Over the past few weeks I have been honored to join in on Samba drumming and percussion sessions, which is something I never thought I would be doing in Ireland. Klaus, the owner of the house that I am staying at, is a percussion teacher specializing in Samba and West African rhythms. The inside of his van is a mother's nightmare...hoards of djembes, surdo's (bass drums), tamborims, and bells. If any child got a hold of those instruments I think momma would go insane, but for those who love to bang loudly on instruments it is like you have entered heaven!
The first session was located at a neighbors house and there were 9 of us playing. My first instrument to try was the tamborim. Not a tambourine, the little round thing with bells, but the tamborim which is a small Brazilian frame drum you hold in one hand. The main rhythms of the song are played with the tamborim and its patterns are easily distinguished over other instruments. This little instrument was fun because I could dance while playing it. Very cool! The next instrument I tried was the surdo, which is a large standing bass drum. This drum sounds so cool and just banging on it is fun. I couldn't help but just keep hitting it over and over, because it sounded so neat to my untrained ears. These drums are played with a thick fuzzy headed drumstick that I kept thinking was going to fly out of my hand every time I pulled it off the drum. So, of course, I was playing with a perma-smile and constantly laughing at myself. Then I finally moved on to the bells. I got the rhythm fine with these guys, but they have two layers and when I wasn't paying attention to my playing I sometimes would hit the wrong layer, making a different sound. Luckily, if I screwed up, every other instrument was so darn loud that no one could notice. Phew! But, overall, I think I did ok and I had an absolute blast.
Next session was held at our place in the cafe. Again, we had 9 musicians and this time I gravitated towards the djembe. I have a small djembe back in the States that I have been playing with, but these were the real ones. They are about 2 feet in height and are placed between your legs at a slight angle. This is an instrument that I want to really pursue. I love the sound it makes, the feel of my bare hands playing it, and the way it makes my spirit high. It makes me feel very connected to the earth in some strange way and it allows me to go into a sort of moving meditation. Klauss taught me a basic rhythm and we all melodiously jammed.
A few days ago in a cute little seaside town named Kinsale, there was a sustainable festival going on. Klauss generously offered to teach a free percussion workshop, so myself and another couple made the journey down there to join in the workshop. We first set up in the streets and started playing so that we could attract people, but then it started raining. We decided to move inside to a pub and the amount of attendees seemed to magically grow. It was really neat to see such an eclectic mix of people, from young to old, all eager to learn the instruments. I worked on some more djembe rhythms and then moved on to the bells for the next tune that included a beautiful song which we had to sing the intro to. The song is sung to the gods and is very powerful especially when you have a huge group of people singing it. Then we broke into the musical rhythms. It was so much fun and such a great experience. My last samba session is tomorrow night, the night before I leave. The date was decided so that I could leave Sheep's Head Peninsula, Ireland with a bang. Back in January I would have never thought that I would be where I am now. And, I definitely would not have thought I would be learning Samba/West African percussion in Ireland. It is so amazing how life just happens to move one beat at a time, sometimes it is in tune and other times it is off, but nevertheless it is still one awesome rhythm.
Saturday, April 24, 2010
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
Guiness for Strength
I can't believe it has been almost 3 weeks since I last wrote a post. A lot has been going on and time has seemed to have flown right by. This is my last week in Ireland before I head back to the Netherlands and wherever else the wind may take me. The past few weeks, aside from my work exchange duties of helping out with the cafe, I have been doing a lot of hikes mostly with our neighbor Eric. It seems that almost daily we were walking somewhere, whether it be to the stone circle nearby, the sea loop, up the mountain, along the cliffs, through ancient villages, or making the drive to a lonesome yet lovely lake. The weather has been outstanding for the past couple of weeks which is probably why I haven't written much... too busy enjoying the outside!
