1 August – Woke at 5 am (its light then). I had not been sleeping well. The night before going to Mt Fuji 5^th station I had hardly slept at all! And then didn’t sleep much that night as well.

Sometimes when I am around the energy zones/power spots, my body goes into some sort of overdrive. Mt Shasta was like that, sometimes it’s time to leave, and it was time this morning. I got on an early bus from Kawaguchiko Station to Gotemba. Then, I caught another bus to Mishima Station. After that, I took a few more trains from there.

At the train station before Ito, I meet a fellow traveller. His name was Corby. It turns out we were staying at the same place – K’s House Historical Ryokan Hostel.  We walked to it, he helped me in that he dragged my ‘belt bag’ – which is difficult to do! We checked in and stored our bags. Check-in is not until 3 pm. We found the restaurant that was recommended to us. It is called Kappore, where we had a hearty lunch.

That afternoon, I sat by the fan at the hostel and wrote. The doors open out to the river. I could hear the sound of the cicadas. It is a wonderful hostel; there are Onsen baths, both public and private.

I walked to the beach. It was Orange Beach, just up the road. I put my feet in the water. People were swimming.

That evening after doing some washing, I met a few more people from my room. There was a free dinner at 7pm. The food was delicious with noodles, tempura, and toppings. It was the hostel’s fourth birthday. I felt very lucky and enjoyed the food with conversation, and so slept well that night.

Ito (伊東, Itō) is a famous hot spring resort town on the Izu Peninsula.  About ten km south of central Ito is Izu Kogen. It has many small museums and restaurants. You can also visit Mount Omuro and the beautiful Jogasaki Coast. 

I headed down on a bus for a day trip to the Jogasaki Coast. The jagged cliffs and stone formations that hug the coast make for a beautiful small hike.  I walked the Kadowakizaki Suspension Bridge and went to up to the observation deck on the Lighthouse. 

It was very hot waiting for a bus, if you weren’t in the shade.  I jumped on one to Mount Omuro.  The energy here was very powerful on this extinct volcano.  A gentle mountain with a crater of 300 meters in diameter and 70 meters in depth. Panoramic views at the top as I saw Mt Fuji peaking at me at one stage.  A chair lift transports people up and down, I enjoyed this ride and view swing. 

I did the loop round and there were many energy spots.  Sometimes I pretend I am taking photos. As sometimes, I am called to stand in a certain spot annoyingly for quite a long time. When I felt the ease, then I would move again. 

I met a few lovely folks from the Hostel. We went out for dinner that night to a cool local restaurant.  Smoking is still allowed in this place. I found it uncomfortable at times. However, the food and company made up for it.

4 August – I woke in Ito. I went down early for an Onsen Bath in the public one downstairs. It was so lovely.  I have never been as clean as I was in Japan!!!  Then I went for a walk to get some breakfast. I ate it by the water and said some words out over the Pacific.  I was packed up, bag was stored at Hostel. Then I hopped onto a train. Well, I say hopped, but it was a hard feat walking my bags down to the station without the handle.  I had booked the train’s reserved ticket when I arrived at Ito. Turning up was all that remained.

And the trains – I caught five. They were all booked to give me time to get to each station. At one station, I caught the Shinkansen again. It was incredible to see the bullet trains go racing past when they weren’t stopping… Whoosh! I left at about 11.30 am and got to Osaka airport at about 5 pm; my flight wasn’t until 11.45 pm.  I was early, but I was there! I had Sushi from a conveyer belt. I met a young traveller who had just flown in from China. He said it felt much calmer in Japan. We enjoyed watching the steamboat pull up with the order.

I had to pay for the baggage again. I tried to explain to them that my baggage had been wrecked. I also mentioned that the other flight had been rescheduled. It was an interesting time. I unpacked some of my bag. And curiously tried that thing of putting some of my clothes on, to make the weight less. But that was just silly really. Sometimes I have to make peace with not trying to be such a cheapskate. There was a really slow queue too, so took about 2 hours standing in lines. Flying with Air Asia X. The tickets are a good price, so you take the yin with the yang. There was a very cute Japanese baby in the queue too, so that helped time go faster. Arrived in KL at 5 am in morning.

Arigatou – Thankyou Japan!

