Grand Canyon....Janus....Auld lang syne.....

End of the year travel has become very special for me.  A time to contemplate, reflect and re-energize the mind to start another year. This time, we flew to Las Vegas and from there went to Grand Canyon and the Valley of the Fire.  When I went with my Mom in 1997 we visited the South rim, which has a beautiful vista. This time we decided to visit the
West rim.  The Hulapai native Americans are instrumental in undertaking this monumental effort to build a horse shoe shaped walkway completely with glass. The sky walk juts into the canyon and the Colorado river running quietly down below while the tourists are immersed in animated conversation up on the rim. That river must have seen the changes in the environment, natural carvings on the canyon, human settlements, and now helicopters whizzing past the canyon floors. Yet, it looks very pristine, flows wildly or calmer determined to reach its destination whatever that comes in its path.

My heart jumped with joy on seeing the clear blue sky and the dancing sun's rays on the ridges on the canyon creating a light and shadow effect on the rocks.  A time to merge with the nature without any questions or bothered by any surrounding tourists or talk.

Returned back to Vegas late in the evening. The bejewelled city with lights and neon signs looked like a child's drawing compared to the moon and the stars on the sky.  Vegas was making preparations for the upcoming 2011 celebrations. During the 46th century BC Julius Caesar dedicated the month of January to the Goddess Janus and the new year was born. Did this calendar make any difference in the cosmos? No, but the new year brings hope, joy and a vigor to live, to achieve, to be compassionate, to change self and to share love, joy, and happiness. Yes there is always hope and a new beginning.

Happy New Year! Let us celebrate Nature and Humanity!

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