Altruism

Shaking off the January Blues — a snapshot.

We are eight standing rocks gathered at the waters edge, darkly, when the sun limns the edge of low cloud on the horizon with red fire. Rising — it is a ball of orange turning to old gold — painting the facades of buildings with their faded palm trees a fine vintage rose.

It is a cold January morning that is being warmed up.

We rocks shape-shift into a group of people who have come together to — well — be with other people. As we shed our wrapped layers, we stir slowly — stretching limbs, shaking out — inhaling, exhaling…

Here, in feet-shoes, is Niccolo. Strumming a home-made instrument fashioned from a drink can and a piece of driftwood — he is striking in a pink jacket and flowery beanie. Alexandra, our facilitator — supply yogic and open faced; Cornelia — a nomad chef — whose age lessens with every layer lifted. George — tall, handsome — who has swapped women for life experiences; Antoine — seller of cheese, leader of singers, stone-stacker and puppeteer — and two young women, Chloe and Lisbeth who are here to de-stress.

We do not know each other now. The idea is just to be — spend this glorious winter morning dancing, singing, reflecting, connecting…

Logs are found to beat a rhythm, iron bars requisitioned to hang upside-down from, rocks to delineate and balance on.

Someone finds a tiny crab.

I spend a good while watching a fat jellyfish pulse in the lapping, transparent water and, when I look up, there is a game of Hopscotch chalked on the cement. We remember the rules and play, enthusiastically whilst Cornelia lays out breakfast. Two hours have slipped by already!

Cornelia wears a crown and serves the food with little carved wooden magic wands. She conjures:

Apple puree with ground almonds and spices, date and seed balls rolled in coconut, ginger liqueur and apricots and oranges.

I have brought the coffee and we talk as we eat and drink — about living well and sustainably, mostly.

I thought that I was doing well in this regard — but the others in the group are really working the concept — living as itinerant educators, offering workshops and demonstrations on how to live simply…

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