2022 Year In Review: Gratitude and Sharing of Traditions

Dear Community,

First off I want to express my deep and sincere gratitude to so many of you. To my TTC family, those I work with everyday to bring to life the dream and vision of this movement and to whom I am forever connected. To our Ally community, the brave and courageous ones that continue to lead the way at the leading edge of a new dawn in travel. To our wider support network, friends, connections, and those that inspire us each day. And to each of you that are receiving this message, you are here for a reason, at this moment in time to fulfill a higher purpose through your gifts and spirit. I hope that over the years I can give to each of you a fraction of what you have given to me.

I often find myself in a state of reflection this time of year. Whether we do it by intention or not, as our calendars turn so does our gaze often turn inward to reflect on what has come to pass and what is to come in the future. Lately I have been thinking a lot about my own journey of Transformation and my relationship with travel. I’d like to share a story with you that I think illustrates what I mean.

I was around 15 or 16. The typical and almost universally shared angst and experiences of adolescence were present with me for sure, but I also had deeper struggles. Trauma. Anxiety. Panic, Depression. My daily life was like a boiling soup of ingredients that left me often feeling isolated, lost, and hopeless. It was a difficult time in my relationship with my family, the challenges of finding your own truth and imagining your own path in a world that didn’t often encourage free thinking adding to the biological makeup of this particular human to create a veritable cyclone of emotional distress.

This is not to say that as a middle-class white male American teenager that my life was somehow harder than anyone else’s. This is to say that the inner world that raged on within my soul was not a welcoming place or a venue for healthy self actualization or growth.

There are only a handful of moments in life that truly represent moments of monumental impact. For me, one of the first came in the form of a phone call from my basketball coach.

The invite came while I was at home pretending to do my homework, probably on the phone with my then girlfriend-now-wife where I spent most of my time in those days. I was asked by this coach to join a team of regional high school kids on a 3 week tour of Europe to play local teams and participate in a big tournament in Gothenburg, Sweden.

At this point in my life now, where I have visited more countries that US States, I am embarrassed to say I had to take out a map and look to see where these places were located. As my finger traced across the paper from Port Townsend, WA to Scandinavia I had a flash in my mind of what I might see that far away from the place I had never really left. What would it be like? Who would I meet? Would there be cheeseburgers there? What would I find there so far away from everything I knew?

At this point in the story it is important to make a point. I didn’t know how to describe it at the time, I didn’t have the vocabulary, understanding, or courage to make an attempt, but what I was seeking was belonging. Not just belonging to a group or community, but belonging to life, literally to being alive, and to my own sense of self. I am sure many of you can relate to that feeling of searching that so often accompanies struggle and challenge with mental health.

When you exist in a world that you know you don’t belong to, but don’t even have the thought that there might be something else out there, the experience of a completely different and amazing place is profound and transformational. I moved through that trip like it was a dream, my mind expanding almost minute by minute with each new way of being I saw, new way of speaking and eating and loving. There was a sense of euphoria that came with an instant shift in what I knew to be true. The despair and hopelessness that was a constant companion was all of a sudden put into a brand new paradigm. One that was much wider and much more open than it was before.

Belonging is a funny thing for me. I have since come to understand that belonging, too, is not as rigid and set in stone as it once was. Looking back now, that travel experience reframed for me the idea. Belonging did not have to have a nice tidy definition, a set of bullet points that made me feel a part of something. Belonging could come in the form of possibility. To go from a world where the very real possibility of losing my life to my challenges existed, to one where the hope of belonging and the promise of acceptance, healing, and hope can’t be understated as the most profound transformation of my early life.

It is without hyperbole and with the utmost care and respect, as well as self-consciousness, that I can say now that that experience saved my life. That experience sparked a transformation that continues to this day. The beautiful and complex pathway that leads us where we are meant to go.

When we talk about travel changing the world, this is how. Travel has the power to transform. If nothing else, I am living proof of that.

From Where We Have Come and To Where We Are Going

It might be cliche or overplayed, but it is nonetheless that this time of year conjure feelings of reflection, introspection, and taking stock of our own state of being. At the TTC, if we are nothing else we are a mindful bunch often exploring the inner world as much as the outer. So we wanted to share some of our highlights from this past year as well as our hopes for the year to come.

