Solstice Traveller
It was 6 months ago, in the wee hours of winter solstice morning when I jumped in the car and drove myself, and a broken heart towards the ocean in California. My soul felt like an old bird whose wings were tired and mangled from years of flying through stormy weathers. It was looking for a trusty tree to land on, a place where it could rest its aching muscles and bones, a healing spot to groom its ruffled feathers.
About 5 days ago, I found myself driving down I-80 through the state of Wyoming and suddenly realized that I have once again picked a solstice morning to travel. I don’t intend to read too much into this, but the synchronicity did call out to me, and I just find it incredibly beautiful and reassuring to feel the Tao at work, spinning its invisible yet purposeful and powerful web, connecting us with each other and directing us to where we need to be every moment.
It’s been a wonderful trip so far visiting old friends, making new ones, playing music and buying a car. Yes, I bought a car on this trip, for my 1989 Toyota wagon took its last breath as I pulled into Salt Lake City, just 2 miles from my friend Trilok’s house.
I had received the car as a gift from my dear friend, Mark R. a couple of years ago when he and his family were relocating to DC from Boulder. It’s been a trusty companion and it took me twice to the west coast and back even though Mark had intended for the car to be used mainly for driving around town, buying groceries and going to students’ homes. He probably did not expect me to do much cross-country road trips, much less spend the night in it last winter as I was stuck in Truckee due to a snowstorm. I wanna say a big thank you to Mark for his generosity and friendship! And R.I.P Assi (short for Asthma, because it wheezes and groans whenever it had to climb a hill and maintain a freeway-worthy speed:)!
Through my car purchasing adventure in SLC, I also had the pleasure of meeting my new friend, Alan B. And through him, I was introduced to the great sarod legend, Aashish Khan. And who knows what flowers might bloom through this brief but warm connection. I will keep you posted:)
I am now typing these words at the dining table of my friends, Paul & Mary’s house located in the beautiful San Juan Ridge by Nevada City. I had arrived in this beautiful part of the Sierras couple of days ago in my brand new 2006 Toyota Corolla. I had met these lovely souls last fall on Halloween day as I was playing one of my last shows with BAS and fell in love with them. On that same trip, I also fell under the spell of the Yuba River. So when I knew I was going to the Mendocino Balkan camp, I decided that I had to come spend time with the Moores and go hiking along the Yuba. And since Paul’s a renowned Contra Dance caller in his previous life, he threw together a barn dance last night and put me to work and I had buckets of fun unearthing all the fiddle tunes and jigs and rags that were gathering dust in my head.
We are now leaving to head down the hill to go see the super trio of Bela Fleck, Zakir Hussain and Edgar Meyer perform at the Nevada County Fairgrounds. I expect it to be a wonderful concert. I am signing off here and leaving you with these words written on a rugged looking ceramic plate on top of the kitchen cabinet: The purpose of your life reveals itself moment to moment. It is none of your business.
Peace
Kailin
