Saturday, January 15, 2011

Dreamtime and Xylophones in the Park





















Yesterday, JB and I walked along the Colorado River, towering red rock on one side and the river flowing languidly alongside us on the other.  The blue sky and warming sun made the cool day a bit easier to walk through. As we walked by a pair of caves in the red rock, now sporting matching steel doors, JB told me about a woman who had lived in one of them a few years ago. They evicted her and created massive locked doors at the cave's entrance. It's interesting, the choices people make and the things they do to get by in this old world. I would love to know more about her, her life, what created the situation that brought her to her home in the cave.

Others live or have lived in caves in the area. A couple of years ago I read of a young man who lived in one farther up a hiking trail we had been on. Unbeknownst to me at the time, our hike stopped just short of his place in the hillside. The news story I read stated that he had made the choice, preferring it to all other options. According to the story, he did have other, more comfortable options. I wonder if he still does. Prefer it.


Farther on, we walked by a rock face where someone had scratched "dreamtime" on the rock. I've always liked that word. It originates with indigenous Australians, whose spirituality is not unlike indigenous tribes of the American Southwest, their beliefs dovetailing in many respects. I found the information on wikipedia very interesting and synonymous with much of my own spirituality: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dreamtime


In the early afternoon, we climbed up to a spot high above the river and sat on a small rock ledge, had lunch and a good conversation. There's something about being outdoors, spending time away from the constructs of our culture, that lends itself to talks about the myriad possibilities in life. It had all the elements of a beautiful day.


Yeah, that's me, among the rock and sky.

When we got back to town, we stopped at a small park which sits down in a hollow along a creek. We heard the sound of a xylophone, but were immersed in conversation once again and so I didn't immediately realize what was almost right under our noses. In a corner of the park were numerous xylophones and a young man was playing them beautifully.


I didn't want to disturb him, so we waited. After awhile we wandered over for a closer look. I was absolutely giddy with what I found. Several different xylophones, as well as other percussion instruments, all made of different materials, and all with "hammers" for playing. I visited with the young man while he showed me all the various instruments and their sounds, including those that had a few dull spots to be aware of. He said he comes by every day to play them. What a magical place it is, and how cool that this young man has made it part of his day, his life.


 




After he went on his way, I tried my hand at making a little music. It's these dream-like days that help me to more fully understand our own dreamtime, the origins of creation, and how Life leads us into one life-affirming moment of beauty after another.





My time in Moab is drawing to a close. I've stayed longer than originally intended. I am grateful to JB for his hospitality and his companionship. Tomorrow morning, on to New Mexico.

18 comments:

  1. The percussion instruments in the park are very unique. I think it woud become part of my adventures through the day.Heading south sounds fun also, chile country.

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  2. What a lovely adventure, and what a treat to come upon all of those xylophones. It had to be a lot of fun making music there. Have fun on the rest of your travels.

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  3. Ooh my...what a great adventure! Now NM???? I'm so excited to hear about that. Green chili??? oooh gosh, I'm almost drooling...

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  4. I have so loved being with you on your wonderful journey and love the story of the woman in the cave.. and dreamtime. There was a Japanese woman living in a very remote cave in Fiordland, South Island Nz, who caused a bit of a stir too. Like the old mystics maybe.
    The xylophones are magic!

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  5. How absolutely intriguing...the xylophones are magnificent and I would have loved to have played with them. How fascinating for you to find such a thing.
    I'm like you, I want to know 'the rest of the story...'
    fun post today...

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  6. Bet those caves were very nurturing to live in, so close, very close to the center of the earth.

    A xylophone park - how wonderful. If I'm ever in that area again i will search it out. I had a xylophone when I was a kid with primary colored metal to hit and I loved it and years ago I had an African kalimba, I love percussion instruments, but there is something about hearing and probably playing music out of doors that is magical and dreamlike.

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  7. Good morning Teresa! I've gone back to read about your road adventures and the journal of your recent trip. It's sparking my own wanderlust, and after my shoulder has healed, I think I'll take steps to wander again. Glad you tried the xylophones yourself. And, I'm anxious to read about your arrival in NM!!

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  8. Thanks to each of you for responding. I always appreciate hearing your thoughts.

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  9. More fresh air, along with ancient sights and sounds. I'm clapping hands for the person or folks who made real the idea of the xylophone instillations. What a wonderful way for this leg of your journey to transition into the next.

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  10. I can tell how slowly you're traveling and the wonderful spirit happenings. I'd want to track down the cave lady and listen to her. And the xylophones! I especially like how you've photographed them in snow.

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  11. thanks for taking me on that trip. i'm gonna follow the link on "dreamtime", thankyou. i read alberto villoldo's texts on shamanism. if you're intersted: COURAGEOUS DREAMING and his new book ILLUMINATION are amazing.
    see you/ or read you soon!
    michelle

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  12. Chris, Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts. It was a nice transition.

    Linda, I trust you're warm and happy in Old Mexico. Thank You!

    Michelle, I will look into those books. Thanks for telling me about them.
    Always good to find illuminating things to read.

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  13. I loved this post, Teresa! Loved the beautiful photos, the details of your observations, and, most of all, the stories and photos of the xylophones. They are magical works of art just to look at. I can only imagine how wonderful it must be to hear them played outdoors, their music becoming one with all the other sounds of nature.

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  14. Dreamtime is so very spiritual. Thank you for the link, I enjoyed reading about the Aboriginal beliefs, wonderful beliefs. They certainly understand that all things are one, we are part of the universe not just during our lives but before and after as well.
    Hearing the instruments in the park being played must have been a very spiritual moment.

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  15. Hi George, Yes, it was a very special day. I love how the world continues to surprise us with these beautiful gifts. Crows were nearby, too, which always pleases me.

    Marilyn, It is that understanding of our Oneness that especially spoke to me, that seamless whole that includes the idea of "before and after." While hearing the xylophones, I thought of the phrase, "the music of the spheres." Thanks so much for your comments.

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  16. What a delightful theme park to tickle one's imagination and appreciation for life.

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  17. That's an awesome park! I'd love to visit there. Maybe I'll talk Jack into a trip...am itching to head to the Southwest, anyway.

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  18. It was quite the find. A nice gift before hitting the road again. I do believe we share some gypsy blood. :)

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