Standing outside and looking in...

Did you ever feel like you wanted to step out of your skin and watch yourself? Just to see if you are who you really think you are? To see if you want to re-evaluate your life? Remember again what's important and what's not? I'd like to think that I know all the answers but maybe I don't...too many people, memories, emotions, and familiar surroundings get in the way sometimes so you forget what you found to be really important in life...

Belief - John Mayer

The song we were listening to in the middle of the Basata sea was this song. Thank you to Samir who had the greatest invention ever; waterproof IPOD player which can even be heard underwater!

Is there anyone who ever remembers
changing their mind from the paint on a sign?
Is there anyone who really recalls
ever breaking rank at all
for something someone yelled real loud one time?

oh, everyone believes
in how they think it oughta be
oh, everyone believes
and they're not going easily

Belief is a beautiful armor
but makes for the heaviest sword
like punching underwater
you never can hit who you're trying for
some lead the exhibition
and some have to know they tried
it's the chemical weapon
for the war that's raging on inside

Oh, everyone believes
from emptiness to everything
oh, everyone believes
and no one's going quietly

We're never gonna win the world
We're never gonna stop the war
We're never gonna beat this
if belief is what we're fighting for

We're never gonna win the world
We're never gonna stop the war
We're never gonna beat this
if belief is what we're fighting for

Is there anyone you can remember
ever surrender with their life on the line?

We're never gonna win the world
We're never gonna stop the war
We're never gonna beat this
if belief is what we're fighting for

We're never gonna win the world
We're never gonna stop the war
We're never gonna beat this
if belief is what we're fighting for

What puts a hundred thousand children in the sand?
belief can, belief can
What puts a folded flag inside his mother's hand?
belief can, belief can

Basata's where I find Bliss :)

I used to always say that Basata is my heaven on Earth. Summer was the north coast for most people, for me it was Basata. After going to it last weekend, I was happy to find that it was still the closest place to my heart. Even though I went with the least bit of enthusiasm this time (I didn't even take my camera if you can imagine that!) I came back with it being one my best times there.

To enjoy Basata you should do the following things:
1. Take random people with you rather than your closest friends. You'll come back remembering how nice it feels like to connect to another human being whom you've never met before
2. Bring floating mattresses, but be prepared to share them with everyone
3. Mingle with the Basata guests and staff; it doesn't take much effort since everyone's so laid back that you'll find them talking to you on their own
4. Do a group cooking session at least once.
5. Chill out at night on the beach in the dark.
6. Bring interactive games like Taboo or Pictionary. You'll find yourself laughing so hard!
7. Snorkel while the sun is setting; you'll see amazing things after everyone's out of the sea and the sea creatures are feeling safe to come out
8. Spend some time alone just taking in the atmosphere. It heals the soul :)

The things that tickle me in life have become difficult to find in the busy city life, and I find them all in Basata. The intensity of a deep conversation. The stomach hurting laughter that comes out of you when you're sincerely happy. The feeling of cool water on your heated skin. The sight of a dark sky full of shooting stars. The stillness of your mind as you are looking at something so beautiful. The click you feel with someone new...its all there in Basata. There's no rush, no need to think, its just peace and my soul's medicine.