We just made two new friends from Denmark! Two kind, outgoing ambassadors who happen to be world class gymnast performers. After hosting these gymnasts from the National Danish Performance Team for 4 days our household is uplifted, as I think the entire YIS community is after watching their performances and participating in their workshops.
It's funny opening your home to total strangers. Of course, for me any concerns come around "What do they eat?" "What should I cook for them?" And of course, they appreciate good healthy food with lots of protein and veggies and fruit...not so hard :) And of course again, anytime you take a risk and open yourself to new experiences, what comes back to you is 10 times what you put out.
So much more than I expected...on a performance level and on a personal level. Performance-wise, I was thinking, "gymnastics...that should be cool." I wasn't thinking...gymnastics (with mind-boggling flips and twists and twirls), yoga (with 12 men simultanously holding a tricky handstand position for about 15 seconds), poi, hoops, ribbon sticks, ball dancing, romance, and clowning. So much of the beauty is in the yin and yang of the performance...men using muscle power to spin themselves in the air, women in pastels doing ballet with ribbons, and then the men showing their hearts as they dance the most graceful movements while the women allow their power to unfold over the hour.
This short trailer gives you a brief idea of what they're about.
On the personal level, the 25 gymnasts are chosen not only for their absolute talent, but for their ability to be ambassadors in a 10-month world touring homestay program. Imagine, you're an athlete needing to stay in top shape, training and performing wherever you go, and staying in random people's homes all over the world, eating what they feed you, sleeping where they put you, spending time with their children.
I'd say we were lucky with our two guests, Christina and Kamilla, who enriched our home during their stay, but I have a feeling each gymnast in the group is as delightful. I know, I am gushing, but I'm so impressed with the program and with the country it comes from. This form of gymnastics is traditional in Denmark, and is a part of the public education program. Coming from a country where "socialism" is a dirty word, hearing about Danish life, education, and the focus on healthy living gave me much food for thought.
We were so glad they wanted to soak and dine at Manyo Onsen...a treat for all of us!
If some beautiful Danish gymnasts ever come knocking on your door, I recommend letting them in!
Oh Ribbons! I love the ribbons!
Posted by: David | March 07, 2011 at 11:32 AM
Rachel, you wrote exactly how i, and others feel about our experience last week. I wonder if the Team knows just how much they impacted our lives, and those of our children. You are so right - we gave so little to receive so much. x
Posted by: Shelley | March 07, 2011 at 11:33 AM