Last days of the Peace Retreat w/pics

Continued:

Saturday we also found out that the New Orleans folks had to leave by 7pm.  The bus would pick them up at the site.  There was no sweatlodge on Saturday so most of the day was spent talking, walking and eating lol.

I spent some time with the New Orlean’s folks and spoke to the Rev. that organized the trip…can’t remember his name but he was a very intelligent man.  I had a great conversation with him about the political arena and about spiritual matters.  There was a workshop with Paul Winters which I decided to for go because it was an extra 50 dollars.

We gathered under the big tent to listen to some of the New Orleans folks who were bidding us a farewell.  They had a "father/daughter" duo play fiddle which was outstanding.  The daughter was eleven yrs. old and man could she play.  I was sitting across the table from Paul Winter and it did cross my mind if he thought this was a plug for this duo…but I doubt it.

The fiddling duo

I snuck a photo of Paul Winter when he wasn’t looking lol.  He was very kind and laid back.  I hope he didn’t see me lol

After dinner the New Orleans folks had to get ready to leave.  It was sad to see them go.  They were such a delightful group and so much fun to interact with.  I signed up to go down there next year to help build homes.  I’ve always wanted to do that and I will take off from work to accomplish this.

Drummers for the send off…you can see the bus in the background.

The big drum…stood on my tippy toes to get this shot.

This is Kayla….really cute kid.  She had a tough exterior but inside she was so sweet.  She poked me in the back to say good-bye…I had to take her picture.

Beth kissing Kayla good-bye….I don’t think Kayla wanted to leave.

OMG, this child sang the sweetest song ever…Coby picked her up on his shoulders so she could sing to the crowd…what a voice too.  With her personality and voice, she will go far.  She was certainly a character and sang all week long.

This is Deborah…we did sweatlodge together and since we both shared the same name…we became friends.  

More good-byes among the children….

Fred saying good bye as they boarded the bus….

The bus leaving..you can see it barely through the trees on the right….

We waved and drummed until the bus was out of sight.  They will return next year and I certainly will be there!!

After they left we all trotted back to get ready for Paul Winter’s concert.  I went to my tent to get my chair and blanky.

The concert was great and he performed a journey around the world with different nature sounds….it was really well done.

Paul on make shift stage…great sound equipment though…

After the concert there was more music up at the fire so many folks, including myself went up and listened for a while. 

We noticed some lightening so the night was cut short by that.

I was so tired from the day that it took me a few minutes to fall asleep with my doubled up ground mats.  During thenight sometime I awoke to Betsy shaking my tent and calling my name…she told me that we had to get in our cars because of a severe lightening storm…I jumped up, grabbed my blanket, flashlight, croks and out the door I went.  We sat in my truck and watched the lightening.  It was SEVERE too!  One strike was seen through the trees and it appeared to have hit the ground.  We shuttered as we covered up with out blankys.  We slept in the car for what seemed hours…when we woke it was still dark but quiet.  We decided to go to our tents and sleep prone lol.

Sunday morning we ate breakfast and prepared for our departure.  I told GL that I would stay another couple of days to help dismantle the site.  He was glad to hear that! 

We went to the the medicine wheel GL conducted a healing for those who have passed….we all stood up and called out names of those in our lives who have passed.  I cried…as usual.

Beth with sage….

sitting at the medicine wheel.

Soon after we went up to the fire which was distinguised in a ceremonial way.  We each got a jar from the PeaceWeavers to take some ash home which was full of a weeks worth of prayers.  After we took the ash everyone walked down to the tent sight to dismantle tents.  I took mine down because I was going to spend the next couple of days in the long house.  I said my good-bys to Betsy and Fred and after exchanging information they got in the car and left.

It was a wonderful week and a wonderful experience. 

I have a video of Paul Winter, but I don’t know how to put it on OD.  If anyone can help, let me know.

Peace,

LYB