One of our new friends in Peninsula Valdés. Click on the photo to see more pictures from our journey to Southern Argentina.
5 September 2005
Dear friends,
Buenos Aires is warming up. Spring is arriving. It seems. And I am having a wonderful time. Here is a short summary of what I have been up to since I wrote last time, 31 May 2005. More than three months ago.
A Week in Norway in July
In July, I went home for about a week, to organise a surprise dinner for my ex and husband Yon, who turned 30 on 8 July. It was lovely to see him again, with his new partner Arild, and we had a great connection. He is doing very well as a psychologist intern, and will start working as a psychologist in Oslo next year. His Norwegian is amazing. Most of my time in Norway was spent with World Voices Norway's project Building Bridges, Creating Networks, as we organised a week long seminar for two Ugandan youth and a Sierra Leonan, who will, from now on, facilitate an African network for youth organisations. Exciting stuff! We spent several days at a cabin in the forest outside Oslo, and had a wonderful time. While in Oslo, I also managed to see my friends Sasa, Manuel, Erik, Hilde and Jenny, and Sasa threw a party for me on the rooftops of his apartment building. A wonderful memory.
See pictures
here,
here and
here.
Nonviolent Communication
Immediately after having briefly visited my parents in good, old Maura, I went
to yet another training seminar in Nonviolent Communication (NVC) in
Switzerland. Spending 15 days with 60 people from 25 countries, all learning and
practising NVC, was an extraordinary experience. I am truly fascinated with the
power of NVC, and I am learning several important things: a) that I am not
responsible for others' feelings; b) that satisfying my own needs is the only
way in which I can satisfy those of others; c) that no violence will stop unless
the unmet needs behind the violence are identified and satisfied in an
alternative way. I met again with Cris and Dom from Brazil, and made new friends
in people like Rory, Nick, Amola and Vicky. Needing autonomy or affection, a
llama even spat on me as I tried to be gentle patting it... At the seminar, I
also registered officially as a candidate to become an NVC certified trainer,
and got even more actively involved with the NVC group in Buenos Aires upon
returning.
David and Gert go South
Soon after returning to Buenos Aires in the beginning of August, David and I
took a spontaneous decision to go south, visiting the Chubut province, known for
its fauna and flora. We had the most incredible time. We spent four nights
altogether in Puerto Madryn and at Península Valdés, doing whalewatching twice
(David did three) and enjoying the peace and quiet in the area. Lovely food,
inspiring conversations, gorgeous bike rides, romantic sunsets and fascinating
nature. 20 hours on the bus each way - all worth it. We spent two nights at
La Herradura Suites, with our
wonderful hosts Mónica and Jorge, who also introduced us to the works of Osho,
truly inspiring. David also tried the ice-cold waters, and I found it more
constructive staying dry...
See 68 of our 650 photos
here.
NVC and Rotary Annual Seminar
Once again in Buenos Aires, it was truly back to work. Julio, an NVC friend of
mine, and I started a group of NVC practice for gay men, and we now meet in my
flat every Saturday to look at new topics in Marshall Rosenberg's book on
Nonviolent Communication. It has been very
rewarding to work with Julio and the group. I also organised an 8 hour long
workshop with another NVC colleague, Alejandra, at the University of Salvador,
gathering 26 participants. We are now looking at expanding in Argentina. On 29
August I took part in Rotary's Annual Seminar, where all the Rotary World Peace
Fellows presented our work (our theses) to the public. Here you can read my Power Point presentation on the Role of NGOs in
promoting a Culture of Peace in Brazil (Spanish only). William and I also did a
workshop each, which was fun. Mine was on Visioning and Constructing a Culture
of Peace.
María Visits from Seville - and Gert turns 28!
Finally, but perhaps most wonderfully, María, my dear friend from the French
Course for young NGO leaders in Strasbourg in July 2003, came to see me for a
week at the end of August. She came both to see me present at the Rotary Annual
Seminar, and to spend time with me on my birthday - 30 August. She even took
part in the NVC workshop I organised with Alejandra. It was amazing having her
here, having her meet David, reconnecting after not having seen her for a year
and a half, and truly realising that friendships are inconditional. We made sure
to dance all night at the birthday party I organised together with two other
Virgos, William and Vivian, where David and I even did a tango show. A birthday
I will remember for a very long time.
See photos from the excellent birthday party
here.
Much more has happened, and this is merely a synthesis of three exciting and
life-enriching months. Spending them with David has made it even more special
for me, as we now have been together for four months. He is even learning some
Norwegian - the Bergen dialect, of course! Till next time, friends - I
appreciate having you there!
All my love,
Gertinho