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 |  You are what you write. Illusion and Reality...I reside in between. Where are you? |
UNDERSTAND THAT REDIRECTING CIVILIZATION is a major undertaking. You can write volumes about it and who will listen? But the energy that goes for that purpose cannot be withdrawn. You know that.  |
I live on a boat in a marina. Under the boardwalk that borders the boat, ferry, and yacht moorings...live the iguanas. This is a very busy place with the massive ferries that transport the tourists from the cruise ships to the tourist village at Belize City; big fishing boats for visitor big-game fishing, many yachts of all sizes. All of them, including the tour buses and vans come and go all day long with people for the beach or restaurant or museum. They all walk the boardwalks. The iguanas are always there. Just under the greenry or flowering bushes, or close to the many drains that empty the parking from heavy rains. Each drain houses a large, alpha-iguana. The females and young ones have to take their chances under the heavy bushes that line the boardwalks. Most are quite bold and will not move until one is about six to eight feet away. If you approach slowly, they will move to safety slowly. When startled, they can move very fast. The biggest ones are about two feet from head to tail; muscular, with a wicked row of spikes running down their back. The oldest ones are quite craggy. They have the look of being very old. There are maybe five alphas and a communnity of about twelve+. Also there are small, elegent chickens in the greenry and under the trees, maybe ten altogether. Now they occasionally lay eggs The chickens seem to ignore the iguanas, but there are never any eggs the next day. I think a lot of the boat people feed them table scraps and fruit. Some tourists stop and take pictures, Once in a while a visitor is startled and we hear a yell or scream. The Iguana usually waddles off in disgust. There is a big rock beside the drive where one of the big ones suns himself in the morning. The buses stop and he poses for pictures until someone wants to get too close. Then he drops the four feet or so to the ground and dives into his hole.They don't like small children or dogs. The sight of such ancient creatures living in the middle of a commercial-tourist facility with such calmness and assurance about their place in it all, is nice reminder that we don't have to control everything. The iguanas are part of my home...or I'm part of theirs. The other place you see them are among the Mayan ruins and pyramids. I suppose they were there first...how many thousand of years ago? Maybe we should take a lesson from the iguanas? >>>iggy Note: my logo (iguanamountain) is a photo taken high up on the side of a Mayan temple. My blog picture is a painting of one beside the path at Toucan ruins in Mexico. ** Image ID #1264233 Unavailable ** |
Definitely we term it a 'boat' as it dwarfs beside the elite yachts moored up front in the marina. Some of them are so sleek and ultra-modern, but of course, they are not sail-driven. They have high powered engines and rush around at frightening speeds. . Between fuel and staff required, such vehicles only belong to the 1-5%, whoever they are. My boat, in that pre-dawn hour when I wake up is part of the living Earth. There is a very slight motion as the boat pulls against the ropes. Just enough to let you know that control has been given up to the ocean. The Caribbean is gentle with a tide that lifts and lowers about a foot in this season. There are sounds that become a background to life aboard. The overhead ropes hit the mast from a gust or breeze, slightly metallic. Steady wind brings a rhythmic, random pattern of rapping. The boat itself creaks a tiny bit from the various stresses. Then the sound of the hull rubbing against the bumpers along the wooden dock. Great weight (15 tons) sliding forward and back with a soft groan that's partly the rubber of the inflated bumper. It all blurs and blends into a lullaby for sleeping and waking. If there's rain or a storm, the tone of all the sounds and motion changes with the warning touch of the living ocean. We are an undeniable part of this Earth...no matter how hard the great cities try to pave a separation, the elements converge with wind, rain, snow, eruption, and quakes. Massive storms cover half a continent with snow or drought. Hurricanes and typhoons ravage the edges of the land. The Universe sends solar flares and meteors and moves around the magnetic poles. Look around you. The separation is as fragile and thin as the fabric you wear to protect your body and the shoes on your feet When I wake up in the mornings, I am constantly reminded of the enormous power we are part of. Be aware and respectful of this living Earth. >>>iggy ** Image ID #1264233 Unavailable ** |
