Jornada

Over the last few days I've had what I can only describe as an epiphany and I'll explain exactly what this is in a little bit. But firstly this blog will contain much less crappy jokes and tired observations and witty witicisms than normal. Which should be total relief.

Last weekend we had VE's quarterly jornada. Trying to explain exactly jornada is, is somewhat difficult. So here's what we do, once every 3 months we head up a valley in the Andes, go through the mildly attractive village of San José de Maipo and end up at a little events centre called Chalet de Piedra where we reflect, share and try and grow as an organisation and as people. This is not a cult as we don't have to hand over or first born to el jefe, nor do we give tithes of our earnings as we don't even get paid in peanuts. It is, however, quite hippyish and shortly before the first time I went, phrases like reflection and meditation shared the beejezus out of me.

I can now safely say that Jornada is one of my favourite things in the world and this is in spite of the re-birthing ceremonies, the birchings, the candlelight hoopla and the zen walking. What jornada does best is bring together a wonderful group of people and give them some renewed focus on the volunteering work they do here. We talk, write, do yoga and take time out from our normal, busy lives to go a bit deeper

This weekend I really didn't have the time for any inner journeys, yoga or even relaxing. This was no bad thing at all as I was too busy breaking frisbee world records, cooking meals that gave everyone gas, getting really pissed off at losing at spoons, diving into a swimming pool that smelled of turpentine, drawing acorns, getting up several hours earlier than I thought I had too, playing catchphrase in Spanish, attempting to win speed boats (and failing) and getting to know a phenomenal group of people just a little bit better.

The chalet is run by a mildly eccentric Spanish couple. I say mildly as whilst they named their first daughter Genesis (a Phil Collins tribute, I like to think so), their second is called Michelle. They have two rottwielers called Matt and Cindy, Shakira the Cat, and a lovely big garden and exquisite views of the cordillera. Alledgedly, the dad likes to get stoned a lot and the girls run amok and gatecrash every single activity we do. This was especially true as we gathered in the main room to start the yogic flying. Before this most serious and dedicated taller, the girls rushed in and decided which should play a form of musical statues with animals.

Naturally this was automatically accepted as the greatest idea ever and soon every single volunteer was leaping round the room, pretending to be eagles and elephants. No one cared or was self-concious, there were no rolled eyes or blushing cheeks. Just 25 adults and two children flapping their arms like chickens and barking like dogs. In many ways it's slightly embarrassing that this was the epiphany. But it was at this moment that I realised there was nowhere in the world that I would rather have been, that I'm incredibly be proud to be involved in VE Global and priveledged to be around so many wonderful people.

Three days later I left for Argentina to renew my papers. I went on my own and had time to reflect there; and I came to realise that the sooner I got back to Santiago the better.

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n.b, there was no Zen walking, yogic flying, re-birthing and most disappointingly of all, no birching at jornada. All the other activites were real. Also, one of the little girls accidently on purpose borrowed the frisbee and "forgot" to give it back. Nothing is perfect, but Jornada weekend came pretty close.