One month- one week

One month since making my intention. One week left before I fly out of Grand Rapids.

I declared my intentions to anyone who would listen and I was rewarded with responses on multiple levels and with multiple layers. The universe answered back. I have never had such an affirming experience.

This past month I have found many strong communities here in the mid-west, here in Grand Rapids. I have discovered my base community to whom I will return post- adventure.

One of the most powerful responses I got, partly because it was so random, was on a train to Chicago. This was quickly planned last minute trip to look at community possibilities in large urban environments.

I settled into my seat early one Saturday morning. Several hours later I overhear a conversation between the two passengers in front of me, an older woman and a younger woman are discussing learning Spanish. The conversations continue and I hear the younger one explain that she learned Spanish in Chiapas. A while later the older woman gets up from her seat an wanders off. I jump up and introduce myself and tell her what I am doing this year. I find out that she learned about autonomous community from the Zapatistas in Chiapas and is starting a community farm in Virginia. We found many surprising things in common that quickly warmed us to each other. I now have some great contacts in Chiapas!

While in Chicago I visited Sophia community which resides in a huge house near the University of Chicago. The house is shared by a Quaker meeting. I went to meeting for worship with the Quakers and after got to meet the fabulous people who reside in the community. This was a complex but wonderful way to share space and resources between two communities, each with different needs and gifts. (shout out to Iccha, the beautiful)!

Sophia Community advised me to attend a gathering that evening with leaders from other communities in Chicago. The topic was food- and the issues surrounding food. I was amazed at the connection with local food- raw milk, CSA shares, coops, organics and the depth of awareness about coffee and chocolate dependencies and fair trade.

Also while in Chicago I get a beautiful phone message from Australia. Helena Norberg-Hodge called and confirmed and accepted my interest in volunteering in Ladakh.

My goodbye party was wonderful thanks everyone for the great time!