energeia5's Journal

Esalen--getting closer
I just googled around, trying to find info to help me figure out what to pack. Apparently the clothing optional hottubs are extremely heavy on the "optional" side. In other words, nobody clothes. Oh well--if I could do it 30 years ago in the Napa hot springs, I suppose I can now. I had a much younger body then, but it's more sensuous now. Otherwise--casual stuff, hiking shoes, flashlight, money. I learned that they have a bar that serves alcohol (or did, at the time the person wrote this review). Apparently the food is awesome and the grounds are lovely. And you need to be in good physical shape to get around. After Esalen, I'm going to the biochem dept 50th reunion, and presumably I need to bring some decent looking outfits. Not sure how to manage this, since I want to get everything into a carryon and go light, since I anticipate a lot of schlepping around via public transportation.

No clue how many attendees will be at Russ's workshop. Something like about 12 would be awesome! There are a bunch of other workshops happening simultaneously. The woman I'm supposed to ride with from Santa Cruz is taking one on community building. And another woman, also from Santa Cruz, who is my backup ride plan, is taking one on singing.

On the Stanford side, I have to figure out how to get to the airport. There's a brunch I'm supposed to go to in one of the outlying rich towns--I'll probably have to have a limo pick me up there. Yesterday, I sent an email out to the attendees who were in my lab circa 72-79, saying it will be great to see them and reminesce, and that I'm horrid at recognizing faces so please don't be insulted, and that if someone could give me a ride to the brunch and/or airport I'd be grateful. I've gotten an interesting and somewhat heartwarming set of replies back..and two ride offers to the brunch. To get to Stanford, I'm hoping to get a lift from Esalen. If not there, at least to Monterey or Santa Cruz. I'll probably miss most of the first night's event unless I get lucky.

I hate being anxious about all this logistical stuff. It definitely gets in the way of being present. I think that's why I'm trying to arrange stuff in advance to the extent that I can. If I were a real grownup I'd rent a car for a week, and be okay with driving it. So this is bringing up various feelings of self-consciousness and inadequacy. Makes me realize how much of my life is circumscribed around avoiding being directly dependent on people.

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