The Rainbow Gathering

My first day there was quite tiring. It was six o'clock and even though I had hitchhiked the last 90 or so miles of the bike trip, I was still surprised how exhausted I felt! So when I landed at said time at "Welcome Camp", that is the first camp one finds after the main parking lot, my mind was so excited in seeing every part of the whole gathering but my body was not only ready to sit but also struggling with getting used to the high altitude's lack of oxygen.

So I drank some water and slept. In the morning I packed up and headed off through the 3 mile or so trail to Main Meadow:

It was full of people though not as full as it would be after a couple days. Honestly it was a bit overwhelming especially when nobody you know is there and your left wandering through the kitchens and trails (man the thin air really gets you tired!). After a few hours again, I went back to sleep and woke up for Main Circle for more food....back to sleep after that.

But it wasn't all that overwhelming after a while. The Food was great and the people were incredibly friendly. If theres one thing you can experience at the gathering is real community. First of all because it's so different from regular society that you actually get culture shock and also because there seems to be so much going on and so many different people that trying to immerse yourself in it all can be so educational:) You can literally spend hours hanging and doing that it makes the sun worthwhile.

I was also determined not to become a "drainbow" so I set to helping out some kitchens with firewood, chopping veggies, or setting up or tearing down camp.

during that time I also made myself a lean-to and that was fun cuz it felt good to build my own shelter. Sleeping in the dirt isn't so bad because for some reason, sleeping and living in a more natural setting feels quite clean to me even if doesn't look it. I bet I could get some people to agree with me on that :)

Anyway, that's all I could really say about the gathering. One would really have to go to experience it, and that's where I leave you all with.


End of Bike Trip:

It was an intense with its ups and downs for sure but still a really great experience! We got to pass through Boise and met some really cool people that let us sleep at their house after we spent a whole day at a park eating and recuperating. We also passed through Idaho's Craters of the Moon which is basically a bunch of lava rock as far as the eye can see. Quite a spectacular site.

We passed through flat land and got to see lots of pronghorns. A coyote or a fox crossed the road in front of me too at about a hundred feet or so. I think I was the only lucky one to see it.

9 days down via Bike Trip!

So hey everyone! finally have been able to write something. 5 friends and I (Suelo, Satya, Sarah, Peter, and Vlad) are all in Boise, Idaho and it's great to be here.

we rode alongside the Columbia first up through hills with the most spectacular viewpoints. I swear, looking down towards the river makes it seem like it was the Meditteranean! (hope I spelled that right). Next we went along the 26 through some mountains and high desert. Okay not as spectacular but still beautiful nonetheless:)Especially when you pass through windmill country where you get the best tailwind.

but that's all for now, I want to start making some tips for anyone who wants to ride but maybe I'll save that for later:) Next up, hot Idaho desert :)

Up and away

Well everyone (or whoever wants to read),

I was going to write a month from when I left Salem of my travels and experiences but even though it's only been two weeks, I think there's been enough going on worth mentioning.

First off, I'm staying in the woods near downtown Portland OR. I have never been bitten by so many mosquitoes in my life! But I'm getting used to it, just wish that i could stop scratching them. It's also been raining quite a bit but that's okay, I mean, this is Oregon. Life is good though and I'm hanging out with friends that I've met through Food Not Bombs.

Companions:

yea, I was little bit apprehensive when it comes to sleeping alone outside after a year so that's why there's other people to keep you company :). I'm joined by the Jesus Christians which some of you know I had been a member of a while back. Theres this guy named Suelo too that I plan to go to Wyoming with for the national Rainbow Gathering () His link is on my 'links i'd like to give' list so checkit.



Moneyless:
We've all committed ourselves to living moneyless so it's been a very interesting and exciting experience. mmmm, lot's of dumpster diving [something about dumpster diving: I've never gotten sick of it, just taco bell and school food. Just some food for thought :) (pun intended)] Anyway, I may have something more to say about the living moneyless and all the surrounding thoughts and philosophies, but that's for another separate blog. THis ones just for news.

Rainbow Gathering

(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rainbow_Gathering)

Who wants to come along? Suelo and I are going around June 5 via bicycle with some other cool people. But one doesn't need to come by bicycle, you can possibly train hop, hitchhike, or ride on some buses that I know of. But yea....very exciting :)

A Day In The Life train hopping AGENCY FILMS