Of course, there is no doubt that this dream was influenced in part by ne watching "The Nun's Story" last night.  This is a lovely movie done in 1956 and starring Audrey Hepburn.

I am sleeping in a strange bed, and am awakened by someone rushing me with open arms (as in a glomp).  I am momentarily startled, and when I finally gather my wits enough to pull back, I find myself looking into the beaming face of my Sister, Adrienne.  I return the embrace, and then am flooded with memories of my investiture into a convent.  My hand flies to my short hair, and I look at the plain cotton white nightgown I am wearing.  Adrienne is wearing the same garment. 

"We're nuns now", I exclaim, but even as I do so, I realize that it's a different kind of convent, one that would never allow such contact and exhubarance.  I look out the window, which faces a beautiful large wooded garden, and a river running through it.  Along the path, I see other women - some in solitary contemplation, some chatting in groups.  The statuary adorning the garden is of various Goddesses.  Before I actually get out of bed, I am again embraced by Adrienne in a very sensual manner.  "But this is definately not your usual convent," she responds.

The dream shifts and I now find myself in a large city mall.  There is something happening in the main atrium, and I hurry to that spot.  I am still wearing the long white robe, and recall with deep pleasure my time at the "convent", and the anticipation of returning there.  But now, I am here in the city, and I stop for a moment to feel the bustling energies of all the activities around me.  

I look in the small pouch I have with me, and am releived to see I brought a little bit of money with me (I see maybe 3 five-dollar bills, because I remember the blue colour), enough for a tea and a sandwich, and go to a food stall to place my order.  The lady serving me is a plump, middle aged motherly type, and she fusses over my order, making sure it is absolutely right.  Before she could finish, we hear a large roar of appreciation from the growing crowd.  We hurry to join everyone else, and I see a man dressed in a dark suit, all ready to do some sort of show.  I am surprised to also see that he has three lions with him, who are sitting placidly behind him, but totally unrestrained by cages, or even leashes.  There is a table in front of the man, and upon it is a large glass fish-tank, which is filled with multi-coloured tiny creatures.  There is something about them that's disturbing, as though they're really not entirely from this world.  

Indeed, they begin to visibly grow, and soon outgrow the tank.  Now the crowd is nervous, and many are turning away and leaving quickly.  The man is also startled, and unable to keep things under control.  His lions are now prowling and agitated.  More people leave, and by the time I turn rapidly away and start running, the monsters are now running amok.  I make it outside and continue running...