Electric Candy Couture Lights the Way!

One day at a party Bruce flipped a shiny coin into the air. Its iridescence caught my glance and summoned this faerie right over for a closer look.

“TREASURE!!” My inner heart screamed!

Inscribed into the iridescent acrylic coin was a beautiful dragonfly! This was the first of many creations that Bruce Lindsay created that caused my jaw to drop in awe and splendor.

Fusing his collective past interests and experience in armor and chain mail with his involvement in the underground art scene-Bruce creatively stumbled onto the idea-of-the-century for creative fashion lovers at large. He calls it Electric Candy Couture.Electric Candy is one of the coolest fashion accessories or outfits one can own. Not only is it interesting, different, hand-made, iridescent, glows in black light, and pretty much makes any look more awesome- it’s super light, easy to use, and priced fairly for the hours upon hours of manual labour that go into each unique and interesting piece. I got to experience the craftsmanship and possibilities of Electric Candy when I modeled for him last fall. I have to say- I’m hooked!

alielectriccandy1
(Photo by Loren Darklyng )

Small trinkets to full on gladiator headpieces to winged shoulders with ancient inscriptions in them- Electric Candy has a little something for everyone. I love wearing Electric Candy due to its uniqueness, light weight, durability, and ease of use. Personally, I am looking forward to collaborating on the design of a full body piece/dress created out of his colorful iridescent acrylic pieces in 2014.

Bruce is prolific, diligent, and has an eye for color and fashion. If he can dream it- he can make it. There is simply nothing that can stop him from being a successful upstart independent business in this corporate fueled world- but there is something that could help him on his way– funding! He has 6 days left to raise $19,000. So in the season of giving I encourage you to check out artist Bruce Lindsay’s Kickstarter to bring Electric Candy Couture to the next level!

Help this artist bring more awesome into the world and take home a piece for yourself by pitching in! He is offering tons of his pieces at 20% less directly through the kickstarter to help him reach his goal in six short days. If you are excited about his work but can’t donate- help by sharing his kickstarter and getting out the word!

Fashionably yours~

-=ali*
Ali Luminescent

 

Vía Ali Luminescent http://aliluminescent.wordpress.com/2013/12/30/electric-candy-couture-lights-the-way/

Are you loving my blog? Want to keep reading? Click here to read the multitude of posts prior to this one! https://aliluminescent.wordpress.com/ for whatever reason the “older posts” link is not working. Keep digging though I love sharing my thoughts with you! xo -=ali* 

Electric Candy Couture for the Win!

One day at a party Bruce flipped a shiny coin into the air. Its iridescence caught my glance and summoned this faerie right over for a closer look.

“TREASURE!!” My inner heart screamed!
Inscribed into the iridescent acrylic coin was a beautiful dragonfly! This was the first of many creations that Bruce Lindsay created that caused my jaw to drop in awe and splendor.
Fusing his collective past interests and experience in armor and chain mail with his involvement in the underground art scene-Bruce creatively stumbled onto the idea-of-the-century for creative fashion lovers at large. He calls it Electric Candy Couture.Electric Candy is one of the coolest fashion accessories or outfits one can own. Not only is it interesting, different, hand-made, iridescent, glows in black light, and pretty much makes any look more awesome- it’s super light, easy to use, and priced fairly for the hours upon hours of manual labour that go into each unique and interesting piece. I got to experience the craftsmanship and possibilities of Electric Candy when I modeled for him last fall. I have to say- I’m hooked!

alielectriccandy1

(Photo by Loren Darklyng )

Small trinkets to full on gladiator headpieces to winged shoulders with ancient inscriptions in them- Electric Candy has a little something for everyone. I love wearing Electric Candy due to its uniqueness, light weight, durability, and ease of use. Personally, I am looking forward to collaborating on the design of a full body piece/dress created out of his colorful iridescent acrylic pieces in 2014.

