Soul - Searching Journeys

"I learned that courage was not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it. The brave man is not he who does not feel afraid, but he who conquers that fear." - Nelson Mandela

Every woman I know, let me rephrase that, every person I know dreams of taking off on a round-the-world journey to “find themselves.”

When we are unhappy or struggling in our lives we tend to reach out to the universe in hopes that she will light the way. It’s that innate desire in all of us to soul search, to experience something so profound that it will bring about the kind of self-awareness that changes us forever.

The truth is that the answers already reside in our heart. It’s that inner voice calling you towards your destiny, trying to veer you onto the path of true happiness, but it is only through action and unwavering courage to face our truth that we will unearth the wealth of knowledge that lies within us.

What if you had the courage to pursue your dreams and follow your heart? Would you discover that those that matter don’t care and those who care don’t matter? What if you finally stopped living someone else’s life and started living the life YOU want? Imagine being liberated from all the fears that have held you back. Envision the life you could have, the love you could experience. It’s there, waiting for you to let go of your fears and embrace it.

That is what happened to one courageous woman on her journey of self-discovery. Author Elizabeth Gilbert’s 2006 memoir - Eat Pray Love - echoed such a truth in others that millions of people from around the world ran out to buy her memoir and booked trips to Italy, India and Bali in hopes that they too could indulge, meditate, and find happiness. That they too would be privy to the divine secrets of the universe to find the courage to escape the ties that bind them to a life and love they no longer want, to free themselves and explore the endless possibilities called life.

I was so captivated by her story that I read her book 3 times, wondering if I too would ever have such a profound experience. I’ve often thought, “Where would I go to soul search? And would happen to our world if every being opened up their heart, soul and mind to the possibility of change?” I imagine that we would live in a constant state of love and light, but until then, let us experience some of the wonders Elizabeth Gilbert experienced on her quest to finding her true destiny.

EAT – ITALY

As everyone knows, you could eat your way through Italy and enjoy every single moment of it. Lord knows I have! But since Gilbert spent most of her time in Rome, I’ll share some of my favorite places to eat in Rome. No visit to Rome is complete for me without dinner at Clemente alla Maddalena located in ‘Piazza della Maddalena,’ a few steps from the Pantheon. The food is always prepared using quality ingredients and the atmosphere enchanting.

If you’re in Italy to eat your way to heavenly bliss then you have to eat at the city's only three-Michelin-starred restaurant - La Pergola – with breathtaking views of the Vatican. On summer evenings, out on the candlelit terrace, the city shimmers like stars fallen to earth and the Dome of St. Peter's seems close enough to touch.

You can’t be in Italy and not eat gelato! Il Gelato di San Crispino has some the best ice cream in all of Italy, so eat to your heart’s content.

No Italian epicurean adventure would be complete without pizza, so like Elizabeth, hop on a train to Naples and visit the legendary L’Antica Pizzeria Da Michele that many have described as the “Scared Temple of Pizza.”

PRAY – INDIA

If the ashrams of India seem too hardcore for you, as they would be for me, try a more luxurious approach at destination wellness by staying at one of the many 'ashram-meets-boutique-hotel' where you can take yoga classes and meditation to re-connect with your inner core.

One of my dreams is to visit the Taj Mahal, India's most iconic and romantic sight. Built by the heartbroken Mughal emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his third wife who died during childbirth, it took 22 years of meticulous work by 20,000 workers to complete this monument to love. For a hopeless romantic like me, this is the love story to end all love stories.

Udaipur in Rajasthan is unarguably India's most romantic city. Known as the City of Lakes, its bodies of water provide a picturesque backdrop to the city's palaces. Stay at the magical Oberoi Udaivilas, which sits in regal style on the banks of Lake Pichola.

LOVE – BALI

Like Gilbert, set up base in Ubud in the centre of the island and experience peace and tranquility.

Spirituality and religion is the life-blood of Bali. One of the oldest temple complexes in Bali and just north of Ubud, Gunung Kawi will take your breath away. Its 10 rock cut shrines each stand eight meters tall in sheltered coves, with an 11th further down the valley, and all date back to the 11th century.

If you don’t find the love of your life in the shape of an attractive Brazilian expat like Gilbert did, Bali still has plenty of scope for romance. Besides, the most important love of all is the love you have for yourself!

Happify - Meeting My Victorious Self

Yesterday I was contacted by HAPPIFY and asked if I would be interested in trying out their Happify Pioneer Program. (Happify is a NYC based company with a vision to bring the science of happiness to mass market in an entirely new way, led by a group of proven serial entrepreneurs who have teamed up with the leading scientists and coaches in happiness research and training.) Naturally I said YES!

This morning I began my first exercise - Meeting My “Victorious Self” – I was asked to imagine what my future self and life will look like and write it down. This got me thinking about future goals, hopes and dreams. About where I wanted to be and what I hoped to accomplish, so I decided to share one of those goals with you...

For as long as I can remember I have dreamed of owning a home in the Tuscan countryside; a place with history that I could restore to escape the stresses of life to find refuge in an oasis of calm. A place others could visit to share in this utopia of organic living. So universe, if you’re listening – help!

Over time that vision has slightly changed. I want to turn my haven into a small B&B, a place where people going through hardships can stay to nurture their spiritual and emotional growth, perhaps work with a not-for-profit organization. I want to provide guests with a locale that is committed to sustainable and environmentally-sound practices where they can pick fresh herbs and vegetables from a garden to help prepare our meals. A place they can enjoy bike rides along the countryside, picnic lunches and a glass of local wine, as well as other therapeutic activities like yoga, spa treatments, cooking classes, and excursions to local vineyards, villages and artisan shops.

