Ki Ora from Paihia
Our Maori host flipped up his cell phone and said, "Excuse me guys, I need to check to see if your chief is going to be met by a warrior." That had us grinning-- our team sitting in this dynamic man's living room as we listened to his orientation for our time with his organization, "Indigenous Trails." Indeed, as we waited outside the gate to the maere (Maori sacred community buildings), we were first challenged by a near-naked warrior wielding a spear, flexing his muscles, sticking out his tongue and widening his eyes as he made his way to our group... stupefied. Our elected chief Ben picked up the fern leaves to signify our coming in peace, after which we were sung an invitation by a woman elder to come into the maere.
Lots moved inside of me as I listened to that woman's Maori song traveling through the blue New Zealand skies to us. Ah, the ritual, the reverence, the community, the power of people and their beloved history... We listened to their speeches followed by song and then our chief offered a heartfelt speech about the preciousness of our crossing paths. We had learned a short Maori song which we stood and sang to our hosts. This ritual was followed by each of us greeting each other by a touching of noses... to become one, breathing the same breath...
After dinner with our hosts, we returned to the community hall which is their library, museum, and hostel all in one. From one end to another, each sculpted wooden panel tells a part of the family's history. We sat in our sleeping bags on matresses on the floor and listened to the oral history of our hosts... Magical, musical, unique and blessed experience...
The next days we contributed to trail maintenance and gardening work at a retreat center called Gideon's Heights. The valley below our sleeping quarters has been sculpted with an international prayer walk with 10 spots along a river with a gorgeous waterfall. A slice of heaven; wish you all could have been there with me.
Now we're on our 'free travel' time on the north island and loving a bit of down time. Went to the northernmost point-- Cape Reinga, where the Tasman Sea meets the Pacific. Wow. Then some sandsurfing on boogie boards, swimming in ice cold waters, eating fish and chips.
The journey is joyous and challenging.
Much love to all------
Lots moved inside of me as I listened to that woman's Maori song traveling through the blue New Zealand skies to us. Ah, the ritual, the reverence, the community, the power of people and their beloved history... We listened to their speeches followed by song and then our chief offered a heartfelt speech about the preciousness of our crossing paths. We had learned a short Maori song which we stood and sang to our hosts. This ritual was followed by each of us greeting each other by a touching of noses... to become one, breathing the same breath...
After dinner with our hosts, we returned to the community hall which is their library, museum, and hostel all in one. From one end to another, each sculpted wooden panel tells a part of the family's history. We sat in our sleeping bags on matresses on the floor and listened to the oral history of our hosts... Magical, musical, unique and blessed experience...
The next days we contributed to trail maintenance and gardening work at a retreat center called Gideon's Heights. The valley below our sleeping quarters has been sculpted with an international prayer walk with 10 spots along a river with a gorgeous waterfall. A slice of heaven; wish you all could have been there with me.
Now we're on our 'free travel' time on the north island and loving a bit of down time. Went to the northernmost point-- Cape Reinga, where the Tasman Sea meets the Pacific. Wow. Then some sandsurfing on boogie boards, swimming in ice cold waters, eating fish and chips.
The journey is joyous and challenging.
Much love to all------
posted by Amanda Joy at 11:11 PM
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