I was almost asleep last night and remembered I hadn’t blogged. Decided it could wait till today. Hope I remember what happened yesterday. When I travel, the days tend to blur together.
I went to morning yoga but didn’t stay long. I wasn’t feeling the best and the instructor was doing things I had never done before and at a pace I knew I couldn’t keep up.
Had some tummy issues so decided not to go on the hike to the vortex. I couldn’t be too far away from the toilet. I took a nap and then went out and found some lunch. Came back to our place and took another nap.
The group got back around 2:30. They made mandalas but weren’t going to be able to take them home. I decided to skip that program. They didn’t get fed lunch until after 3:30.
After Nicole ate we went out and went to a shopping village of some sort. The prices were high and it was crowded. We looked around for a bit and then walked across the street and up a hill to an Italian restaurant. We were both craving real meat as the retreat only served vegan meals. Both of us had a delicious meal. We went back to the retreat center and visited with some of the other participants.
At 7:00 Gentle Thunder did a sound bath that was the best part of the retreat for me. She created a safe space and I trusted her immediately. She sang, played sound bowls, drummed, used chimes and her voice. About halfway through I was startled with a sound she made. It pulled me out of the trance I was in.
The sound bath was the only part of the retreat that I felt safe in. The main leader of the retreat was disorganized and passive-aggressive. When we first arrived at the house she was busy putting things away in the kitchen and didn’t stop to greet us. I assumed she was the hired cook for the weekend. When I first came out of my room the door locked behind me. I asked her for some help and she said I don’t know what to tell you. Nicole was able to get the door unlocked. We then asked her about having her follow us to the charging port for our car and she told Nicole maybe. Those actions don’t exactly build trust with the leader.
Today we went to a Stupa for a closing ceremony. It was a beautiful park that had prayer flags and two Stupas. We walked around them three times doing a walking prayer. Afterwards we had a closing ceremony and hugged each other goodbye. I struggled a bit to say something nice to the leader. I could not recommend anyone go to her retreat.
I am grateful I went. Nicole and I made the best of it and enjoyed some of the participants. The sound bath and the hot air balloon ride were the highlight of the trip for me as well as the time with Nicole.
We are sitting at the Phoenix airport. We are booked on a 6:50 flight and are on standby for a 3:00 flight that is delayed by 30 minutes. Crossing my fingers and toes we can get out of here early.
It will be good to get home later tonight. I have a busy week ahead of me and lots to do to get ready for our family Christmas on Saturday.
Grateful for this trip to Sedona, grateful for this time with Nicole, and grateful to be headed home today.