Bruce is prolific, diligent, and has an eye for color and fashion. If he can dream it- he can make it. There is simply nothing that can stop him from being a successful upstart independent business in this corporate fueled world- but there is something that could help him on his way– funding! He has 6 days left to raise $19,000. So in the season of giving I encourage you to check out artist Bruce Lindsay’s Kickstarter to bring Electric Candy Couture to the next level!

Help this artist bring more awesome into the world and take home a piece for yourself by pitching in! He is offering tons of his pieces at 20% less directly through the kickstarter to help him reach his goal in six short days. If you are excited about his work but can’t donate- help by sharing his kickstarter and getting out the word!
Fashionably yours~
-=ali*
Ali Luminescent

Vía Ali Luminescent http://aliluminescent.wordpress.com/2013/12/30/electric-candy-couture-for-the-win/

Merm-AID Needed!

Calling All Mermaid and Ocean Lovers! 

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  • Photo by Jesse Ammarte

As the last mermaid slithered up on the beach to survey what happened on the Coney Island Boardwalk, she saw sparkles and shells pouring forth from all the community support seen so far in Coney Island. You too can be part of this necessary Merm-AID!!! Open your treasure chest and lend a helping fin!

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  • Photo by Barry Yanowitz, The Year Coney Island Voted me Queen of the Mermaids 2009!

There is still a long way to go to bring Coney Island to the point where they can host the most ridiculously awesome parade in history- The 31st Annual Mermaid Parade!!! When I first found out about the mermaid parades existence my gills started opening up, my fins started splashing, and I could barely contain myself. I am honored to hold a trophy as Coney Island’s Best Mermaid from 2009 as well as have organized my own float for the Mermaid Parade in the past- but really the best part of being a mermaid is getting to splash around with all my seaworthy brothers and sisters on the Coney Island Boardwalk!

If humans can get anything right- they should send some clams on over this way:

Click the video or copy and paste this link “http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/377116752/save-the-coney-island-mermaid-from-extinction”

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  • Justin and I’s first real date 2007! 

I identify greatly with being a Mermaid ( A fairie-mermaid-unicorn at that)! Each year I band together with my mer-sisters Kai Altair and Cynthia Carvajal to produce “Mermaid Lagoon.” Mermaid Lagoon is a non-profit event used to raise money and awareness for the ocean and all of its inhabitants! Keep your ear to the water for the next installment. In the meantime- lets help the Coney Island Mermaid Parade Kickstarter Campaign swell well beyond their goal!

Mermaids forever!!! Image

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  • Sam Shine biking the BoomTrike over the finish line for Enchante! Photo by Dan Howell

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  • KJ Boheme and Justin Aubuchon from Enchante Float 2010

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  • Photo by Jim Wene 2008

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  • Mermaiding for SMASH entertainment 2013

With your help we can keep the mermaids shining bright for all years to come! 

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  • Christine Gieger and Ali Luminescent’s Fire Mermaid Act at Flutearte! Gowanus Ballroom

Vía Ali Luminescent http://aliluminescent.wordpress.com/2013/05/29/merm-aid-needed/

Reach out and TOUCH something! Art Basel Miami 2012

Every year thousands of artists and spectators lug all of their creations to the south-eastern tip of the United States to create America’s largest art fair- Art Basel Miami. While the main event is held in the convention center in Miami Beach- many fairs, installations, and openings pop-up all over town.

Looking at so much art in one place- one must be careful not to get “baseled” out! So I went forth looking at the overall shows of Art Basel Miami from a participatory art stand point on behalf of Figment Project NYC (http://figmentproject.com/).  I wanted to do more than “see” art- I wanted to experience it.

Although many places are armed with guards and “Please Do Not Touch” signs aplenty- there were several installations around town that really stood out and invited their audience to have a more intimate encounter.

Fountain Art Fair (http://www.fountainartfair.com/) was the first place that I saw art that was out rightly labeled “Touch me”! “Squeeze me!” These signs were on rock star hand puppets created by Hayley Mc Cullough. Her pieces were the first to break the barrier from just looking at art- to interacting with it.

