my inspiration in La Paz. water colores plus picasso

dia de los muertos

sunsets and streets of La Paz

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1 October 4, 2009
We experience the heavy consequences of the passing cyclone by heavy rain, wind and dark clouds. The Malecon is under the dark water, streams running from the hills to the Bay. Warm clean water from the sky and dirty, without bottom under feet. Woohooo!! What a feeling!! At this moment the best what anybody can do is to grab a friend by his hand and walk under the warm rain laughing at running, passing you people, scared to get wet! That is what we did. In my city it rains a lot, but the rain is acid and cold. However I enjoy it, and I found the same mood guy here and we both enjoyed pure clean warm rain, remembering my and his rain at home! Ah, what a pleasure!
And then rain stopped, clouds disappeared and our dearest sun came and everything returned to usual La Paz, Baja California way. After that we grabbed the bottle of good tequila and grapefruit soda and had a nice evening. I slept at the deck of the boat and was glad to have a smooth wind all the night.


16 November 2009

Wow, how much time past and I didn’t write anything!! What a shame! But I have to say that all this time I was content with my life here in La Paz.
By now I have Spanish classes, with wonderful family paceño, who treat me as I am part of it. Which I appreciate so much! Also I took couple water colors classes and have made some nice and bright works. Then one day I was volunteering as an English teacher at the school for poor, which was indeed inspiring for me and I am looking forward to do it again! I also had been at the fiesta of the Dia De Los Muertos, which is a big holiday here and I want to say that very fun one! Dressed people in the skeleton Katrina dress, music, small exhibitions of how Mexicans treat the dead people. How the pay attention to them. I can say that it was a very touching moment, both at the cemetery, where we went at the morning and at the official fiesta in front of the city theatre.
When I was on my way to this fiesta I saw a hippie looking van and then there a guy came out and he turned to be a friend of the girl at whose roof i stayed the first two nights in La Paz, that wonderful girl who crossed the Baja Desert by her feet! And now we went together and at the fiesta I met her with warm hugs and praising words! Today she has a birthday and I am invited for a dinner at her house and very excited about it!
I also had a meeting with couchsurfers in La Paz, one was local, one from Spain, one from Mexico city, from France, from Peru, one from somewhere in the main land and I forgot from where and I couldn’t believe it, but the server in the bar we were sitting in was a CS too and it’s turned to be that I already shared couple of messages with him online before, but we couldn’t meet due to some reasons! So with this noisy and fun company I spent an evening and a night too, because I had cockroaches on my boat. Now I got rid of them, and I sleep well by myself with my music and a nightlight.
Besides all that I was continuing to paint the boat where I have been living and falling in a dipper and dipper love with everything around me here!
Yesterday on Sunday (El domingo) I had a movie morning, I watched 4 spanish and Portuguese speaking ones – Turistas, Tropa de Elita, Ciudad de Deus and Caotica Ana, after the last one I was almost crying like always, I love this movie so much that I have watched it for dozens times by now. And I want to mention that partly I didn’t use subtitles and watched all the films in original!;) I am very glad to know some Spanish and understand it!! As in Caotica Ana I have a feeling that I knew it already before and now I just trying to remember! I love Spanish and Mexico and I dream about a land here with a small farm, and after I’ll make a trip across the world in a boat! i know I can!
So I will update my blog later, because I bet I will have something to say!;)
Ciao,
Yours Ana

close by to La Paz, B.C.S.

My friend who brought me all the way from Ensenada, came to visit me in Paz. And here you can see where he took me to this time. The person whose career started with hopping on the cargo train and whose articles are translated into dozens of languages became my friend. I am very proud of it and will be telling this to everyone! Hurray to Ray The Sun!

still in Paz

19 September 2009

Guess what! I’m still in La Paz!;)

I think I can stay here for ever, lovely, peaceful, quite city full of kind and open people and

thousands stunning picturesque landscapes around!

Malecon. Saturday

13 September 2009

Yesterday was Saturday and almost whole La Paz was walking on the Malecon (the street next to the Bay) with families. Kids and old people, bicycles and skateboards, graffiti performances and musicians with bongos, lots of jewelry trades and homemade decorations. Lively Malecon, lively La Paz and lots of happy relaxed smiles and faces. I had a company of a nice Capitan and we were walking and talking, enjoying at last cooled down wind and wonderful view of a night water.

