Landing with a thump

So I'm back in Canada, alternately reflecting on my journey and focusing right here and now . . . wondering what the hell I'm doing.

The travel experience, guat city to Toronto, was blessedly uneventful - my favourite kind.  No major flight delays, no major crises . . . nothing.  I did have, believe it or not, a US immigration officer flirt with me and invite me to the Caribbean for his birthday this summer.  Given how formidable they can be, and how long I waited in line, I guess that's pretty noteworthy - especially since he was quite cute.

I arrived to a rather chilly Toronto retreat back towards winter (I had optimistically hoped that they'd be past this by now).  So I'm very grateful that I packed my sweaters and warm pants . . . and the new wool coat that I bought in Pana just before I left. It's a rather abrupt and harsh contrast to my last night in Guatemala - hanging out under the stars until the last possible moment before crawling into bed.  I almost locked up my hostel room and slept under the stars in a hammock . . . except that I don't actually sleep all that well in a hammock.

So, along with the cold on the outside, I also seem to have a cold on the inside, along with what I suspect is water transition blues . . . or something.  My body has declared war on me - demanding that I sit still and rest, rather than race full speed ahead the way I'm wont to do.  Although I can't say I'm all that happy about being so sick . . . it is ensuring that I take some time to think about what I want from this next leg of my journey, from this time here in Ontario, with my family. 

It's also a time to fill in my blog with missing stories, while they're still fresh . . . knowing they will be harder to retrieve as time passes.

Starting the Year in San Marcos at Las Piramides

So, it´s an interesting start to the New Year.  

After a full New Year´s eve, the new year has emerged with a bit of a thump.  I woke up feeling icky, and it has just gotten worse over the day.  I have continued to struggles with the question of whether to go to Santiago for the big festival over there, or just settle in to San Marcos, and start the Moon course at the beginning with everyone else.  My body ultimately made the decision for me.  As predicted, North American flora has finally gone into combat with Central American flora in my belly.  I am down for the count, at least for a little while.

The other deciding factor was my exploration at the Las Piramides in the morning, where I ran into a friend and fellow Cortesian.  I knew she would be there for the course, but I didn´t expect to burst into tears upon seeing her.  So, clearly, this is where I need to be.

My body demanded that I return to La Paz for an afternoon nap, after which I gathered my stuff and moved over to the pyramids.  Once settled into my pyramid (all the ´rooms´are pyramids), I crashed again.  As it turns out, I missed the first two meditations and first yoga class, but I made it to the first metaphysics class . . . so all is well.

And again, experiencing much gratitude for my friend from home.  Especially when feeling so rough, it has been such a comfort to have her here.