

I'm thinking maybe I'll buy a little ice cream truck when I get back and hang out in beautiful places. Organic ice cream of course. Ice cream just makes everyone so happy.

I wonder if I could pay the rent with the income from an organic ice cream truck. I don't know...just thinkin'... :)

Blessings

I am so amazed at the amount of love and support that is surrounding this journey.

Thank you to my dear family and friends who are sending me along with so much good juju!

It's tucked away in my luggage and in my heart and I'll be able to pull it out when I need it.

Almost time to close my eyes and jump. (wheee!)

I'm Posting this to my blog via text messaging. How cool is that?

The Marin Independent Journal

A nice little write up in our local paper, thanks to my friend Debbie, who called and told them about my trip...

Volunteer going to India, Nepal and Tibet
Staff Report
Posted: 09/27/2009 11:12:21 PM PDT

Longtime Marin volunteer Christine Wright, 46, of Mill Valley will depart for India, Nepal and Tibet on Oct. 12 to assist organizations helping Third World children. Her three-month trip is sponsored by the St. Helena-based nonprofit Wisdom in Action.

Wright will spend November at the Soma Home for Girls in Kolkata, India, where she will teach students English and yoga. She also will teach English at the Buddha's Smile School in Varanasi, which offers primary education to children from slums in northern India.

People wishing to contribute to the effort can do so directly through the Web site for each school. Contact the Soma Home for Girls at www.newlightindia.org and Buddha's Smile School at www.buddhas-smile-school.org.

Palo Alto-based Amistad International also accepts donations for both schools at www.amistad international.org

To contact Wright, call 497-6561 or send e-mail to chriswright200@yahoo.com.

A lovely weekend

i had a beautiful drive north up the california coast today. I'm happily tucked in to my sweet little room at the whitegate b& b. I love the 4 poster bed that I have to have a stepper stool to reach. Once I get up here, there's a feather bed and a zillion pillows. I just may not get out of this bed ever again. I wonder if they'll bring my coffee and eggs here :)

I'll go for a nice long hike along the ocean in the morning before getting ready for the wedding of a friend. It's a great weekend so far!

Finality

After a year and a half of separation from my darling husband, Bruce, we signed our final divorce papers today. We are both very sad. We'll have dinner together on Monday and talk some more.

Life takes us in so many different directions but it's all exactly the way it's supposed to be.

I have to remember to ride the current of my life and not try to battle it upstream.

Eat Pray Love

I'm going to hear Elizabeth Gilbert speak this week. So appropriate before I begin this big adventure.

I remember the first time I saw the book at my favorite local bookstore. It literally jumped off the shelf at me and when I read the back cover I knew I had to have it.

I loved the way she shared her experience with so much humor and grace. I look forward to hearing what she has to say and about her new book.

That's the ticket...

I booked my plane tickets today. It's really real now.

SF to Chengdu
Chengdu to Lhasa
Lhasa to Kathmandu
Kathmandu to Calcutta
New Delhi to SF (in January, 2010!)

Whahoooo!

September 12 - One month to launch

I'm loving being here in Mill Valley and the days are delicious. I am spending time with friends, going to lots of yoga classes, many peaceful walks and putting things together for my trip. I am talking to as many people as I can and soaking in information from people who have been to India and Nepal. I haven't been able to find many people who have been to Tibet, but that's ok. I am totally open to what this trip will hold for me and even with lots of information, this trip and the experience will be uniquely mine.

Last night there was the most intense lightening storm I think I have ever seen. The whole house was shaking with energy and light. It was beautiful and dramatic.

Old Digs and New Digs

I finally got moved out of my funky apartment at 445 Sausalito Street in Corte Madera that I've been in for a year, and away from the crazy landlady, Tiffany O'hara. She did everything she could to make this transition difficult for me. And I fear that I'm not done yet. She already told me that she plans to keep some of my deposit money so we'll probably end up in small claims court. Damn. Bummer to have to think about necessary stuff like this.

I am staying with my friend Sabrina in her beautiful home in Mill Valley. It's so peaceful and tranquil here and I'm resting comfortably before launch.

It's been a busy weekend so far. Went on a full moon cruise on San Francisco cruise last night with my friend Susie. It was amazing. Today slept late, read for a while (The Art of Racing in the Rain - I highly recommend it), coffee with Debbie, then to Sausalito Arts Festival to see the band Night Ranger from the '80's with Christy. It was a whole lot of fun.

Tomorrow will go to the Homestead Valley Music Festival or the Drakes Beach San Sculpture contest. So many events, so little time. I love the Bay area!