It seems a bit strange to be writing a blog post about the
Bye Bye Bunker Silo Blues party when the first time I laid eyes on the Bunker
Silo was just over a month ago…but I was there for the weekend festivities, and
festive they were! When I and my family
of five arrived Friday evening after two hours on the road (due to evil traffic
between Vancouver and Yarrow), Viv and Paul immediately took us under their
wings and took the time to help us settle in, although Paul’s parents were
visiting. I had been nervous all week
about the thought of being away from home all weekend with all three kids (two
10 month olds and a three year old), but everyone seemed immediately at home,
including myself. My three year old,
Gabriel, disappeared instantly with his new friends, Alex and Paul seemed
immediately bonded, and Viv and I headed off to pick up a supper of Indian food
in a bonding ceremony of our own.
Paul and Viv’s upstairs neighbor Ann shared her beautiful
home with us by providing a sleeping room for Alex and I and the babies, while Gabriel
slept through the night in a bed that wasn’t inhabited by either Alex or myself
for the first time since the twins were born…and who wants to questions the
magic of the Ecovillage?
Saturday dawned with the super cute sight of Viv and Paul’s
three children and my Gabe lined up on the couch in order of age (2,3, 4 and 6)
and watching cartoons , while the promise of pancakes lingered in the air. Again, Gabriel disappeared to play the day
away, and we adults began the slow bustle required to prepare for the evening’s
festivities. This was a big night, with
many neighbours-in-waiting and neighbours contemplating coming to spend time
and enjoy the community potluck and bunker silo farewell. A group photo was scheduled for 5:30 P.M. and
the photographer arrived at 3:30. Right
around 4:30 the sky darkened and a sudden storm blew up, threatening to remove
anything un-tethered and drenching everything in its wake. Needless to say, the photo needed to be put
on hold as the photographer bid his
adieus and the setting for the potluck needed to be moved from the waterlogged
bunker silo to the welcoming home of Julia, Yonas and their brood of four. As Viv mourned the loss of the photo
opportunity, I couldn’t help but think that the sudden and powerful storm was
somewhat serendipitous in the way that it highlighted how the village community
smoothly moved to come up with a perfect solution to an imperfect situation.
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| Yes, it really was bad enough to be blinding |
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| You're kidding, right? |
After an empowering presentation by Viv and Natalie, who had
just attended a cohousing conference, accompanied by an awesome potluck
overflowing with everything from two kinds of chile to heavenly cream cheese
(?) stuffed strawberries, and lots of inspiring conversation, the party
migrated to the bunker silo. It is
really hard to describe the rest of the evening in a way that does it
justice. The music, the camaraderie,
nostalgia felt for times spent in the bunker silo by people other than me. The circle of children encircled by a larger
circle of adults, all singing, dancing, listening, talking, and just generally
steeping in the joy of community spirit.
I mourned the loss of the bunker silo with everyone there, but there was
a much greater sense of celebration and mass embracing of a positive future
being built by many.
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| It really does look incredibly magical! |
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| What a neat place to gather! |
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| I love that the diamonds represent the colours of houses to come. |
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| Soggy couches did not prevent a good time being had by all |
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| And a shot from the other side |
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| Happy Musicians |
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| The central circle of children |
And did I mention that Gabriel put himself to bed that
night? Question the magic of the
Ecovillage if you dare, but, I must say, I’m a firm believer!
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