You may ask yourself, why would you want to share a private paradise with others, in particular strangers? The answer is rather simple, because I believe there is no delight in owning something unshared. How great would it be to experience magical moments with people from all walks of life. To share life stories and experiences, and one day write a book about these encounters to help and inspire others.

My ultimate dream is to one day have B&B’s in Provence, Marrakesh, Seville and South Africa; a network of homes dedicated to providing love and care to those in need. Why away? Because when people are removed from their environment they experience an awakening of the senses and are able to see things with greater clarity and peace of mind. That spark of excitement and adventure is ignited by new sights and sounds. It’s amazing what a change of pace and space can do for someone’s morale, but not everyone has the resources to afford such a luxury. That’s where I step in… to offer them a place to stay. So this is my dream, my fuel, my wish to the universe.

Most importantly, I want to share this dream with those I love and with those in need. Now I ask you, what do you envision your future to look like?

Cheers to dreams and making them come true!

(These images are of Agrifuturismo)

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Yoga on the Italian Island of Ischia

The fun began the moment I arrived on the Italian island of Ischia and was greeted by my driver, Giovanni, a charismatic man who sang old Neapolitan love songs with all the passion he could muster while simultaneously maneuvering his way through winding dirt roads, past vibrant bougainvillea, and endless views of the Tyrrhenian Sea. We were knee deep in our impromptu duet when we reached the unassuming gates of Villa Lina, the place I would call home for the next week.

As I entered the gateway I was transported to another time and place. My thoughts filled with childhood memories of my grandmother’s home in southern Italy until the enthusiastic barking of Vito, the property’s friendly mascot, got my attention. What lies beyond the gates of Villa Lina can only be described as a utopia of organic living with its lush vegetation, olive groves and earthen paths lined with rosemary bushes perched above the Mediterranean.

Family owned and operated, the villa is run by Nicola, a kind soul who affectionately cares for the property and his guests with the same love a Shepard cares for his flock.  He is committed to sustainable and environmentally-sound practices and picks fresh herbs and vegetables from his garden to prepare the daily meals - some of the best I’ve ever had!

The original rustic style of the villa and the land is honored throughout the property. My room had all the necessary amenities; a bathroom, queen size bed, wooden desk, armoire and a terrace with beautiful vistas. The one thing it did not have is a TV, phone or any of the other technological wonders we are accustomed too. I questioned how I would ever survive an entire week without them, but what I later discovered was that letting go of all distractions gifted me with heightened self-awareness and a sense of serenity.    

The main house is made up of a kitchen, where we often found Nicola and Magdalena preparing our daily meals, and a great room lined with family photographs, old books, magazines and the only TV on the property. Adjacent to this is a large dining room with wall to wall glass panels to not obstruct the panoramic views that lead onto the deck where we would relax, read, meditate and enjoy gorgeous sunsets. There are two yoga areas; one a room with sliding glass doors and views of the sea where we would practise our morning yoga, and the other an open pavilion where we enjoyed evening restorative yoga while looking out onto the endless horizon. The property also boasts two pools, an outdoor one filled with the island’s famous healing thermal waters, and an indoor pool in a cave of pumice filled with warm sea water. This was the location of our late night gatherings to relax and discuss the trials and tribulations of life. There is great solace in discovering how different yet similar our lives are; each of us bearing our sadness and joys with a smile and positive outlook on the future.

Our host and Yoga instructor, Erin, is a beautiful woman with delicate bone structure and a subtle elegance that reminded me of a modern day Audrey Hepburn, and from that day forward I would refer to her as just that. Her love and passion for yoga is evident in the caring way in which she guides each guest, beginner or intermediate, into the day’s poses and practise. She made each experience a pure delight.

The retreat is open to both men and women, though we had a group of 9 extraordinary women. Each unique in their own way with complex lives and experiences, qualities that would make for a fine wine to be savored slowly to capture the rich complexities, beauty and flavors. Our group varied in ages from 24 to 69, all from different cultures, professional backgrounds and walks of life. It was an eclectic array of women that lit up every room with their laughter and joy. And together, every day was a new lesson in discovery of ourselves and each other, as we challenged one another to new heights, to embrace change, and to appreciate life in all its glorious hues.

Each day began with morning yoga and a delicious breakfast before embarking on a new and exciting adventure. We hiked to the top of Monte Epomeo (789 metres high) to enjoy breathtaking views of the island and ocean beyond. We spent a day at the Thermal Spa Negombo where we sunbathed and swam, had spa treatments and enjoyed the many thermal pools. We explored Castello Aragonese, a medieval castle built on a rock near the island in 474 BC.  We enjoyed wine tasting at Casa D’Ambra, the island’s oldest vineyard, as well as shopping, delicious meals, and everyone’s favorite excursion – boating around the island, diving into the Mediterranean, and swimming into a grotto.

What I discovered during my week long Yoga Retreat is that no matter how successful, beautiful, smart, funny, young or old, we are all sisters in our quest for a happier life, and if we are open to the possibilities of change, we will continue to evolve. I have learned that we are only limited by the limits we set upon ourselves and hence been given renewed hope that the best truly is yet to come!

As one guest stated, “Something changed in all of us that week. I don't think I'll be able to find the words to describe it. It was so subtle, yet so strong. Like Woodstock, it was an event that cannot be replicated. But there can be many more happy times, each wonderful in their own uniqueness.” And it is with this thought in mind that I look forward to the next retreat.

For information on attending a Yoga Retreat in Ischia, Tuscany, Marrakech or Provence, please visit www.eatpraymove.com and mention Travelista73 or email me at travelista73@hotmail.com. 

A special thank you to the lovely Gina at www.warmpears.com for providing many of the images in this post.