New Zealand is beautiful and reminds most of the Canadians of Canada. Since it's summer here, we're all basking in the warmth (having left a snowy Whistler just a few days ago!) and enjoying being in the sun.
The first couple of days have mostly been all about re-connecting with friends, most of whom I haven't seen since Innsbruck in '05. I took the door-to-door shuttle from the airport, but didn't have a "door" to go to because I my brother had said he would book me a room for the night of my arrival at the hostel he and my dad were staying at, but I didn't know the name of the hostel. So I asked the driver to drop me at the one Subud venue that was open; I figured that if my family was anywhere, they would be there. There were a few young people hanging out outside, but the building was locked from the front. In the time it took me to introduce myself, a group of Subud Vancouver people came walking down the street...a very nice welcome. My brother and father were inside doing latihan, so we were able to connect within a few minutes of my arrival.
When I walked into the Caledonian (one of the venues, in which Registration is happening) the next morning to register, I was immediately commandeered by Ludmilla, the Volunteer Coordinator, (who says "hello" to everyone!) to sit and help her sign in the multitudes of volunteers. I ended up spending about five hours helping out, so I got to meet lots of new people. It's been so fun to see so many old friends and meet so many new ones. Of course, it's all a little overwhelming, but in a good way that makes me excited for the weeks to come.
Tomorrow, the Congress officially begins with a kejiwaan day and the Opening Ceremony in the evening.
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