The drive can be awfully long
when the windows are rolled up
and the radio can’t drown out the sound.

I shrink to the size of a fly,
listening to them argue about where to
turn and how fast to drive.

The abuse that spews from one’s
mouth to the other can cause even a fly
to shudder.

Doesn’t matter.

And they wonder why I cry and tell
them how much i can’t stand going
on that journey again.

Doesn’t matter.

They pack up the car. I’m in the back seat.
We set off on that journey back in
time, to that place where another journey
began in much the same way.

Doesn’t matter.

The long journey is always the same.
and the destination keeps slipping
away from memory. Even a fly has a very
small brain.

This past Thursday, a middle-age woman from Scotland, Ms. Susan Boyle, auditioned for the hit reality show Britain’s Got Talent, and blew the socks off the judges and everyone in the audience as well as all the viewers watching her performance. That same night, her performance was posted all over the web via You Tube et al. For the past few days, the world can’t get enough of Susan Boyle. The number of views of her audition on You Tube alone reaches into the millions and is steadily growing.

Why is this considered rude behavior? Well, I will tell you. From the moment she was interviewed by Ant and Dec to her walking on stage to audition for the show, she was set up as some kind of joke. But as she stood facing the judges she appeared to be completely unfazed by all the stares and snickers, and smirks from the bemused Simon Cowell, Piers Morgan as well as from some very rude spectators. The third judge, Amanda Holden, refrained from appearing rude and critical, as anyone should do. While Susan answered Simon’s questions she held her head high and projected a strength of character that few of us possess. Despite all the eyeball-rolling from Simon and Piers and from some of the bitchey looking females in the audience when she said that she wanted to be like Elaine Paige, she still remained in charge of the situtation. Ms. Boyle might have seemed like she didn’t have a clue as to what was going on, but nevertheless she maintained her integrity without having a bad attitude or cowering in embarassment. When she spoke, she spoke with certainty. And when she was given the cue to sing, she did so with an amazing grace. She sang as if her life depended on it. If she had a Sterling for every dumb-struck expression on the faces of the judges and the audience, she would have made a bucket of money that night.

As Susan’s performance unfolded she went on to woo and win over the judges and the spectators as well as the millions of viewers who watched her sing, I Dreamed A Dream from the hit musical, Les Miserables. I might add, she is still winning over hearts from all those who watch the many videos of her performance posted on the web.

Why are we so stunned or surprised when someone who looks like Susan Boyle and who is talented like she is, can actually deliver the goods? Why are we so utterly amazed or a better word “shocked” that someone like Susan has the audacity to prove us all wrong for being so judgemental?

Granted, Susan isn’t elegant like a swan. Nor is she physically endowed like a Playboy Centerfold. She certainly isn’t tall like an Amazonian, catwalk model. And, she isn’t a clone of some doe-eyed looking Revlon or Estee Lauder face. But neither am I, and most likely neither are you. She lives alone with her devoted cat called Pebbles and had recently lived with her mother until mum passed away. So what if she’s never been kissed before? Maybe she’ll finally pucker up for the right person. Who cares? The most important thing to remember is how comfortable she comes across to viewers. She fits very well in her own skin AND that is truly what beauty is all about. Being able to sing like an angel is part of the joy of just being yourself. So let’s stop being rude and pre-judgemental of someone who doesn’t fit the perceived norm of what society has labeled as “beautiful”, which in truth, is only skin deep.

I can only hope that Susan goes on to live out her dream of performing as a singer. I will be one of her fans for sure!

I can recall when our taxi driver turned the car down the drive-way to the Nirarta Center how my eyes widened in amazement when I saw an enormous statue of Ganesh, the Hindu deity, placed firmly at the entrance ready to greet all who had arrived. Ganesh is one of my favorite deities not only because he is widely revered as the Remover of Obstacles but he is a man with an elephant’s head, and I love elephants. My first thought when I saw that beautiful statue was that I’ve entered the magic kingdom.

The Nirarta Center is built on a ridge that overlooks a long, winding river and is surrounded by lush-green, tropical plants, exotic flowers and terraced rice fields. There are six traditionally built bungalows that can accommodate up to 22 guests. Each bungalow has upstairs and downstairs and each offers a stunning view of the tropical landscape. In the backdrop of Nirarta, on a very clear day, you can see the peak of Mt. Gunung Agung, one of Bali’s most sacred volcanoes. Because Nirarta Center is situated higher up on the island the weather is cooler with gentle breezes and soft cumulus clouds that bring the tropical rains.