‘Quest the ideal: Devote yourself to seeking the most beautiful truth. When you find this beautiful Truth in the universe, become that beauty, incarnate that truth, and remember Fuji-san’ Robert Coon

31 July – Today was the day I intended to go to 5^th station Mt Fuji. The Malaysian women from my room and I jumped onto the 6.40 am bus up.  The buses left from station next to the Hostel.  We got there all good. I thought there would be a long queue, but there wasn’t. Up we went!  All trees pretty much all the way.  It was a very clear morning, we were lucky, as this doesn’t always happen!  We went our different ways when we got to the 5^th Station. As she was a pilgrim and going to climb the mountain.  I decided to walk up some and ended up walking to the 6^th station.

It was interesting walking past all the weary walkers whom were walking back down. After they had walked up to see the sunrise at 4.45 am and then down again. And they were going the opposite direction back to 5^th station. It was amazing to see so many people climbing it now.  It seemed as if the pilgrims were exhausted but had great spirit from being on the mountain. I must admit, I felt amazing after being on it. When I went to Haleakala Crater in Hawaii, I felt changed, and similar to this.

On the way walking, there are some rocks. They form what felt like to me, a gateway. There was a mountain guide there with whom I had a good conversation. He was part of the mountain staff directing people the right way. It was almost like he was waiting for me to arrive. He showed me the Rhododendron. He told me that climbing Fuji is like a death. Then you come through like a baby. A re-birth I guess. It was interesting, I felt the energy shift from the 5^th, after going through this rock way. There was much energy, almost like we had moved dimension from the material plane. I did some LL whilst touching the rocks next to this lovely old guide. He seemed to get it. I told it was spirits here. He nodded. I didn’t want to hold him up too long. He shook my hand and hoped I would see him on the way back down. It took longer than expected to come back down. He wasn’t there anymore, he was like one of the angels met on the journey and I was thankful for.

I walked up to 6^th. There was a spot on the way to work on the ease. There was another spot on the way back down. This one was near the top of sixth in a clearing of trees, before the tunnel. Felt I had to be there for a long time, with toning and LL. Large groups kept coming through, as many people climbing up now! I was exhausted, it was hot and it was intense. It eased, and took about an hour I guess. I did some toning at 6^th station. Just on the way back down, I placed an Aroha stone in between some large rocks. It joined Fuji-san there.

There were horses back at 5^th station – for carrying peeps down who were having difficulty. So nice to connect and speak LL to them, a love of horses is growing immensely in me. They looked pretty tired and like they work hard.

From a Mt Fuji brochure, it says about the 5th station (Go-gome)… ‘The 5th station marks the boundary between the mortal and the sacred world. At an elevation of approx 2300m, one can make the full lap around Fuji’s mountainside on the “Ochuddo” hiking trail. On which lies the Komitake Shrine where interesting tales of mountain tengu (goblins) are told. From the 5th station to the summit, there is a field of high altitude flora. These vibrant plants are brilliantly mixed against the rough red slope.” It starts to get steeper on the 6th.

There is a Shrine near 5^th Station – I went to view this too, and the mountain had cleared again! Just for a few moments and a few more photos (It had clouded over a little bit earlier). I sat down for a short while. I had had lots of sit downs too on the way up and down. I felt great admiration for all the peeps going up and down! I had lots of smiles and smiling eyes of recognition and acknowledgment.

And I was really admiring the different outdoor Mt Fuji looks; so many bright colors with funky tights/hats/legwarmers.  Japanese people have given me a new lease of life of finding clothes that are fun! Even the older people you see on the streets of Japan have finesse in what they wear. The woman dress graceful and feminine but funky at the same time.  It was interesting to see how many older people were climbing up. There were also many groups of children, although I’m not sure how far up they go.  I had conversations with many people on their way.

I jumped on bus around 1 pm or so, it rained and stopped when we got to the bus station. I was very tired, and headed back to Koes guest house. Relaxed and went to the Lake for the final dinner. The next day I caught early buses to Gotemba and then to Ito.

Arigatou Fuji-San!

July 27 – Caught a bus from Gorenka to Kawaguchiko Station. It was cloudy, so I couldn’t see the mountain during this drive. I got to the hostel – Koes House, which was right beside the station around 6 pm. I checked in and headed down to the lake. It was getting dark. I had some sushi from the takeaway shops there. I ended up eating my dinner every night in this way, watching the sun shining and setting across the lake. Sometimes breakfast too as it was not far to walk from the hostel.

