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Me and the Mountain...

8:45 am...the sound of a jack hammer yanks me from my slumber...I'm up. Annoyed is an understatement...I shut all the windows put a pillow over my head and try my best to go back to sleep...although this invasive noise is right outside my bedroom window...the neighbors are responsible..I feel like killing...the constant sound is giving me a headache as I lay there for an hour trying to sleep or wait for it to subside...no such luck...this is Los Angeles afterall. I can't take anymore! I jump up and put on my work out clothes and decide to take my frustration out on the mountain. Runyan Canyon...it's under a mile from our house and quite the work out. So off I go..pissed off at this city...on my way to the base of the Canyon I fight thru the exhaust of all the traffic, trying not to breathe it in..but it's useless..the air is tainted here. I think to myself...once I get to the top of the mountain I can sit in silence and laugh at the city from atop my mountain. There will be clean air there, no noise, no people! I forge ahead...on the initial climb up I see trash, hear other hikers gabbing away, an outdoor yoga class is full to the brim with people. Keep climbing, I think...and so I do. It is a hot day and beads of sweat are rolling down my face, damn this mountain, this is hard...this is work! I'm half way there though...further away from the chaos below. Then I hear the piercing sirens of an ambulance. Really?! from way up here...ugh! Ok...I'm not at the top yet...keep going..away...further away from the madness. I daydream of Montana...acres of uninhabited land, crisp clean air, the sound of nothing. No one. I stop to catch my breath...my legs feel like jello, heat storke is very possibly setting in...I want to turn around...and then I think of my brother. I can conquer this mountain...and I remember the word sacrifice. I think about why I am here. In this town, on this mountain. I still hear the city...I must make it to the top and claim my moment of solitude and quiet. I continue to climb...and climb...and climb. Finally, I reach the very top! I now only hear my own breath. I am alone. I stop...look out at the city. It looks so peaceful from way up here. I shut my eyes and relish in the silence...FINALLY...silence. Sweet silence. I am content. And then...I hear something, faint at first but quikly growing louder...I open my eyes to see a helicopter to my left disturbing my peace, here at the top where I am supposed to be away from it all. I thought at the top there would be peace...and then I realize... I am still in LA. There is no peace here for me and this is where I choose to be, because my climb isn't done and I'm not at the top of where I want to be. I have more work to do and so peace will be mine, but not today...I have more to climb....
"Courage is the price that life exacts for granting peace." Amelia Earhart

Frankfurt & Bad Neuenahr

Well...no blogs from Europe...sorry about that...we were pretty hectic traveling from here to there....Chad and I started out in Frankfurt(just for a night) then took the train into the town "Bad Neuenahr". This is where the Supernatural Convention was held...and the reason for the trip to Germany. I was graciously invited along for the ride and snatched it righ up! This was my first stamp in my passport! So off to Bad Neuenahr we went...it is a quanit little town with cobblestone streets, bistros, german language, and ice cream! Man oh man...people over there LOVE their ice cream! I found it to be entirely too milky...as with all things dairy and meaty there...very strong tastes of both. I was not allured by the meat and cheeses like everyone else seemed to be...well, maybe a little by some of the cheeses ;) heehee...but for the most part I much prefer a good ol american meal...although, the best meal I had there was at an Italian joint...a four cheese ravioli of sorts...and a glass of vino= perfection! I am saddened to report that while I ate some Italian...I never made it to Italy. The highlight I'd been planning for over a month. It is a long and boring story...but basically British Airways went on strike and our flights had to be rebooked on different airlines.. causing my original travel plans to go askew...in the long and short of it..it would have cost me $1,300usd to salvage my Italy trip..and I just didn't and still don't have it. I am very disappointed to say the least. My extended family there was excitedly awaiting my arrival only to be let down via e-mail that I was not coming afterall. I only hope to make it back next year. But getting back to Germany....there was a night out at the bar...sambuca and dancing to a live ENGLISH singing band!!!! Yes, hip songs!!! Our hotel had a blacony with breathtaking views...there was a jogging path(yes, I donned my running shoes and actually worked out on my vacation), a river ran thru it! and we saw bats! With all that said, my most cherished experience was a day spent alone when I stumbled upon an old church in the town..it was a Sunday...and I went inside...and stayed there..and prayed. It was beautiful. I felt so alive and grateful there. I spent time in the garden laying in the grass feeling the sunshine on my face and snapping pictures like a doe eyed tourist. It was fabulous! Our last day was spent back in Frankfurt where Chad and I had the city to see just us two...we drank German beer on a boat, were sightseeing galore and had the best dinner in the heart of the city....a great end to a special trip. Now I am back...back to Los Angeles....I miss Europe..all it's history, architechtual beauty, far off fantasy lands....but then there's home....nothing is better after a journey abroad. I must admit...this was only a teaser for me...now that the itch has been slightly scratched...I'm hooked....I'll be back...there's so much more I've yet to see. Germany was a fun time with good people around...the cast that was there from Supernatural are down to earth people and we laughed a lot! Europe... until we meet again.....