Spanish Love Letters... (written to a dear blonde back home and I enjoyed writing it so much, I published it here)

Dearest Skye of Pacific Northwest,

My breath is currently of brisk Finnish air. Vikings and saunas a plenty. Blonde are the masses so you might feel at home here.

I flew just yesterday from the Catalonian capital of Barcelona.

A wondrous city indeed. With majestic architecture; Castles and giant cathedrals abound, and in between beautiful ancient stone homes from the Roman era. Not to mention the tapas - with the finest of cheeses, jámons (Spanish cured meats), incredible olives, delicatessen baguettes and sangria for lunch! It

would also seem like mojitos are the national quench on a hot summer day.

I adore the Spanish way of life!

Relaxed and Sexy.

Beauty is everywhere,

from street art, to food presentation, to stunning landscapes.

The language is smooth and the wine is flowing.

Everything about Spain I love.

I wish to live here someday.

I'd like to explore the north-small towns built unto boulders of mountain sides. A meeting of climates between desert and tropical. A nice combination- hot and green. Walls of homes hundreds of years in age, angled, slightly crooked, grape vines decorating each arch ways and a nation wide siesta time between the hours of 1-4 pm.

The country rests in the heat.

Shops close, shudders are drawn, babies are fed and hammocks are full. The country collectively sighs with a gentle grin...

the pace is intelligent.

They seem to have ignored signs to join the common wealth's common pace that is the rat race. With a 40% unemployment rate- it would seem like the country is content just 'chillin'.

And goodness, do I love it.

I wish you were here.

Even if you do not love olives yet- you will after tasting Spain's specialty.

Alas

I must be off,

Wishing you smiles in this day. Hugging you from the futuristic land of html, besos,

With love,

Aya

5 Things you didn’t know about Amsterdam

1 - Blue lights means More

in the Red light District

   In the Red Light district there are hundreds of red lit windows with sex workers displaying themselves for hire. There’s women of all types, sizes and nationalities. With the LGTB communities becoming more and more recognized around the world, its no wonder it is reflected in the party district of Amsterdam. Red lights means prostitutes, red AND blue lights means they might appear to be woman, but they are ‘packing extra’- if you know what I mean.

2 - Amsterdam is Sinking

   Literally. The city itself is built on water and every building is built on poles dug down deep into swampy soil beneath. It's common to see buildings tilting in a 'Dr Seuss" like fashion. These poles, originally wood are now made of concrete. Every house is built on of poles, usually between 5-10. The whole city is supported by over 11 million poles!

 3 - More cultural diversity per capita than anywhere else in the world.

   The world totals 192 different Nations and Amsterdam hosts 180 Nationalities. This means you could be sitting in a cafe and every single table might be talking a different language. Everywhere you look, a new a different minority is being represented. You feel you’ve been around the world in a day in Amsterdam, a true melting pot. 

       4 - Bike LIFE

   Did you know there are more bikes in this city than people? More bikes than cars, and even underground parkades made solely for bikes. The biking network in Amsterdam is un-matched from anywhere I’ve ever seen in the world. Copenhagen comes a close 2nd, and several other places in Europe have incredible bike ways but this one is the easiest+funnest city to bike in the world. I dream of living in a car free zone (maybe like the magical free city of Christiania in Denmark). Communities are alive and connected when we are not separated by big metal boxes. You get to know your neighbour, you’re more in contact with the elements and general health of a society is much greater when 90% of the population uses a bike to commute.

5 - Danmed Amstel

   Built in the 1600s, with 165 connecting canals that total over 100 km. Amsterdam has plenty of boats, canals and iconic bridges everywhere. The origins of the city name actually came about because settlers built a danm over the river Amstel back in 1220. They are constantly needing to regulate the water levels, blocking rivers from flowing so the city does flood or float away.

Looks a bit like Burning man from above. (Black Rock City)

  

Lithuania, the mother land

Getting to Lithuania felt like a life long dream. My Grandmother is Lithuanian and I grew up with so many dreams and images of what eastern Europe must be like. Knowing that Lithuanian is the oldest living language- and the closest to Sanskrit, my curiosity was spiked. Some fond family recipes remind me of my roots- from Perogies to Zucchini pancakes- I've always wanted to visit Lithuania. And I finally made it. We drove through the countryside of Estonia, Latvia and finally made it to Vilnius, the capital. Where we had arranged to teach an Acro workshop (which went over great!)