I had the room to myself, which was nice. It was a three person Ryokan. This was my first experience in this way. Rolled up mattresses are on the floor. They changed the sheets every day. It was very small and very clean. It was upstairs and the rooms had no keys, nothing was locked, with a side door entrance. The walls were thin, so you could hear every sound. The Japanese are courteous and polite, so it seemed to be fine. However, some loud Australian tourists are a different kettle of fish!

July 28 – I rested in the morning, happy to have a room to myself. I had the fan going all night, as this kept it cooler. Today is not as hot. I walked up the road to the information centre. Then I ended up jumping on a retro bus that goes around the lake. I bought a bus pass that is two days unlimited around Lake Saiko and Lake Kawaguchiko.

I jumped off on a whim at the Kawaguchiko Music Forest Museum, The description guide… ‘In this romantic European – style building, you can listen to many kinds of musical boxes. Imported from all over the world. The gardens are just like the ones in fairy tale and women must love them. Suitable for wedding ceremony. You must like it here!’

I really enjoyed my time there.  There was one large music box that had been in the Titanic and another that had violins that played.  A Japanese lady showed us some of the old music boxes on display. She put coins in, and they came to life. One had little people dancing, one had a girl whom played a flute and a bird sung. It doesn’t sound that great. However, they were truly delightful. The small crowd of people delighting together enhanced the experience. Another music box was a slightly crazy looking man and he filled up his cup and drunk. 

The museum has marble floors, high ceilings, and chandeliers, it seemed very European in design. On arrival, the charming fountain outside started. Where a mechanical conductor came out the top of a building and then was conducting the water with the music. I was very tired on this day, so it was a good quiet thing to do. There was a large room with a great big French music box. From wall to ceiling, it was taking up most of the room. And like nothing I have seen before. It was a 10 min performance or so, with the mechanical thing playing horns/drums/violins, amazing! For some reason all the woman on the piece had moustaches.

Afterwards, sitting by the lake, I find a place to eat that is quiet. I eat Soba noodles with some kind of yam. Soba noodles are made from Buckwheat. And see the noodles being made, as the restaurant runs classes and there was a class in session.

And then I jumped on the bus again and went to Oishi Park, here there are flowers and lavender growing. It was cloudy, so I couldn’t see the Fuji. But from this place is lovely viewing place across the lake. I wandered around, very tired really. Ate some delicious fresh peaches and headed back on the last bus and dinner by the lake. I could see the mountain by the train station that night, and it was my first view of it! It really did take an exhale of breath, a pause; a moment of silence. Two other tourists were taking photos too and relinquishing in the view; together we took photos of each other.

That night I had a room mate, Bella from Edinburgh. We talked a lot; she is an artist who lives in Berlin.

29 July – The next morning. Bella and I walked at 5 am up the road to see a view of the mountain. It was hard to clear the city and power lines and get a good view, but we tried. We came back to Guest house and slept, then at about 10.30 am we headed down to the Lake and had some breakfast there, and then we went our own ways. I went back to the Guest House to rest a bit. And then went on to Saiko Lake. I really liked this lake, I had a feeling like I knew this lake.

Lake Saiko

I was drawn to go to the Thatched Roof Houses – and it was a wonderful experience. To Iyashi no Sato Nenba Healing Village.

This was a community of traditional houses. That was somehow swept away in a natural disaster in the early 20^th century.  It has been re-made and it was beautiful. I felt a real feeling of peace sitting on the porch of one of the houses, looking out at the view.

On a clear day there be would be a view of Mt Fuji in the distance. But not on this day, it was cloudy. I realised a peaceful time – either my lifetimes in a similar place. Or else I realised the peacefulness and bliss of a life there in a community. I met a young Japanese guide on the way in. He said had been a extra in the movie ‘The last Samurai’ with Tom Cruise. And he thought that Mt Egmont was like Mt Fuji. It was actually filmed in New Zealand, with Mt Egmont as the backdrop, as it looks like Mt Fuji.

The different houses had different themes; there was a tea house, welcoming people as they arrived. And another housed Samurai clothes and gowns of Japanese women and Geisha Girls, that visitors could dress up in. 

Ceramics, hand-made papers and Paper Mache were also made there. There were a few very powerful rocks on the way in, and I was guided to spend time with them. And then caught the last bus back to Koes Hostel.

A Chinese couple whom live in San Francisco – were sharing the room on this night, they were really nice. That morning, I had woken up with a really stiff neck. Similar to when I had been in Nepal, but not as bad. During the day I had been sneezing again with symptoms a lot like a cold. Similar to what had been releasing last time.