Moving back to Belize was a positive decision, but what would happen was a total unknown. We found welcoming friends, a very nice place to stay while we found our way. This was followed by instant projects that helped pay back for the kindness. Old skills are needed,and stage sets are created. The Rotary Club fundraiser production is a four-night sellout! Major decisions had to be made about what we wanted to do. The activity created around the stage-theater work, and the construction company, gave us the encouragement to stay in Belize City and specifically center ourselves at Old Belize in the Cucumber Beach Marina. The next decision came with the offer of a very reasonable purchase of a yacht (needs work) that we can live in at the Marina. We are cleaning and preparing to take the yacht out of dry-dock and put it back in the water. I have to wrap my mind around the concept: We have a sailboat, a 45' yacht. The marina is not new to us. We lived in a bus for several years right beside the water. Now we're in it! Immediately came the need to do the stage setting for the big Women's Day, empowerment event that is aiming at bringing together 20,000 women from all over the country. The biggest gathering they have ever had. It's a lot of work in a short time, but absolutely worth it. The Belize event will be a few days before the International Women's Day, so they may be the first one's up. I stopped questioning how the Universe works. I seem to be in the right place and at the right time...and a whole lot of things come together without my planning or worrying. And I'm surrounded by wonderful people doing exciting, creative work. All my cousins are showing up on Facebook. I've had no contact for years with many. That's amazing as well. Go figure... Love to all...>>>iggy ** Image ID #1264233 Unavailable ** |
| Now that I'm back in Belize, I know that many people out in the world say, "Where's that?" They sort of know that Mexico is south of Texas, but that's about all. Way back in the 1700's, Spain claimed all the land, but allowed the British to cut Logwood off and on for many years. Then in 1798, the Spanish attacked the settlement of Belize. The loggers, called Baymen, fought back. With the help of their slaves from Africa, they defeated the Spanish for the last time in the Battle of St. George's Caye. The Spanish retreated and never again tried to control Belize. The Mayans, however, did not give up. They were blocking the lucrative Mahogany business so the British were determined to drive them out. In 1867, the British Governor ruled that "No Indians will be at liberty to reside upon or occupy or cultivate any land without previous payment or engagement to pay rent whether to the Crown or the owner of the land". Refugees from the United States Civil War were encouraged to settle in Belize and farm. The British sent more troops and weapons, went into Maya villages and burnt their houses and fields. Their intention was to drive the Maya out by destroying their food supplies. The Maya, who had farmed the interior of Belize for hundreds of years, were forced off their land. There's more about the Maya and the history of the slaves and their fight. Change the names and places...add high-tech weapons and the story is the same...including the intention. From this, I say, they (we) never learn. Look around the world today. Hear the screaming echoes of the past. Can you hear them? Until later, >>>iggy# ** Image ID #1264233 Unavailable ** |
| This is Climate Change for old folks. The months of December, January and maybe part of February are lovely with cool nights and temperate days. The sunshine is warm and feels good after being in air-conditioned cars and shops, which feel like some kind of cold-storage. I travel with a sweater. Then in this season, IT RAINS! Very intense, heavy rain that can soak you to the skin in 30 seconds. Some folks call it the 'rainy season'. But it doesn't rain every day. The benefit is that everything is green. Rich, vibrant green. Now let me tell you about our jungle experience yesterday. About five years ago we went to visit and photograph our friends' mother's original home. It is located maybe three miles from the main highway. The one-lane dirt road wound around and up a hill. The mother had passed away and the house was abandoned. There were some enormous trees close by and the brush was beginning to regain some height after decades of being trimmed. The house, constructed of river stone, had thick walls and a wood and corrugated steel roof. My friends remembered the site fondly from their childhood. Now, we returned nearly five years later. There is a gurgling stream that winds around. The road has to cross the water twice where culverts had been installed. The second crossing was gone; washed away during the last hurricane. A few well-placed rocks and we only got slightly wet shoes crossing. From there on the road had disappeared. The jungle had moved in and reclaimed the road bed. Vines, brush, palms, stickers, flowers...you name it...it's green and growing. The grass and stuff on the ground was about knee-high. Overhead, the branches and young tree limbs required constant ducking. The road bed is still firm and solid underneath it all, and a machine can come and clean and trim it all. The path into the house was about half a mile of sometime quite dense growth. The path was opened by machete. Whack, chop, slice...at least room enough for a human to pass. When we arrived, the group was totally shocked. The large branches from the big trees brought the roof down. Scavengers had removed all the windows and doors, including the frames. Only the large, top-of-the-wall beams remain. The stone shell remains intact. However, the building is almost invisible, being wrapped in vines, small trees and broad-leaf plants. Only five years and the Earth recovered and reclaimed. We have discussed retuning and restoring what was a rather, large comfortable stone house in a paradise setting. The giant tree needs some trimming and more respect for it's ancient lineage. The hillside behind the house drops down to a rushing year-round stream and a magnificent view once it's cleared. The setting and experience of meeting the relentless power of the plant world, reminded me we are visitors here and no matter what we do, the Earth will replenish herself...or we will learn to merge into her rhythms once again, and stop trying to isolate and separate ourselves. Just imagine...to be in a place where you cannot hear a machine, a passing truck, three million automobiles, the refrigerator, the neighbor's air conditioner, the construction site. City dwellers never experience total silence, ever. The silence of a wilderness is close to the whisper of God's love. Listen! >>>iggy ** Image ID #1264233 Unavailable ** |