Yesterday, I was able to catch a ride up to the town of Killarney in County Kerry. This town is very touristy because of the Killarney National Park and its breathtaking beauty. I walked around town early in the morning, ate a scone, then booked a "tour" to see the lakes of Killarney and the Gap of Dunloe. This was more of an adventure than a tour though. The guide drove us in a vintage car over to Ross Castle, where we took a boat across the lakes of Killarney. I thought it would be wonderful to sit in the front part of the boat, but instead was blasted by the cold wind and waves. I had to laugh as I was being splashed, thinking that I am really getting the Irish seamen experience. Little did I know what was coming next. Since the weather has been so nice and rain free, the lakes were a bit shallow in some areas. Besides myself, there was a German couple celebrating their honeymoon who were also on the tour. The guide said that we all needed to get off the boat so that he could pass under a bridge through this really shallow section. Then he told me that he might need my help. Did he ask the stocky German man? No, he asked the petite American girl. Next thing I knew I had to jump off the boat with the ropes and hold the boat from being pulled back into the current, which was very strong. We both mightily pulled the boat through the narrow passageway, against the current, in shallow water (which was definitely challenging) and finally made it. So we boated over to pick up the couple and the guide expressed to the couple how we almost needed their help. But, he said "We have a strong woman here. She must be drinking her Guinness." I laughed and thought "if you only knew"!
We continued on our journey and he dropped us off in a remote area where we were to either hike or get a pony ride back. I opted to hike the 7 miles through the mountains, while the German couple opted for the pony ride. So along I went all by my strong self, passing by fields of sheep, up the mountain, through the Gap of Dunloe, and finally ending at some pubs, of course, where the guide picked us up and brought us back into town. The hike was amazing and it felt so good to be doing it solo. I whistled, laughed at the baaing sheep, met a thoroughbred Irishman, and marveled at the beauty that I was surrounded by. I was in complete awe of majestic Mother Nature and at peace with the solitude she provided. My spirit couldn't be happier, and I felt so grateful for all the recent crazy events in my life that had lead me here to this divine place of healing. The strength may have come from my increased consumption of Guinness, but more likely it has come from my courage to keep on trekking even when times get tough.
Yesterday, I was able to catch a ride up to the town of Killarney in County Kerry. This town is very touristy because of the Killarney National Park and its breathtaking beauty. I walked around town early in the morning, ate a scone, then booked a "tour" to see the lakes of Killarney and the Gap of Dunloe. This was more of an adventure than a tour though. The guide drove us in a vintage car over to Ross Castle, where we took a boat across the lakes of Killarney. I thought it would be wonderful to sit in the front part of the boat, but instead was blasted by the cold wind and waves. I had to laugh as I was being splashed, thinking that I am really getting the Irish seamen experience. Little did I know what was coming next. Since the weather has been so nice and rain free, the lakes were a bit shallow in some areas. Besides myself, there was a German couple celebrating their honeymoon who were also on the tour. The guide said that we all needed to get off the boat so that he could pass under a bridge through this really shallow section. Then he told me that he might need my help. Did he ask the stocky German man? No, he asked the petite American girl. Next thing I knew I had to jump off the boat with the ropes and hold the boat from being pulled back into the current, which was very strong. We both mightily pulled the boat through the narrow passageway, against the current, in shallow water (which was definitely challenging) and finally made it. So we boated over to pick up the couple and the guide expressed to the couple how we almost needed their help. But, he said "We have a strong woman here. She must be drinking her Guinness." I laughed and thought "if you only knew"!
We continued on our journey and he dropped us off in a remote area where we were to either hike or get a pony ride back. I opted to hike the 7 miles through the mountains, while the German couple opted for the pony ride. So along I went all by my strong self, passing by fields of sheep, up the mountain, through the Gap of Dunloe, and finally ending at some pubs, of course, where the guide picked us up and brought us back into town. The hike was amazing and it felt so good to be doing it solo. I whistled, laughed at the baaing sheep, met a thoroughbred Irishman, and marveled at the beauty that I was surrounded by. I was in complete awe of majestic Mother Nature and at peace with the solitude she provided. My spirit couldn't be happier, and I felt so grateful for all the recent crazy events in my life that had lead me here to this divine place of healing. The strength may have come from my increased consumption of Guinness, but more likely it has come from my courage to keep on trekking even when times get tough.
