Rainbows, Popcorn, Jungle

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We biked the 100 km to the gathering site at Ao Kohie beach. In typical rainbow tradition the last 1 km was the most challenging. We waited for low tide and one at a time made our way across the rocky beach. And when we came to the end, friends who were expecting us came running to help the rest of the way. Good to be home!! We have a pineapple on the beach and then go exploring.
Marcos had had a couple of days to set up the Chai shop and already his reputation for good chai had spread around the gathering. We have yet to find the spot for Popcorner.
Main circle that night is nice and tight. Maybe 120 people.

Next day we returned to Ranong to pick up the popcorn and the rest of the supplies needed to pull off Popcorner. It was tricky hunting down popcorn here,(found a shop that was connected to a wholesaler in Bangkok that could order 23kilo bags, oddly enough the popcorn we got was from a small town in Ohio, organic too) but we knew it’d be worth it. Lucky for us Nop, a Thai guy and his wife were making a supply run for main kitchen and we were able to jump in the truck. We got the corn, a variety of toppings, a wok to make it in, plastic buckets, and a big jug of oil. Now we have to find the spot.

We scout for 2 more days for a good location, it’s a little tricky because the Gathering site is quite small. When we do find the place it takes us 2 more days to clear and build. On the 23 of Dec Popcorner is open. It takes a while for people to discover us. We put a sign on the trail but made no announcements, thinking that might be too overwhelming for our popcorn supplies. But night after night people taste the crazy flavors and word gets out.

We are having a great time, people are appreciating Popcorner and friends are arriving all the time. Other activities for us involve juggling, helping in main kitchen cutting veggies or washing dishes, recording music, burning cd’s about sustainable living practices, going to work shops(e.g. Thai massage, voice training, astrologic forecasting, sustainable living, mud baths),meditating and oh yes eating Durian. This fruit is so delicious that some people at the gathering were only eating it. If you have never tried it it’s hard to explain but it is custard like and sweet with many layers of flavor. You can definitely live off of it.

We ravished our supply of popcorn by the 3rd of January. But the people were not satisfied. We had a Magic hat collection and went to town to order more corn and make a visa run to Myanmar (formerly called Burma. It‘s the country to the northwest of Thailand. Also the closest country to the gathering for people to cross into so they can return and get another 28 days in Thailand, kind of a weird boarder situation). Popcorner took 2 nights off and then we had a re- opening night talent show. Got some good audio recordings too.

The second round of popcorn went faster than the first but we managed to make it last and everyone who wanted got popcorn. By now many friends had left the gathering for the Cumba Maela or other adventures. The Rainbow energy really spread out.

Rainbow just got more beautiful as time together strengthened our relationships but not without a disagreement or two. Vision council began another unifying event for us. For the first couple of days the vision of Rainbow was discussed before the lobbying for which location began. This year there was strong vision for Russia and Mexico but in the end(2 ½ weeks later) it sounds like China will be the next World Rainbow Gathering.

When the time came for us to clean up Popcorner it was clear. And we moved our tent right out onto the beach, put up the hammock and we had a holiday for a day or so before leaving the Gathering with a couple of friends also traveling on bicycle.

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Photos

Welcome Home!
This was the view walking around the point to where the gathering was. This gives an idea of what the site was like. There were many tents in the jungle also.

Wok This Way.!
I do believe this is my favorite late night snack-time, campfire, music, matte drinking in the jungle Rainbow activity.

Juggling at Rainbow
One day whoever wanted to perform for the local Thai people went to the nearby village. There was juggling, singing, dancing, acrobatics, and fireplay after dark.

Serving Breakfast
People "organizing" to get the food served.

Comments

[Jackson]

!!!
Its sound s like another form of heaven(if heaven existed). I'm glad you guys had so much fun, it sounds great. Rach and I have debated going to the next national gathering, but we aren't sure. I'm glad popcorner was a hit again. I think I might be ready to eat a ton of popcorn again when summer roles around. Have a happy and safe adventure.