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Around the corner at “Pete’s Fingers” magnifying glasses provided next to each piece allowed the audience to further explore the detail of his work.

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Maxine Nienow takes a closer look.

Art Miami, which paired up this year with CONTEXT art fair featured Chul Hyun Ahn’s intoxicating array of smoke and mirrors as these art pieces extended their lights into an infinite universe where all were welcome to explore.

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Below is Chul Hyun Ahn’s, “Void Platform” where literally one was requested to “Please watch your step!”

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Also at Art Miami, Andrew Erdos- A Brooklyn based artist, made 3D glass mirror boxessurrounding his blown glass pieces that allowed you to engage with the art in a different way- without touching it- but pending on where you stood you could see a whole new world from each direction from all four sides.His technique also eliminated the viewers reflection from the infinity universe created within his art.

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Across the street from Art Miami there was a participatory art piece that was a full on roller coaster through Peter Anton’s art installation “Sugar & Gomorrah!” Everyone patiently stood in line and watched guests emerge from the other side with HUGE smiles on their faces- I guess it was worth the wait!

Once in my lil yellow car I went through a series of  small hills and drops while couples on display made out and flashed me! Giant lollypops and sugary treats were installed in all directions.

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“I activate the hunger people have for the things that give them pleasure and force them to surrender,” Anton explains. “The sensual nature of the works stimulates basic human needs and desires that generate cravings and passion.”

Gina Kamentsky of  William Baczek Fine Arts showed a few interactive pieces at the Aqua Art Fair that were mechanically interactive. By turning a knob or a lever- a series of events and musical tones, knocks, whistles and movements would occur across the piece. Most of these pieces were comprised of found objects. I loved their simplicity in design and style! Here is Najva Sol putting one into action!

One of my favorite interactive pieces was at Art Public in Collins Park in front of the Bass Museum with its huge geodesic swinging pendulum! Unfortunately, I missed the artists name and am having a hard time finding it- but see it in action below!

At the actual convention center- the only piece that really caught my eye- as well as the rest of me- was the split screen surveilance camera pieces. Image

Image There were super clever mechanics at play, creativity, and perhaps a bit of teen angst seeping through these pieces. The artist (whose name is to be added later along with video links to their work) has a fascination with the concept that Big Brother is watching. In some of the pieces- animatronic children are hiding under tables and making the cameras move- along with other objects- creating that moment where you realize things aren’t really as they seem.

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While in the fine art world interactive art was present but far and few between- I feel that that real interactive spirit of Art Basel Miami was found within their graffiti and muralist scene.

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Juan Salgado, Street Artist from Puerto Rico sets up shop. 

The moment you arrive in Miami you cant help but see the crews of painters setting up at every blank wall and turning it into a phenomenal piece of street art- particularly in the Wynwood District. Each year Art Basel heralds artists from all over the world and buildings become their canvas. International artists are collaborating and making great connections everywhere you look. Signs hang in windows saying, “Compassionate muralists apply within.” Each morning you open your eyes to a new facade and chances are- the artist traveled a long way to show up and share their talent- and unlike the rest of pieces at Art Basel- this work is not for sale but only to be enjoyed for the moment and was likely created over night. Parties erupt each night and artists get excited and inspired to create more imagery to share. They build a great community and help one another out- lending scissor lifts, ladders, and paint. Its one of the few true times that street artists can come out of their sheathe of darkness and paint openly on public walls.  Groups of  viewers grow each night going piece to piece and dancing in the streets.

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They become the backdrop for this explosive art scene that encompasses Miami for the week of Basel.

Image The art doesn’t stop there though ladies and gentleman! Even I got to become participatory interactive art through Kikimora Studios (http://kikimorastudio.com/) where I performed at the Eco Art Fashion Week :Table for Two show as well as at Nikki Beach in her creations.

