Monday, January 09, 2012

I need your help

I have been back in Australia for 1.5 years now. It has been 18 months of stationary travel: although I have been geographically immobile, the journey has been continuing within me.

For many years I have searched for a 'home' but I have recently learned that this is no more than an idea. Home is a state of mind. It doesn't matter where you are physically in the world: once you close your eyes you will always recognise the familiar voice and soul within you, which has travelled everywhere and nowhere. Home is within.

I travelled for a very long time trying to experience as much life as possible so that at the conclusion of my journey I would find inner peace - no matter where I went, what I did or who I was with. Needless to say it completely shook my world when, once upon returning to Australia, after countless travels and adventures, and epiphanies and enlightenment, my soul and spirit was in more turmoil than it had ever been in my life.

And I think I know the reason for this: I searched the world for an enlightenment that was never any-WHERE to be found. It was always within. And once I turned my energy and journey inward, only then did I realise that the true journey of enlightenment was taking place before I ever even took a step.

One may argue that it required the hundreds of thousands of miles of world travel to arrive at this conclusion - and I may be inclined to agree - but when I think that the next 'journey' I take can commence with the closing of my eyes... this makes me smile.

Onto my next adventure...

I have been a writer ever since I mastered my opposable thumbs. I distinctly remember writing letters to an imaginary army at the age of five. "Dear Men," I would begin. Not yet in possession of a journal or diary, I would write in a little, blue bank-book - where one would ordinarily records his or her deposits and withdrawals. Clearly this was a time well before computers would fit inside a house.

Since that time, I have been constantly ushered closer and closer to the same conclusion: that I wish to write a book - something that has also been encouraged by many of you. Well, the time of reckoning is approaching and when I close my eyes I see the end result.

But first I would like to undertake a year of formal education to groom and nurture what skill and ability I possess, to better tell the stories that so far only live within me. And in order to study - and to relieve the financial strain which three years of volunteer work creates - I am applying for a wonderful, writing scholarship.

It is a fantastic opportunity, and I fulfill most of the requirements but one: references. Usually the references should be from teachers, professors, mentors, etc, but because I have no formal training in writing, the administrators of the scholarship have requested that I compile and submit to them a collection of comments about my writing - whether it is my blog or anything else.

And so I ask you, my readers, if you have enjoyed my writing over the years, please leave a comment on this post: a few lines about my writing that I may forward with my application on the 12th January.

I greatly and humbly thank you all for your time and following regardless. I have thoroughly enjoyed relaying my thoughts and adventures to you over the years, and I hope to continue doing so for years to come. Thank you for your companionship on my journey.

Much peace, love and light to you all,
Ara




Wednesday, December 14, 2011

Iguazu Falls: Brazil vs Argentina. Part 1: Brazil


The Iguazu Falls in South America are one of the most spectacular waterfalls in the world. It is one of those sites where, once you set eyes upon it, you have to stop for a moment and try to take in what you are actually seeing.

But the falls are situated on the border of Brazil and Argentina, and each country has its own respective access. So which side is better?

I'll explore the Brazilian side first...


The Iguazu Falls have a 2.7 km edge, however 900 meters of this edge doesn’t have water flowing over it. Actually, the falls have numerous islands which divide it into 275 separate waterfalls.


[Below] Once you have followed the path to the business end of the cataract, the distant buzz of the water falling has crescendoed to a thunderous roar of crashing water. You end up on a walk-way situated midway down an enormous wall of water, which constantly sprays you with mist from the falls.

It is here you have a front-row seat to witness the amazing power of this monster waterfall.


[Below] Only 20% of the falls are on the Brazilian side. But the Brazilian side offer a complete panorama of the incredible falls - which can not be appreciated equally from the Argentine side.




* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Related Posts

- Thermal Waterfall
- One fine day back in Guaramiranga
- wee + oops = ouch


Wednesday, November 02, 2011

Poneloya, Las Penitas

Poneloya is yet another amazing beach in Latin America. It is a 1.5km stretch of beach located 18km from the town of León, Nicaragua - which is also a great place to check out.


I recently learnt that the daily temperatures in Poneloya range from 32°C to 40°C... or more. This doesn't surprise me at all: one of my most vivid memories from Poneloya was of burning feet. I remember taking off my sandals with the intention to walk along the beach and feel the sand between my toes. But after stepping onto on the scorching hot sand, yelping and a screamed out a profanity, I quickly jumped back into them.

I then had to psyche myself up for the mad dash to the water.



But the roaring waves and fresh, cool water made it all worth it.



********************

Related Posts



Thursday, October 13, 2011

I want to be famous!


Seeing a camera can be a big deal when you've never seen one before.

Many indigenous children know of cameras and video cameras, but they associate them with movies and magazines, fame and fortune. So, often, when a child from a very poor upbringing sees a foreigner with a camera they may think it's an opportunity to become famous; to appear in a film and be discovered.


So it's not unusual when, after seeing your big, chunky camera, dozens of super excited children flock before you, dancing and performing in any way known to them, trying to stand out.


Of course, there is the possibility that they just want the attention. No fame or fortune necessary.


[Below] Handstands and cartwheels... the globally accepted way to get your picture taken.

[Below] These photos were obviously taken at night, which explains why there were vampires out and about (i.e the girl on the left). Although one would expect vampires to have paler skin...


[Below] ...such as the girl on the far left. Vampireeeee!!!


Seriously though, these photos were taken on a small island of indigenous people on the passage from Colombia to Panama. A friend of mine had once described his encounters with albinos during the same journey so I was kind of expecting to see them. There is another albino below, and a couple of boys crashing the photo.



Often children are just bewildered by foreigners; by the colour of their skin, their body hair; the strange clothes they wear, etc. The kids on this island would have very rarely seen foreigners.



* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Related Posts

- Global Delinquents #1: Panama City
- Global Delinquents #3: Carti Mulaturpo, Panama
- Hola Panama


Monday, May 30, 2011

South American Signs, Part 11: Congreso

Congreso, or The Congress of the Argentine Nation, is the legislative branch of the government of Argentina. The following is a sign regarding fire safety that I found during a tour of the building:


Here are the translations of the individual pictures, in order...

1. Attempt to Put Out Fire


2. If You Fail... RUN!


3. Hide Under the Stairs


4. When Others Try to Join You...


5. Lock them inside


6. ...And set fire to the Staircase


7. Then escape


8. When the fire is out and everyone is safe...


9. ...Start Another Fire and leave the building



* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Related Posts

- South American Signs, Part 8: Retiro Bus Station
- South American Signs, Part 9: Patagonia, Argentina
- South American Signs, Part 10: Ecuador Mail