MSIA travel staff is currently in South America, providing MSIA Services (Innerphasings, Polarity Balances & Aura Balances) as well as MSIA events. Staff member, Angel Gibson, provides this update from the trip:
DAY 9 — BOGOTA
Another early morning, made all the earlier because we have to pack and bring down our suitcases this morning. Alberto and Ilse laugh with us all the way over to the hotel, and then it’s more initiations for our Cali out-of-towners. Celia is in the workshop room prepping our team for Day 2 of the Invitation to the Christ workshop. Olga Elena calls us into the Light and then introduces Vincent who talks lovingly and directly to the group of some of the administrative changes that have and are taking place in Colombia. While he talks I again start re-working the schedule, knowing that somehow the timing will once again be perfect. It is.
When lunch comes, we staff are treated to a private lunch upstairs in the hotel, served by the kindest waiter, who can’t do enough to get us what we need. We’re joined by John Marin’s wife, Virginia and son, Christobal who are taking the workshop. Hmm, I have the most yummy white corn arepas with melted cheese inside–hits the spot–along side the ginger beef. OK, we’re hummin’ now. Back downstairs to prepare for the grand finale.
The last hour of this workshop holds its own and then all is prepared as the Traveler joins us for sharing. How beautiful as John caps the two days…and once again the presence of the Christ floods us. We finish with a blessing from John and Spirit. As I do some final initiations, and Celia joins Lesley and Vincent with some great assistance from Leopoldo and our Bogota buddies to pack up the equipment. John is standing with a line of people that goes all the way back to the stage. One by one he tenderly and patiently responds to their questions, taking pictures, giving hugs with John Marin standing next to him translating. A beautiful heartfilled mix of activity happening all together. One thing I must add. Yesterday during the break between the workshop and the MSS class sharing, John visited with a little fellow named Santiago. Santiago is three and wanted to come to John’s home. Since home is wherever John is, Santiago was welcomed into John’s arms as his mother Maria Claudia stood near and his father snapped pictures. I captured a few moments of these two conversing and missed by seconds the most wonderful hug that Santiago spontaneously gave to John that sent waves of loving through the room–it really touched me. Later the Cali MSS2, dressed in white shirts and special orange and maroon and red scarves continued in the theme of gratitude and loving for their Traveler as they sang two songs to John. They presented a scarf to John who wore it as they sang.
Well, we pack up the equipment in record time, and follow Ani and Leonardo in caravan out to the airport to check-in for our overnight flight to Santiago. We are joined in the airport by John Marin, Virginia and Christobel who hang with us as we eat hamburgers, steak sandwiches, fries and of course a little Juan Valdez special coffee. Finally our flight is called and with long hugs we say goodbye for another year to our dear, dear friends. Our deepest thanks to all of our Bogota and Colombia friends who assisted us every step of the way. We are grateful for your loving and caring for us and the Traveler, John. God bless you and keep you well-filled with blessings until we meet again.
DAY 10
As we checked in for our overnight flight last night, we realized that this was an unusually timed flight. We depart at 9:25am and get in Santiago time at 5:15am which is 3:15am Bogota time. Lesley, Vincent, Celia and I are seated in our upgraded seats waiting for John to join us. Finally John appears and we find out that he isn’t getting upgraded. Though we offer to fly in coach in his place, he gallantly takes his coach seat. What a Traveler! I would like to say I fell right asleep, but some part of me just couldn’t quite get out of the body, so I watch several “Friends” episodes, and go in and out of twilight resting.
We arrive in Santiago as the sun is waking up. We are greeted at the airport by Veronica Zarate, Olga Sapiains, Eugenia Sanhuenza and Alicia Landa. Reymi Urrich stays behind with Vincent and our customs man to get our equipment lined up for its process of getting through customs. Mercifully Olga takes John, Celia and me to our hotel. As we’re getting the hotel check-in process underway, Lesley, Ani and Vincent catch up to us. We drop our luggage into our rooms and then hightail it to breakfast. Veronica has given us our Services schedules so we take the time to review what the next few days will be. We’re happy to know that the rest of the day is ours to rest and do whatever. Celia, Ani, Vincent and Lesley opt for rest right away. I’m ready to do a little walking around and John joins me for awhile. We do a second breakfast snack..like the hobbits…at the nearby Ritz (amazingly low prices there). Then John heads back to our hotel and I wander around looking up at the mountains, enjoying Santiago’s spring day. I would like to walk more but I’m starting to get that dizzy, time to lay down feeling at last, so I return and gladly tuck myself in for a little nap. About an hour later I have the energy to put away clothes, get up on computer, and then do some more walking. Celia now joins me. I have a quest. to find some black licorice that I have a yen for. Alas, it is a great quest, but one that doesn’t get fulfilled.. No black licorice could I find on Providenicia Avenida. Great stores and little side streets and courts along the way. Time to get back to the hotel where we’re getting picked up by our welcome ladies and driven to Gabriela Mieri’s and Jose Caraball’s home at the foot of the mountains.
Dinner is a wonderful respite in Gabriela and Jose’s home. A French chef and his Spanish partner absolutely spoil us tonight with Grilled turkey, paper baked (my words not theirs) salmon, endive filled with light, delicious guacamole, and my favorite…dolmades made with special rice…all of this and much more with no onion, garlic and pork. Dessert is strawberries dipped in hot dark chocolate (oh my goodness…say goodbye to any diet thoughts for tonight), tres leches cake (to live for) and chocolates and coffee and infusions. OK, yes we are over the top and it is wonderful. All this and sitting out in the back seeing the mountains, enjoying the fresh night air….All right travel staff life at it’s best and most memorable. Though we have had the most wonderful time tonight, we really must go home for tomorrow is a very busy day culminating in the workshop at night. Thank you Gaby and Jose, Yann too. We are so grateful and our palates give thanks beyond words.
Click here to read Days 1 & 2 with Angel Gibson.
Click here to read Day 3 with Angel Gibson.
