Fitting my long duffle bag under the stroller in the back of Adarsh and Heleen’s car, we head off to Monterey Tuesday Morning. After a must stop at Acme coffee, a “bikers” coffee shop in seaside, we head to the beach. “its the best coffee” tells me Adarsh he veggie Yoga teacher. Real good coffee, roasted on the spot drip or tap.
I watch Adarsh hold his son Evan, both their blue eyes merge with the ocean, while hearing beautiful Heleen talking about how good her life is, a real appreciation for the little things.
They drop me off at Costco where I join Philip for the town run. It’s my first visit to a Costco, the super size discount store. I drive the super-size shopping cart while Philip shows his membership card.
We load up booze, as tonight at Esalen there will be the decompression party. I chose a good night to return. A couple more stops on the way and we head towards Carmel to pick up fresh pasta. “I’ll meet you back here in 10 minutes” I tell Phillip as I run to The American art gallery, where my art is being shown these days. Alik is behind his desk, and a large 5x7foot canvas with my projection work on it lives on his wall beside him. Alik has more than 50 of my pieces so wish both of us good luck!
Hopping back on to the rented yellow van, Phillip and I head back to Esalen. At first I find myself wondering where was the fire. All looks good. Then, as we head further south, Philip points out where over 1000 firemen were camping. A bit further is the camp where the convict camp was, 500 Prisoners that came to fight the fires.
As we keep going south through this still very beautiful land, we start seeing spots where the fire hit. “ Some of the hills coming up look like covered with snow. The ashes create this layer of white with only burned trees sticking up from it.” Tells me Philip. Some white mountains appear in front of us, having their own unique beauty. Closer to the road mostly trees are still standing green. Patches of fire burnt bush appears, but beautiful trees still stand strong.
The ocean and the land are as beautiful as ever. I assume that behind the hills I see there are endless areas that are much more burnt. Near the road, where there are residents and properties, the area was well defended. Still 30 homes served as food for the hungry fire.
In most cases the fire came down the mountains towards the ocean. The fire rolls down much slower than it climbs (as heat rises), so even when fires were heading down towards Esalen or other properties it was easier to stop them
We are stopped for some minutes on the road as workers are preparing big fences to roll over the hills. The fire ate the shrub, and now nothing is holding the rocks and earth from sliding down to the road. Seems like the road might be closed again once the rains falls as for the landslide. Closer to Esalen I see the water lines leading to the water tanks, That was the big Esalen battle, where the fire had to lower its face with respect to the efforts of those working so hard to defend it.
Entering Esalen grounds my feelings are mixed with fear and excitement. I go straight to the kitchen and help unload the truck.
Walking around the grounds I see a leaf covered with ash. The garden is beautiful and the farm producing like never before. The trees beautiful, the ocean reflecting silver, the grass is till green, even though it is not of the neighbors.
Uncovering the motorcycle cover, a thin coat of ash is like a sheath to the bike. A smell that reminds me of the end of a long night around the bonfire fills me up with good memories.
On the door to my room there is a posted sign: “ Caution, rat traps around the room. 5 five”
I walk in with caution finding very little ash and lots of mouse poop. Pulling up my sleeves I get to work, some deep cleaning ahead before dinner.
After Dinner the party up at Fritz is already happening. The view to the ocean is as gorgeous as ever. A real nice bar is set at the entrance, with Matt the kitchen manager behind it, rocking like any superstar bartender in the meatpacking district of New York.
Never thought I’d be dancing till late on my first day of arrival, but I sure was shaking and grooving.
At 6:45am today I was already hitching a rde with Sheila the chef, on our way to prepare breakfast and lunch.
Now, after a long soak in the tubs, Its time to take back to my room some of the things that were moved from there when we were evacuated.
Esalen, beautiful as ever, intimate with no workshops happening till Friday, familiar yet I am still adjusting back.
What an amazing place, a community that sticks for each other, a place that cares, a land that filled with beauty and love.
No comments:
Post a Comment