Highlights 2022

1. We held our second TRANSCEND gathering for 100 of our community members in the beautiful mountains of Slovenia
2. We welcomed 40 more amazing Transformational Travel practitioners into our Transformation Design Course bringing our total graduates to over 250 amazing Transformers
3. Our Ally community grew to over 230 members from 25+ countries
4. We launched a brand new Allyship Community Platform in partnership with YouLi to give our community a place to thrive
5. We were awarded the Meaningful Travel award for our work in Transformational Travel
6. We were voted by our peers a winner of the Wellness Supplier Award at Synergy - The Retreat Show (hyperlink: https://www.theretreatshow.com/)
7. Our Regenerative Places Program welcomed its second early adaptor in Whidbey & Camano Island Tourism

Dreams For 2023

To bring our community together for TRANSCEND ‘23 to continue our Transformational journey together
Continue to share wisdom through our Transformational Travel Design Course and welcome more people into the community
Serve our Ally community by creating space for learning and collaboration
Expand our network by welcoming new Allies from diverse backgrounds and sectors of tourism to contribute their wisdom to the movement
(A personal one) To honor our team here at the TTC and continue to create an environment where we can not just do meaningful work but live in our wholeness with each other

I hope that you will join us on this journey and stay connected to this work in whatever way make sense for you. You are always welcome just as you are.

Traditions Representing The Diversity of our Community

The TTC community is a global one. We are from all parts of the world, from all traditions and backgrounds, and representative of the beautiful possibility of openness and acceptance. At this time of year I always enjoy the different ways in which people celebrate and commemorate this time. I know my family and community have our own traditions and I hold them close.

We wanted to share some examples from our community. We asked a few members of the TTC community, “What is your favorite tradition this time of year that represents your culture or community?” Here is what they had to say.

Dawnielle Tehama, Oregon American Indigenous Traditions

Winter is the dead time.... the quiet time. A time for the earth to be reborn. In my household, we do not go outside at night if we do not have to, we are quiet outdoors when we are out, and we do not cut our hair. My family and I will string up dried fruits and berries, grain and other things, and on a bright day near the solstice, take those garlands from harvest and string them in the woods for the animals. But we know that taking time in the natural world, in the most quiet of times (especially in the snow) allows us to reconnect to the natural world, sharpens our senses, and reconnects us with our power.

“History of the Ceremony and the C'waam”
If the Fish Die, the People Die.

In the old times we believed everything we needed to live was provided for us by our Creator in this rich land east of the Cascades. We still believe this. We saw success as a reward for virtuous striving and likewise as an assignment of spiritual favor, thus, “Work hard so that people will respect you”, was the counsel of our elders. For thousands upon countless thousands of years we survived by our industriousness. When the months of long winter nights were upon us, we survived on our prudent reserves from the abundant seasons. Toward the end of winter, when supplies dwindled, large fish runs surged up the Williamson, Sprague, and Lost River. At the place on the Sprague River where gmok’am’c first instituted the tradition, we still celebrate the Return of c’waam Ceremony.

Traditions of the Klamath Tribe state that watchmen or swaso.llalalYampgis were placed along the riverbanks to see exactly when the fish would return. The head shaman would then give thanks for their return to the People. The last known shaman to perform the ceremony was Lee Snipes – Captain Sky, perhaps in the early 30’s.

Now, the Klamath Tribe has chosen individual Tribal members, along with our Tribal Elders and the Cultural and Heritage Department, to continue this traditional ceremony. By continuing this ceremony the Klamath Tribes are ensuring the survival of both a species and our Tribal traditions

The Klamath Tribe celebrate each year with traditional dancing and drumming, a traditional feed, releasing of a pair of c’waam into the river, and other ceremonial practices. The c’waam are provided by the Tribes own aquatic research center.

Greg Bakunzi: Rwandan Tradition

“HARVEST CELEBRATION-UMUGANURA DAY”

Umuganura Day is a big celebration and falls on the first Friday in August every year and brings in so many enjoyable activities as it celebrates the beginning of the harvest season. Literally translated Umuganura means “first-fruits festival” and this long week of events present arts, cultural and performances on the final Umuganura day.

Traditionally Umuganura was an agricultural harvest, the main agricultural produce presented at court, would be “imbuto nkuru” what Rwandans believed to be the first seeds, bequeathed to them by their ancestors, chief among which is Sorghum In essence it was the celebration of new life, the strengthening of the Rwanda nation.