Nearby is the village of Sidemen that is within easy distance to some of Bali’s well-known attractions such as, Besakih Temple, the summit climb up Gunung Agung, Tenganan and other local villages known for creating traditional painting and weaving artistry. All of these are easy day trips and can be organized through one of the staff members at Nirarta. I went a little mad looking at all the beautiful handwoven silk and cotton cloths, jewelry, carvings and paintings that if I could have, I would have bought most everything in sight. And bargaining with the Warung keepers (shop-keepers), who enjoy the art of negotiating as much as the tourists do, was also part of the wonderful Bali experience.

The group organizer of the Wellness Retreat program facilitated a solid routine of early morning breathing and stretching exercises in the Great Hall plus mid-morning and afternoon Silat Kung Fu training, as well as some evening classes for advanced students. Breakfast was served at 7:30AM. It was either ala carte or buffet meals of traditional Balinese recipes prepared with Nirarta’s organically grown vegetables and fruit. After consuming a sumptuous and healthy breakfast each participant would venture out of the centre to go exploring nearby villages or sit down at the riverbank and enjoy a cool dip in the fresh clear water until the mid-morning workout session began.

After another good sweat from a vigorous workout we would return to our rooms, shower and rest a bit. At 12:15PM we would meet at the dining area for a luncheon feast of some more traditional Balinese food. Come early afternoon or late evening I would give a therapeutic massage to one of the attendees in a cute little hut situated on the ridge above the river. The sound of the cascading stream was better than listening to mood music and would literally lull the person into quick relaxation mode.

Part of the Wellness Retreat wasn’t only about having a great workout or receiving bodywork, we were also there to experience the Balinese way of life by participating in some of their traditional customs and rituals. On the first night we were entertained by a group of male Gamelan musicians and a traditional Legong dance performed by the nearby village girls and boys.

One day we were taken on an adventurous trek to a mountain temple where we would have to climb not only a mountain but ascend at least 1000 steps (or so it seemed) to reach the famous temple. What the Balinese call a gentle hike and was only supposed to take a half day to climb up and back, us westerners would call a “black-diamond ski run” which took most of the day to climb up and back. Yet that adventure was one of the most memorable and invigorating experiences of my time.

Our guides from the Nirarta center prepared a moveable feast so we could have lunch in the atmosphere of the mountain temple.

For each ceremony we attended or each temple we would visit we would have to wear the traditional attire of a kamben, a cloth (usually batik) wrapped around the waist (wrapped and tied differently by men and women). Women would have to wrap a sash tied around the waist, and the men would have to wear a headdress called an udeng. The Balinese follow the Hindu dharma path and on one of their religious holidays we were taken to the sacred temple on Mt. Agung to attend a ceremony. A heavy mist shrouded the peak of the temple giving it a mystical quality as worshippers ascended the ancient steps leading to the area of the main shrine. Once we were inside we found a place to sit on the ground and followed the example of our guide on what to do during the ritual. The atmosphere was super-charged with a feeling of love and great devotion. Throughout the entire temple the sweet fragrance of incense permeating the air induced me into a sublime state of mind. After the priest bestowed his blessings, we rose and went into another area of the temple and everywhere I looked there were dozens upon dozens of hand-woven baskets decorated with colorful flowers and filled with various food offerings. There was no shortage of those colorful displays which added to the ethereal atmosphere. The sacredness of participating in such an ancient ritual and receiving the blessing from the priest was truly an honor and an unforgettable experience I will always treasure.

Sunsets are especially grand in Bali as it occurs every evening around 5:30PM. Dinner time was an absolute delight and we all looked forward to this convivial atmosphere of great cuisine, affable conversations, and comfortable weather. But most importantly, each participant was precious and significant to the success of the Retreat as was the amazing generosity of the entire Nirarta staff. On our last night we engaged in a huge celebration with a delectable feast, dancing and being entertained by the staff members playing their traditional musical instruments.

Peter Wrycza, the owner and proprietor of Nirarta, is an affable English gentleman who along with his Balinese wife, Dayu, took exceptionally good care of us. Peter’s broad vision in creating an atmosphere of incredible beauty is further enhanced by his expertise in guiding people on a path of harmony and well-being.

