The 2nd Annual Symposium, “Spa and the New Economy” for the Washington Spa Alliance is June 19th 2012 at the National Press Club. Tickets on sale through the web-site.
SPA BLOG: Alexander McCall Smith
April 14th, 2012Today at the National Press Club, author of the series, “No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency” Alexander McCall Smith gave a lively, at time hilarious, and provocative talk about his new book, ” The Limpopo Academy of Private Detection”, followed by Q&A and book signing. He has that joyful dry British (Scottish) humor with sparkle that fills the room. I do believe that if he ever stopped writing, he would be a perfect stand-up comedian. So creative, generous, a maybe a bit wicked. (in a good way) In attendance was the Botswana Ambassador to the US, Ms. Tebelelo Seretse~ who gave a passionate speech about the people, natural resources and many successes of Botswana.
SPA BLOG: Deepak Chopra at the National Press Club
April 5th, 2012Yesterday at DC’s National Press Club, Deepak Chopra delivered an inspiring message and lecture based on 3 types of “awareness”~ all of which are explored, explained and has given purpose to in his new book, “Spiritual Solutions.” At the end of his lecture, he asked the audience to do him a favor, he asked us to; “listen to the one who is listening.” The audience was quiet and a bit astonished as the meaning hit. That for me was very profound and embodies what meditation is all about. Here are a few pictures not just of Mr. Chopra, but of the stunning and healthy food that was served!
SPA BLOG: The Shandrani Spa- Mauritius
March 20th, 2012Just spent a week in March on a spa tour of the island of Mauritius. I visited the One & Only, Shanti Maurice and The Shandrani (which is pictured here). The people are extremely kind and service oriented, and treatments are Ayurvedic as there is an Indian influence on the island. Well worth the 2 day flight from DC!
Spa Blog: Sproat Lake, Vancouver Canada
January 12th, 2012
Sproat Lake, Victoria Island BC Canada
Friday 7:15am, the day after Thanksgiving
Couch, coffee, wool blanket, fireplace and a wall of windows:
From the deck, there are steps that disappear steeply down to the lake. In between the red slabs of wood, there are grey stones neatly inlayed, making order to the overgrown forest and lush ferns. The pines arc over the steps creating a narrow tunnel, the steps vanish.
The lake is still and grey, the low sky covers the mountains, that in the early morning make the mountain look black. Between the clouds there is a narrow opening which exposes a sliver of snow on the black mountain. In the distance a small mound of an island floats. It looks like a giant top hat floating in the grey water. The top hat island is sleek in contrast to the low white clouds, which are weighed down, stuck in the crevasses of the black mountain.
The pine trees stand still. Quiet. Finally resting after yesterday’s constant rain.
When I step outside, the scene changes and become alive with sound and movement. A frigid chill makes me shiver and I am now a part of the scene. I wrap the blanket closer to my neck and squeeze my arms to my chest. At a closer look down the steep disappearing steps, part of the lake looks like it moving east and another part streams west. They are like a giant basket, weaving together in one lake. White birds fly low along the tree line. With an effortless flow, their wings paint a white trail. A touch of the morning light catches one of the wings’s and flickers a warning light on the dark black lake. Like the steep steps, they too disappear.
A squirrel chirps and scatters, disrupting the peace. Water laps against the stone beach, over and over and over again.
An hour passes and it is no lighter and no darker. The thick canopy of pines and moss makes the morning even darker as the low sky continues to push down towards the lake.
Back inside it is warm, but my blanket is still chilled from being outside. The dog laps water like the lake hitting the stone beach, her nails scrape the floor as she walks to her rug and settles. She licks her wet muzzle and exhales loudly.
It is morning.
She is now quiet, like the house, and the black floating top hat at the end of the lake.
pacem Deus reddidit ~ God restores peace