Travelling with the van is great- especially with bikes on the back. Whenever we get to a new place, we park the van and take the bikes out for a ride. Cycling really connects you with you're journey and you get to see so much more of a place. This is in a square in Vilnius. Beautiful old architecture. I loved it here.






Yummy street food.

Atop an old look out tower in Vilnius.











Hearing the history, feeling the timelessness and connecting with the people. Lithuania is a beautiful country with a complicated history. The people here are known to be warriors. I was told they are the strongest in the world. Having been occupied by Russia, in an out of independence- and being one of the poorest of the Baltic countries- Lithuania is an experience unto itself. 

We were lucky enough tp be hosted by a local Acro Yoga teacher, Karolis.  A brilliant young man with so much to share about his land. (and an incredible acrobat) After a very fun Acro workshop, we biked around, he gave us a little tour and we went for dinner and drinks, (Lithuania has very good beer!)
The next day we jammed in the park and had loads of fun. Thanks Karolis! It was such a pleasure to play with you, hope you visit Canada one day!

Estonia & Latvia

       We packed the van in Finland, drove to Helsinki and to the 2 hour ferry to Tallin Estonia. The boat was huge- with grocery stores, liquor stores, live bands, several bars and a very fancy buffet. So we stared our trip with a nice meal. 

Then road tripped south across Estonia, seeing the country side. We explored this lovely beach town Pärnu, by bike, found a park and played some acro. 

Eastern Europe is old, beautiful and feels so historic. Gardening here is very popular, (as a result of food prices most people need to grow their own food). Cobblestone, old buildings, smiling faces
and cheap beer. Seems to also
 have many vacationing
 Scandinavians. 

A cute surf shop. We arrived in Estonia on the first sunny day of the season- which seems to be just my luck in 5 countries I've visited so far. The sun seems to be following me!
 I am so blessed with this weather.

Whenever we saw fresh water- and the sun was warm we took advantage and would jump in (van life leads to bathing, usually outdoors) This was an inlet of the Baltic Sea in Latvia, we saw an empty beach, stripped down and ran in, (with the GoPro, video to come!)

A Latvian park, on the Baltic Sea.

A Latvian attraction. Sand cliffs on the Baltic sea. Beautiful caves, big enough to camp in. 

Eastern Europe...so much history. You can feel the effect Russia has had. It is intense. But the land is so beautiful and the people seem happy.
I loved road tripping and seeing the countryside. Maybe next trip I'll visit the cities. but for now, off to Lithuania to teach an AcroYoga workshop in the capitol, Vilnius. 

The Far North  (brrr!)

After 40 hours of travelling I finally made it from Vancouver to the far northern stretches of Finland. Passed the Arctic circle to the deep snow.

     
      Here the daylight seemed to never fade. Even after the sun would set, the sky remained a beautiful light blue- and only a few hours later the sun would rise again. In June I've heard the sun never sets. (whoa).

For anyone that knows me- I've avoided winter for most of my twenties. An endless summer, always chasing the next wave, the next mango season or anywhere flip flops were the norm. But alas the only thing in life we know true is change. I've found myself in love with a viking man, from the north. He loves the snow and all the winter adventures that come along with it. He was competing this winter in the World Cup Snow Kite Endurance Race. 30 incredibly gruesome hours of snow kiting across Pallastunturi (a national park in northern Finland). So I bought some snow pants, wool socks and said "winter, 
lets set aside our differences".
  *Sigh* I am undoubtably a
 woman who follows her heart.
*Shakes head* It's COLD up here!!!

 Many firsts this week; First time snow shoeing. First time Ski Touring (climbing a mountain with skins on your skis to ride down it once) First time cross country skiing. First time winter camping. and first time kite skiing! 

My experience so far; Bums get cold

and it's not particularily easy peeing with Skis on. lol

While these pictures may be mildly embarrassing I think it's a fair depiction of a well rounded view of my                                                                                                                                                  experience up north. :P

This one is still doing cold plunges. (aye!!!)

Turns out if you have the right gear- winter can be really fun. 

And it certainly is remarkably beautiful up here.

Acro Tour 2016!

               I am very excited to announce that on April 17th 2016 I will depart on an International Acro Tour! I've never planned this much or been more excited about an trip. We will be going to 11 countries and teaching Acro in 5 of them!

