Going With the Flow....

Sometimes you go with the flow, sometimes the flow takes you.

So I reveled in my extraordinary New Mexico experience, where my constant pain took a holiday and stayed away for almost a whole month. And then I gushed about it to you, in hopes of passing on healing information.

Mistake, apparently. And I'm not superstitious.

If I offended "the Gods" with my happy talk of being pain-free, I duly apologize. Next time (please let there be a next time) I will keep my big mouth shut and just write about spas.

Except it's hard to concentrate when your mouth is on fire, pain searing into your upper gum like a hot poker. But hey, everyone has to deal with something, right?

So, dear reader (hi Thue!) my wonderful, albeit short-lived, pain-free life has now ceased and I'm back to Square One. And this just reinforces my belief that the body can heal itself when conditions are right.

Meaning, something must have been in those New Mexico waters because while floating in the mineral rich Ojo Caliente resort's pools, I never felt such relief from this chronic (8 years strong) pain. And so, my new trek vision is to discover healing places that offer more than the frou-frou beauty treatments heralded as "signature treatments" and whatnot.

Being away from stressors (mostly self-imposed) contributes to health and well-being, not to mention experiencing amazing bodywork and being in a gorgeous location.

I know that permanent relief from this thing o' mine is out there, and I owe it to you to seek and find. Or as my son says, "Go and get."

So I'm going and getting with the flow and holding on to hope, you know, the thing with feathers (thank you Emily Dickinson).

New Mexico is More Than A State Of Mind....

Yes, it's a bipolar sentence.


My state of mind currently, is still in New Mexico. So why am I in Tucson waiting for the sun to set?

I want to carefully pick my way around the dirt and concrete that new construction brings in, and find the Iron Mineral Pool in Ojo Caliente Resort and Spa, and I want to soak and soak and soak.

And then I'll get out, because it's frigging hot in there! And go onto the sodium bicarb one, or whatever, who cares? I'm in bathing land, a dusty resort where swimming holes with rocky bottoms also carry these strange minerals that are supposed to have magical, healing powers.

And who are we to deny the possibility? Would you have predicted a phone that sticks around your ear like a lazy rotten mini-banana?

What's wrong with a little magic in your lives? I didn't have Santa, barely a childhood, and I know about those water holes. Talk about Fountains of Youth. Or, if you're from Brooklyn, "Youte."

One night at Ojo Caliente Resort, I felt like I was in the movie, "Cocoon," and an older woman next to me in the iron pool, was giddy happy and pointed to the stars. We saw a shooting one cross the night sky full with moon.

It was that corny! But real! And the man with long hair was kind as we introduced ourselves and he explained that he was a local Sikh and it was okay for him to have his hair exposed. Funny how hot water springs humble all humans.

Suddenly, all three of us friends now, the older woman, her hair wet and gray at the temples, started laughing like a girl. And for an instant, in that crazy full-moon light, she looked like she was in her 30s.

Fountains of Youth indeed. But it was something else about that place. I don't know what it is, but it pulls you, it pulls you from the gut.

But I neglect to add some more information about this state, this wonderous American state. This New Mexico.

Excuse me while I grab a tissue. Alright, I'll get back to more news now.

In the Santa Fe "touristy" area, the Plaza teems with Native artisans, indoor shops selling kitsch and wandering visitors in tight little cardigan sweater sets and matching husbands.

Some of the coolest places are in this area, so you'll have to deal with crowds and not complain. This is Georgia O'Keefe land? (Did I say that before?) So you MUST check out the museum, dedicated to her, with photos and paintings and enough space for visitors.

I would be remiss if I don't mention that I experienced some amazing bodywork, massage therapy and stress-relief just being away from the homestead. The healing came from deep within as I let go of ego and simply enjoyed where I was.

Sounds like a life lesson, but I am no spirit guide. Just a simple human trying to make sense of this thing of ours. Life, not the Mafia, which doesn't exist.

I need to mention Albuquerque, because apparently there are some amazing art galleries and cool places we didn't have time to investigate.

However, one morning we experienced a very together, contemporary day spa and salon, La Bella which is undergoing some changes. But I had this AMAZING body work done by Hans, as I may have mentioned, who you must ask for if you go. He pulled and stretched and worked out tension like never before. The only problem was he had a ticking alarm clock near the sink. Big no-no.

That was sooooo distracting and unnecessary, so I told the spa director afterward, and I think that will be the end of ticking clocks. Not a good relaxation sound.

But the point is, always mention a problem or distraction (I should have said something during, but I was too blissed out) to the spa director and you may even be rewarded. Or at least your observation will be heeded.

A great place to find what you need in this town can be found at the tourism site, Albuquerque Convention & Visitors Bureau and there's plenty of action, outside and indoors.

For some reason, Taos did not reveal itself much. We stayed at the El Monte Sagrado resort & spa, which offers eco-conservation techniques that involve recycled water and the like. It seems to be the only resort in town, but there are plenty of smaller hotels and B&Bs. Not to mention wonderful restaurants, including Doc Martin's (not named for the shoe), a popular family hotspot.

Celebs including Ms. Julia Roberts, Dennis Hopper and Robert Redford have dined here, which houses the Taos Inn, a cozy informal place that has amazing food. This is part of the Doc Martin's property, and offers little rooms for folks to stay over.

Before I forget (happens a lot) while in Santa Fe, we visited BODY, this excellent combo place, that offers massage, Yoga (and other) classes, gifts, clothes and a restaurant!

Excellent place for skin care products and the staff is wonderful and helpful. And the food! For healthy food this restaurant rocked, and satisfied even the carnivores among us. It does a body good to visit here.

In fact, it does a body, a mind and spirit good to come to New Mexico. Plans to re-visit are already on my mind. And body.

The springs! The springs!

Blessings one and all.