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Photo (c) Kikimora Studios 2012

Did you see any fun participatory art at Art Basel Miami that I didn’t cover here? Feel free to post links in the comment section!

Vía Ali Luminescent http://aliluminescent.wordpress.com/2012/12/25/reach-out-and-touch-something/

Returning to The Dance

Excited, exhausted, exhilarated so many emotions, movements, and memories surface once returning to The Dance. My exploration in dance has been life long- but only in the past few years have I sought a teacher. Dance for me was always haphazard. It was a natural state of being that burst forth whenever the time was right. My body moving to and fro without guidance or discipline sometimes creating the most interesting shapes and styles never seen- and sometimes totally injuring myself because I wasnt using my body to support itself- because I had no idea how.

Fast forward to the past several years where performance became engrained with movement- which needed to be stylized. My arms had no where to go. My legs didnt know the beat. My mind couldnt keep up with one or the other. So then- finally- I sought a teacher. It was also one of the first times in my life I actually had the time to devote to a class. Sera Solstice, visionary, epic movement artist, friend, creatrix, and someone who totally engulfs the term WOMAN became my teacher. She took me in and let me follow her through the lunar and solar cathedrals of her twist on tribal fusion bellydance- East Coast Tribal. It hasnt been easy for me- im not one of those people born with the innate ability to do everything super awesome first time I try- its a path. Its a choice. Its a devotion and ever unwinding faerytale that has led me “home.”

Over the past few years, feeling the tugs of gypsy blood in my veins, I have started venturing further and further away from home. Performing, dancing, teaching, and playing in oceans and mountains that are older than time. My travels eventually sailed me across the sea to Indonesia where I studied traditional Balinese Dance. I was recommended to take class with an amazing dancer Nikelle Khan . She is a great teacher, beautiful soul,  and also the one responsible for introducing me to where I am now- studying Odissi dance. An ancient devotional temple dance originating from Orissa, India.

This past February I had an opportunity to go to India. My boyfriend is dedicated to Isha Yoga and was going to volunteer at the ashram and so I took this time to be a student myself- and began to learn about Odissi dance. I took a very full on workshop in southern Goa with Chantelle Devi who gave me a solid introduction in the short amount of time we had. I danced everyday for 5-7 hours a day- in my downtime I was doing an additional 2 hours of movement practice- I couldnt get enough- when I wasnt dancing Odissi- I was reading it, watching it, and soaking it in. All of this- is still only the beginning. For Odissi dance is considered so intricate and difficult that one can study it for 20 years and still be a beginner. It is a path. And here I am- rerouting back onto this path. It feels good. It feels like settling back into a routine I never had. I danced Odissi and practiced my mudras for the rest of the time I was in India- but after I returned to NYC my practice fell by the wayside and I got distracted with those typical life things- like paying rent, and re-doing my website, and getting gigs, and took up playing the musical saw, and traveling and building- such is the life for someone who has a hard time just picking one thing and getting it done lolololol. However, something happened- and I stumbled upon a sweet but strict Indian teacher that was kind enough to let me join her class. . . and I have once again- returned to the dance.

It feels good. It feels easier, smoother, still hard- but not foreign, still difficult- but attainable- in smaller doses and more manageable with the day-to-day- but also building off all those hours, moments, days, cities, countries, mountains, sunsets of experience. And so with each day- my dance grows- and my body learns and neurons fire and then tomorrow I will remember it and execute it smoother than today. Thats the thing with dance- you have no choice but to be exactly where you are at. And it feels good to be home. Home in my own body. Home in my own space- still building toward the future.

xo
-=ali*

Bat Signal

Adventures taken on like fresh breaths of air I near completion of our west coast circuit. Slowly crawling across the sky like the fog of San Francisco rolling over the hills- I will creep into NYC in the middle of the night. Silently tip toeing over summer who has just laid down to rest.

Time will be necessary to flip my sleep schedule but I look forward to those first quiet productive nights prior to reintegrating to my favorite hometown.