30 July – I felt drawn to go to three places near the caves at Lake Saiko. The bird park, the lava cave, and the bat cave. I felt there was some sort of line connection to Fuji-san. So I got to one, the Bat Cave. I meant to go to the three, but caught a wrong bus. So anyways, there I was at the Bat Cave, not to see the bats. I did toning in the caves. And on the way back out, felt some sort of energy point, just near the walkway, not in the cave. There was a part where rock had somehow been turned up, it was strong here. And it took a long time, many people going past and I was tired. But something eased and I was off back on a bus.

Taking a wrong turn on bus and it was going back to Saiko and the station. So I thought I would stop at Saiko lake. I sneaked in to the campground and lay under a tree for an hour until the next bus. It was nice. It was needed. Then I caught the bus back to the hostel and the the lake for dinner again.  There was a Malaysian women and an Australian man sharing the room with me that night.

31 July – On this day I went to 5^th station Mt Fuji. The Malaysian women was a pilgrim and going to climb, we took the bus together at 6.40 am. This was why I had come to Lake Kawaguchiko. I jumped on bus back at 1pm. I was very tired, headed back to guest house, relaxing and then to the lake for final dinner. The next day I caught early buses to Gotemba and then on to Ito.

July 25 – Took the Shinkansen, (bullet train) from Kyoto to Mishima.  It was amazing standing on the platform as they whizzed past. 

I took a bus to a Lake near Hakone. Then, I took another bus to B and B Pension Hakone, where I had my own room. It was a bit more expensive than my usual hostels, but nice for a few nights. I rested and caught up with myself as I was very tired. I put henna in my hair and watched random Japanese television. On walks, I felt there were some powerful portals in the forest there. Found a wonderful traditional restaurant that night to eat.

July 26 – A free shuttle bus goes round to Kowaki-en. That is the other hotel where I did my emailing on the free wifi. I enjoyed sitting in the big seats in the lounge area. I was looking out to the trees with an outstanding view of the forest. I also enjoyed watching the Japanese families going past. This area is well known for the Yunessan. It features hot spring pools and water slides. Many families enjoy these amenities with their blow-up animals and water wings. I didn’t go there, as I went to the Onsen baths where I was staying.

July 27 – After second night in Hakone, I was up early packing. I breakfasted downstairs and met a Japanese family with three children. Yes, Japanese children are the most adorable in the world. Nobody warned me of this before I went to Japan! The oldest boy was called Ewan after Ewan McGregor in Star Wars. They loved Star Wars.  Then to the Onsen bath before it closed at 9 am. To describe the Onsen bath experience. There are stools to sit and wash with a shower head and liquid soaps. After washing, you step into the hot springs bath. It is very hot but gorgeous. Then wash, rinse again, and repeat.  Leaving your clothes and towel in lovely baskets on shelves in the room next door. These baths had a water feature of a waterfall too.  I repeat, I have never been as clean as I was in Japan.

Funny story. The day before, I went to have a bathe. I went to the place I had been to the day before, but didn’t realise that they had been swapped!  The sign had been changed. They swap them every day. The Japanese symbol for men had been put up and it was a men’s Onsen for this day! I was in the changing room. A Japanese man went past in his birthday suit. He politely let me know before any further embarrassment! 

I checked out then headed to Gora, to the start of the cable car. I caught the free bus that loops Hakone.  I put bags into storage and crammed into the cable car with many Japanese people, and when I say crammed…. I mean crammed! We were are all very polite and patient when packed up together! Up we went; the rope car at the top was closed because of windy weather conditions. It had been very windy the night before. I had a quick look out at the look out. Then, I saw across the road some sort of signs for a walking track. Feeling guided to follow this path, I decided to head up. Check-in at the next place was not until three o’clock.

So then I found myself on an uphill, uphill, uphill, through the forest. I was there for a few hours. Found some amazing rock formations, and many words were coming out in LL, and holding different rocks. Beautiful butterflies flew past me. I saw no one else and got to the 24^th marker. I hadn’t gotten any further in sighting anything up the hill. I decided it was time to head back down again. I had done quite a climb.

We went back down and out of this beautiful forest. Then we joined the line to cram back into the cable car with Japanese families and holidaymakers. I got my bags out of storage, and caught a bus to Gorenka. From there I waited on the next bus to my destination. I stayed for the next five days to be close to Mount Fuji. This was why I had come to Japan.

