A Perfect Day

Yesterday was one to put in a glass bottle and place on the shelf for safe keeping.

I started early when my alarm went off at 5a.m. The sky was blazing pink at that hour, possibly made more dramatic due to the smoke haze in the air from a controlled burn off in a park many miles away. I was out the door by 6:30 to meet two girlfriends who were participating with me in Yoga Aid. The Sydney event was the kickoff for a worldwide "relay" of yoga to raise funds for charity that would traverse the globe and end in L.A. This was my second year participating. My little team - the Yoga Yanks - were among over 700 other Sydney yogis in the Domain. The weather was gorgeous. I started in yoga pants and long sleeves, but as it got later in the morning, I eventually stripped down to shorts and a tank top, getting plenty of sun (I didn't even forget the sunscreen!). Our practice was nearly three hours long, but  flew by because everyone was in such high spirits. The day opened and closed with MC Yogi, a hip-hop artist/yogi - I know, this sounds like a combination that could go painfully wrong - but he was delightful. He led one of the sessions, and he had us jumping up and down, waving peace signs in the air, and "Downward Snoop Dog"-ing. One of my fellow Yoga Yanks thought he had a bit of the Justin Timberlake in him, and I have to agree. Here's a bit of his work:

And here's a great video someone posted from the event, if you want to see just how joyous the morning was.:(If you watch, you can see the Downward Snoop Dog and also note the crazy-cute kid at 3:32. He was sitting in front of us, and we sort of wanted to snatch him up and take him home with us ... you know, in the most non-kidnappery sort of way).

Feeling euphoric and Namaste, we Yanks wrapped up the morning with breakfast and coffee at the nearby Museum of Sydney cafe. I had a bagel with salmon, ricotta, capers, tomatoes and rocket (arugula), and if that sounds delicious to you, then I can report that it was as good as it sounds, especially on a famished stomach. 

At that point, I saw no choice but to opt for taking the ferry home. I would normally take the bus or train because it means a shorter, less uphill walk on the other side of the bridge, but all I wanted in this wide world was to be on the Harbour. I found a seat outside and basked in every sparkly blue moment of my 12-minute ride. Once cast off the boat, I stretched my yoga mat back out in the park next to the wharf and read in the sun for another hour before making my way home to meet Partner-in-Crime.

P-i-C was wrapping up his morning obligations as I got home, and I could not even be bothered to change out of my sweaty yoga clothes before dragging him back outside. We went to our favorite park in North Sydney and camped ourselves in this view for the next couple of hours. The park was full of people so happy to finally be unleashed to some weekend sunshine. A curly haired little girl ran around flying a kite, and I suspected that shewas having the best day of her whole life.

Around the time the sun started going down, we packed up and set off to find some dinner. Up the street from our park is an adorable Spanish restaurant/deli where we once had brunch with friends. Lucky for us, they were open for dinner, and we sat down for a luxurious two-hour tapas meal. We even scored a free sangria for checking in on Four Square. I declared that this was the sort of day that required dessert, so we capped off the evening with a warm, gooey apple empanada.

By the time we left the restaurant, it was dark and had started to get a little chilly. Going home, I was in heaven with a long, hot shower (finally finding my way out of those yoga clothes I put on at 5a.m.), pajamas, a couple episodes of The Daily Show, and an early bedtime. I was worn out from the exercise, the sun and the food, and was in a sound sleep within minutes. 

All of the stars of beauty, happiness and convenience aligned for me yesterday. There was just no choice but to bask in the karmic glory of a day perfectly lived.