Rested and inspired I return home. Secrets whispered to me from the grandmother energy of the tall tall trees to the great blue depths of lake Tahoe fill my psyche. Biking across pearlescent desert dreamscapes cloud my periphery, breathtaking turn after breathtaking turn of making our way down the 1 collecting moonstones straight from the ocean fill my daydreams, floating in the meditation pool in Sierraville’s hot springs watching shooting stars paint the sky. Reality takes on such vivid flight it’s almost hard to believe that these moments of grandeur and natures majesty are blossoming all around us in real time.

So many old friends surfaced I barely had time to realize I was only visiting. Super outpouring of love to all of those that made my trip extra special out on the west coast! From canyon view outdoor dance parties to sunset ocean-front weddings to fresh seared tuna in the middle of the Black Rock Desert- every moment of the past month has been a dream come true.

Thank you world for all the magick you weave in each direction and the infinite joy in which it brings.

All that you “saw”

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Wow. It was a brillantly beautiful day at FIGMENT out on Governer’s Island today (www.figmentproject.org). A magickal lil faerie land tucked away in the middle of the east river.

I had my first public debut of playing the musical saw at our friends GypsyTransTemporal interdimensional time traveling gypsy camp! (http://www.facebook.com/GypsyTransTemporalis) I played with friends  Kai Altair Joe Peppitone, Renata Bergan, Matt Talmalage, Helen, and Matt and Pinkie from Not Waving but Drowning. It was an excellent throw down of great proportions.

I wasnt playing for more than 15 minutes when I saw a special face emerge across the lawn. It looked like the amazing saw player I had been mesmerized by so many times before in the Union Square subway station, Natalia, aka The Saw Lady.  As she came closer I could see an image of a woman playing the saw on her t-shirt. . . it was totally her. Almost as if summoned by the tones of the saw alone she appeared at our project. She came over and was so encouraging and so sweet and invited me to come and perform in the NY Saw Festival!!! It was very serendipitous to have encountered her at this moment. Her website was so very helpful when I was researching what type of saw I really wanted. And she weaves magick with every note of her saw.  It was such an honor to play for her!!

In general beginning to play saw has been such a good learning experience for me. It is transportive, underwater, other worldly, meditative, and energizing. I can feel the bending of the vibrations through my whole being as they bounce up and down the blade.I luxeriate in finding new spots on it that create whole other worlds of sound. The saw is taking me down a really fun and new path.

I also want to take a moment and thank Pixie at Pixie Vision Productions who captured and edited this super magickal image of me and my new found friend. Thanks Pixie!!

Okay Lovelies- time for me to work on some more lullabys.

Goodnight*

-=ali*

In Bloom

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In Bloom
April showers have brought May Flowers and adventures galore!

May you be feeling refreshed and renewed where ever this letter may find you.

 

~ : Ali Luminescent Happenings : ~

Speakeasy Dollhouse -THIS Saturday May 5 and Monday May 7th

TICKET GIVEAWAY!!!!!

Saturday’s show is daytime from 4pm-7pm

Monday nights show is 7pm-11pm

I have a 2 free tickets to each show to the first person to reply to this newsletter with the show they prefer!

Thanks for being on my mailing list! I love rewarding YOU!

More about the show!

I play a 1920’s Bronx Italian Speakeasy Hostess in Cynthia Von Buhler’s “Speakeasy Dollhouse.”

Get your order of canoli’s before they sell out you Big Six!

http://speakeasydollhouse.blogspot.com/

A true tale of bootlegging, mafia, infidelity, and murder set in Prohibition-era New York City. The speakeasy is our dollhouse and the actors are our dolls.

The story is based on Cynthia Von Buhler investigating her own Grandfathers murder mystery and possible ties to the mob. To better explore the murder and the events leading up to it, Von Buhler has created an elaborate speakeasy dollhouse set in her art studio. To take it one step further, the artist has now created an immersive theatrical experience to go along with the sets and her own investigation. The play stages these events in a historic Lower East Side speakeasy set up to mirror the dollhouse sets. The actors aren’t visually distinguished from the audience, so both become players in the life-sized speakeasy dollhouse.

