the sound of a whirlwind / gettin' back.


{photo by arthur machado}
Come to think of it. I don't know what I've been so busy with since we arrived home six days ago, but sometimes life gets real busy like that. But I do have one big update. Aside from all of the gorgeous bits of love waiting for me in my inbox and post box when we got home, there was a skinny letter from the U.S. embassy in Santiago. Dated about five days after I filed the stacks of paperwork to prove that we "entered into a bonafide marriage." Romantic, right? Love letters, financial documents, travel photos, congrats from family and friends all graced this massive packet. 

 
The crazy fast news is *the* interview is already set! October 13 in Santiago. We bought our tickets back to the capital yesterday. Remember how I said no more horribly timed 1 or 5 a.m. flights? Well, just one or two more times (ida y vuelta). Sometimes you just can't argue with the price. Thank goodness humans are so capable of forgetting past discomforts + grueling experiences! Sometimes it's good to be able to do it again...


Yet, some plans foiled... About two years ago, I took a vow of silence for 10 days. No reading, writing, listening to music, knitting, nada. Only meditation. Sitting (oh, it's surprising how much marathon sitting can hurt!). The style of meditation is called Vipassana, and they hold 10-day sessions all over the world. I won't go on about what a purifying experience this was. Have you ever done anything like this?

I wanted to do it again. Just once before I return to the States, because having a job with only a couple weeks vacation (way to make real travel impossible...) pretty much precluded me from wanting to spend that dear vacay in silence, meditating. Really, I like a good party break too! Besides international lifestyle and families, we'll be back and forth to Turkey and likely Chile along with wanting to explore... I had been trying to get into Vipassana courses for several months (always attempting to register too late). Finally one day, I was in and registered! 

{meditation by c.mariani}
A couple of weeks later Serkan decided he'd like to do it together! Say, what? I was over the moon. I couldn't think of a more amazing experience for us to share--by that time all 2.5 of us! Men and women are strictly separated during the Vipassana retreats, but just knowing that we are there doing it together... Hello beauty (and support and synchronized calm)! Since there wasn't any more space in the Santiago course I got into, I relinquished my spot. We hunted for another. After a couple of tries we found one in Buenos Aires and planned a big roadtrip for it, scheduled for September 29. 

{photo by lenaah}
After looking at funds and timing, it's too much to do the visa interview, get all the medical exams that we need in Santiago, and meditate in silence for 10 days near Buenos Aires. Bluely, I let loose that little dream yesterday morning, as we purchased our flights to Santiago. Our afternoon bike ride in spring (for here) weather cheered me up. I hadn't ridden a bike since May! 

Wishing you all a still-warm entrance into autumn and a sunny welcoming of spring! 

{unattributed photos : unknown : please let me know if they're yours}

20 comments:

k said...

wow, that 10 days of silence sounds amazing...but I have doubts that I could make it!

Abby said...

I think my butt would really hurt after 10 days of silent sitting... but it sounds lovely and cleansing, all the same! Good luck with everything!

Nicole Terry Merrell said...

Eww...I'll just come here to relax after a long day! Love your blog.

Delishhh said...

Here in Seattle we are welcoming fall. Stumbled across your blog and love looking at your pictures.

Claire Kiefer said...

Aw, you'll get to do it together! So sweet that Serkan wants to experience it with you. I know that I am nowhere near evolved enough to sit still for ten days. Honestly, I really don't think I could sit still (sans distractions) for two hours. That's so pathetic! I have the world's shortest attention span coupled with a dependence on stimulation all around me. Maybe, eventually, a retreat like that would do me good, but for now . . . baby steps. ha!

Anonymous said...

10 days of silence is intense. It sounds like an amazing experience. I love all the photos you used. They are beautiful and inspiring.

Castles Crowns and Cottages said...

Heather dearest,

THANK YOU for your visit today; coming home after a 12 hour day to find such lovely comments and the support from people I will probably never meet touches me. Your previous post so speaks about this wonderful journey we are on.....and to read this fab post is incredible. I love how we humans look for meaning, and find it, when we put our minds and hearts to the task. Refreshing, healing and connecting are these activities with those you love. Rest and relaxation are every bit as important as hard work and discipline.....enjoy every benefit and moment. And thank you again for brightening my day today!!!! Anita

△▾christine▴▽ said...

Where in the States are you from?

10 days of silence is intense, but i know that you will gain so much more from it than just peace.

enjoy the rest of your stay there!

Ashley said...

I am so happy things are working out for you coming home! Best of luck with the remainder of the journey.

As for the silence, I've never done it, but it is quite intriguing! I need to disconnect sometimes, too, which is a big part of why I love the outdoors. There's something so serene about standing alone on top of a mountain.

yourstrulydear said...

wow that sounds really crazy but really awesome at the same time. i'm not quite zen enough to be able to do something like that. have a great time, i'm jealous of your world traveling, crazy flight times and all!

Anonymous said...

I am so intrigued by the prolonged meditation! I would love to try that someday, though for a shorter period of time... to start with, anyway. :)

ChinkyGirLMeL said...

I think I need 10 days of silence too. It's been a long long time since I enjoyed some peace and quiet and just realy got to relax.

Sonja said...

10 days of sitting in silence?
Wow that's a loooong time!
But that's reall yamazing that you wanted to do it, I'm sure it would've been quite the experience!
I love your blog it's really beautiful! I only came across it while you were away. hehe

koralee said...

Wow...10 days of silence...really I am not sure I could do it..but would love to.

Love your images today my friend. xoxox

stylenuggets said...

I've heard of Vipasana as I do Yoga but never tried it. Would be an awesome experience

Gracie said...

Wow! 10 Days of silence...I think it would be a wonderful experience. And you are doing it together is even better.

I commend you for doing it because I'm not sure I could.

Krysten @ Why Girls Are Weird said...

Wow 10 days of silence? Not sure I could do that!

its simple love said...

I have never tried anything like that. Yes I have meditated but for no longer than a couple hours. I am so impressed by you! And your traveling. Real jobs in the U.S. definitely make it hard to travel. And for some reason it's not seen as a positive thing for the most part, just irresponsible... So weird to me! I don't think you can grow like you can from traveling by sitting behind a desk. So glad I took 4 months off from "the real world".

Rachael

E. Charlotte said...

Just ran across your blog and am quite enchanted! I shall return indeed!

Welcoming Fall in the mountains of Montana, E. Charlotte

Diana Mieczan said...

I would love to do 10 days of silence...That would feel amazing:)
Kisses,sweetie

ps: I am hosting a really cute GIVEAWAY, so please join in:)

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