Where have you been?

You may be asking where is this guy and what is he up to?
I have been to many places recently from Oklahoma to New Mexico and Colorado to California. Now that I am in Dallas-TX after a short visit to Austin-TX, I can tell you that I have been enjoying myself tremendously.

In NM I was enjoying the hospitality of the Navajo people who came to the Bahai Summer School at Kamp Kiwanis. It was five days of reading, studying and socializing. The atmosphere was of spiritual energy, vitality and excitement. The vibrancy of the friends came through their devoted service as clearly exemplified by the children and pre-youth who served meals, did clean-up and participated in activities with such high spirits second to none.

In Modesto-California, I was blessed to be part of the wedding of Cellas and Jamie Awoh Tabe on July 23rd 2006. Their marriage ceremony was a testatment to the principle of Unity in Diversity. He is from Cameroon and she from the U.S.A. While the country was experiencing a heat wave of deadly consequences, these friends were basking in the heat of Love. At the ceremony, prayers and Holy Writings were said in many languages ( Farsi, French, Spanish, English...). Marriage Blessings in Native American and Buddhist cultures was a unique addition to the ceremony. The friends who attended exuded the feelings of joyfulness that I have never witnessed in any marriage ceremony before.Then it was dancing time. We danced like there was no tomorrow and sang a catchy Cameroonian song "On My wedding day".

In Austin-TX it was at the Bahai center that Farid gave a wonderful talk on Human Rights. He stressed the link of the abuse of Women to the spread of terrorism. In simple terms, we cannot ignore the rights of women and hope to have peace. Now is the time to enhance the conditions of women around the world.The three case study he showed of women from Afghanistan, Iran, and Pakistan were really heart-breaking. I thought to myself, that is a mother or a sister suffering like that, so severely for being a woman. Where is the world heading to? It was such a graphic and gripping image of the plight of women.

In San Marcos, Saturday July 29th 2006 it was the 33rd Bahai Annual river float. I had such a great time floating down San Marcos river. The temperature of the water was cold but perfect for the hot weather. In my pimped-out tube given by Anlo, I floated down the river like a tycoon. At the pavillion, fresh beverages were waiting to quench my thirst. After a few conversations here and there with some friends and new faces, it was time for soccer. I played soccer on and off for about three hours. Men!! my bones and muscles got a good deal of it. It was a good match at the end.

Yep!!! You are looking at a selection of photos of the Yellowstone National Park.
The World's first national Park is amazingly beautiful and enchanting. A place for the lovers of nature and outdoors. A place to garner energy and inspiration. A place to see curious tourists, and a place to look for wildlife like children searching for candy.

Well!! My quest was to answer the question- How Yellow is Yellowstone? The stone that gave birth to the popular name Yellowstone is yellow as yellow can be for a rock (Top photo). However, the park is mostly green during this time of the year. I was blessed to drive through this enchanting landscape, Thanks to my hosts- Sharon and Fred Cline of Billings-Montana.

I hope the photos give you an inkling of the beauty of the area. Keep on Travelling and Discovering the world.

Photos:
The Yellow rock that inspired the name Yellowstone
Old Faithful Lodge-A magnificent wood building close to a geyser known as Old Faithful.
Wildlife at the Lamar Valley
Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone.

It was 8 pm on a Friday night, when a young man boarded a Greyhound bus from Oklahoma City to Billings-Montana. After a long ride that composed of chattering with strangers, listening to music from around the world, taking quick stops to energize the body with junk food and liquids, it was time to say Hello to the "Treasure State." Arriving on a Sunday afternoon of blue skies and warm weather, he was glad to step out of the bus and breathe the air of a new State--a State he is visiting for the first time.

Without delay, he claimed his luggage, made a phone call to arrange for his ride and then engaged in a short conversation with a young and hip couple from Orlando-Florida, about the benefits of raising American children in small towns. The couple had their young baby with them. He was the cutest thing ever. His smiling face was even more brilliant when he slept peacefully in his bluish cradle tucked in with soft baby cushions. In his restful sleep, little did he know his parents had decided to raise him in the small town of Missoula-Monatana.

It wasn't long when the glass doors aligned by metal sheets of the bus station slowly opened to reveal the face of the young traveller's ride (Aunty Sharon). Followed by a hug and the greetings "Welcome to Billings..." from Aunty Sharon, was an excited hop into the Dodge van. As the van made its way uphill through a corner, bringing a spectacular view of the rimrocks into clearer focus, the young man noted in his heart, "Three weeks here will be just fantastic... look at that view..." Making things even better, the house where the car pulled into, made his heart pound with fascination.

A gorgeous three levels red wooden house by the rimrocks with well-laid out gardens and a little river (constructed by the owners) flowing in the back yard into a ravine not only enhances the beauty of the surroundings, it also blends with it. The strategically placed living areas with gas fireplaces, rock walls, selected trees and grasses, pathways of concrete, step-ways of alligned rocks that flow out on both sides of the river, creates a breathtaking terrace for the lovers of natural outdoor living, and an inviting retreat that will inspire the minds of both connoisseurs and avid horticulturists.

He was ushered into the house, showed his room and welcomed by friendly faces and a curious dog. In no time he started enjoying the camaraderie of his host family. A good swim and delicous BBQ at the pool of a neighbour, plus the restful sleep he got to rest his tired bones was just a prelude to all the fascinating and enjoyable time he'd be having in the "Treasure State".