Day 10: Evaluating Sunday

Evaluation & learn from each other was the topic of this Sunday.

The day started out to be a bit messy. Being late, having several invitations. Edgar & Morten went to the Outgames Brunch with all the officials. After that, we had our evaluation on top of Illum, a luxury department store where the brunch was as well. Because we arrived as they were finishing up, we could get our hand on some drinks (bubbles & coffee).

Morten was kind enough to facilitate our group of travelers. The feedback felt good, it felt open and sincere. The spirit was positive and full of potential, so useful for upcoming events and for HANQ.

Afterwards we went to the next cafe for some internet, and straight on to the Outgames reception.

Free bar at the reception and the Danes couldn’t believe that I wasn’t interested in drinking as much as possible. The drinking culture here is way different then anywhere else in this world. If you can find a reason, you’ll drink. If you can’t find a reason, that is a reason to drink.

Sunday night I was going to biggest lounge festival in Denmark, Stella Polaris, having a drink & bite with Na & friends.

Today I’ve learned a lot about the process and what needs to be done to create HANQ. Besides that I’ve had a good time and relaxed a bit.

Day 9: Gay Parade, HANQ

It was my mission to facilitate the ultimate test for HANQ. Unfortunately I counted a lot on my network without putting effort in community building. Thank god for my strength, adapting to a situation and making it happen. Together with approximately 20 kids, I pulled of a flashmob to show of what HANQ is capable of.

Data:
Saturday 1st of August 2009: Gay Pride Copenhagen as part of the Outgames 2009. Copenhagen World Outgames 2009 is a successful tribute to the global (LGBT) community and a fantastic celebration of diversity and love.

The Outgames seemed to be THE place to test the concept of HANQ, a school of creative entrepreneurship. I wanted to challenge HANQ travelers to shift their boundaries, expending their community and get in touch with sustainability. Unfortunately, Friends & HANQ travelers were a lot more interested in their beer and a good laugh. Luckily, there were a lot of youngsters ready to be challenged in a flash mob. In the spirit of “don’t be blue” they tried (and succeeded) to make the audience laugh. They made a song about gay – bi – straight love, performed it and had a lot of laughs with their face smashing pie.

We have some footage about the experience, but it needs time to edit. In the meanwhile, you might want to check the pictures.

After the flashmob, Edgar, Emma & I went to a coffeebar to upload some pictures on Flickr & send out some tweets, meanwhile, discussing the day and preparing for a night out: Dinner, drinks and a lesbian party at Christiana Havn. The Lesbian party was a lot like my old high school parties: 80′s & 90′s music, only girls on the dance floor, a lot of making out & even more gossip.

Conclusion
The day didn’t turn out the way I planned. I find it difficult to ask for help, with the risk of losing my community. I experience negative feedback from some of the community members as a personal attack. It kind of ruined my night out. It’s a good thing we agreed on an evaluation day tomorrow.

For those who like it: The beautiful song of the OUTGAMES:

FREEDOM TO LOVE

we are, the shiny stars tonight.
we are, the mirror in your eyes.
we are, the voice of hidden songs.
we are,one world,one love,daughters and sons.

love of freedom,
freedom to love
love of freedom,
free….
freedom to love.

manchild, i hold you in my arms.
manchild, miracle of life.
manchild, cried a thousand seas,
for the soul of beauty,
and human right to be.

1 Week: Pleasures & Difficulties

A day of sightseeing and personal reflection. What is it what is happening to you if you’d like to travel 4 free?

It is amazing to see how many people are opening their hearts and homes to you. But travel4free is doing something for yourself as well. Some personal development will take place.

Personally I find difficulties in asking people to do something for me. I’d rather do something for other people then the other way around. However, it does give me a good feeling if I can see that me asking for something and being there left something sustainably good. Giving someone a good feeling about themselves or helping them build up something are just a few examples.

Most difficult for me is actually to travel with someone. Being around someone 24/7 is asking something from me. I’m used to living and working independently, and it is a huge challenge for me to collaborate. Sometimes I like to be corrected by someone else, and being able to share the same experiences, but other times I hate being dependent and having to agree on subjects.

I value good relationships. But what is it about? Being willing to listen to others, meeting their needs, and in the mean time also standing for your own needs? Looking for an answer the last few days.

My day
Traveling around with old friend Nicholas Blok, I’ve see many spots in North Sealand. There are beautiful castles and churches, the ocean view on Sweden, sweet villages and amazing ice creams. It feels good to relax. Gaining our key back at Silas’ place, we all met together at a great place nearby to have candle light dinner.
Oh, yeah. The apples I picked (also for free at our sightseeing trip) were no good for an apple pie. They included so many worms, they were impossible to eat (by human beings)

Day 7: Collect a “Homo” for free

Mission:
Culture sniffing & getting out of Copenhagen, mission accomplished

Strange how soon you adapt to a new rythm. Staying at Silas felt like home. Working a bit, being relaxed, having good chats. It’s time to do some culture sniffing. After a breakfast of homemade bread and eggs we left Silas’ house all together and went to town to go see hanq traveler Nicholas Blok.

We’ve heard that it was able to collect a “Homo” for free at the library. Guess what? Sold out!!!

Instead we could watch some gay art for free.

After this, Nicholas and Silas took us to the Round Tower. It usually is 25 Danish Crowns to get in, but I got us in for free. A bit of talking and you can get a lot without paying.

A beautiful view all over town impressed us. The art museum we went to see afterwards was pretty nice too.

With Nicholas we went for the night. His parents prepared us a lovely dinner of lamb, a salad and gratin potatoes. With a homemade daim chocolate pie and strawberries afterwards. Something I hope I can proceed once I’m bak in my own home. I’d love to make some more homemade food, it tastes so much better.

What impresses me so much about theis trip is how nice people are. If you have a lack of convidence in people, travel4free is the ultimate challenge. I’ve met such nice people on the road. Nicholas compared it to being a pelgrim in the old days. It’s polite and common curtesy to invite Pilgrims in for a warm meal and a safe night. I experience it as so much more. People are putting a lot of effort, love and energy in it, to make you feel as comfortable as possible. It is an amazing feeling. We’ve been on the road for almost a week and we’ve had a hot shower, a wonderful breakfast, a hot meal and a warm & safe bed every day. Internet was available almost every day.