Living Together
Establishing a field of trust and respect was a key for helping this temporary community bond. Participants realized it and co-created it right from the start! Our morning circles supported the process by encouraging people to express their feelings, needs and expectations and helped us stay “in the flow” during the whole training.
Daily rhythm
The schedule was quite tight since the expectations for this training were high. After the morning circles we would dive into the day. Depending on the module, participants would explore tools for knowing themselves and others better, or learn about permaculture and renewable energy. During the Natural Building module there was a lot of physical work and smaller groups were formed for each of the constructional tasks. The bonding of our temporary community led to enhanced productivity since people would take care of each other: the ones who needed a break would take it while others would jump in. The working progress was never interrupted.
At noon we would have a wholesome lunch that made everybody happy and kept us strong. Then we had a proper siesta (August in Greece is usually hot…) so most people could rest, walk into nature or just hang out with others. A small group would help in the kitchen and the cleaning of common spaces and everybody contributed to an easy-going flow.
The afternoon tea/coffee and snack was the cue for our afternoon session to begin. Another 2-3 hours of intense and focused work. Finally people would have a shower and then meet around the dinner table for a hearty evening meal. At the end of the day we would share relaxed time in big or small groups, play music, hang out or party
(which was fine, since everybody would show up on time the morning after : )
The Gratitude Ceremony
On the last day we wanted to share the space and time where people could feel comfortable and take a moment to reflect and to digest what they experienced during their stay. Not only in terms of learning, but most of all in terms of bonding. This was the opportunity to express things that hadn’t been said up to that moment, to thank a specific person or to be grateful in general.
We offered a simple, yet powerful ceremony, where a small group of people would sit in the center, with their eyes covered by a blindfold. Whoever felt like it would touch them on the shoulder and whisper in their ear. This created an atmosphere of intimacy and care and helped us value the new friendships made. At the end, everybody would pick up a small hand-made gift to accompany memories with a physical present.
Food & Nutrition
What we eat matters! As well as how we eat it and how we prepare our meals. Miles away from the fast-food mindset of western “civilization”, we took care of providing participants with local, mostly organic ingredients. Our dear chef, Afentoula, turned them into delicious meals, sweets and snacks that kept everybody going 🙂
Afentoula Kaltsidi, born and raised on Evia island, is an alchemist with herbs, food, plants and people. Since an early age she has been connected to nature’s beauty and healing properties. Through cooking she shares this connection and combines Greek traditional recipes with vegetarian/vegan ethics to provide nutritious meals for the body and spirit.
Herbs and Remedies
In this 2 hour workshop Stella talked about the culinary and medicinal herbs of the area, their properties and uses, ways to grow, collect and preserve them, focusing on Nature’s healing power. With the help of the participants she prepared a basic, all-purpose ointment for everybody to try and take home with them, using natural ingredients like propolis, beeswax and hypericum oil.
If you see the possibility...It's your responsibility!
This simple, fresh and inspiring motto was heard, spoken and sung a lot during this “play”shop. It has so much to offer and we consider it a precious outcome. May it be valued through our thoughts and actions.
Apart from its profound impact on how we define ourselves, it carries the message of engagement and change with easiness, light-weighted. That was something Tina pointed out during our Community Building and is exquisitely reflected in this funky video clip 🙂
Everyday Living