Monday, April 5, 2010
Making Peace with the Wind
The first day of April commenced with another amazing hike. My new British friend, Will, invited me to hike to the lighthouse on the end of the Sheep's Head Peninsula. We drove on the narrow, rugged road from Ahakista all the way to the end, parked, and began our afternoon adventure. As usual, we hiked past sheep and through the mud, and ventured off the path. He took me to a spot where we lied down on the rocks and overlooked the massive cliffs plunging into the rough sea below. It was breathtaking. Then we continued on our journey to the lighthouse for 360 degree views of the ocean, mountains, and nearby peninsulas. It feels so good to be back surrounded by the ocean again. This part of Ireland reminds me of Hawaii with its intense and wild beauty. Finally we ended the afternoon hike with scones from the little cafe on the top of the hill. My first interaction with the wind again started here, with my scone crumbs blowing off onto Will, constantly, until he pretty much was covered by them. We had to laugh. Oh the wind...some of you may know how living in Hawaii I had grown to resent the wind. Well, she's back again.
Friday and Saturday I worked the cafe again for the holiday weekend. We had a decent amount of customers (repeats too!) and of course supplied some delicious vegetarian cuisine. The weekend dessert consisted of our normal yummies as well as orange cardamom sugar cookies and banana walnut raisin cake that I baked. On special for the entree was a chickpea, apricot, and saffron tagine served with wholegrain couscous. And the soup du jour... creamy nettle and potato with the nettles coming straight from the garden. How I love being surrounded by delicious, vegetarian food. Good Friday we had another dinner party, this time Italian themed complete with homemade Tiramisu. Heaven! I ate enough to put back all the calories I lost from the past 2 days of hiking, and it was well worth it! Saturday night I went out with another new friend to a nearby town to check out the local music festival. It consisted of crawling back and forth between two pubs, but we missed all the good music. Oh well...still enjoyed my Guinness, ran into some people I knew, talked story with new people, and did a lot of laughing.
Sunday Will and I drove to the peninsula south of the one I am on, called the Mizen Head. We first stopped at a secluded beach that was simply gorgeous. It looked like we were in the Caribbean, but with jackets and wool hats on. The water was really shallow and sandy so the color was of turquoise and teal. Even though I was cold, the water was seducing me with its beauty, enticing me to jump in...ok had to snap out of it, because I probably would get hypothermia. Next stop was another beautiful beach named Barley Cove. This beach reminded me of Martha's Vineyard with its dunes, shoots of straw like grasses coming out, and a wide, open, long shoreline. Pondered over the signs that read "no tunneling in the dunes," took a few photos, bounced like a 6 yr old on the floating raft that's a walking path to get across the water when the tide is high, and then took off for the next destination...Three Castle Head. Upon arriving, we walked down towards the rough, dynamic sea so Will could take some shots of the waves crashing on the rocks. I just stared off into the distance in a sort of standing meditation thinking about how grateful I was to be in that spot at that moment. Next, we walked upon private property, passing by a couple of horses, the farmhouse, and of course more sheep. I had to get a photo standing in the field of sheep. We made baa sounds to greet them, and continued on the hike up, down, and up again to see in the distance the remains of an old castle...Three Castle Head. This old castle still had three towers in tact as well as most of the walls connecting the tower and it sat in a valley next to a quiet lake. To get to the castle we had to pass through a section where the wind was blowing madly and super strong, but we made it through and then explored the castle remains. Then we continued hiking up again to the peak of the peninsula for, yet again, 360 degree views. From here we could see the Sheep's Head peninsula where we hiked a few days ago and it was also here that the wind was showing her strength again. Will sat down by a rock pile to get a break from her massive strength, while I stood there with my arms out to the side, head tilted back, and feet firmly planted on the ground. She's testing me, I thought, and I just let her strength envelope me. It felt great.
