hare krishna, hare krishna

For the last few weeks i have been staying at an organic eco village just outside of buenos aires, argentina. the space is owned by a group of hare krishna monks and familes. the land has been dubed "nuevo vrindavan" as in, new vrindivan, as in paying homage to the city in india where hare krishnas make pilgramiage. its a little slice of peace here, and there is plenty of smiles and work to be done. we wake just as dawn rises and begin the day with fresh fruit, chapati (unlevend indian style bread), some date jam and non-caffinated tea. then its out to the farm to work the land and mostly weed. my first new word in spanish: desushando - i am weeding, becasue that is pretty much my life. after a solid 5 hours of bending and chating and handstands and stretching and laughing, the hot sun becomes too much to handle and siesta time insues. a large meal nececitates a larger nap and a good book in my newly aquired hammock. after a nice 4 hour relaxation its off to water the plants, harvest and sow some seeds of joy for later.
after using my hands mostly for typing on computers and juggling in the states, it took some new calluses and some yerba mate to keep me going at first, but i soon remebered my roots and my past laboring jobs... the work in the afternoon is only 3 hoursish and night time allows for sunsets, reading, yoga and some meditation. it really is the simple life, and i am feeling pure and refreshed after the tangled web of buenos aires and packed hostels.
i am here as part of an org called wwoof which is an international organization of organic farms with palcements for workers/volunteers. you trade 30-40 hours of work a week for food and lodging. as of now, at this farm, there is one other volunteer, just so happens he is from good ole boulder colorado as well... super wierd.
the monks have been a pleasure and have given me some good practice with spanish as well as in depth conversations about their views on the world. the farm work is rewarding and feels good to have bare feet in the soil, move compost, save plants form weeds and use practical intuative knowledge to solve problems. the cooking has been phenomenal, especially since arginitina as a whole is known for its steak and not its vegitarian dishes. gotta love the hindu relgion´s reverence for cows!! we eat super fresh simple dishes packed with veggies from the farm and near by neighbors. the food is blessed by a series of mudras, chants and meditations and is free of spiciness, garlic and onions (casue they stir the sense too much). all said and done, its delicious.


the farm is to the left of the under construction "truly templeo" which is to be a shrine and place of worship for krishna. the building is built of earthen bricks, cement and old glass bottles for a pattern and light.



dawn rises. so do i.



desushando. weeding. i am weeding. it reminds me of when i was at the zen buddhist center in japan, my mantra was then as it is now, "i am weeding." :)



a peek at the grounds.



sharing yerba mate with farm jeffe Bocha. not a hare krishna, but a local that come to help out on the farm. he left boliva on foot when he was 15 and came down here to find work. good man.


FOOOOOOD!!!!!!! such delightful dishes delicately dashed with drops of love....

hare krishnas are devotees to lord krishna an earthly encarnation of the unmanifest all pervading God of the universe. he is often likened to jesus christ. through singing, chanting, meditation and dedicated work, they have divine communine with their lord, now and for all eternity. krishna is the rain cloud that puts out the fires of earth material pain. joyful hearts have they, open eyes have they, inward focus to that which connects us all have they, enchanting songs have they:
hare krishna, hare krishna,
krishna krishna, hare hare,
hare rama, hare rama,
rama rama,
hare hare!

peace be to thee
aum, shanti shanti
ananda

Cataratas del Iguazú

the wonderous waterfalls of Iguazu took my breath and deaf´ed my ears.
such a sight to behold, such a power to feel.
the falls stretch almost as far as the eye can see and
the rush can be heard long before the eyes take hold.
the grace of the spendor is almost dwarfed by the seemingly motionless -frozen in time- single drop that is alone one, apart from the whole, as it free falls from the top only to soon rejoin its kind again beneith.
what magic, what bliss.

buenas dias, buenos aires

as my plane decended into "la ciudad", fire burned the night sky back and day reared its glorious head onto my wing and journey. a bright star rising to greet me on my freshy begun expedition is surely a good omen for days to come....