Flow market! Sunday May 6th

I will be Vending at the Floasis! Did you know I make all sorts of crazy creations? All that glimmering faery booty you see installed in my hair when Im upside down and backwards on fire that never falls out?! Thats right ladies and gents I have worked something out through my years of creating custom looks I decided to start making looks I can share with the general public lathered in my lil secrets and treasures. Since I can’t be there to hold your hand while you get ready (unless you win my makeover on the Hello!100 Kickstarter) I decided to make clip and go full on hair pieces and unicorn horns!!

This Sunday I will be vending Custom Unicorn Horns and Dance & Hoop tops at the Flow Market!

The Flow Market is a place for spinners to play, learn, share and grow! In the FLoasis, the Vendor tents will be full of toys, clothes for spinning, and food and drinks for sale! There will be an open spein area to try things out. Please bring your own props to play with too. Open spin jam on both nights for experienced and insured spinners who have taken safety class.

Attending is free and taking classes are cheap. Check out FlowMarket.org for more info.

The Floasis 1342-A Dekalb Ave, Brooklyn, New York, NY 11221

Saturday, May 5, 2012 at 12:05 PM Sunday, May 6, 2012 at 12:05 AM (ET)

The Flow Market is both saturday and sunday. Im only vending Sunday (because I have that play I mentioned above on Saturday) but feel free to check it out on both days. . . or to hang out with ME all weekend* 🙂

UPCOMING EVENTS:

HELLO!100

A Spontaneous Dance for 100 Hoopers: An Epic Tale of True Love

HELLO!100 is an amazing project of epic proportions that I am honored to be a part of created by my dear friend and collaborater Bex Burton which offers an accessible opportunity for hoopers of all skill level to perform in a unique hoop happening, a free-to-the public live performance for Figment audiences, and inspiration for all who experience HELLO!100 that True Love exists.

We are raising funds to film this proper (FROM THE SKY!!!) and NEED YOUR HELP! Please visit the kickstarter for more information and custom prizes for your generosity. We are only half way to our goal. Please support if you are able every $1 helps! Thanks!

http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/senseofmotion/hello100

HOOPFEST NEW ENGLAND!

July 5th-July 9th

To all my Hoopers and flow artists on this list I will be teaching at Hoopfest New England! Im really excited to share some new choreography with you and take your flow to the next level. Im also super stoked to be teaching along with such an awesome team of inspirational hoopers!

http://www.hoopfestnewengland.com/

Dreams of the Last Butterflies

and I mentioned it before- but keep your eyes peeled as this chrysalis tears open. I soon will have a 9 ft wingspan!

http://dreamsofthelastbutterflies.tumblr.com/

Oldie but Goodie!

and a lil gem for those that made it all the way to the bottom of this mailing. A Converse commercial shot by Amanda Laws in 2007 only 3 weeks after I first moved to NYC. Enjoy!

http://vimeo.com/40109983

Thank you all for being on my mailing list! Look forward to keeping up with all of your wonderful adventures!

See ya down the rabbit hole!

xo

-=ali*

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Blossom Bliss

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Frolicking in springs grand event with blossoms bursting everywhere. Tickling your face, your nose, and the whimsy that lies within each of us. Thankful for free day at the Bronx botanical garden and for all of natures glory. Bumblebees and birds whiz zing by, sweet streams with a rare sighting of a native beaver in the daytime, gentle breezes, picnics on bedrock along river sides- the river- sweetly cuddled in between yellow daisies blanketing its shores. The smell of grass and the childish fun of rolling down soft green grassy hills. I’m so thankful that their are so many places in NYC where nature rules and thankful to myself for taking the time to enjoy it.