| So now it's official...We have moved half-way around the world (took something like 50 hours) We are back in Belize, staying with friends in Belize City. We left Tehran on the 13th, flying to Istanbul, Turkey. Then a ten hour wait in the terminal. When we arrived, we had to change airlines so Visa purchase: $20 for me and $60 for Ali...I guess they don't like Canadians. Then our two suitcases had to be claimed. Mine had one of the rollers broken off, so I had to sort of drag it along. Ali's had the handle, on one end for rolling, actually torn out, leaving a hole. So it had to be carried (40lbs). We got a cart because we also had two carry on bags, plus a camera bag. Another five hour wait. Then check-in to Lufthansa. More passport checks, customs, etc.. This one just happened to be a flight that was carrying about 80% immigrants to Germany. The rest were German tourists. Mood on the plane was very upbeat, all the way to Frankfurt. It was an Airbus, and very nice. Good food. Several meals and snacks. The seats in Economy are very narrow. At the Frankfurt airport we had a five hour wait for our flight to Cancun, Mexico, this time on Condor Airlines. Really nice plane (Airbus again) except we got the final two seats in the very back...just in front of the toilet (flushing sounds). The food for us was served LAST. Of course we're flying Economy Class. All the flights were fully booked. The flight to Cancun took eleven and a half hours, and three meals. Between sleeping and waking, it took on a dream-like quality. Arrived early evening and waited one hour to clear passports and get Mexican visa. Then get the damaged luggage to drag around. By then it was nearly dark and raining. There is only one flight a day to Belize and fully booked, so we took a taxi to the bus station. By then we were totally exhausted, so only went for about 1 1/2 hours to Playa del Carmen to get a cheap hotel room($40) close to the bus station. Had dinner at MacDonald's, then sleep. Up early and got a bus to the border at Cozumel...about five hours. The bus was more comfortable than the airlines. I slept most of the way. Then to get to Belize...we missed the good buses and ended up getting a old, beat-up school bus. They're commercial carriers, just border-line economy. Our luggage rode in the back on top of the spare tire. Bumpy, windy with broken windows, It rained some of the time. We breezed through the border and customs into Belize since we're both permanent residents and we were on a non-tourist bus. Actually it was kind of fun. Of course it was night when we got to the bus station in Belize City. Got a taxi to take us out the Western Highway to our friend's house...and their first words were, "Welcome Home!". So cool, we have our own room, (and how we know these lovely folks is another long story for some other time.) The universe provides in the most unexpected ways. Anyway, we are back in very familiar territory. All is well. 12 hour jet lag is ugh... I did manage to edit one chapter of Knights of Sparrow. The constant in my life is writing.com. Happiness is the end of a journey. >>>iggy ** Image ID #1264233 Unavailable ** |
| Final Goodbye in 3 Days When I tell folks I'm leaving, they usually don't get it. How to explain my Visa was not renewed, and would not be. For most, their experience is a trip away for a weekend, a month or two at most...then home again. When I say, I'm going to the other side of the Earth, and probably won't be back, I get incredulous looks and protests. The real world is run by governments and their foreign policy, their trade, their currency---all that stuff. Unless one travels to other countries you never interface with international borders. Fortunately, on this trip I will only have to exit Iran with the proper 'exit stamp', fines paid, ticket in hand, etc. Then on to Germany, then Mexico, and finally after many, many hours, the border of Belize, and home at last! Well, not quite. There still is a three and a half hour bus ride. But at that point I usually can sleep anywhere. The concern is always watching and hanging on to the precious luggage. One suitcase, and one carry-on backpack, and the camera. That's all. The first time I really moved from Carmel Valley to Hollywood, it took a moving van full of books, beds, furniture, clothes, tools. Like 14 years of accumulation. Well, no more. If you can't carry it, it stays behind. Well, my partner is going...but that's another story for another time. We've been to dinner last night with extended family and another part of the family this morning for breakfast...goodbys all around, a few tears and quick out the door to not argue about why. My life is in the web-book with the two novels and all the notes and research. Happily there are copies in my portfolio of the partly finished work. Iguanamountain lives! Until next time. >>>iggy ** Image ID #1264233 Unavailable ** |