Thus, Rwandans would be reminded of who and what they are, and called upon to continue on that path and its only on three occasions since the founding of the Rwandan nation that Umuganura was not celebrated, and on all these three occasions, the nation was in peril.

Renata Sabela, Polish Tradition

“Waiting For The First Star”

Many Poles wait until the first star appears in the sky before sitting down to eat on 24th December. This tradition commemorates the Star of Bethlehem, which according to the New Testament guided the Wise Men to the birthplace of Christ. Nowadays, with so many satellites circling around the Earth and reflecting light, its sometimes tricky to adhere to this tradition, but many families do their best.

”Sharing An Opłatek”

Opłatek is an unleavened wafer made of flour and water embossed with a religious image. Every person attending the Christmas celebration gets one and then shares pieces of it with everyone else. This is accompanied by exchanges of good wishes and occurs before sitting down to eat. This tradition is linked to the breaking of bread at the Last Supper.

”Speaking With Animals”

According to an old Polish legend, animals are granted the gift of speech on Christmas Eve as a reward for their role in welcoming Jesus on earth. As a result, children often try to extract a word or two out of bewildered family pets.

”Leaving An Empty Space”

Once everybody sits down at the table to taste the delicious Christmas dishes you might notice that one place is still empty. Many Poles still leave an empty place set at the table in case a person down on luck should show up and ask for shelter. While this rarely happens nowadays, the tradition nevertheless requires that lone strangers be taken in and treated as family.

Banafsheh Khoshnevis, Iranian Traditions

Actually, Iranians don’t celebrate Christmas because our New Year starts at the beginning of springtime which is around March 21st.
Nowruz, which means “new day” is a holiday representing the arrival of Spring and the first day of the year in Iran. Its roots are as a feast day in Zoroastrianism, a religion practiced in ancient Persia that viewed the arrival of Spring as a victory over darkness. We celebrate the Nowruz days in advance and after the Nowruz day with different traditions. Here are some of them:

“Chahrshanbe Suri”

On the last Wednesday before Nowruz, many celebrate Charshanbe Suri. We make fire and jump over it. We sing songs and offer sweets to others. Making fire in Zoroastrian means a victory over darkness.

”Nowruz Day”

We set up tables covered with seven symbolic items they call haft-seen. Haft means “seven” and “seen” is “s” in Farsi. All of the items start with the letter “S” and they’re a symbol of goodness in the new year. All family members gather around the table and wait for the New Year time!

”Eid Didani”

Iranians start visiting their family and relatives from the day after Nowruz. Usually, the younger people go to older relatives’ houses and spend some time together, dancing and sing. The host will pay money to the kids of their guest as “Eidi”. It’s a present!

”Sizdah be Dar”

Sizdah means 13. This tradition happens 13 days after Nowruz day. Iranians go to have a picnic in nature and call this day “Nature Day”. They’ll enjoy the pleasant weather and views of the spring. Nature tells us a new life has come so we can start over.

Patricia Deza, Peruvian Traditions

Being Peru a multicultural country, Christmas traditions are different depending where you are.

On the coast, south of Lima we have the Black Christmas where the afro Peruvians celebrate the birth of Jesus with unique dances and music. One called the “Hatajo de negritos” mainly performed by men from different ages stomping to the sound of violin and bells in which three cultural values are mixed: the values of the prehispanic Andean world, the legacy of the African rhythms brought to this part of Perú, and that of the European Catholicism. It is danced on December 24th and 25th.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xZVjOdEVZv8.

In Puno, Southern Perú in the Andes on the shores of Lake Titicaca families are used to reading the coca leaves at midnight. This special ritual will give information on how next year will be.

On December 25th Peruvians visit the grandparents for a lunch where, depending on the region you will enjoy a delicious lunch previous to a good home made pisco sour. It is a day to share with the grandparents and family to receive and give gifts and affection.

Maria Jose Andrade, Ecuador/Andean Traditions

Ecuador is a very diverse country with 14+ different ethnic groups. The ones that I'm pointing our are those traditions that can be experienced vastly around the country, more than traditions that are very local to a region or an ethnic group.

”INTI RAYMI”
This indigenous tradition is celebrated on June 24th each year, the day the sun is closer to the Earth. It is the celebration of the harvest as well. Many indigenous communities gather and celebrate this festivity on their communities with dancing, music, meeting, and greeting with their neighbors. It is the Andean way of celebrating the Summer Solstice. For the Inti Raymi the participants will prepare themselves for the festivities by fasting and doing several purification rituals. They will choose somebody from the community to be the leader or prioste of the celebration, the one that is in charge of paying the bill for the festivity. It is kind of a competition between the new prioste and the one that was the previous year.

