Yet again, an awesome day which resulted in tears. I find that my happiest moments spark my saddest moments. Meeting Reena was truly a blessing. Not only is she is super sick wave slider (badass-Aussie-longboard-style-for-days), but she's also a freakishly funny, über stylish, down to earth, grounded in the earth woman. We had an awesome night with the group at my gig last night, followed up by a super duper fun early morning surf sess. Afterwards she came to my "house" and we hung out on my "porch"- sipping Ravis delicious iced coffees and enjoying his kickass breakfast (poached eggs, tomato, onion, cheese, epic toast). We laughed and chatted about everything from surfing to fashion to God. We decided that another surf was in order, so we paddled out to some less-than-desirable swell and had a blast. Truly, this afternoons surf session was hands down my BEST session. It further reassures my theory that its more about *who you're sharing the waves with than the actual waves themselves. So. Much. Fun.

Later she came over for our New Years ceremony and then we said our goodbyes...until dinner. In my alone time I went to the mat. I was really overwhelmed with all of the emotions that were coming up for me. Good days spark big sadness because I really want to share my happiness with my Dad. Yes, I talk to him. Yes, I tell him. But it's not the same, and its an adjustment that takes time getting used to. And so I cried. Well, bawled my eyes out is more like it. I guess that it's as they say in India, "slowly slowly". Grief takes time, slowly slowly, but thankfully there are great times in between. Balance.


Cailin Callahan
www.cailincallahan.blogspot.com

Celebration Through Ceremony

Celebration Through Ceremony

Today is the Sri Lankan New Year. New Year = New Beginning (you can never have too many of those!). What better way to celebrate than with a ceremony? So I walked around town picking flowers, I wove a 'basket' and bought some incense; I set up an alter, got some pens and paper, and bada bing-ceremony time. I shared in this ceremony with my (new and wonderful) friend Serena. Reena loves Jesus. She actually teaches scripture classes at a catholic school. And I'm down with Jesus too. So I also read her declaration that she wrote up, which is so so beautiful. Later I read it again and inserted "the divine" where she used Christ- and I encourage you to make this declaration (to whomever your god is) as well. We are bountiful, beautiful, blissful beings. I'm grateful for the opportunity to let go of things that don't serve me and to embrace my vision for the year ahead. It was so nice to be able to share space and hold space with such a rad chicky-mama. It felt particularly good burning my "let go" paper in the fire I made. Rooftop ceremonies = Pure bliss. Namaste. 

Cailin Callahan

www.cailincallahan.blogspot.com

Abundance.

Last nights gig was super fun. I've already got a great crew of solid friends, who all came out in support. Such a good night, so grateful for life's abundance.

Home of my Gypsy Heart

Well, this is where I will spend the remainder of my trip, so in my true, usual fashion, I have made it a home. All I need to do is hang some photos and my Saraswati poster on the wall, and pick up some candles + incense.

I'm the only room upstairs, so I've invested in a broom to sweep up the flat roof, which I'm using as an extension of my house- and which has also become my yoga + crossfit studio.

"So here we are in no mans land
A gypsy heart so free
Weary eyes please don't ask why
A promise to hold on to
We seek the path of something new
That carries the distant truth
So you are a traveller
Of somewhere to take you home"

Home Sweet (Surf) Home.

Well, if a homemade seashell tree doesn't scream "home" then I don't know WHAT does! Yes, it's a bit worn down- but it feels so very right. I love this town, I love this wave. Boom. So happy that after a bit of a bumpy ride these past few weeks that I have finally fallen back into my flow!

I cruised the streets today looking for wifi and stumbled into Siam View, a totally awesome, funky, authentic, cozy restaurant that serves up some mean Thai food and house-brewed beers! Though they are only open for dinner the owner let me in and somehow one thing led to another and I'm playing music here tonight. Bam. Love it. Yay for me!

Yoga Training.

We changed the times to better suit your summer. Boom.

Arugam Bay.

The situation was as such:

I packed my bags on Wednesday night because I was losing my shit in midigama. It was so so hot and humid, the waves weren't delivering, and I didn't love the guest house that I was in. Well, its just as I believe- set the intention and the universe will deliver. I packed my bags with no idea where I was going, I just knew that I was making a move. So I paddle out and one of the guys in the lineup said that he was headed to arugum bay...at 10am, which was in just a half hour. I asked if I could hop in the taxi with him and he said no problem. So I caught the next wave in, settled up my tab, and away we went. 

We passed wild elephants along the way, just crossing the road. It rained, the air was cooler and boom- we arrived in arugam bay. The waves are decent, the place we are staying is homey and rundown, and the food is delicious and SO CHEAP. 250rs (1.80$)for the most epic pumpkin soup, salad and coconut rotis. Ahhh. Love. The centipede in my bathroom that was the size of a dachsand was a bit discomforting, but I'm grateful for the change of scenery....

Cailin Callahan

www.cailincallahan.blogspot.com