Then we went to the bar to listen to a live band which included one Israeli guy on drums and two Mexican with guitars and they were playing the old school American rock! That was fun!!

marina de La Paz 2

11 September 2009

Now I’m currently staying at a boat, the owner of which I haven’t seen and hopefully will never see (especially unexpected), because it will be very difficult to explain him fast enough, without ashamed bubbling What on Earth I am doing in his boat! And even the fact that his friend allowed me to do it won't sound rather firm.

Let me start my story from yesterday morning – I left my previous accommodation with all my stuff because my host had to leave the place and I went straight to the marine! After the inspiring story of the boat hitchhiking I decided to throw a dice and see how far i can go with that smallest sum of money i had left. I found that magic radio where every morning at 8 o’clock sailors exchange their news, advertise some new interesting events and where you can share your wishes to go somewhere or advertise something even if you’re not a member of their society.

So I met this guy and staying there with my luggage all alone, chewing nervously the words I shared with him my crazy idea to hitchhike to the main land and if he would be so king to show me how I can do it and how I can announce it on the radio so everybody could hear me. And guess what – he said that he saw travelers with the same purpose a lot in this marine, the same desperate traveling souls without money, lonely wondering in the world people!!

Now I know how to arrange this and can share this information easily with everybody if somebody is interested;) But as this was not the right season there were not so many people hanging out in the marine and my chance to get a ride was extremely close to zero, but my destiny is very kind to me and it lead me again to very open people and while I was waiting for the miracle I was staying in a boat with a roof, great view to the stars and an extra blanket! ;)

Tomorrow at 8.30 I’ll lead the yoga class for the ladies living near or at the marine and at 1p.m. I have a meeting with a Russian old lady who lives here for a long time and I believe she’s got some tips for me. We’ll see!

Now, quietly swinging on the waives with the pleasant voice of Billy Holliday I’m going to have a sleep at my new temporary house!;)

Hasta manana!

Anastasia

Marina de La Paz

La Paz

9 September 2009

Now I’m in La Paz, my credit card is blocked I don’t know how to deal with Russian bank from Mexico, there is $100 pesos in my pocket and I’m looking for the decision how to make it!

Tonight we plan to drink vodka and tequila with guys, now we are four and everybody from different countries – one Russian, one American, one Canadian and now one more – Mexican ;)

I eager to make it and I won’t have to go back, biting my nails in sadness and shaming tears in my eyes! I’ve heard some stories how brave and desperate people crossed the countries without money and how they were inspired with the free nomadic way of life and how they were sharing and learning on their road. And I don’t understand why I can’t be like them, be a simple human seeking for the piece of happiness in this internal life and bless. I want to feel the value of this life and I want to help others to understand it through my experience and my conclusions and in my dream I want everybody see this beauty which I admire right now!

Today I had colored dreams about trees, caws, cactuses and peaceful life on this planet. And I believe tomorrow will bring me more adventure and some interesting turns! Life is amazing!!

Salut,

Ana

pics from Baja's road trip

two bajas

7 September 2009

Now we were on our way to La Paz. I have a pretty stubborn plan to get there and boat hitchhike to the main land to Los Mochis or Mazatlan from where I could somehow get to Mexico city and meet at last a girl from my city, the only one Russian girl I know who came to Mexico and guess what she now lives here!;) We have one good mutual friend and after the conversation with her I realized that I want to meet her and hang out because she seems to be really nice person! So we spent 4 days in car and cheap hotels at night, visited destroyed by the Jimena hurricane cities and met some friendly people. We drank plenty of water and cold beer, visited the Loreto’s local religious festival and ate lots of bananas as the most cheap and full of sugar fruit.
We passed the endless desert full of cactuses, funny trees and sharp bushes. We saw the rainbow, admired low clouds and short rain which came to greet us. There, in the middle of the peninsula, in the heart of desert was no sound except whistling wind and rear cars due to the recently passed hurricane. Enjoying the view and company we crossed the boarder between two states and changed our clock’s one hour forward and now we were in Baja California Sur!;)
On our way we met a Canadian guy and now already we are three moving together, two in a car and one on a motorcycle. Planning by tomorrow reach La Paz where I’ll again be by myself looking for adventures
So we end up in our destination met a wonderful talented and creative Mexican girl who passed the Baja California by her feet, won a prize on a photographer’s contest and has lots of ideas about eco-tourism. She was very kind and offered to host me and that’s how I spent two wonderful days in her company and company of her friends, sleeping on the roof and admiring the warmth of nights in La Paz! 

