Hello, My Faithful Readers
July
24, 2017
Volume 1, Number 9
So much has happened since the last time we met on
the blog. I want to share with you my experience in the UAE (both at the
Meditation Program and my sightseeing adventures); but something more pressing
has surfaced that I’d like to share and I need to deal with. I may write again
at the end of July/Early August so that I can update on happenings…..before I
leave for Morocco on 8/4/17!
To Begin….
I travel a lot…not as much as I’d like to travel
(but, working on that). So, I am not here in Tbilisi and in the apartment for
weeks on end. During my travels and my return to the apartment I had the sense
that some of my things were not as I had left them. I could not put my finger
on it; and honestly when you are away sometimes memory about what was left
behind is tricky. So, although I had my suspicions I never want to accuse
falsely. In addition, I like where I live so I didn’t want to upset the apple
cart (if you know what I mean).
However, I recently confirmed that my landlord spent
(2) days in my apartment without my knowledge. I spoke with him twice on the
day I returned, so as a courtesy to tell him I was home and also about another
matter and he just gave me the “Thumbs” up and a BIG smile…..however, as I was
unpacking and really looking around the apartment I noticed that things were
not as I left them. For example; I never leave the A/C plugged in and I always
unplug the coffee pot when I travel. Both the A/C and the coffee pot were
plugged. I noticed that there were some items in the bathroom that would be
used for a shower (that were not mine). The little bar I have set up was moved
around…you get the drift.
I wrote to my landlord who said, yes – he had to
spend (2) days in the apartment as there was a problem with the water and that
he didn’t think I’d mind if he used “my” coffee and A/C as it was a very hot
day, the internet, the shower…..OMG, are you kidding me. “Why didn’t you tell
me this when we spoke” and he said “It is his apartment”. What , are you
kidding me….and I pay rent. The water issue seemed plausible, as does all his
excuses (looking back) for why he needed to be in the apartment.
I have always believed that he (or somebody) had a
party in the apartment over Christmas when I was in the States for (2)
months….but he covered his tracks well. I think he has just gotten so
comfortable with using the space that this time he just left a lot of “Bread
Crumbs”. He had duped me (I have no idea how many times); so, why should this
be different. And to have the excuse of the water – well, how could I counter
that.
Honestly, I would have fell for it again if he had
been upfront with me when we spoke after I got home. The fact that he didn’t
even think it necessary to tell me made me confirm that this was not his first
rodeo in the apartment while I was away.
I wrote to him and said that I wanted to talk more
about this when he came for the next rent and he responded that he was in the
Ukraine until the end of September and would I put the rent into his bank
account. I think up until that point I was willing to clear the air; knowing
full well that he is and has been a liar (and a good one) but maybe I only saw
what I wanted to see. I like the apartment and the location – so, I bought into
his fabrications. Also, I cannot prove
it but I don’t think he is in the Ukraine and for (2) months. It just seems
very convenient so as not to have to deal with me. He only wrote me about the
rent and didn’t address my request to talk about what happened.
I am just sick to my stomach about this. I feel so
violated and used. I am told I have the right to change the locks; I wish I
would have known that before. I have contacted a Real Estate person who will
help me re-locate. I am hoping to secure a new place and move on or before
September 15th (that is when the current rent is paid to). I feel so
violated. More as the saga continues….
Onto brighter matters…..
Ok, so let us talk about the Vipassana Meditation
Program I attended in the UAE (June 30th – July 11th,
2017) – link below. My friend Edward has been speaking about this program all
throughout our service together in the Peace Corps. I fell in love with
everything about it and just could not figure out how and where to attend. As
you know, my Faithful Readers, I have been struggling with retirement. As I
said, “I just don’t know how to do this (retirement)”. I’ve been so busy with
Peace Corps and learning how to be an ex-pat; the reality that I can basically
do whatever I want, where ever I want – and given that I was clueless as to
“what that was”. I wanted this program
to help me get clarity around what is next for me.
The first day was a gathering of everyone at the
Meditation site. We could talk at that point as we were doing room assignments;
schedule familiarization; we had to turn over all our electronic devices and
other important items as our residences would not be locked so the organizers wanted
the participants to not worry about valuables. We knew the meals would be
minimal; but, to spell it out:
Breakfast-tea,
fruit and toast bread (butter/jelly) – 6:30am
Lunch-tea,
fruit, rice, salad and some type of Indian dish (potatoes, green pea) and of
course bread – 11:00am
Dinner
– No Dinner
5:00pm
– Tea time with tea, fruit and some type of crunch mixture of rice.
It
was my first experience of not having meat for that long a period of time. To
cut to the chase; since I returned I have held with the Plant Based Diet”….it
really feels good. This will be a continuing conversation.
Briefly
about the food…..I noticed a few interesting combinations that I’d never seen
before. For example; Salt and pepper added to hot tea and placed on toast
bread. There were people from Pakistan; many, many from Iran; Turkey, UAE and
of course me, from Georgia. I was the ONLY American in attendance.
