I am writing my story for all of you to experience this journey right along with me. From my eyes to your hearts. Thank you for all the encouragement and support, it's because of you that I have the courage to embrace this amazing opportunity!
I know I have bounced around a lot with many different ideas for my trip, and I'm sure many of you are still wondering where exactly I'm headed... Let me share my itenarary with you, so we know what we're getting ourselves into!
I leave this Friday, September 12th for a 6 month journey to three different countries, with three very different intentions. My first stop is 3 weeks in Northern India near the Himalayas. For the first week I am traveling with a group of seven amazing women to the holy city of Rishikesh to join a yoga retreat lead by a dear friend and amazing teacher, Val DAmbrosio. After a week of meditation and yoga, my friend Nichole Golden and I will head off to an ashram in Kaichi for a week long stay. Our last week in India we plan on visiting Dharamasla where the Dalai Lama lives, the sacred city of Vernace and New Delhi to see to Taj Mahal. My intention for India is to fully embrace the role of a student; to study yoga and meditation, and to explore the Hindu and Buddhist cultures.
The second country is where I will be spending the most time, Thailand. I will be living in Chiang Mai which is a city in the north, best known for Thai Yoga Massage, friendly people, beautiful surroundings and of course, yoga. I will be staying here for 4 months to teach yoga in studios, spas, and possibly through community outreach in local orphanages and schools. My main intention in Thailand, is not only to fully immerse myself in their eastern culture, but also to dedicate myself to teaching. I do realize that in many ways I will be learning and growing as a student in this foreign land, but I also hope to bring something new to the people that I meet.
The last planned stop on my trip is Cambodia where I will stay for one month in the city of Phenom Penn. As many of you know, I have been raising money for the Cambodian Children's Fund for the past 7 months, and now is the moment where I will get to actually be with the children I have come to love so much. During my stay I will live with a host family and work on the orphanage each day, which is very similar to the program my friend Jamie J just retruned from. Throughout all of my efforts to raise awareness within our community, I can honestly say I am most excited about this part of my journey. Many of you have supported me so much through the past 7 months, and I promise to take a piece of you with me into the orphanages every single day. My intention in Cambodia is dedicated towards seva, which in Sanskrit means selfless service.
Once again I want to thank you all for your continued love and support, I feel so grateful to have such amazing friends and family in my life! I'm so happy I can share my journey with you all over the next 6 months, and even though we will be on opposite sides of the world, I know we will always be connected!
Love and Peace
April
6 comments:
Mom,
I miss you already and hope you have a wonderful and safe trip! I am excited to stay in touch with you via the Blog!
Love,
Mom
Hey April, I am so excited for you and this maaavelous journey you are taking. We Ellsworths love you so much and are so proud of you! Can't wait to hear all about it! love, Rebecca
09/09/08
Dear April,
It has been a real joy to know you through your lovely Grandmother Shirley and your late Grandfather Harry whom we loved dearly..just as he loved you and your Grandmother loves you.
When you were here last you looked so refreshed and ready to begin this wonderful journey that you are undertaking. I know this will be such a rewarding experience for you. Bernie and I send our love and prayers with you each step of the way.
Remember we are given the opportunity to learn something new each and every day. Embrace each path along the way with the openness to receive, learn and in turn to share your knowledge of life with the people you will come in contact with. The countries you work, study and visit will give you different perspectives on life as they live it..and that alone will make your journey come alive with every breath you take.
Looking forward to hearing from you. I will print your "Journal" for our "Shirley-Girley" to read so she will know that her Granddaughter is fine and how this wonderful journey is going for you.
The best to you...with love,
Tina,Bernie,Sweetiepie
Wow, this will be an amazing trip! I know you'll learn a lot about yourself and about the world. I'm really inspired by what you're doing! Can't wait to hear more! I was talking to a guy this week about safety and it really made me think about your trip. We were having a discussion about whether it was ever possible to eliminate injuries, deaths and violence. He said, it's not possible, so why should we have the goal to ever try if we can't achieve it. I told him this story about a track and field athlete a while ago. The athlete said that he wanted to break the 4 minute mile. All of the scientists and doctors said it wasn't physically possible. The 4 minute mile had stayed as a record and the standard for many years. It just wasn't possible. The athlete wouldn't accept that and he kept running. And kept running and kept running. Then one day, he ran a race and he broke that 4 minute mile. Wow, what an accomplishment! For years after that, the 4 minute mile kept getting faster and faster and was broken many other times. Just like all of our world's problems, they are meant to be solved and meant to be broken. Your life and influence is what the world needs. Always believe and always dream! Much love and blessings, Dave
April,
You are a blessing to all who know you and now you are going to spread your wings and share your gifts with the world. I look forward to keeping up with you on this amazing journey. You are in my thoughts and prayers for wonderful experiences. Soak it all in and return safely to us.
Love
Carol Downs
Hey April
Today is the day where your journey begins! I really look forward to reading up on your blogs and taking in this experience with you. I hope you have such an amazing time and learn a lot about yourself and the world. Be safe and you'll be in my thoughts and prayers.
Justin
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