road in both Bajas

7 September 2009

We passed the endless desert full of cactuses, funny trees and sharp bushes. We saw rainbows, admired low clouds and short rain which came to greet us. There, in the middle of the peninsula, in the heart of desert was no sound except whistling wind and rear cars due to the recently passed hurricane. Enjoying the view and company we crossed the boarder between two states and changed our clock’s one hour forward and now we are in Baja California Sur!;)
On our way we met a Canadian guy and now already we are three moving together, two in a car and one on a motorcycle. Planning by tomorrow reach La Paz where I’ll again be by myself looking for adventures.

dearest Ensenada

September 5, 2009

Today I woke up in a nice quite apartment inside and with a view to the Pacific Ocean outside. I don’t know if life can ever again be boring for me, I won’t just let it happen!
Two days ago I came to Ensenada the second time and one more time I have such a kick-ass experience that I can say again – Ensenada is cool!;)
On the first night here I was already drinking beer on the beach with two smart and funny people. We were speaking, laughing, I went swimming (this time I was a nice girl – only topless). And I had pleasant time there, watching the moon, showing off a little with Miriam in who knows more incredible gymnastics poses ;) haha))
On the next day they showed me Laguna Hanson. And that was one of those places where you want to stay no matter how dangerous it can be or how much money it can cost to you! It is an amazing place, charming treats of wild nature and even wild people, littering on the ground. I felt this Mexican freedom, freedom of lands, of behavior of spirit, fresh air and the Vanilla smell from trees! I love it! I was circling on one place, waving hands, looking at the spinning beautiful sky and it was it, I was there!!! Thanking my God for all that he does for me and thanking all the people who brought me here at this point at particular this part of my life and my progress.
I start thinking when it all started - in the bar in Atlanta, where I met V and he presented me the acquaintance of A in San Francisco and there I met a person S who shared with me the blessed place hidden in mountains and where I had a sign sanding me to south, or it started with a girl E whom I met in my University and who brought me to that bar? Or may be it is University was the main part of this long chain….. I can go deeper and deeper, but what I can definitely say that all the things which happen they happen with the purpose and I am really glad that I figured this out not so late as I could!

The things that I've learned from the trip to Ensenada:
1. in those parts of Earth where there is a big chance of Tsunami everybody knows that when ocean water goes far from the shore and you can see all the fish and all the ocean citizens open under the sky it means that you have to RUN!!! Climb the highest tree, or run to the top of mountain or somewhere high and safe as the Water which left the Earth will definitely come back with the enormous energy and power!
2. some specific trees in Baja California smell like vanilla
3. the wholes which you can see in the ground could belong to innocent moles but they can also contain Tarantulas:)
4. in Mexico is very important to shake your shoes before you put there you feet and check if nothing is there, as there could be Scorpions.
5. also very important – don’t keep drugs in your car, they have military stops which check cars in a lot of places between cities and believe me you don’t want to mess with the guys in uniform in Mexico!!
6. and concluding this I want you to know that when you cross the Mexican boarder you better have Tarjeta de Migracion, it costs you $20 backs and with this thing you don’t have to worry about getting into jail without it! *I’ll figure out later if Russians actually need it..

And don’t forget your smile and your politeness as on your way you’ll meet indeed friendly locals and have a great time eating seafood or tacos with a beer or Mecheladas or whatever you can find. Mexico is fantastic to make yourself as happy as you’ve never been!!
Ciao,
Ana

first time in Mexico pics

first time in Mexico

So at last I made it to the San Diego and Tijuana’s border. Nervesing, sweating, without any clue what all those people are speaking about I walked on the long bridge on the other side of which there was the big sign saying MEXICO.
As I was prepared for the worst I was trying not to speak to anybody, not to show my tourist look and not to get into trouble. But there was no bus as I expected right near the border!! I definitely had to ask somebody for the directions! The most safe way I found in my head is to go to the bus driver which was having a break chilling at parking near his bus. And you know what? He was a sweetheart! He spoke really good English and was really interested in my travel story and also he expresses lots of greetings to Russia and my fabulous movings!
So I got to the bus, breaking all possible rules of Spanish, mixing it with English and Russian the bus driver at last understood what my destination was and promised to announce it, which actually he forgot to do, but I’m not that silly to trust them, so to be sure I asked also a girl, sitting next to me.
I got of at the Tecnologico and Universidad and realized that if you reduce the temperature approximately twice, make locals whiter, without touching their boring appearance and if you change the language to Russian you will get my Motherland, my missed world, my destroyed roads and crazy drivers! I was at home! Same! I remember how every my American friend was telling me scary stories about local police that drivers don’t stop if they are asked because they can be killed or tortured, or that everybody want to rob me or rape. But I’m ok, already for the cuatro dias and still alive and with all my parts with me. But what’s important to mention is that police here looks really creepy, they usually drive trucks and in the truck you can see the guy with a huge gun. That’s for sure, but nobody is killed or suffered so far.
I spent two beautiful days in a city Ensenada which is more in south from Tijuana. There was a wine festival and lots of tourists, of course wine, lots of bars and free of cover clubs and definitely great company!
We stayed at my friend’s (I found through Couchsurfing.org) parent’s house in a hilly, quite and nice area, slept all together on the floor, ate his Mom’s delicious breakfasts and were parting both of those nights.
Mexico showed me it’s hospitable and kind nature which I appreciate and value! I want to say thank you to all people who took care of me here and i hope i could write the names of places we’ve visited and all drinks we’ve been drinking and foods we’ve been eaten, if I could remember them all..
Adios!