23 July – I arrived at Osaka Airport in the morning. I flew with Air Asia X from Kathmandu. There was a transit in KL. I found my bag on the conveyor belt, and the handle had broken off in the transportation. A young Japanese man (airport staff) seemed to see my predicament. He found a blue strap/belt so I could drag the case. he said don’t normally do this; it was a ‘special’ case. Thank you! My first big Arigato!

But then the bags were searched upon entry too, the landing here was a small trial. But my time in Japan was full of blessings. What a relief to be here. It may sound strange, but even though I had just arrived, I felt I understand this place. I had come to Japan specifically to go to Mt Fuji. Then I found the bus that goes to Kyoto Station and whisked off. The skyline of Osaka was overcast. Concrete buildings and power lines were visible at a distance as we passed by. I had planned for this trip I would go straight to Kyoto.

Getting off the bus in the destination of Kyoto and found a cab. I was tired of dragging my now ‘belt’ bag! I had only written the name and address in English for the hostel. I forgot that Japanese letters are not English letters. Two cab drivers said no. They couldn’t read it. One cab driver got me there, as he called the hostel for directions. Another big Arigato!

I arrived at Khasosan Kyoto Guest House. It was very nice, and I met some people. I waited for check-in while sleeping in the lounge, where it was cooler. Then I went to a really cool sushi place that had a conveyor belt, and very friendly staff. It was on Kawaramachi Street, unfortunately I cant remember the name though!

That night there was a weekly origami lesson at the hostel, it was nice to watch. I was glad to get to sleep as I had been up all night again traveling.

24 July – The next morning, I caught the underground to Kyoto station. It is a big bustling station. I went there to inquire about trains or buses to the Mt Fuji area. I decided to bite the bullet so to speak. Brought a ticket on the bullet train, the Shinkansen. For the next day to Mishima. Done!

Kyoto was cool, but very hot! There are people handing out free cardboard fans everywhere, as these have advertising on them. I had never used a fan until now, and I realized they really do offer relief! As it would feel quite airless. I went back to hostel and rested happily in the air conditioning of my room. I heard chanting coming from the street. I peaked out to see men dressed in white in a parade. I find out later the parade is the Gion Matsuri, Kyoto’s biggest annual event. Seems it was an important day, and I got to see it out my window!

I went out for a walk later around 7 pm when it was cooler.  The lovely streets that are lit up at night. A Young Japanese lass at the Hostel had highlighted streets that were safe and perfect to walk to at night. Shinbashi Street and Hanamikoji St, which is in the Gion district and is known as the geisha district. It was charming, with traditional wooden merchant houses, machiya, and quaint ochaya, or tea-houses.,

I went to Hanamikoji Street, and the lanterns were all lit up in old world Japanese wooden doorways. Then I took a walk down Shinbashi Street. It was one of the most beautiful walks of my life. It was peaceful by the river, with trees overhanging and a shrine at one end.

July 25 – Took the Shinkansen train from Kyoto to Mishima.  And then bussed to Hakona.

Cancun

The Mayan Sense of Time

31 October – It was a long day of flying, up at 3.45 am, as flight left La Paz, Bolivia at 6.25 am. The American Airlines flight stopped in Miami, for a four hour change of plane, arriving in Cancun at 19.40. This was the first stop on my trip where I didn’t have a hostel booked. Like a true practical Capricorn, I had a researched backup list with me. I met two lassies after I arrived in Cancun. I chummed it along with them and we caught the airport bus together to the hostel they were staying at. The name of the hostel translates as ‘Maya World’. It was in downtown just near the bus station, and 150 pesos a night for shared room. And heck, the heat of Mexico all of a sudden. Sleeping in a sheet. Covering yourself in natural bug balm insect repellent, with a fan going in the room the whole night.

The next day in Cancun, four of us caught the bus to the beach. And it was only a twenty minute bus journey this time. Then it was upon us, this amazing blue of the Atlantic ocean. A few of us went for a swim, I lent one of the lasses my togs. I had to get in that water, it was crashing surf, so we didn’t stay in for very long.

Afterwards we all went to the bus station to book busses to different locations we were heading to. I booked buses to Chichen Itza, Oaxaca and Palenque. The lady at the counter helped figure it out. To make the destinations and distances work, in the small window of time frame I left open. I have never eaten Nachos so huge as eating them in Mexico. We enjoyed eating at an outside food market square near the hostel.