My memories of Bali and Nirarta are indelible to say the least. If there isn’t a retreat taking place in Bali that you can join, then take some time for yourself to be by yourself in the magical paradise of Nirarta where Peter and his staff will look after you. Once you are there you can attend the twice-daily meditation practice that takes place in the meditation hall or have a private consultation with Peter who offers re-patterning or transformational coaching. For more information about Nirarta for Living Awareness visit their website at: www.awareness-bali.com

There is much to do in Bali or you can simply do nothing and just be present and alive in each moment in paradise. But this much I do know, be prepared to extend your Bali sojourn.

I will be back!

For Christmas I received such a gift. I am one of many sponsors of a baby female orphaned elephant named Dida who lives at the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust Orphanage in Nairobi, Kenya. A group of railway workers found her trapped inside a manhole. She was only four weeks old at the time. Her mother and family were nowhere in sight. If she had not been found by these concerned men, she would have faced certain death inside the manhole or would have been eaten by the local tribes who consider elephant meat a delicacy.

After the baby elephant was pulled out of the manhole, the workers notified the Sheldrick Trust and soon a group of Keepers from the organization went out to retrieve little Dida. She was flown to the Trust Nursery in Nairobi where she is being properly nurtured and cared for. Through the support of the Sheldrick Orphan Project young elephants and rhinoceros are placed in a nursery where they are fed a particular milk formula, receive 24-hour care by the many keepers of the Trust, and are in close contact with the older orphans that become the baby’s extended family. This is a very crucial stage for the newcomers, as it provides the familial bond that is vitally necessary for their emotional well-being.

Elephants are one of the most amazing species of animal life on the planet. Their emotional and familial instincts are so closely related to humans that some of these baby elephants can easily die of a broken heart if they aren’t quickly cared for. The time for senseless slaughtering of these magnificent animals must come to an end. No more poaching and butchering for ivory. No more acts of mutilation for the rhino’s horns. No more culling and mass murdering of these magnificent animals simply because their natural habitats have been dramatically reduced and had crossed boundaries with that of humans. Join the many caring people of the world who want to bring an end to the senseless killing of these majestic giants.

You can help now. For in depth information about fostering an orphan elephant or rhino, visit the website of the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust at: www.sheldrickwildlifetrust.org and see how easy it is to become a foster parent. This is a very special honor and one that will generate awareness of our animal kingdom and the great responsibility we have to protect them.

All photos of orphaned elephants and rhinoceros are copyrighted by the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust Organization.

Autumn, the wisest and most benign sister of them all, is no more beautiful than her three sisters, yet she possesses a sublime beauty in her own right. She is also know by another name, which is Fall, but she prefers to be called Autumn — it has a nicer sound. With her auburn, wavy tresses she caresses everything with such warmth and care as she transforms nature into a splendid extravaganza of amber and ochre yellows, to umber and vermillion hues.

It’s time to put on my hat and coat and go out for a walk in the fresh, cold air to marvel at Winter’s work already at hand. And whilst I gaze at the snow-capped peaks glistening from the sun’s rays, I will wonder how Summer is getting along in the southern hemisphere, and how I look forward to when Spring arrives again. Also, I can’t help but already miss Autumn’s mild climate, and the way everything seems so tranquil during her presence. At the end of the day, I feel blessed every year to be able to receive the Four Seasons Sisters in my abode. Each sister has her own unique and precious weather to offer so we should receive them with respect when each of them arrives at their appropriate time.

Let us show our reverence for the Four Seasons Sisters in 2008 by creating a global awareness of Planet Earth, so that the Sisters’ temperaments are in harmony with the environment — for their very presence is what sustains us.

And, by all means have a joyous Holiday Season!

copyright by Adele L Nieto
December 21, 2007

According to recent statistics most all European countries and Japan are well above the life expectancy rate with the smallest principality of Andorra ranking the highest at 83.5 years, followed by Japan, Macau, San Marino and Singapore. The domestic numbers as reported by the Census Bureau and the National Center for Health Statistics, had the United States slipping in the international rankings of life expectancy, as other countries have been improving on such vital aspects of people’s well-being, such as health care, nutrition and lifestyles.

