Seeds Sown, Time to Hit the Road...

Paris... ahhh, Paree! I spent more time there than I had imagined upon landing in her arms. The things I experienced, learned are still fresh in my mind, although I finally left my vie en rose 2 days ago. It was tough to determine whether I really wanted to go or if I was being my Princess self: spoiled and not getting my own way. After much reflection, I realized it was a mixture of the two: the time had come to spread a little Katt-love elsewhere AND I wasn't having my way. What's wrong with knowing what you want and expecting it? Not a damn thing! We are ultimately in charge of our lives, so it is our choice to have it our way or to blame others when we find we're not quite living the way we had dreamed. Having spent several months in a place where the glass is half empty for many, it was obvious that my glass-half-full person needed to get back out into the optimistic world. I learned to reach deeper into my own joy as a way to express it to others. I left an imprint of my creative self on the sidewalks of the city and in the clubs. I remembered who I am and why I have this opportunity to move freely about the world. Seeds sown, the time had come to part.

Strangely enough, I am heading to a 10 day silence-meditation retreat. Don't know if retreat is the correct word. The rules of non-engagement almost make the place sound like a boot-camp. Still I forge ahead. No speaking, writing, reading, smoking, drinking. No, no, no for 10 whole days in beautiful Switzerland, near Lake Constance. Guess I can do it. Not talk, I mean. The daily schedule is strict. Can't wait to hear the 4am wake-up bell. Actually, flippancy aside, I am excited about where my brain will lead me in the silence.

Sorry no photos this time. I am literally on my way to the train station in Bern. Crazy me miscalculated the whereabouts of the meditation centre and came to the capital city of Switzerland, which is more like a small town. I couch surfed with a sweet, young journalist from Canada. We swapped travel stories (Justin has also lived in Sierra Leone, West Africa. His journey there was more recent and thinking about how long ago my feet touched African soil made me feel aged. Don't worry. I got over that real quick.) and shared what will be my last sips of glorious red for a short time. When I'm done with my head trip, I'll post a 'last days' in Paris section with photos and everything.

Keep the light on...