High up, in this lush mountain range, much to the surprise of the onlooker, appears a pop-up stand of local, handcrafted textiles, and fur hats displayed along a wandering, handmade wooden fence fashioned from long branches. Bright colors catch the eye standing out from the expansive, verdant backdrop.
Fantasies abound as I stare, transfixed, wondering what it would be like to live in the not-so-ancient Vedic lifestyle: free on the land, food forests on every hectare, natural bordering fences, freedom from regulations, taxation and all around unwanted harassment - a fantasy I wonder if the folks in this picture are living or not.
Much, if not most of the world comes from some version of a free lifestyle that's been crushed, and all too often, erased from history.
However, a free lifestyle close to nature stewarding the earth is not to say there aren't ancient, and not so ancient, incredible feats of architecture the world over: there are.
China alone heralds over 300 pyramids,that,thanks to Google Earth, can be seen from above, hidden beneath dirt and grass and trees. While disguised from the ground view, the pyramid shapes from the sky looking down are undeniable. And it's upon pain of death to attempt to get a closer look at them...
Every continent reveals hidden archaeology of a massive and impressive scale.
So it would appear we come from both a free world and a magnificent one as well; and from reliable forms of dating megalithic ruins it appears that many wonders are somewhat recent in their creations.
(Those interested in learning more about hidden archaeology the newearth channel on yt brings us all over the world exploring megalithic marvels.)
But back to our high mountain pop-up textile stand...
Are we in Peru? Argentina? I'm reminded of the megalithic city Ollantaytambo known as the heart of South America with its own real Romeo and Juliet story. Honestly, with the sheer amount of megalithic cities the world over, why do we hear about only a small handful? The wonders of humankind are replete throughout the world and we know so little about them.
And with the knowledge that all the folks of the world could fit in northern Texas, with elbow room, looking at the lovely backdrop of this picture speaks to the fact that there's so much room on the earth for everyone to have a free hectare of land to create a food forest upon. It hurts my heart to think of folks starving and dying when there is so much abundance around us.
Which brings up the question of who is causiing humanity so much harm the world over?
And why. Why cause humanity so much pain and suffering?
Debates rage over this question but I believe it can be summed up by those who love life, people, and the earth with all of its wonders, and those who don't.
Then there's gobs of innocent folk who've tragically gotten caught up in the web of those who seek death and destruction.
This picture seems to present someone successful in making their way in this middle world between our once free world, and the world entrapped in the way of rent, regulations and unfair taxation.
I'm guessing she is at her home, way up in that mountain range, where others are living as well.
Living along a mountain range that seems so close one could get lost on the tops of those mountains walking, and walking all the day long, and what a free, wonderful feeling that would be.
I spent my life steering towards living close to nature, away from the cities I was raised in, walking barefoot for miles through the woods, up mountains, on sandy beaches, dreaming of having land to create a food forest upon.
Everyday has brought me a little closer to this dream which ignites my heart...a life I hope and pray all of humanity can have...freedom to live, grow our food, and raise our families in peace and creative artistry.
I hope the folks in this photo are doing just that.
God Bless us all.