Wednesday, February 19, 2014

New trip- Uruguay

I am reclaiming my previously under utilized blog for my travels here in and throughout South America. I start in Uruguay and though i may write only for the rhythms of my own thoughts and pasemientos I would like nonetheless to hold an online record for what I am doing here in the now, and what types of inspirations flow through me as I travel forth. Thank you god for this beautiful home, this peace and rhythm in my heart, in the  sacred path of the warrior, I live with no fear. And what a glorious way it is to live. Thank you god. Thank you life. Thank you heaven that I may experience you here on earth. My life is blessed not just by the stars that are ever present in my dreams but by the spirits that continue to lead me towards the life that to me is good, wild, and free. And that is what this trip is about for me, to see the extent to which a human soul can wander good, wild, and free, or what some would say is natural, wild, and free (Julianne Lutz Warren). Thank you mentors for the ways you dream and for how your dreams continue to help guide and inspire mine. I am blessed, as are you, and the whole world for that matter, and in the magic we pour fourth not armatures but radiant gods into a new way of seeing the world, and of building our own truth through the eyes of all good things. I find peace in that warriors, so let this cry be for you, as it is for all creatures that spit and spin on this earth, listening for a new way of breathing. We again free ourselves from our selves and realize that what is left is not so easy to understand, and that time and concentration are needed before we allow ourselves to admit that yes I am a lonely god, but yes, I am never actually by my lonesome. I have blessed me with friends in every corner of the earth. And in my travels I remember them and find them once again. I fear not the unknown of changeability, and embrace the frustration that all that I am meant to be is not yet in my awareness. I play an integral part in this cosmic orchestra, as a member not just a listener. Thank you scientists for your sympathies for the creatures of the world, but now is a time to join in with life not simply watch it. Alas, I have come to a loss of words. God speed and tomorrow a new day. :) <3

Sunday, February 19, 2012

Elmina-- Awakening

Hi Guys,

I wanted to let you know about my amazing experience yesterday at Cape Coast, Ghana, where I went to Elmina, the very first slave castle built by the Portuguese 500 years ago here in West Africa. My program woke up at 5 am to board the bus to the castle and I couldn't help but feel that i was getting on the bus with all of you all over again. The journey this past year has taken me across the ocean, and I genuinely feel like I have come full circle in my understanding of the struggle, the history, and where we still need to go. As we drove and the morning light broke over the coast, I thought of Rip and Joan, and about all the others who continue the fight for freedom that started in the Elmina Castle more than 500 years ago. I would be lying if I didnt say that I wasnt deeply disturbed upon approaching the castle, for those of you who understand, the souls of the past there were not being quiet. It was before I even entered the place that I was almost over whelmed, walking across the ancient moat that whispered death, imagining the feeling of all those men, women, and children that were stolen from their homes, and placed into the pestilential dungeons to await death or a fate worse. At the castle there was a room set aside for captives that were trying to break free and to rally the rest of the prisoners to escape. They were placed in that dark room to starve to death, set as an example of for the next freedom fighter. Though I hate to admit this, it was until this trip that I think I have been able to truly understand what is happening today, how the incredible destructive force of slavery, racism, oppression, has lived on in so many ways. In a way, I wanted to believe that slavery and its effects were a thing of the past, that if we all could just be kind and treat each other well there would be no need for racism and the likes. I knew that I didnt see color and that if we could all just be like ME then all of the harms that had happened would simply not matter any more. I think I underestimated the incredible violation and perversion of trust that occurred and has continued to occur between Africans, the west, and African Americans in America. And how could someone trust, after all that has happened, after all that has not been acknowledged, the constant calculated suppression of the African race, the ignorance and denial of that abuse, and the incredible unacknowledged debt all of Americans owe to the slaves that came from this coast? We learned that during the 18th Century the Dutch West Indies owned the castle, the same people who were building "New Amsterdam," our New York City at the time. The wall on Wall street was literally built by slaves taking from Elmina. Until every school child in America knows this history and recognizes it for what it is, not out of pity but out of great respect and debt we have for our fallen fathers, the unrecognized founding fathers of America, I am not sure if we will ever be able to build that trust up again. Time will tell. Each of us recognizing this inspires me for the future. You are all exceptional human beings, lets teach the world to heal and love!

Miss you all.
From Accra, Ghana.

Lily

Thursday, January 26, 2012

Heaven is like a bodice, sweet and close, if you can wear it right you'll never have to take it off. I dream of dreams. I dream of life larger and smaller than this, one that is based on some quiet code of depth and simplicity. My journey starts every evening.

...

TO:Mango Blood Society First Line Infantry

FROM:Junior counselor DabiDabi

RE:Ray Day Hay Day Play Day DAY

...

I hereby recruit the likes of Dragon Blood number 1, Mabby, the Meat Eating Vegetarian, and the Allergenic Rasta.

...

January Mission

Day 1- Find location head quarters for the Coconut Brain Weavers

Day 2- Identify its leaders and current resources

Day 3- Send scouting mission to identify weaknesses

Day 4- Infiltrate from the inside (bribe with promise of fresh Banana Muffins)

Day 5- Initiate coupe-- end with ceremonial eating of Coconut cream pie.

REPORT: 0700 hours 012612

mango blood required to decode this message.

Tuesday, January 24, 2012

What Looks Like A Change


I mean to free write on this as much as possible, trying to cut back the need for Mabby's slick approval and for red dragon points. I furiously in awe of all my friends here, their stories always seem to hit home hard for me and its interesting how the tribes seem to bond together sub-conciously along economic lines. My name is Lily but that's not really my name. My name is Obroni, foreigner, whitie, stranger in this beautiful land. I am a symbol for all symbols, a mark of development and the oppressive past. I am the constant fight for finding space for heart in this world more and more enveloped in the fog of logical minds. I am not logical, and I would much rather be a liquid or a solid than a gas that chokes the life from the trees, the air, and the soul. I want a beat, both in heart and rythym, a spirit that will tell my ears what they are and show my body why it was broken out of the stone in the first place. AND this is what Ghana is, was, and I hope will remain. A supersonic orchestra that keeps all life alive.