The next day I woke up and could see a giant, black ominous cloud looming overhead, as well as the trees blowing madly around and I thought...what terrible weather...I think I am going to go for a walk. Now, the old me would have looked at these nasty weather signs and said "there is no way I am going out in that!", but the new me said "why not!". So I bundled up and headed out. I made it down the hill ok, but as soon as I reached the sea the wind was ready to do her thing again. I crossed the road, stood on the rocks, and said "ok, give me your best shot!" She powered up and just about blew me over, like she was saying "ok, but can you take it." As I stumbled to hold my ground, I smiled and replied to her "yes, with total grace and humility." She blasted me again, but this time I breathed her life in, laughed and kept walking with renewed strength and vitality. Instead of resenting what is, I embraced it with my whole being. Maybe that was what she was trying to teach me all along. Too bad it took me this long to figure it out.
Friday and Saturday I worked the cafe again for the holiday weekend. We had a decent amount of customers (repeats too!) and of course supplied some delicious vegetarian cuisine. The weekend dessert consisted of our normal yummies as well as orange cardamom sugar cookies and banana walnut raisin cake that I baked. On special for the entree was a chickpea, apricot, and saffron tagine served with wholegrain couscous. And the soup du jour... creamy nettle and potato with the nettles coming straight from the garden. How I love being surrounded by delicious, vegetarian food. Good Friday we had another dinner party, this time Italian themed complete with homemade Tiramisu. Heaven! I ate enough to put back all the calories I lost from the past 2 days of hiking, and it was well worth it! Saturday night I went out with another new friend to a nearby town to check out the local music festival. It consisted of crawling back and forth between two pubs, but we missed all the good music. Oh well...still enjoyed my Guinness, ran into some people I knew, talked story with new people, and did a lot of laughing.
Sunday Will and I drove to the peninsula south of the one I am on, called the Mizen Head. We first stopped at a secluded beach that was simply gorgeous. It looked like we were in the Caribbean, but with jackets and wool hats on. The water was really shallow and sandy so the color was of turquoise and teal. Even though I was cold, the water was seducing me with its beauty, enticing me to jump in...ok had to snap out of it, because I probably would get hypothermia. Next stop was another beautiful beach named Barley Cove. This beach reminded me of Martha's Vineyard with its dunes, shoots of straw like grasses coming out, and a wide, open, long shoreline. Pondered over the signs that read "no tunneling in the dunes," took a few photos, bounced like a 6 yr old on the floating raft that's a walking path to get across the water when the tide is high, and then took off for the next destination...Three Castle Head. Upon arriving, we walked down towards the rough, dynamic sea so Will could take some shots of the waves crashing on the rocks. I just stared off into the distance in a sort of standing meditation thinking about how grateful I was to be in that spot at that moment. Next, we walked upon private property, passing by a couple of horses, the farmhouse, and of course more sheep. I had to get a photo standing in the field of sheep. We made baa sounds to greet them, and continued on the hike up, down, and up again to see in the distance the remains of an old castle...Three Castle Head. This old castle still had three towers in tact as well as most of the walls connecting the tower and it sat in a valley next to a quiet lake. To get to the castle we had to pass through a section where the wind was blowing madly and super strong, but we made it through and then explored the castle remains. Then we continued hiking up again to the peak of the peninsula for, yet again, 360 degree views. From here we could see the Sheep's Head peninsula where we hiked a few days ago and it was also here that the wind was showing her strength again. Will sat down by a rock pile to get a break from her massive strength, while I stood there with my arms out to the side, head tilted back, and feet firmly planted on the ground. She's testing me, I thought, and I just let her strength envelope me. It felt great.
The next day I woke up and could see a giant, black ominous cloud looming overhead, as well as the trees blowing madly around and I thought...what terrible weather...I think I am going to go for a walk. Now, the old me would have looked at these nasty weather signs and said "there is no way I am going out in that!", but the new me said "why not!". So I bundled up and headed out. I made it down the hill ok, but as soon as I reached the sea the wind was ready to do her thing again. I crossed the road, stood on the rocks, and said "ok, give me your best shot!" She powered up and just about blew me over, like she was saying "ok, but can you take it." As I stumbled to hold my ground, I smiled and replied to her "yes, with total grace and humility." She blasted me again, but this time I breathed her life in, laughed and kept walking with renewed strength and vitality. Instead of resenting what is, I embraced it with my whole being. Maybe that was what she was trying to teach me all along. Too bad it took me this long to figure it out.
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