It just happened to be the time of the day of the dead. And so the market was full of stalls celebrating this day. Thought the timing was good here to arrive on these important days in Mexico life.

Then I left at 4 pm on a bus to Chichen Itza. I really had to get started to make time to squeeze in everything in my Mexico ‘to do’ list.

Chichen Itza

Nov 1 – Arriving in the evening to the town of Piste, after a 4 – 5 hour bus journey. I stayed at Posada Olalde, and they were expecting me. It was 250 pesos ($25NZ) a night. With a room to myself with bathroom on a garden. Staying two nights, I found it really nice to stay there.

I walked to Chichen Itza and back the next day. As it is free entry just before it closes at sun down. Timing seemed good as it was a lovely evening, the hostel lady had given me the heads up on this. Walking there, stopping in at a local craftsman’s shop. I brought a handmade water bottle carrier, and he offered me a marriage proposal.

It seems that the meaning of Chichén is mouth of the well. And the next part of the name, Itzá refers to its founders, the Itzáes. The ‘water sorcerers’, in the 5th century AD. The next morning I got up early to go back to Chichen Itza, this time in a taxi. I hired a guide on this day and after the tour went back to certain spots to bring through LL. Also spending time at the colourful markets outside the entrance, and ate a wonderful meal at the restaurant.

The taxi driver came back to pick me up later and then took me to the Cenote, pool of water. I didn’t know what a Cenote was, the driver mentioned I should go! Was an amazing experience, I was not prepared. But there was enough time, so I joined in there and went for a swim.

Palenque

2nd November, it was a 12 hour bus ride, probably another over nighter. I stayed at Yaxkin Hostel, in a dorm room (120.00 Mexican). I found it a really good place to stay, a lovely hostel that felt more like a hotel. in that it was quite flash. The hostel is located 3.4 km from National Park of Palenque and a 9 minute walk from Agua Azul. There was a small restaurant near the hostel serving delicious food so I didn’t have to go far.

Resting and then heading to Palenque on the 4th of November. The actual site of Palenque is very large, in that only 10% has actually been explored. There has been recorded that there are 1,400 buildings, as without a buffer zone it could spread out. And the total area of the archaeological site is within 1780 hectares.

It was abandoned around the 9th century. And this ancient city, with its temples and palaces, was visited through time by thick jungle. It was a protection in a way, this vegetation, from looting of buildings and elements. In their original setting they have been conserved. And this site has turned into a living museum, with its exceptional artistic and architectural features.

‘The elegance and craftsmanship of the construction, as well as the lightness of the sculpted reliefs illustrating Mayan mythology, attest to the creative genius of this civilization’ Unesco.org.

Spending the day here, I went up and down into these different spaces that have been excavated there. Doing LL in many places as called.

Oaxaca

Old man of the water

November 4, bus left Palenque at 5.30 pm, it was an overnighter, arriving at Oaxaca 8 am the next morning. I had come to the city of Oaxaca to go to the El Tule Tree. This, El Árbol del Tule (Spanish for the Tree of Tule) is approx. 9 km east of Oaxaca on the road to Mitla. I had something to eat before going to visit this sacred tree. In the quaint town it sits of Santa Maria de Tule. And I lunched in a small family owned restaurant.

Supposedly it has the stoutest tree in the world. in 2005, its trunk had a circumference of 42 m, approximately 14 m in diameter. It is a Montezuma bald cypress tree, and its nickname is ‘the Tree of Life’. Regarding the age of this sacred tree, there are differing opinions it seems. Some estimating that it is over 6,000 years old. And some scientists guessing that it is closer to 2,000 years old.

Its location is in the centre of ancient sacred grounds where the Aztec Gods of Nature were worshiped. A Roman Catholic Church was built on the same grounds, when the Spanish colonized. This tree holds mystery in many in ways. In Nahuatl, a language spoken locally before the Spanish colonization, the tree is called ahuehuete. Which is translated as “old man of the water.”  And spending time with this tree you definitely reflect and feel inner stirrings.

I was at the tree until spirit guided me to leave. And at that exact moment is when they started shutting the gates to leave. I love those signs. Then I went back to the hostel and got my washing done. And went for a walk at night, I was a bit wired though. Oaxaca was very pleasant surprise, it is a very cool city with some cool things happening there.