| Many times in my life I have had to move to another distant location carrying only what I can carry in two suitcases and a carry-on. This means leaving a house or apartment with all the collected suff (books, paintings, appliances, tools, clothes, treasures collected, pets). In four or five years one can accumulate a lot of stuff, especially if you are a writer doing research, cooking, and an artist who paints and illustrates. I have a little bundle of precious brushes, and my legal and financial papers. Other than that all the important writing material is digitized and on various hard-drives, USB sticks, and in the web-book and tablet. EVERYTHING! All paper is scanned or photographed. In years past it amounted to many pounds of excess luggage that cost money to move. What I have learned, is that it all is just stuff, and easily replaced or done without. Now I'm anxious to get back to a world where there are book stores with books in English and maybe television where I can see Game of Thrones. Money is a consideration. For sure, the cost of traveling has become almost prohibitive. So major moves are about all that's allowed on a SS income. And I know better that to buy a new bicycle (They were always stolen) so I look for a beat-up old one that still works. This time I am leaving cold and snow and changing it for tropic heat, dry desert air for humid heaven! More about this as it happens... Best wishes for this New Year. >>>iggy ** Image ID #1264233 Unavailable ** |
| Creating a World That Works for Everyone At this time of the year we think more about home and family. Below, I'm quoting some famous words that hopefully expand the idea of 'family'. Werner Erhard, We can choose to be audacious enough to take responsibility for the entire human family. We can choose to make our love for the world be what our lives are really about. Each of us now has the opportunity, the privilege, to make a difference in creating a world that works for all of us. It will require courage, audacity, and heart. It is much more radical than a revolution – it is the beginning of a transformation in the quality of life on our planet. You have the power to fire the shot heard ‘round the world. (Werner Erhard, Graduate Review, February 1980.) Celebrate with love... >>>iggy ** Image ID #1264233 Unavailable ** |
Historically, traditionally and currently, Iranians are retail merchants, however some changes are taking place. Every neighborhood has a couple food stores. Meat is separate, and usually different shops for chicken or beef-sheep. Every neighborhood has a bread baker. Fresh-baked, unleavened bread is pretty standard for meals. The smell from those shops is heavenly. There is always a crowd at the door several times a day waiting for the hot bread the moment it comes from the ovens. Fruit and vegetable shops are another kind of shop displaying a wide variety of fresh produce. Then there is a different kind of bakery that makes sweets, muffins and rolls, cakes and cream puffs and cream rolls. Also elaborate French pastries. These are more expensive and most often are boxed and presented to the host when visiting. And to the benefit of the shop keepers, the tradition is to always present guests with a large bowl of fresh fruit and a selection of sweet pastries...always. Of course this is served with tea. My friends know I like coffee, so I get the Nescafe and a cup of hot water. The changes are the new introduction of super stores. I suspect developed by men who have visited the super Walmarts or the big Carefours in France. However these stores are bigger! They have top-brand shops in an outer perimeter mall including banks, coffee-espresso bistro, snack shops, kid's games, and a food mall with great variety and space for many hundreds of diners. The big store inside the security-scanners has EVERYTHING except the auto and tire section. Acres of housewares, hardware, sport, electronics, clothing, carpets, etc., then on to the food with every kind of fruit & vegetable, a full bakery, imported oils, vinegar, spices, cheeses, dairy, all the frozen stuff, local and imported. you get to pick out and bag your own produce and a central counter where these amazing women weigh, label and seal each bag in seconds. Checkout lines by the dozens. The check out clerks are very fast and polite. The stores are clean, efficient and constantly restocking as there are thousands of customers. (And they do run their shopping carts similar to how they drive.) The for the thousands of shoppers, there are two levels of indoor parking, also fast and efficient. There are escalator-ramps that lock the wheels of your heavily laden shopping cart, so easy to get to the car. The parking is a big deal, because in the rest of the city, where ever you go, parking is the biggest problem. Truly there are more cars than spaces. From the size of the crowds, this idea is extremely popular and I fear it won't be long before the small, one-item shops will begin to feel the pinch. Another five or so of these monster shopping centers are planned or already under construction. Just like the rest of the world...some people have a lot of money. Of course here, the big deal is Persian New Year, not Christmas. The birth of Jesus is marked and celebrated and there are some decorations and a few trees. The churches do it proper with lots of events and special celebrations. The New Year (Noruz) is non-religious with lights everywhere, gifts, family gatherings Everyone comes home for Noruz. (That's in March) And it's becoming more commercial as well. (sound familiar?) With all that, you could eat yourself to death! Later, >>>iggy ** Image ID #1264233 Unavailable ** |
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