It is happening! Today we met several people who have come to Melbourne to attend the Parliament as we were walking down the street. Recognizing people on a street half-way around the world is a joyful and wondrous experience! We shared travel stories, mobile phone numbers and hotel locations, and expressed our excitement to be exploring Melbourne on foot.
Today the weather provided a beautiful Spring day (temps in the 60's, sunshine and a few clouds, and a stiff breeze) so exploring the town on foot was a pleasure. As we continue to walk around the city, I expect we will encounter others as our numbers grow. I have yet to meet my first Portlander, but I know that in a day or so, all will have arrived and we will find each other!
Monday, November 30, 2009
Friday, November 27, 2009
People are beginning to arrive in Melbourne
I have been visiting the Melbourne "Hub" office of our staff here, and have begun to hear stories of people arriving from around the world. One of our partners here related the story of his daughter who, returning from a trip to Chile, sat next to a woman who said she was coming to Melbourne for the Parliament, and remarked that she thought Melbourne was a splendid site for this great event.
The buzz is building for the Parliament, with signs and posters appearing all over town in coffee houses and bistros, book stores, on the front lawn of St. Paul's Cathedral in the Central Business District, and many other places. Monday will see a 16-page pull out section of Melbourne's main newspaper.
As more participants and presenters arrive, I expect to begin seeing people on the streets of Melbourne who I know or will get to know during the coming week of programs and celebrations.
And the city is being bathed by a blessed rain, after 10 years of drought and the disastrous fires. So all is well "down under".
More to come...
The buzz is building for the Parliament, with signs and posters appearing all over town in coffee houses and bistros, book stores, on the front lawn of St. Paul's Cathedral in the Central Business District, and many other places. Monday will see a 16-page pull out section of Melbourne's main newspaper.
As more participants and presenters arrive, I expect to begin seeing people on the streets of Melbourne who I know or will get to know during the coming week of programs and celebrations.
And the city is being bathed by a blessed rain, after 10 years of drought and the disastrous fires. So all is well "down under".
More to come...
Reflections on the trip over...
Last night, Don and I (mostly) slept our way across the Pacific Ocean, flying from LA to New Zealand, where we are now waiting to connect to our Melbourne flight.
I don't think most of us fully appreciate how HUGE the Pacific Ocean really is--well over 6,000 miles from LA to New Zealand, and then another 4 hours flight to Melbourne!
At some point, just before dawn, I opened the shade and looked out to see the southern stars in a sky that had absolutely no light reflected from below to obscure their clarity. And right there, with the lowest star just above the horizon, I saw the Southern Cross-so tall that it looked to extend fully 1/4 of the way up the bowl of the sky!
We are really looking forward to exploring Melbourne for a few days before the Parliament event opens next Thursday, and will keep our eyes open for Parliament "signs" in the city. When we find them, we will post them here, for all to see.
I don't think most of us fully appreciate how HUGE the Pacific Ocean really is--well over 6,000 miles from LA to New Zealand, and then another 4 hours flight to Melbourne!
At some point, just before dawn, I opened the shade and looked out to see the southern stars in a sky that had absolutely no light reflected from below to obscure their clarity. And right there, with the lowest star just above the horizon, I saw the Southern Cross-so tall that it looked to extend fully 1/4 of the way up the bowl of the sky!
We are really looking forward to exploring Melbourne for a few days before the Parliament event opens next Thursday, and will keep our eyes open for Parliament "signs" in the city. When we find them, we will post them here, for all to see.
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Welcome to our Portland Parliament Friends Blog
Hello, Portland Parliament Travelers and Portland Parliament friends.
The Parliament of the World's Religions will begin in Melbourne Australia, on December 3, 2009, with people from over 70 countries and all the worlds faith traditions, spiritual practices, and good will and values gathering to learn from each other and find ways to make this a more just, peaceful and sustainable world.
A group of about 10 people from the Portland /Vancouver area (including one great friend and colleague from Seattle) will go to Melbourne and participate, with over 500 programs,observances and performances to choose from during the 7 days of the Parliament event.
Those staying here can find the entire Parliament Program offering at www.parliamentofreligions.org (click on the Programs Tab and go to which ever day or theme you find interesting) so you can see what people from everywhere are sharing and what we will have the opportunity to learn.
Also, I encourage you to join the Parliament social network--PeaceNext.org--to see what people from around the world are saying about the Parliament, and to tap into the tremendous energy and momentum generated by a Parliament gathering. We have created a Portland Parliament Friends group on PeaceNext.org, which we can continue to use to stay connected with each other during and after the Parliament event. Plans for our Post Parliament event on February 21, 2010 will begin to appear out there soon after we return from Melbourne.
Some of our group have already left on their journey, and the rest of us will depart over the coming 10 days. Please wish us safe travels, and return to this blog often to see what stories we have to share.
The Parliament of the World's Religions will begin in Melbourne Australia, on December 3, 2009, with people from over 70 countries and all the worlds faith traditions, spiritual practices, and good will and values gathering to learn from each other and find ways to make this a more just, peaceful and sustainable world.
A group of about 10 people from the Portland /Vancouver area (including one great friend and colleague from Seattle) will go to Melbourne and participate, with over 500 programs,observances and performances to choose from during the 7 days of the Parliament event.
Those staying here can find the entire Parliament Program offering at www.parliamentofreligions.org (click on the Programs Tab and go to which ever day or theme you find interesting) so you can see what people from everywhere are sharing and what we will have the opportunity to learn.
Also, I encourage you to join the Parliament social network--PeaceNext.org--to see what people from around the world are saying about the Parliament, and to tap into the tremendous energy and momentum generated by a Parliament gathering. We have created a Portland Parliament Friends group on PeaceNext.org, which we can continue to use to stay connected with each other during and after the Parliament event. Plans for our Post Parliament event on February 21, 2010 will begin to appear out there soon after we return from Melbourne.
Some of our group have already left on their journey, and the rest of us will depart over the coming 10 days. Please wish us safe travels, and return to this blog often to see what stories we have to share.
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