Gentle snow globe style bundles of blossoms cyclone by and all I can think is that this is what dreams are made of.

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The Return

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Sleepless and satisfied I have returned to the US of A. 4am wakefulness allows for thoughtful recollection of my recent journey and passage back to NYC.

2 days ago we boarded a bus in Sri Lanka at 2am- we were lucky enough to get seats- many people had to stand the whole five hour journey. I was quite surprised that the bus service in Sri Lanka is 24 hours and highly utilized by the locals. Driving there is insane- but we had become accustom to that. The only seat left actually was the front seat lolol with the direct view of the road. I slept away in my lil zen place I go when I no longer have control and know the view may be stressful. I slept soundly sitting upright on this bus seat weaving and barreling in and out of Sri Lanka traffic. Sometimes when the bus would lurch Justin said I’d jolt awake throwing my arms up over my face like we were going to crash- I had no remembrance of these moments and am thankful for it. We made it to our transfer, took another bus- this one filled with 50 school girls in their uniforms and giggling so cute at us. Then a tuk-tuk to the airport- I emptied the sand out of my shoes from when I fell asleep on the beach the night before.

The airport went smoothly except for my hula hoops. I left America with 17 hula hoops and am returning with only my personal stash of 6 lol they are collapsed down and small enough to fit in the overhead and typically NEVER a problem for me- buuut in Sri Lanka this was totally a problem – they said it was a pipe- and could be used as a weapon. This military man snarled at me squinting his eyes causing a deep crease in his blue barret. One hand on his gun and one finger poking at my chest he insisted my hoops were not coming on this plane and that i could not board until they were discarded or checked. Customs is a long way away by this point and I have maybe 30 minutes before my flight. I was strong face to face with this evil man but once I turned away and started thinking about how my lil hoops- not wrapped or padded- only tied together with my lil stretchy lace string were ever going to make it with thousands of pounds of luggage being tossed on them – I started to cry. I travel all over the world and always take my hoops as my carry-on- if for some reason they don’t fit I gate check them and they are gently hand carried. I was pissed, annoyed, and scared that my hoops would never be seen again. I started sniffling my way back downstairs to see what I could do when an airport representative approached me, explained that this man is notorious for being evil and apologized for his attitude. I explained that I was scared my hoops were going to be destroyed going through checked baggage and they reassured me they would be okay, they even ran ahead through customs so that I wouldn’t have to get back in line after and did all the paperwork and tagging for me and brought me back upstairs so I didn’t have to wait again in the security line either. They were actually really nice and my hoops did arrive unharmed. Thank Goodness!!! I was amazed and oh so thankful.

Next stop Bangkok! We got a cheap room went to Mr. Yim’s – who makes my favorite green curry in all of Thailand. Ran around the night markets and then at 5am went back to the airport and flew to Hong Kong.

Now….we were to have a ten hour layover in Hong Kong on the way in- but our flights were changed- so now we have a 6 Hr layover on the way home and we absolutely planned to make the most of it. Our good friend sent us some pointers and I left my carry-on bag at the cloak room in the airport. Justin and I hopped on a double decker bus and jaunted into Hong Kong. What a beautiful ride!!! The China Sea, huge bridges, mountains, high-rises, gondolas, wow. This small excursion was super worth it. We emerged into the city that was every Chinatown times 1000 and paid homage to the OG. So cool. Wish we had more time but thankful for the glimpse.

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We returned to the airport for our final flight home. No other hangups with my hoops or fire gear ( which was also in my carry on
In the previous encounter- but metal doused in kerosine- no problem – hula hoops on the other hand . . . ) and our good friends scooped us up at the airport cushioning our landing hear in NYC. And tadaaaa we are HOME. Lolol.

I love New York City so much, and like the moon to the tide, the longer I’m away the more it pulls me back- but the real truth is that I love my community here in NYC even more. Places will always be there to visit- even NYC won’t change too much while you are away- but the people that make it what it is are priceless and irreplaceable.