Amsterdam - here I come!

by Arlette

Finally. I have been wanting to visit Amsterdam for years, and this October it will finally become reality. Half business, half fun. In fact the business part should be fun too: it's a course about environmental life cycle analysis. I am very excited.

I will even have a personal tour guide. My friend Judith, an Amsterdam expert, will join me for a few days. I like it when things fall into place - I can't wait to explore the city of Grachten!

And of course, I will visit the motherland as well. Look forward to seeing you, Austrians (just in time for Heurigen season)!

Serpent

Crazy thing happened to me today. I went for dinner with Rebecca and suddenly a beautiful exotic-looking woman smiles at me and then I noticed a huge Boa around her neck - and I mean the real one. I am not afraid of snakes per se, but something in me said very clearly: watch out!

Rebecca, on the other hand was all over Sasa (I believe that was her name - or something that sounds very similar. It's pronounced Sssssss..asa). Skeptical Annie had to get scientific prove first that she is not going to be strangled by the Boa. The owners did confirm that she is well-fed and she only kills for food. So I was relieved, because I thought the chances are very high that she prefers a rat over me.

I asked if I could take a photo of Debbie (the beautiful owner) with her snake. It completely backfired. "Why don't I take the picture of YOU with the snake!" Debbie said. So here we are - Rebecca and I as brave serpent whisperers!

Cirque du Soleil

Corteo is still showing in Calgary until the beginning of September. I highly recommend it. Those peeps are amazing, talented, courageous, and will take you on a magical journey! And hooping just gained another dimension - enjoy the video clip!

Carlos

in Nosehill Park

We can either make ourselves happy or miserable. The amount of work is the same.
Carlos Castaneda, author & mystic

And gratitude is a great gateway to happiness. I am really grateful for all you wonderful people (also the ones across borders and oceans) in my life!

A few shots from my short weekend visit to Shambala in British Columbia can be seen by clicking on the picture below.



Another thing that makes me happy is roaming around in the city, hanging out with friends, and watching strangers. Stopping for a cup of coffee in a sidewalk cafe, listening to the birds and getting some fresh groceries on the way home. That's the way I like it!

Watch the movie from NY below for some carless street project inspiritation. The New Yorkers really seem to like it! It is a lot easier to enjoy, play and interact in an open space instead of in a parking lot with running engines.


from Streetfilms - thanks for sharing No Impact Man.

Dubuasca

Love this song. Enjoy.

Luise

I love coincidences. The morning when Luise was born, I was on my way to Lake Louise in the Rockies - staying overnight in a hennessy hammock. Unknowingly honoring Luise's arrival in this world :)


First I was a little afraid of bears, but this fear was quickly overcome, as my mind had to deal with other stuff: how to stay warm. I was okay, as long I was on the thermorest, but as soon as my knee was off the thermorest, touching the hammock - I was freezing!

Still, the hammock adventure was worth it. When I opened my eyes in the moring, I only saw hammocks, bicycles, trees, moss, grass and sky.

Note to myself: next time I will go hammocking closer to the equator. Click on the pictures to see more photos.

Eclipse Continued

Maria and Emil happy about the new addition to the family

On August 2nd 2008 (02.08.2008), the day after the eclipse, my little sister Maria's little baby, who was expected to be a boy named Theo, arrived. Theo turned out to be a girl and was named Luise (I am still hoping that she will be middle-named Anna;)

Welcome Luise!

She is going to be one fiery girl - with the Sun, the Ascendent, Venus and Moon all in Leo!

Luise was born at home, which Maria prefers to a hospital birth. According to her mid-wife, there were lots of babies born that day. I wonder if it's because of the eclipse?

I look forward to meeting Klein-Luise on my next trip home - hopefully in the fall.


Ich wuensche Euch, Klaus, Maria, Emil, Ida und Luise alles Gute!