With the Twelve Foundation Areas of the earth. The El Tule Tree and Palenque relate to the world androgyny or balance center. More about this at the end of this page.

Mexico City

6 November,10 am bus from Oaxaca and arriving 8 pm into the hustle and bustle of Mexico City. I swear the taxi driver charged me more for the lift from the airport. But I got to my hostel safe and sound, and this is what happens in the big cities. And oh my Mexico is a very busy city, especially after all the smaller towns. In Mexico City, stayed in Home Hostel, Tabasco 303. Col. Roma. I had a walk close to the hostel that evening, soaking in the sights and sounds.

My time in Mexico feels like it was a bit too ‘rapido’. But I made it to the places I wanted to get to. Except for one, and that was Teotihuacan, in Mexico City. But I guess this was not meant to be, as I ran out of time. But then the Mayans had a much broader sense of time, they understood the expansion. So in the broader Mayan time, I didn’t run out of time, it just wasn’t the right time. Because maybe, to be Woo Woo, time never really runs out. Be like a Mayan and expand time when you can. Think of time as expansive, and it will be.

7 November – 9.45 am, Flight from Mexico City to LA 11.50 am,(four hour flight)

The WOO WOO information.

Area 11 Planetary Balance (Yin Yang) and Harmonious Communications Chakra of Earth – EI Tule and Palenque, Oaxaca, Southern Mexico

‘There are many sacred sites near the centre of this Mexican Earth Chakra. The El Tule Tree (Arbor del Tule), near Oaxaca, is directly on the path of the Great Plumed Serpent Ley Artery. Sites such as Palenque are equally important, but at a greater distance from the main world ley artery. This region is the world centre for androgyny – the inner balancing of yin and yang forces for a living being, of any species. It is from this Earth Chakra that the macrocosmic balancing of the world is governed. The northern hemisphere is yang. The southern hemisphere is yin. The alchemical elements of fire and air have their Spinner Wheel chakras in the yang hemisphere. The alchemical water and earth vortices are in the yin, southern hemisphere. These structures, and others, have their formative matrix in Southern Mexico.

Is the Earth feminine? Despite the tendency of some to call Earth a goddess, the answer is no. All beings upon a spiritual path eventually arrive at a point where they are whole. What may have been previously thought of as masculine or feminine qualities ultimately reveal themselves as neither. All real qualities are eternal, beyond gender, and attainable by all who seek greater life. Palenque, El Tule, and other sites in this region teach this sometimes difficult lesson.

The El Tule Tree was the world focal point for the activation of the Great Plumed Serpent Ley Artery at sunrise of 17 August, 1987. Previously, on 22 April, 1984, the Great Rainbow Serpent Current was activated. When the Earth Force of the liberated Quetzalcoatl spirit rose up from the roots of the El Tule living Tree of Life, then all the Earth Chakras and Elemental Spinner Wheels began to operate as an integrated system. Glasnost and perestroika began to rapidly accelerate after this point in time.

Palenque is the most famous temple city of the ancient Mayan culture. Legends suggest that several individuals attained physical immortality from this site hundreds of years ago. Palenque is one of those rare mysterious cities from which the entire population has suddenly vanished – for no apparent reason. Like the fabled City of Enoch, perhaps the residents of Palenque immortalised and went off to be with the Eagle People. There is a story that one of these Immortals appeared on a hill near Niagara Falls many centuries later. (Niagara Falls is the Inspirational centre for Earth Chakra Gate 15)

When constructing the Expanded Chakra circle from this region, centre your circle at El Tule, or nearby Mitla. Extend your radius out to touch the extreme north-eastern point of the Yucatan peninsula, and then draw your circle. All sites within this great circle contribute to the balancing function of this Foundation Gate. Gemini new and full moons are particularly efficacious at any of these sacred sites associated with El Tule, Palenque and Southern Mexico’. http://www.earthchakras.org by Robert Coon.

Temples in Mexico that relate to Chakra points Notes from ‘Serpent of Light’, by Drunvalo Melchizedek

1 Uxmal, the base chakra, of a new cycle
2 Labna, the sexual chakra, union of opposites
3 Kaba, the third chakra, will power
4 Chichen Itsa, the heart, unconditional love
5 Tulum, Throat, sound currents and manifestation
6 Kohunlich, the third eye, pituitary gland, psychic abilities
7 Palenque, pineal, preparing for the next world
8 Tikal (Guatemala), The base chakra of the new Cycle