YOGA - World Yoga Day '16

Every year on the third Sunday in February World Yoga Day -  now in its 8th year - takes place allover the world. This year on 21nd February between 10h and 12h yogis everywhere came together to celebrate this special moment, united spiritually and connected through yoga.


A donation-based project every year a different cause benefits from the contributions of each yogi, be it monetary or idealistic. This year it is for Borderline-Europe

50.000 participants in Ahmedabad/India

"Borderline-Europe is a non-governmental organization which aims to raise attention to the tragedies at Europe’s borders: In the wake of the European politics of shielding, hundreds of people die every month in the Mediterranean Sea. We counter the authorities’ cover-up attempts with in-depth research at Europe’s frontier regions as well as create a public awareness based on reliable information and facts of the deadly consequences of present migration policy. Therefore we produce reports on issues such as human trafficking, human rights and refugee camps in Italy, Cyprus and Greece. Another important element of our work includes the support of humanitarian aid at the borders and the formation of a worldwide network. All in all borderline-europe avows for freedom of movement for everybody!"

With great thanks to the initiators and supporters of World Yoga Day!

Namasté

&

enjoy your yoga!

EXTRA - cat sanctuary Cinque Terre

Whilst walking a section of the world famous foot path of the Cinque Terre in Italy this past September - on the stretch between picturesque village of Vernazza and the beach resort of Monterosso al Mare - we came across a cat sanctuary in the middle of a forest! 
We were exploring this area known for its perched villages which are connected by a foot path high above the sea, with splendid views onto the Mediterranean and the entire coast line. "Cinque Terre"or Five Lands are 5 ancient fishing villages which have turned into a very popular and very frequently photographed tourist destination all year round. Supposedly it is accessible to anyone and any ability but we found some parts to be rather "sportif" and slightly demanding, especially for the ladies in flip-flops and heels and even more people in sandals...

So we were walking along this path when, on the ascent from Vernazza, we discovered this picnic area with a fence in front, with kibble and soft food and some notes to the passer-bys so as to not feed the cats too much as volunteers descend two times per day to take care of this feline population.

 

the "guardian cat"?

friendly reminders for passerbyes who want to help

No need to feel sorry for these fluffies as they are living in the good life! Although quite shy they don't seem to mind people passing as that usually means attention and food...

a snooze in the morning sun

complete with a perched cat house

There was also a small money box where we deposited some coins, to help pay for the food and upkeep. 

So if you happen to be walking between Vernazza and Monterosso maybe you can spare a few coins to keep these cats happy and fed.

 To Good Karma!

YOGA - taste the rainbow

Every time I see a rainbow, a natural occurrence very common here in Provence, I think of the Skittles commercial where this girl's voice comes on at the end, very hushed: "Taste the rainbow." On our annual end-of-season trip to Italy I had the fortune to not only see one but two rainbows - parallel and equally beautiful - right in front of us, above the coast line of Cinque Terre which we were visiting.

double rainbow over the Med in early October

Jim took this photo of me from the promenade in Rapallo, a pretty town near Portofino, and despite or because of the downpour just minutes before this image shows the beauty and power of nature so beautifully!

But what does a rainbow mean, where does it come from, where does it end? Legend has it that at the end of every rainbow sits a leprechaun, described as being no more than 2 feet tall. Leprechauns supposedly spend all their time busily making shoes, and legend has it that if you can keep your gaze fixed on them long enough that they are compelled to reveal the whereabouts of their pot of gold. The idea that a pot of gold can be found at the rainbow's end originated somewhere in old Europe. 

The scientific explanation is that a rainbow is one of nature's most splendid masterpieces. A rainbow is an excellent demonstration of the dispersion of light and one more piece of evidence that visible light is composed of a spectrum of wave lengths, each associated with a distinct color. To view a rainbow, your back must be to the sun as you look at an approximately 40 degree angle above the ground into a region ...more here

But whatever the reason, origin or chemical composition: a rainbow is a beautiful sight, free to all and for all to enjoy!

Enjoy nature!

LIFE AT LA VUDELE - thank you

Claudia & Jim with Mia

October has arrived, the season of contemplation is starting, the sun shines less strong and the evenings get colder... This is also the time to reflect. And to pick up projects left aside during the busy season, like this blog which we stopped in early summer but gathered new ideas, recipes and other news which we will share throughout the winter. 

To reflect is to look back at our activities the past few months which started in March. We hosted many people in our organic vegetarian B&B, all lovely guests from allover the world who stayed with us, not only from all over Europe but also from South Korea, Australia, the US and Canada, Puerto Rico and India and many more places - we would like to thank each one of these persons for having spent some time at La Vudèle, for having brought this energy here.

We also again held yoga workshops which we as hosts enjoyed very much, and judging by the feedback and emails we still receive our participants enjoyed their time here as well. This also gave rise and inspiration for a cook book which turned into the idea of offering yoga & organic vegan cooking weekends for 2016!

Claudia & Jim with Mimie
Mia somewhere else ;-)

We would like to thank all of our guests for making this place so special, and we are very much looking forward to welcoming back some of them next year who already booked for June and July, for the famous lavender season! 

A bientôt!

Jim & Claudia

Mimie & Mia

EXTRA - online sources

We believe in sharing because not only is sharing caring but we also believe that a mind can only expand when it can exchange and hence learn new things. So here are some of the online resources we use when looking for advice, ideas, information, reviews, etc. There are also links which have been given to us by our guests so that the exchange has already started - fantastic!

* onegreenplanet.org vegan recipes and animal-rights issues

* care2.com ideas on green living and highly effective petitions for human and animal rights

*  v e g a n D a d great vegan recipes, ideas and well-written

and a recommendation from our guest Solli from Paris who has her own beautiful blog:
* ohsheglows.com vegan recipes and tipps