First I came to San Diego, California, USA, just in couple days before we had a week camping in Sequoia National Park, close to nature, bears and long conversations during drinking beer.
In San Diego I spent 2 amazing months of doing nothing just lying on the beaches, drinking with my friends and locals, taking pictures of everything and cycling my bike back and forth.
When I finally understood that with having too much fun I don’t move anywhere, I don’t learn anything or even see anything new I decided to visit my favorite city from last year – San Francisco. I published my post in craigslist, had a reply just immediately and moved towards the Bay area! My dear friend Janet helped me to pack my stuff – backpack with couple changing shirts and pants, two pillows, two sheets, one towel, one blanket and some kitchen items not to ask anybody for anything that i might need and I had a present from a Russian girl to boy who lived over there. Also I took my bike in case to ride around and not spending money on bus tickets and of course for my working out as I never was an example of good fitted person.
The plan was to spend first two days at my friend’s place then to move to a big house where there supposed to be friends of my friends waiting for me and where I could spend a week. What happened in real – my friend had a sudden reconstruction at his place and he by himself had to stay at somebody’s house, then those friends of a friends’ house had an economical crisis and they couldn’t host me and I found myself at a cold SF’s street with all my stuff and no place to go! It was fun I’m telling you! 
 The first and the best decision was to call the guy to whom I had a present and ask him for accommodation. God bless kind and open people! While I was waiting for Misha at Union square one boy from Hong Kong was waiting with me and let me use his cell phone to call and made me really nice and interesting company! He had a very unexpected view on things, he was counting Friday of the year, connecting them to the moon location. Then Misha came and picked me up to his place. Anyway, after that night I had to move somewhere else and now I was already searching in Web, as been a couchsurfing member using hostels is too easy and yet an issue and I was kind of pressing on the chance to have somebody’s couch for one or two nights. At last, with no hope already, I found it and moved accelerating to the new host's place which was in a really nice area with the marine next by and quite streets. We went together to the really cool Indian music concert, ate delicious salad, drank smoothie and I was preparing to go back to San Diego as all my plans failed, but I had another person whom I wanted to call and whom I definitely wanted to meet before leaving San Fran. He didn’t respond to his cell phone, but he picked the phone when I called to his Mother’s land phone!!!! It was a fate! And long story short – that’s how I spent almost a week in his casa in the middle of nowhere, hidden in woods and mountains with hippies, Buddhists and Rastafarians.

And there, in mountains I had a pretty obvious sign that I have to go to south!

Even at the back trip to San Diego I met great people, also using a rideshare and then Greyhound, where by the way if you have any problems you can talk to the bus drivers personally and they will help you with any your trouble for some “clanking” thanks. 
So right now I’m in Mexico. And I love it!!!!!

about me

Hi All!
My name is Anastasia, I’m from Russian Federation – the biggest country in the world and one of the biggest disordered places you can find on Earth.
At this point of my life I find myself on the road seeking for the better world and for the peace.
I was every time one of those who was called nutts, dressing in a weird way, trying to cause indignation and to be a point of issue. I don’t like boring things and I believe that in my country there are too many boring people, afraid to be someone, scared to show their real faces and scared to start living with open eyes! Interesting fact but after I started traveling i met more and more inspiring people from every place on Earth, thus Russia as well.
I was an outcast from the kindergarten, society didn’t understand my stream of thoughts. The only person who was every time with me is my dearest Mom, now i am too far from her and usual events!
I remember not so long time ago I met a guy who was the first one to bully me at school. He was a little drunk and tipsy and said that he loved me all those years, and I was laughing so much, saying that he was giving me really hard time back then!!!  Right now I have my best friend, couple close ones, amazing acquaintances and I can defenatly say that I am happy!!! Thank you all who halped me and who believes in me and my aims!
Big hugs and kisses,
Ana