LOVE Ibiza... it's brilliant!

I spent the month of September in Ibiza, Spain, working at Ibiza Yoga, in the north - a very peaceful part of the Island and a 2min walk away from Benirras Beach, which is famous for the sunday night gatherings of drummers and fire dancers...! I would recommend a stay here to anyone who is looking for a week away from the regular hustle and bustle of life. Both beginner and advanced yoga classes are offered, and all are completely optional... as are the infamous dance parties at the clubs that are scattered across the Island. It was amazing to see how guests transformed throughout the week, arriving with a thick layer of stress and leaving looking and feeling fresh and relaxed.

As I couldn't afford the retreat option - although the price is very reasonable for what you receive and apparently the best value in Europe - I decided to volunteer for a month instead. Six hours a day I cleaned and chatted to guests, and the rest of the day I was free to play, in exchange for fantastic vegetarian meals and a bed in a lovely little pagoda next to my new buddy and soul sister, Juno.

It was a great month full of mundane meditative housework, yoga asana and teaching practice, massage giving, car trouble, sunbathing, swimming and mingling. I was constantly learning from and in awe of the many inspiring people that I met, who all shared the same qualities of compassion and understanding. Understanding of the importance of striving to maintain love, peace and happiness in our lives while appreciating the beauty that surrounds us... 

Ibiza is an Island who's brilliance cannot really be understood until you've placed your feet on her soil, allowed your roots to grow into her earth, swum in her waters, and spread your wings amongst her vibrant surroundings and diverse natural & human life that occupy and create her magical, interconnected atmosphere. Its a place where - 

Sunsets are worshipped...

Life is contemplated...

Souls are reconnected...

Topless tanning is the norm...

Bubbly & gorgeous views are in abundance...

Villa parties arise...

Hippies spread their peace & love...

Dancing occurs...

Creativity flows...

Bonds are formed...

Families are brought together... 

Beauty continuously awes...

And shit happens to remind us to slow down... that we are still alive & human!

Much love to my wonderful Ibiza buddies - see you again soon!! xx

Spirit & Flowers in Zundert, Holland!

I had a fantastic time visiting my friend Vivi in her hometown, Zundert. Vivi and I met in Barcelona in our spanish class, and we became instant friends. Soon after we met she told me with so much passion, over a mojito in a bar on Passeig del Born, about this flower parade held in her town every year... I couldn't resist an opportunity to check it out!

My bloemencorso experience began as soon as I stepped off the train. I was given the full run down of the happenings in the Veldstraat tent where Vivi's team was working away on 3 floors of scaffolding to finish gluing paper to the nine gigantic wire & cardboard men - each with a different expression that can be seen on the faces in an audience watching the parade. Vivi's brother Jos, and his friend were the two dedicated designer's of this years float. I new from Vivi's excitement that she was itching to get back to work. After a quick bite of her mom, Jeanne's smoked salmon pasta dish that I still dream about, we all headed off to the tent. I was given the grand tour of the site and the blooming flower field next door along with a detailed explanation of the immense amount of work and time that goes into the year long creative process.

From Wednesday until Sunday the day of the event, which is always held on the first Sunday of September, the majority of our time was spent at the tent alongside dozens of others - painting different colored dots using a wire stencil, sticking nails through brilliant colored freshly picked dahlias, and, with a coin taped to the tips of our thumbs, pressing the delicate flowers into the correct spots. I was amazed at how many people, young and old, came each day to give their time and energy to the float, all with a smile on their face and a twinkle in their eyes... even after hours and hours of work - I figured these were symptoms of what they called ¨corso fever¨

While sticking the flowers in, I kept myself sane by sending my gratitude to the many amazing people in my life, and dedicating each flower to them...

Had a great day trip to Rotterdam with my mate Lars, Vivi's main man, to check out one of the largest ports in the world and some funky cubed shaped houses. Was surprised with a trip to see a bunch of traditional dutch windmills that were scattered amongst the tranquil canals. I found out that people actually live in some of them... how cool!

Did lots of riding, as you do in Holland, on Jeanne's vintage tandem bike that her father made for her when she was in school, and on Vivi's amazing horse, Troy. Who I fell in love with instantly.

The day of the actual bloemencorso was an exciting one. Starting at the crack of dawn to witness the first steps of the freshly finished floats into the open air was suspenseful and loaded with feelings of tiredness, relief and anxiety. This year's Veldstraat float was made using two separate trailers and like all other floats is moved manually by a group of people who position themselves underneath and push the trailer, with someone on the outside to direct them. And this is where they stay for the entire parade! 

The main street of Zundert was crammed that day with people looking for a spot with a good view. With tickets already to our seats in the tribune, Vivi's family and I strolled leisurely towards them, enjoying the sights and a beer at the lovely outdoor restaurant attached to Vincent Van Gogh's childhood house. The hours that followed were as spectacular as you would imagine them to be. Knowing how much work and time goes into their creation made witnessing these masterpieces an extraordinary experience. I was able to appreciate and savor each and every intricate detail on the 18 floats that glided along.  However it was the air of pride and camaraderie amongst the teams that sat in the tribune that I will never forget...
 

The Veldstraat float did well but I couldn't tell you who placed where in the results other than first place - the man that transforms into a werewolf. Is wasn't about the win though on this event, although very rewarding for the winner I'm sure. However, the way this community comes together with such amazing spirit makes each and every person that takes part and attends the parade a winner... and the celebrations that followed proved it!

What goes up, must come down... and the process begins again!

Thank you to the Veldstraat team and the van Aert Family and friends for allowing me to experience the true spirit of the bloemencorso! 

Click here to view slide show of all the photos

xx