From Vancouver I will travel roughly 40 hours to get to the remote snow capped destination of Northern Finland. Where I will reunite with my love and watch him compete in a World Cup SnowKite Endurance race... Epic!

  

After the race, our Acro Tour will begin, teaching in AcroYoga workshops Finland.
 https://www.facebook.com/events/2008738292685724/

We then take the boat south across the Baltic sea to drive across eastern Europe. Driving across Estonia, teaching Acro workshops in Latvia and Lithuania. Then to drive across Poland where we will stop in the capitol Warsaw to go to our friend Jeppe's Acro event.

 https://www.facebook.com/events/1096329860411376/


Then crossing Germany and making it to Amsterdam. Attending an event I've wanted to go to for years- and finally, this year, not only am I going, but I am teaching at it!

The Largest Acro convention in the world; Dutch Acro

http://festival.akrobatiek.nl/home.php

https://www.facebook.com/events/1648189648772661/

After the pre-convention and the convention- 

We are considering going to Belgium
for Acropedia.org's event on May 20,
which looks like a lot of fun.

Then driving up to Denmark- where we will AirBnB Valtteri's van- and fly to southern Africa- to the country of Namibia for Daniel Palander's 30th Birthday!   

Daniel is one of Valtteri's dear friends
whom I'm also fond of!

In Namibia we will travel around for 20 days.  Seeing Africa, the desert, the animals, climbing the highest peak in Namibia, Brandberg Mountain. We might also do some Kite Surfing, camping, Sailing and Desert exploration. 

This trip is going to be Wild!

Brandberg Mountain

Concluding our African adventure we are hosting an all inclusive AcroYoga Retreat in the heart of Namibia.      https://www.facebook.com/events/1144264365592900/  If you've ever wanted an excuse to go to Africa- connect with amazing people and seeing incredible sights, this is it!

So exciting! 

Then flying back to Denmark, where we will drive north across Sweden and finally back to Finland. Where we will teach another full weekend Acro Intensive and enjoy the end of June+beginning of July in the beautiful forests of Finland. Spending time in Valtteri's summer house on a lake, fishing, swimming, sauna-ing and resting.

Concluding this adventure- I fly back to Vancouver July 7th, just in time for festival season and to jump back in the garden :)

If you have any suggestions of places I should go along the way, things I should see or people I should meet- please let me know! I love connecting with fellow travellers and making new friends.

Thanks for reading :)

~*Selflessness*~

"The quickest way to happiness is learning to be selfless. Ask more questions, talk about yourself less" -Macklemoore.

These words have left a resonance in my heart like no other. It's time to give back. For so long I have lived a blessed life. Frolicking from country to country, meeting the most incredible humans an soaking up magical indulgences. Up until this point, I am 27 years old and I feel like I have lived a life for me....perhaps even selfishly. *gasp* Embracing opportunity, love and chance. Investing in myself, courses, certifications and skills. Learning what I want, travelling where I want and following my dreams around the world.

But lately I've felt a bit empty, perhaps lacking in purpose. For years I have been curious about aid work- but have never really followed up on it. Now is the moment. I want to give back, to be a living example of gratitude for the very blessed life I have lead.
I offer myself in service. This could be simple acts, or grand gestures- that is not the point. The point is to serve- acts of selflessness.

The Challenge;
For 10 days- Once a day, I will go significantly out of my way to serve someone. For no reason other than giving back. It could be a stranger, it could be a close friend, it could be anonymous. We will see how it unfolds.

Purpose:
Find inspiration. Find Magic in simple moments. To connect with other human spirits. To inspire selflessness. To enact gratitude at its core level. To connect with purpose.

Day 1

Today I wrote this letter, enclosed and $50 bill and put it in an envelope. I then gave it to a stranger. I tried to do it anonymously (through a third party). The moments after I handed over the envelope, I felt a jolt- a rush of energy. Maybe a direct reflection of the simple joy I may have instigated.
Giving money away- It's not that I am rich (in fact I am in saving mode and scrimping on a lot of purchases) and it's not like $50 is a crazy sum of money- but I hope it is more the thought and the gesture that touches this persons heart. 

What are your thoughts? Please leave a comment below or e-mail me. aya.love.life@gmail.com
Of if you have an idea for an act of selflessness- I would love some inspiration. I hope through my actions I am able to inspire, even just 1 person, to spread joy through simple acts of kindness.