Well, its been quite awhile since I first wrote. I feel I’ve abandoned this whole thing, simply because the first entry was too long and I didn’t feel like shortening it up. I haven’t actually even given this link out yet. I realize now I don’t need to shorten it up, simply don’t read it if you don’t want to. I tend to get a bit lengthy without realizing it, and that will most likely continue- so simply stop reading anytime, that is perfectly fine with me, but I will not cut myself short.

I’ve had such an adventure in these last few weeks that I don’t know where to begin. It seems foolish to even try to recount the events for the same reason I did not take photos, there is simply no way to capture the beauty. Nor is there reason in trying to capture it in any sort of external form, because the real beauty is the experience, and my experience has everything to do with my perception, and perception is unique to each individual. Trying to recreate it could never do it justice.

I often find this frustrating when I try to write or paint or imagine the way I would capture something on film- I can never recreate an exact replica of my unique perspective for someone else because, in the words of Dr. Wayne Dyer, “when you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change.”

But I will try summarize the events of the last two weeks anyway- perhaps simply for the chance that it will inspire another to trust in their intuition and take a leap of faith into the unknown, whether it be hitching a ride cross-country, or tonight’s dinner plans… only good can come from really listening to that inner voice.

Over two weeks ago Kelli and I set out in our loyal 1984 Renault, Aggy, for what was to be a one night camping trip in a Spanish desert someone had told us about. As we set out, without much of a map, knowing only that we planned on avoiding the Pyrenees mountain range (Aggy loves being on the road, but is just not much of a climber) I silently promised Aggy we could stay wherever she decided to stop.

Of course we found ourselves surrounded by winding mountain roads in all directions, certainly far away from anything flat or desert-like. We were losing light and poor Aggy was exhausted, so we began our search for nothing less than the perfect campsite. We found ourselves broken down on a turbulent little road following signs to the site that felt right. Four joyful mountain climbing Spaniards adopted us and we spent the night laughing and trying to communicate under the full moon in a small fisherman’s refuge. Aggy ran perfectly in the morning.


That day we went from climbing through the snowcapped peaks in Ordesa National Park to the beautiful beach of San Sebastian. We stayed two days and then I left Aggy and Kelli for a camper named Gretta and two beautiful men heading for Portugal. We spent a couple of lovely days in Lisbon and then Lee got on a plane home to California and Josh to Denmark to meet his family.


I hadn’t made any plans past that point, I knew the way the universe works, I knew whatever happened would happen in the exact perfect way it happened…but for almost twenty-four hours I forgot. My debit card hadn’t been working and I received an fraudulent email saying my account was locked due to possible theft. I, becoming so fearful and uncertain, started imagining all the terrible things that could happen to an American girl stranded without money or a place to stay. I spent the day worrying, too afraid to leave the campsite, and missed a great opportunity with a contact of Josh’s. All of my self assurances were being tested big time and I felt like a failure.

I had just enough for a hostel that night and a bus ticket to Barcelona where I would reunite with Kelli and her friend Tracy. The hostel room I found was the last in the area, the man at the front desk was very kind and gave me a big room with a bathroom for nearly half the price. In the morning I set off to buy a bus ticket. With a furrowed forehead and nearly in tears after running around the city all morning, feeling hopeless in finding a ticket for the amount I had, and terribly sorry for myself I sunk into a seat away from anyone else on the metro.

To the left of me a young boy began down the isle of the train sounding a crimson accordion, a dog the size of the rat sat on his shoulder, holding a wire fastened to a clear plastic cup for donations in his tiny little mouth. As they passed I dropped a very modest amount of change in the cup, smiled at the boy and scratched behind the little dog’s ear. Though the boy did not smile back, as they continued I was so effected by the amount of joy and companionship this little duo radiated.

Everyone else on the train seemed mildly irritated, but there was one other man who shared my enthusiasm. Not thirty seconds after the boy moved to the next car I was blessed with the most head-splitting, boisterous laughter I have ever heard, caused without a doubt from the spectacle of the duo. I watched as the man draped in dirt-caked brown layers made his way towards me, nearly falling over many times in his screaming fit of laughter, until finally collapsing into the seat next to me. He was a giant two year old, perhaps with nothing more than the clothes on his back and his amusement. His mirth was intoxicating.

I entered that train in tears of self pity, and when I exited I was in tears of gratitude. I was reminded of how truly blessed I am. The night before I had a bed to sleep in, food to eat, a nice hot bath- more than half the world population could say! Yet, that half was probably the most joyful! I had nothing to complain about.

Of course, I found a bus ticket at the exact right price- although it was for the next evening, leaving me with 7 euros to stretch over two day…my sureness in the universe was revived. I met another angel at the bus station, a very sweet German Erasmus student named Benjamin. Benjamin invited me to camp with him and his friends on the beach that night. It worked out perfectly- I had sent out my wish to spend some time on the Portuguese beaches days before. We found the perfect spot right before dark, and I spent the night drinking cheap wine with a diverse and wonderful group of new friends.

That morning we found ourselves in the company of angry surfer dudes who were serious about their territory, about a hundred meters from a lovely nude beach. There was friction for the first half of the morning, but both the native surfers and foreign campers learned to share and it was a glorious day.

After an interesting 20 hour transitional period on a bus across Spain, I spent the next day on the Mediterranean beaches of beautiful Barcelona. Barcelona is an amazing city, one that could fill ten pages, but I’ll just leave it as amazing here. I feel a lot of time in my future will be spent in Barcelona.


On our way back home through the south of France, Kelli, Tracy, and I decided to spend the night in Renne les Bains. I had been to Renne les Bains once before with Kelli and Grandma, it is an area I felt a very strong connection to, and an area I knew I would return to. The first time we were there we had a prayer ceremony next to the little river. Grandma, Kelli, and I all wrote down all that we were thankful for and all we wished to manifest. I asked for guidance from the Cosmic Mother, for teachers in the Essene ways of living, and was thankful to be an instrument of peace and unconditional love. We wrote it all down, and burnt it, letting our prayers go into the universe to be created.

Kelli, Tracy, and I didn’t arrive in Renne les Bains until nearly eleven o’clock at night. There was only one room left in the little village! We had a fantastic night’s sleep and in the morning sat down to breakfast completely encircled by the very teachers I had asked for!!

After bathing in the hot springs and a little more exploration of Renne le Château we camped that night in fairyland with an amazing couple. The next day was such a beautiful one. Being in nature always brings me back to my childhood of climbing trees, flying through the meadows, playing in cold creeks. Around noon we sat down for a picnic with new friends and a day of bliss-filled teachings. It was truly enchanting.











I’m happy to be home now, it gives me time to reflect on what I’ve learned these last few weeks. I’ve learned to trust…period. Trust in my intuition, in people, in the natural flow of life, in whatever comes next. I learned that there are truly angels everywhere I go, whether they know it or not. I was fed, sheltered, clothed, listened to, loved, and taught by complete strangers who became dear friends. I am eternally greatful. In following my bliss I found all I needed to do was turn inward…

Ask and you shall receive.
May each of you trust in your deepest inner yearning.
May each of you find your bliss.


Oh, and if you haven’t read The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho, I strongly recommend it. I found a lot of wonderful lessons that helped a great deal in this book!