Omega II: Visiting with the Sages
Day 1 - The Arrival - Part 1

by Alisa Joaquin

A personal account of the Tai Chi, Qi Gung, & Taoist Meditation Workshop held at the Omega Institute with David Carradine from October 6-8, 2000

We arrived and once again dropped off our luggage to be taken to our assigned dorm cabin then went to the main registration office.

The Main Building

This time on entering the building, we both noticed there was a great sculpture in the center.

Sculpture

After registration was completed, we once again headed toward the main campus. Arriving back at Omega has felt like arriving back home. I had not realized how much this place had gotten under my skin. It was wonderful to see that small wooden sign just waiting for any new or old visitor to enter this space. It has sacredness about it and I hope it continues to thrive as a community.

Me and the sign

As Helen and I were walking back up the hill past guest services, we noticed how much colder it was this year. I think because of the timing on the calendar dates. Last year, the first weekend in October followed right on the heals of September and it was still warm. Indian Summer had hit early or perhaps Mother Nature was not ready to give up on regular summer just yet. This year, that fall chill is present but not unwelcome. The trees are really pretty here. I am certain there will be fog in the morning and that will add an even better atmosphere to the place.

Helen and I welcomed the fact that this time, we did not stay in the tent cabins this year. It would have been much colder and we would have required more than just blankets from guest services to keep us warm. It was just as well. They had dismantled the cabins and left the platforms. Apparently, after September, the staff at Omega decided to put them away for the winter. Since I neglected to take a picture of our tent cabin last year, I took a photo of the platform this year. Ours was number three. You'll just have to let your imagination build the structure to know what it might have looked like.

The platform

This year, the accommodations we chose were a dorm cabin. If you remember the pine trees and the small Buddha garden, beyond that was a semi-circle of white cottage-like houses with porches.

Our cabins

We did not know what to expect when we found our "dorm." I thought the dorm might have been one large room with several beds, but that was not the case. Our cabin was number 73.

Me on porch of cabin 73)

I had room 4 and Helen had room 2. There were six other rooms bringing the total to 8 people per dorm cabin. Yes folks, this was not so rustic as everyone is imaging it to be. In fact our rooms, though sparse, were quite comfortable as this photo displays. Helen's room was a corner one and a little larger. She also had two windows. That meant more light. I think next year we'll switch. (Just kidding. ;-) )

My room

The beds were nice thick mattresses on a platform that contained two drawers to place your clothes if you were going to be there longer than a weekend. (Omega does offer weeklong seminars and workshops. And I am certain that staff who stay for the whole summer need space for their things as well.)

The whole cabin was heated and we did not have to go outside to another building to use the showers or the restroom. Next year, if we attend, we will again get a dorm cabin. Unless my hubby and daughter come, then we will have to consider a more private cabin. I do not think people would appreciate a 19 month old child (which is what she will be by next year) running around if they are trying to take a nap. Though there are walls between rooms, they are not that thick, just thick enough to allow for some privacy and to cut down on some noise. Even though sound is cut down, they are thin enough to let some sound through. If you are going to talk, you better make certain it is down almost to a whisper or make sure that there is no one sleeping next door or across the hall. At least that way you have further space between to dampen the sound. Better yet, if you plan on staying up late, you might want to go to the dinning hall or to the cafe to talk. Wouldn't want to disturb the neighbors.

Alisa Joaquin Copyright@2000.
This personal account cannot be reprinted or sold in any other form without strict permission from the author. It is being distributed here solely for your enjoyment.

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