Tuesday Night June 21, on the Gulf Island Earthship Build:
The workday is done, and now it’s time to relax. We’ve cleaned up, and arrived at the campsite the Eartship Biotecture Crew is tenting at. Some fellow Volunteer Interns from the build have organized a ‘Crew Appreciation Dinner’, at the crew’s main house on site used for cooking and showering.
Check out the unique chimney on the roof, and the cut outs on the front gate.
Inside, Interns and Crew are enjoying a fantastic reprieve by being indoors, sitting in chairs, and dining at tables filled with a buffet of wonderful home cooking.
The Intern Cook of the evening is serving it up at the open bar (left), while the rest of us are in good spirits for the evening.
Inside the amazing large kitchen, the Earthship Biotecture Crew have decided to pitch in and make some extra goodies for the evening menu.
After dinner, the crew and interns enjoy an impromptu Jamming Session, with instruments they brought to the Island, and a complete drum set that was found neglected in the bowels of the house basement. The house is reputed to be haunted, however I’m not going there! For those of you curious enough to find out what I’m referring to, you can check out our Fringe Dweller website.
Meanwhile… outside… a loud booming cacophony can be heard, and it’s getting louder. I’m out on the front porch, and greeted with this scene of strange creatures known as ‘The Locals’ coming up the lawn with a curious invitation…
Seems we’ve been invited to a Local Tradition… the ‘Island Solstice Party’, taking place on the extreme other end of the Gulf Island. After 4 and a half weeks on this remote, off grid Island, we’ve been embraced by the Islanders and included in this Mythical yearly tradition. The dilemma here, was not only getting to the ‘Other Side’, but back as well, as we had another workday on the Earthship Build first thing in the morning … and just where was that booming German Reggae filling the wireless airwaves coming from???…
… well apparently getting to the Solstice Celebration wouldn’t be a problem. The above ‘Fun Mobile’ was brought to our attention…
… and we were curiously… speechless. With open mouths and pure wonderment, we circled the ‘Booming Sound System’ on wheels…
The driver assured me this vehicle was operational (left). Check out the ‘stick shift’ to the left of the steering wheel (right).
Yes… let’s just take a moment for a closer look. Let’s admire with a smile the ingenuity of recycling… bendy desk lamps for headlights… good for those hard to see spots at night… and in the dark just have whoever is riding shotgun bend them accordingly. Just out of sight at the bottom is the power bar powering the Sound System, complete with iPod playlists. Where does the person riding shotgun sit you ask?…
… well up front of course… in the lap of luxury. Who says you always need to see where you’re going. Where do the rest of us sit?…
… in the Living Room of course… and strapped in, well , at least the couches are strapped in.
We couldn’t resist checking out the Mobile Living Room (left). Yes, those orange straps are not only holding the couch in place, but the giant speakers from falling off on each side as well (right).
The drive down to the ‘Other Side’ of the Island with no windshield means…
… a very windy ride, and hanging on to your Viking Helmet! Yes that’s me on the right with the goofy expression… wasn’t easy hanging on to my seat, my helmet, and operating the Flip Cam! (Eventually there’ll be YouTube postings of the evenings festivities)
Gotta get those photos of such a ‘Sweet Ride’, as well as being in the moment and drumming on top of the ‘mondo’ speakers booming out that crazy cool German Reggae.
There’s no seat belts on this ride… so hang on and ‘Hand Surf’!
Eventually we arrive to the Solstice Party, and those bendy coloured desk lamps were handy in getting here.
By the time we arrived , I had just enough time to grab this shot of the Harbor in the fading light.
I have no photos of the rest of the evening… sigh… , so you’ll have to use your imagination when I describe the Live DJ combining vinyl with the digital age to produce a mix of Techno World Beats for an off grid outdoor Rave on the Coastal Rocks. People had brought their chairs and rugs from their homes and set them up here in the open ocean air to create outdoor Living Rooms with no walls. A buffet table was laden with everything from Salad to a plethora of goodies. Curiously, I was told the only ‘non-magical’ food on the table ‘safe’ to eat was the Chocolate Cake. It was divine. Others were BBQing fresh Seafood and Organic Island Lamb and Chicken for all the Carnivores. People had gathered to share food, music, laughter, and celebration. One of the Locals turned to me with a big grin on his face and said ‘Welcome to the Island’.
Image Credits: Monica Holy
[...] of us partaking in last night’s activities at the Island Solstice Rave, are what you would refer to as ‘Hurting Units’ this morning. So thankfully we have the [...]
WHAT a RIOT!!! I know hard work had to happen but it looks like there was moments of fun that will be with you for eternity…maybe the haunting will also move onto a happier place…SUPER GOOD stuff, thanx for sharing such wonderful inspiration.
[...] Next Post… [...]