A Walk in the Woods

The performance story I offered at Mennerode on the arts evening

has been transformed into a blog offering.

Enjoy . . . !

One afternoon, early in the ALIA Europe week,

I need to clear my mind from all the talking

and feel the "more-than-human" world.

I step outside and walk into the woods . . .

But this path goes on and on.

There is no right turn to take me back.

Suddenly right to my side, standing in the dark woods, I see a small herd - eight of them -

all different sizes, bristled, tusked. I stop. They stop. We watch each other.

After a long moment they all trot away and I think ,

"Ah - this is why I came out here. It's all worth it now !"

I ask him where the conference center is. He doesn't know but tells me if I keep going I'll get to Ellspeet.

I've been walking for an hour and a half. I find my way to the village, comforted by the presence of

houses. I turn down the paved road. Four teenagers on bicycles pass by and assure me the center is

two kilometers ahead. I begin to calm down . . .

I step into the building. It is buzzing with activity.

I appreciate each person in a whole new way.