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Durban ( 16 August -4 September)
After a long travel from Ulaanbataar to Beijing, from there to Bangkok (late night), sleeping in the airport, catching early flight to Singapore picking up my luggage, just on time to pick up my ticket before the flights would be cancelled and next morning off to Taipei.
I didn't really need to go to Taipei but as I was invited earlier in relation to the Domes I had included it in my ticket. Believe it or not to take it out would cost $75 so as I had never been there I was happy to have a look and stay a night in our headquarters for SE Asia.
One Didi from there who worked with me in NZ always told me to visit Taipei if I could. She is still in New Zealand but she arranged that some margiis would let me sample a vegetarian buffet. So her wish was fulfilled and everyone had a good time:-)
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Back in China near Beijing. It's the great wall. | Delicious vegetarian buffet |
Next day, again pack my bags, continue to Johannesburg in South africa, and catch the overnight bus to Durban. Finally ready for the next project with the Down town street kids.
One of our local members gave us the opportunity to build in his backyard and he provided all the materials needed. We had a little trouble to get the bag material but finally, a week later than planned we started. This time a small 3m diameter one as our resources limited and time was getting short, now to make things further complicated I couldn't get any reservations for my onward journey and finally had to settle for one week early, leaving only one week..
The site | Simple plan |
Now one week would have been enough if we could get full days but also there obstacles were on our path. It's was not easy to get transportation from Downtown to the site and the boys had to travel two hours to get there and two hours back that left us 5 hour days minus lunch break. In future I'll make sure that I plan for much more time per project! This was a bit crazy..
Mixing | Laying |
Actually I had planned a month for each place but the first one in India ended up taking three month and my whole plan had to be adjusted (and re-adjusted at every step) They say that the best way to make God laugh is to tell Him your plans.. The beautiful idea I always try to keep in mind is that each and every moment, each and every situation is lovingly arranged by Him for my all round growth and finally trough all these tests and training realise the Truth sometime. Imagine that this is valid not only for me but for everyone at the same time, including all other living beings and even the inanimate things one this planet and the entire universe! Wow, such planning, no wonder that our little plans get adjusted so often.
As most of us are stubborn in our ways (individually and collectively) and also possess quite a bit of ego this learning processes is not always easy or without painful moments. But if we accept what comes, act sincerely in the most appropriate way, learn and try to always see the bright side of things we find ourselves lighter and lighter, more and more loving and become an inspiration for all.
Is it really strong? | Measuring |
Some more obstacles? Yes, plenty but those were overcome. The boys really liked to learn though some prefer to learn one aspect and than keep doing that. It seems that in each place only one or two have the mental make up to really try to absorb everything from A to Z. Also some good contacts were made and most likely one article will be published in the newspaper.
Didi Ananda Jappasiddha checking the level | Higher, but high enough to finish? |
Now did we finish? No... but fortunately I can come back again after 10 days and spend three more days to help complete it. At that time maybe someone from the TV will come and one NGO working with youth and housing will visit. There are already several ideas for bigger projects next year.
Still so much disparity, huge mansions and in the background the small shacks |
Right now I am writing on the plane to Madagascar.. I'll spare you the little drama's and obstacles to get the ticket and re-issue the round the word ticket.. Let me say that in Durban after trying for more than two hours to print the ticket they just put me on the plane without one... When I come back from Antananarivo I'll have to get back to Durban still without ticket and hopefully by that time they figured it all out and got it printed. Great fun! The poor computers get complete indigestion from the long itineraries I am feeding them. Even some of the airline consultants get desperate with them.. What to do, they invented these round the world tickets, I am just taking up their offer and admittingly getting to the very limit of what is allowed:-)
The visit to Madagascar will be interresting. Though it's part of my assignment I had no plans to visit. Only two of our members there ( I didn't even know we had members) found on the web site that I was assigned to their area and started writing.. So no escape and I am happy for that. This time not to guide with domes but with meditation! Good for a change..
Ok, more later.
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