The Workshop

Hi everyone,

My flight to Cape Town was good, besides the fact that I nearly missed the plane...The truth of it all is that the Dubai airport is a zoo. There are two wings with a fast food joints at either end coupled with a few coffee shops (these food choices are not too appealing at 7:30am). After walking back and forth between the two wings and trying to weasel my way into getting a free meal in the upstairs buffet (other people were given free meals for the layover but apparently because I left the airport I didn't qualify for one...) I stood in line to buy a bagel and coffee at Starbucks only to realise that it was my gate that was being called for final boarding...whoops...

I tell you, Emirates Airlines is fabulous! The movies they have are awesome and the food, service and overall atmosphere are really great. Although I don't see myself flying to Dubai much in the future, I would definitely fly with them again! I think my row on the plane was the only one that was not completely full. So, my German neighbour and I counted our blessings for being able to stretch out just that little bit more.

Finally, after 2 days of long but entertaining travel, on Saturday March 28th, I arrived in Cape Town, South Africa, happily and safely. My lovely aunt Shirley met me with a smile and we navigated through the construction site that makes up the Cape Town International Airport to meet my uncle in the car. Apparently the airport has been under renovation and construction for several years, however, due to the upcoming soccer world cup the construction is now in full tilt. After being greeted by the rottweiler and scruffy terrier dogs (Zizi and Bu) at Shirley and Johan's house, I settled down with a cup of tea and a buttermilk rusk (kinda like a mix between a biscotti and a scone - looks like a scone but is hard like a biscotti!). The weather was warm but not hot and quite humid...my skin loves it.

On Sunday we packed for the week-long workshop and headed 1 1/2 hours east along the coast from Cape Town to Kleinmond. Tucked in between a beautiful set of small mountains and the white sand beaches leading to Hermanes, sits the Grail Centre. The workshop staff and participants (32 in total) are all staying on site at this amazing retreat centre. The rooms are simple and quaint. The food is simple but satisfying. The real pleasure of staying here are the grounds...so much greenery, animals, birds and beautiful flowers. It is a real sanctuary. As I was reading on a brochure in my room, there are Grail Centres all over the world. The reason they are so unique is because they all share a common longing to find meaningful ways of contributing to the transformation of our world to a place of love and justice. It's quite a good fit that this workshop is being held here as the focus in this rich African context has been to come together as facilitators who are working to change the world, one workshop at a time...(that sounds so cheesy but it is true). The women (and 4 men) are so engaged and inspiring. I am learning so much. We have officially passed the halfway mark of the 5-day facilitator's training and I feel like I have learned so much about myself, about my fellow workshopers and about facilitation in an African context. Many of the stories shared have been deeply moving. These women have endured deep wounds and traumas and yet they ooze resilience and strength to continue working to help others gain their basic human rights. Big stuff.

Although in some ways I could spend a month or more here learning with these lovely souls, I am also looking forward to having some down time near the water in Cape Town and taking the time to wind down after a full 8 months of studies and hard brain work.

I am thinking of you all as I embrace who I am becoming in this new environment and hoping that I can touch all of your hearts in my sharing through this blog. Don't hesitate to post a response or shoot me an email...I am always excited to receive contact from loved ones when I am far away from home.

Hugs,
Wendy