Nobel
Silence was one of the foundations of the course. That is,
even though there were 40+ people at the program we were to act as if we were
alone. To do this we were told not to make eye contact or talk with body
language or interact in any way. Of course, not talking was a given; however,
that was the easy part. We cannot ignore the fact that we are in a room with
40+ people; but, so often during the course I felt alone. This program is for
the “individual” - however, doing this 10 day program for one
person at a time would not be very cost efficient…and speaking of cost…
The
Program is free of charge and that is by design. At the end of the program you
are invited to make a contribution; however, it is not required. The way I
understood why the program is structured that way – was that participants could
understand or experience “being on the dole.” This meaning that what is given
to do the program (room and board) was given as an act of Charity. I have an
inkling of what it means; however, it is another conversation that I am still
grappling with.
Day
starts at 4:00am and completed at 9:00pm. Within that time we had (10) hours of
meditation; meals, rest periods and video recordings of S. N. Goenka. I know on
the surface all this sounds gruesome and at times it was. I was praying for
sleep and unconsciousness to take me over; but, gradually realized when the
meditation time was so in my face and I wanted to run away was the time when I
learned so much about myself (good and bad). One time I walked to the edge of
camp and looked out over the desert (and of course it was (I’m told) 50Celsius)
– thinking how the heck can I get out of here? I was hours away from Dubai and,
well – I was stuck. Kiddingly, one of
the facilitators called the program “Buddha Prison”.
Having
this much time to be with myself was troubling and rewarding. There were no
distractions, maybe the toothpaste and shampoo labels to read…and if I could
stand the heat to watch the birds and hear the Call to Prayer and watch the hot
wind move the trees….I am still sorting all this out; but know that I have
changed. In some quarter people who have done in say it feels like after the
program you have been re-born. Now, I am not saying Born-Again; but I can
understand some of what they speak of.
One
aspect that I can share here is my relationship with my body. This can be an embarrassment
for me to share; but, of course I know I have a body but mostly my emphasis was
always placed on my mind/head. Maybe even
considering the fact that my body was ultimately a transport vehicle for my
brain. I read someplace that people treat their cars better than they treat
their bodies, and yes I fall into that category. I’ve had a weight problem for
a long time and have spent countless hours and money with Weight Watchers…that
I can now see was more a mental exercise than a physical one. My body did
benefit, of course, but I always seemed to slide back and Wham…I am back to
square one again using food as anesthesia or to compensate, as a
distraction..etc., etc.
The
mind does not control all of the body and that is a statement that I never
entertained. To think that the mind does not control blood flow; cannot stop
the heart from beating and honestly, it has been said that our “Bowels” have a
mind of their own…just some deep thoughts to contemplate.
I
see some things differently now. Not just on an intellectual level but also on
an experiencial level. Maybe I was in the right place at the right time; or, as
they say when one is ready the teacher will appear….and so, I realize how lucky
I am.
I
will talk about this more as time goes forward; but, wanted to talk about the
fabulous 3+ days I had as a tourist. I chose the UAE for the program as this
area of the world calls to me and also I am just fascinated with how much they
have accomplished in such a short period of time.
My
roommate at the Meditation Program lives in Dubai and she was so great to me
and acted as a tour guide during most of my stay. Since this blog is growing in
length I will just briefly give you the highlights of my touring in Dubai.
Dubai is an amazing city. I dipped my toes into the
Persian Gulf; went to see the famous hotel that looks like a sail boat BURJ AL ARAB JUMEIRAH
We could not breach hotel security; and I’m
told that even though it is a 7 star hotel – it is not that great. The beaches
were 98% empty as it was so hot. The beaches are FREE, no beach tag required.
They say the water at this time of year is so hot it is like taking a HOT bath….no
thanks! J
Traveling
onto “The Palm” – Palm Island into the Persian Gulf which is an artificial
Island. Unless you are a resident you
can only stay on the main road of the island which was ok with me. There are so
many hotels and various buildings on the main strip of the palm; but they are
not connected and they are still building. The Palm also has its own monorail
to take people from the Palm into the main of the city of Dubai. The highlight
was having tea and dates at the Atlantis Hotel at the very tip center of the
Palm. I lost count as to how many pools there were. The lobby was enormous and
people were lining up 3 deep in order to register. It was interesting, but not
someplace I would stay. However, it was impressive being on a man made island
and the scope of the hotel.
The
final stop of the day before my host and her husband treated me to dinner was the
Mall of the Emirates. This link will give you an idea of the magnitude of this
place. Pictures include the area where people can do all kind of winter sports –
ie;, skiing etc.…..We had tea at a restaurant overlooking the ski/winter sports
area. I cannot even begin to go into what is available in this mall.
Dinner
was at a restaurant that featured food from Macedonia; as my new friends are
native Macedonia. I’ve never had food from this country; and honestly, until I
looked on a map I didn’t know where it was. They have a home in both Dubai and
Macedonia and travel back and forth. Food was terrific; but it was difficult
coming into such abundance after being in the meditation diet. Their apartment
is in the heart of the city. They live on the 2nd floor but have
access to the top floor which houses pool, fitness center and general common
spaces. I was overwhelmed with the view as the tops of the Dubai buildings are
lit up with colors and/or some type of light movement.
I
saw so much of Dubai and we traveled in such comfort. I’ve left so much out
about Dubai and I’ve not even talked about Abu Dhabi (which we toured the next
day). I will leave further adventure stories until I blog next as I’ve written
way more than I thought I would…
Thank
you, My Faithful Readers…for coming along on my journey.
Catherine
Lawrence – 7/24/17
At the Meditation location- in the desert
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