In 2004, a baby born in the United States will live an average of 77.9 years, which is down from a ranking level at 11th just two decades earlier. It might seem like a long life expectancy, but what was shocking to learn was that in the U.S. a relatively high percentage of babies die before their first birthday. Forty countries, including Cuba, Taiwan and most of Europe had lower infant mortality rates than the U.S. in 2004.

The head of the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation at the University of Washington, Christopher Murray, had this to say, “Something’s wrong here when one of the richest countries in the world, the one that spends the most on health care, is not able to keep up with other countries.”

Some researchers have stated that there are several factors contributing to the United States falling behind other industrialized nations — a major one is that 45 million Americans lack health insurance, while Canada and many European countries have universal health care. It is disgraceful for a country, like the United States, not to offer its people proper health and medical coverage.

Paul Terry, who works as an assistant Professor of Epidemiology at Emory University in Atlanta, says “The U.S. has the resources that allow people to get fat and lazy.” I would agree that America has the resources to look after its people, but being fat is not the issue. Mr. Terry further stated, “We have the luxury of choosing a bad lifestyle as opposed to having one imposed on us by hard times.” That’s a good point. It’s not like Americans live in an oppressive environment with greedy despot governments raking in the wealth while leaving their citizens impoverished. Nor are the Americans subjected to tyranny and brutality. They are free to earn a decent living and to pursue whatever endeavor they choose.

So what is the cause for Americans lagging behind in the life expectancy rate – gangland thugs, drugs, stupid kids, lazy people, too many welfare recipients, too many fast-food junkies, too much violence – what is the cause? Well, among other factors cited by the National Center for Health Statistics were the staggering levels of obesity in adults in the United States. The States have one of the highest obesity rates in the world with nearly a third of its adults 20 years and older being obese, while about two-thirds are overweight. Now that is something to boast about, eh?

All you have to do is look at all the fast-food chains that are propped up on nearly every street corner in America’s cities. Walk down the aisles of supermarkets and notice all the processed foods being sold, nothing of nutritional value to help fight against obesity.

Besides having an unhealthy diet, and lack of proper healthcare, what is the real cause for the decline in life expectancy for Americans? Could it all come down to “stress”

– stress of having to work 5 days a week, at an average of 7.5 hours a week, and then after a year (or if you’re lucky 6 months), you can receive 2 weeks vacation time, which in some cases, only one week at a time is allowed during the year? Then there’s the stress of making mortgage payments, car and health insurance payments, the children’s educational expenses, and let’s not forget, food, clothing and entertainment. And in lots of cases, the stress of losing your job, stress of driving in traffic, stress of finding parking places, stress of being raped or murdered, and plainly and simply, stress of maintaining the American Dream.

No wonder most Americans are unhealthy. They just can’t seem to cope with the stress of everyday life. It is a proven fact that stress can lead to eating disorders, chemical addiction, and trying to find ways to numb the pain of just being in a body. Kids are growing fat and stupid. Teenagers are crazed with hormonal rage. Parents are too busy to be concerned about how their children are doing in school. It’s like one big nightmare.

And then we have Bush boasting on how America is the greatest country on earth, which sounds as absurd as when he claims that we’re winning the war on terror. Maybe the hard reality is that Americans are slaves to their own propaganda. Stop being a slave to consumerism and the media. Take control of your own health and well-being. If you want national health and medical coverage, then you must know that it’s going to cost the government big bucks to fund it. So where will the funding come from? Through your tax dollars. You will end up paying for it, but at least it’s for a good thing. It’s now time for taxpayers to make the government aware that our tax dollars should go to funding medical insurance and not the Department of Defense for developing new weapons of mass destruction. We’ve already got the deadliest weapons on the planet. Who are they planning on nuking? Support those who have your best interest at heart, and not the ones that serve the corporate masters.

In the end, we’re all going to take a ride to the other side. Stop being immune to what is happening right now – only you can choose how to use your mind — for the better or for the worst. Knowledge is a great thing!

Once upon a time in a land far away, a beautiful, independent, self-assured princess happened upon a frog as she sat contemplating ecological issues on the shores of an unpolluted pond in a verdant meadow near her castle.

The beautiful princess picked up the warty-looking
frog and the frog said: ” Elegant Lady,
I was once a handsome prince,
until an evil witch cast a spell upon me.