”NEW YEARS EVE”
New years eve is celebrated in Ecuador by "burning" a puppet that represents the year that has passed. Usually, you will find puppets for sale since December 24th on the roads and markets. Most of the time, these puppets are the representations of politicians, the President of Ecuador, and international characters (such as the Presidents of other countries, football players, music stars, or any character that has been on the news). So this puppet is called the viejo. It is burned in front of the house or in the street before the "old year" ends, and as a way of marking the new beginning. When the clock strikes mid day we gather a suitcase and run surrounding the block of our neighborhood or the house, to call for new travels and trips for the year to come.

Raj Gyawali, Nepali Traditions

Hello, World!

“EIGHT NEWS YEARS”

Nepal starts its first new years in November when the locals form Kathmandu celebrate the turning of their calendar. Post that, close to the Western New years is the Gurung New Year, the Tamang New Year, then the Western New year, followed by Tibetan, Sherpa and Chinese new year. The last new year is the official Nepali new year which falls in the middle of April, and we are 57 years ahead of the English calendar. We are currently already in 2079 Bikram Sambat (like AD in Nepal). So really, Nepal is a perfect place for New Years resolutions.

“ROPAIN - RICE PLANTING FESTIVAL”

In June, the onset of the monsoon is all about planting rice. Tradition states that one has to plant at least two seedlings to respect food, and the effort it takes. During the festival, people get into the mud, plant some rice, play some games, get very very wet and muddy and later enjoy a feast. A great tradition in repect of food and farmers

“DANCING WITH SHAMANS”

In August, during the occult blue moon, apprentice shamans go into high mountain lakes and dance the night away in trance to turn into full shaman. it's a spectacle even locals cannot wait to see, so they flock in the thousands.

“CELEBRATING LIFE OF THE DEAD”

During this festival in August, people in Kathmandu valley who had someone die during that year will come out in a procession to celebrate the life of the deceased. There is much merriment during the day. This tradition was started about 350 years ago, when the king designed this festival to console his mourning wife when his son died, so that she could see that everyone has people die on them, and life should be celebrated, not mourned.

Poonam Rawat-Hahne, Himalayan Traditions

“Phooldai”

The festival of Phool Dei is celebrated in the Garhwal and Kumaun regions of Uttarakhand - Indian Himalayas every year in the flowering season (March-April). Children go into farms, forests, and gardens in the morning and collect fresh flowers to offer to the local deities as a welcome gesture for the onset of the spring season.

Children put forward their wishes for the prosperity and well-being of households while singing "Phool Dei, Chamma Dei” and placing flowers at the doorsteps of houses. In return, they are presented with blessings and gifts like sweets, jaggery, and money. People of the village sing and dance to their folk songs to celebrate the festival of spring along with exchanging wishes for well being and prosperity of their family and relatives.

This is the month when the entire Uttarakhand is covered with a blanket of colorful flowers, mainly from peach, plum, apricot, cherry, almond, pear, and apple trees. The red rhododendron flowers, locally called branch (the state tree of Uttarakhand), is a spectacle in the season. The yellow flowers of pheonly, scientifically known as Reinwardtia indica, is also common and used widely during the occasion, as are mustard flowers.

This is one of my favorite festivals, with so much nature involved. Before taking the flowers, we ask for permission from the trees and plants and thank them for their beauty and generous offering. Significance of this festival – new beginnings.

“Bhailo”

Festival that spreads the light of happiness.

Bhailo or Igas is celebrated 11 days after the rest of India celebrates Diwali in Uttrakhand, Indian Himalayas. It’s all about the community coming together for the celebration, food is prepared and consumed together sweets are exchanged, and folk songs and dances are performed by the villagers. Every household lights up oil lamps, exchanges sweets, and plays bhailo There is a bundle of woods like Bhailo, Pine or Bhimal etc. Which is tied with a rope and twisted around the body. This is a celebration of happiness and victory over the darkness/evil.

I love this festival as the whole community gets together to celebrate and support each other through the cold winter days. It’s the significance of the festival which I love – no matter what and how long, good always wins!

Guest UserDecember 27, 2022