One kiss from you, however,
and I will turn back into the dapper,
young prince that I am
and then, my sweet, we can marry

and set up housekeeping in your castle
with my mother, where you can prepare
my meals, clean my clothes, bear my children,
and forever feel grateful and happy doing so. ”

That night, as the princess dined sumptuously
on lightly sauteed frog legs
seasoned in a white wine
and onion cream sauce,

she chuckled and thought to herself:
“I don’t f’reakin think so!” ]]> http://www.gram-of-truth.com/arts/183/feed/ 0 http://www.gram-of-truth.com/travel/womens-only-beach-lifestyle/ http://www.gram-of-truth.com/travel/womens-only-beach-lifestyle/#comments Wed, 04 Jul 2007 12:38:50 +0000 adele http://www.gram-of-truth.com/health-well-being/italy%e2%80%99s-first-%e2%80%9cwomen%e2%80%99s-only-beach%e2%80%9d/ Cellulite, who dares? Sagging breasts, who cares? Voluptuous Goddess, who stares? Certainly not the women at beach 134.

Along the Italian coastline of the Adriatic Sea from Rimini to Riccione is a 50-mile stretch of white, sandy beach designated for “women only”. That’s right! Just look for a placard of a swarthy-looking man with a pink cross over his chest that says “No Men”. Dubbed as the “Pink Beach”, you won’t find any testosterone, or the loud heavy thumping of base driven music on this fem de la shoreline.

The owner of the beach and the business brain behind the idea to ban men, Fausto Ravaglia. had this to say: “This is not a lesbian beach. It is simply for women to be themselves.” Mr Ravaglia also stated that as far as he was aware, the beach did not breach Italian laws on sexual discrimination.

The council of Riccione on the Adriatic riviera was reported to have altered its bylaws to allow a section of its famed beach to be closed off and designated women-only. Another good reason to have a women’s only beach is for when Muslim women who go on holiday in the area could swim and enjoy themselves on the beach while respecting Islam’s injunctions against mixed bathing and displaying their bodies to members of the opposite sex.

Some women-only beaches already exist along the Italian coast, but they are visible from mixed areas.

The man-ban beach also restricts children, (sorry kiddies, you have to go to another beach to play with mummy and daddy or with the grandparents), and non-healthy food, like deep-fried squid and chips being replaced by a healthy menu serving fresh salads tossed lightly with olive oil, or an avocado tart, assorted fruit, fresh fish, etc. All prepared by a woman chef of course. Other amenities include manicures, pedicures, fitness classes and cookery lessons.

The beach owner’s daughter, Francesca Ravaglia, 22, who runs the Pink Beach, said: “Life is still quite tough for women in Italy. Men give us no peace.” She said that at Riccione, “no one stares at you to see if you’ve got cellulite. You don’t have to tie yourself up in a beach sarong to disguise your imperfections. Men are so critical. We can’t all be Miss Italy. Ms. Ravaglia further stated, “We hope women will not feel required to dress in this year’s bikini, wear make-up or always cover up that bit of cellulite with a slip. It is a place for Italian women to feel some solidarity.”

The only men tolerated at this double X chromosome haven are a hairdresser, the occasional male dog, and the lifeguard . “You need a man to save women in the sea,” Mr Ravaglia said. “It’s a question of muscles”.

Some other comments from patrons at beach No. 134 had this to say: “This is an oasis of female apartheid. They should put a eunuch at the entrance, like in a real harem.”

“It’s wonderful to relax, read or doze without hearing some child shouting “Mamma, Mamma” six hundred times” and without men ogling you all the time. Men think they are indispensable, but they are not.”

I was surprised to read dozens of comments from men who felt somewhat threatened that somewhere on the globe, women have a slice of heaven that doesn’t include them. Not some beauty parlour, or book club, or GNO at the movies. This is a real place where women can slap sun block on each other, and not have to worry that some pervy man peeping through dark sunglasses is having a fantasy. No what I mean?

Yet, in all fairness to men, I have only seen bad behaviour at some beaches from young lads who haven’t yet grown up and want to impress their friends with carnal behaviour. But, hey, everyone has to grow up sometime — some may take longer than others.

Next holiday, I’m heading for No. 134. See ya!

copyright by Adele Nieto 2007