"...it will be more meaningful knowing that the water washing ashore may have come from the places of the many people...brought together in this discussion."

Marilyn

I have posted two messages from another discussion where Adriana and Carolynn are planning a global project that involves the sea as well as everyday lives in cities around the world. These messages are an example of the kinds of collaboration we can do in our global community. As I read Adri's message I remembered my wonderful days in Rio during the KIDLINK meetings there. I took this picture at dawn from my hotel room.- Patti

Carolynn: Marion, Liz, Adri and the others I have loads of ideas about Cape Town and its "symbolic links' with the sea as perceived by the first colonists to South Africa - but its late and the're no time for FUN... so at the weekend I will express them - they're brimming over.. like the first colony established in 1652 by a Dutchman (Jan van Riebeeck), the meetingplace of the two great oceans, Atlantic - west, cold) and the Indian (warm, east), the climate and rainfall, the indigenous peoples and their traditions and associations with the sea..also how the sea plays a role in our everyday lives (not just here in Cape Town).

We have many topics to share and husband, Mike is keen to assist if a seafaring travelbuddy lands on our shore and needs some more scientific advice while the participants follow his journey......... could he go down in a submersible off the Comores and look at the coelacanths (the ancient endangered fish which have survived unchanged for so many years) --is there a possibility of "affixing" a film clip accessible to our participants of this wonderful fishes' mode of swimming which is quite spectacular.... Then there's the collaboration with the Two Oceans Aquarium see

http://www.aquacape.co.za

Then there's monster stories of the sea - how should we fit these in - monster squids (real), octopuses

I'll be in touch

Adri: I am sure that the sea means a lot and plays different roles in our lives. But one thing we have in common... It isn't only important...it's essencial... Brazil is a very, very big country and the way people deal with the sea depends a lot of their economical level and culture. There are places, mostly at the Northest part, where fishing means life... In Rio, there are fishmen too, but fishing here means a sport... a way of having fun.

In Bahia, the religion has a link with the sea because of Iemanja (a representation of a queen of the sea, a sign that has to do with people faith). Here in Rio, people remember Iemanja at December 31, when millions of people go to the beaches to wait the end of one year and the beggining of a new one. Candles on the sand, perfumes, flowers, jewels inside small boats that people give as a gift to Iemanja, hoping for a good year, full of peace and joy. In general, people use white clothes at that date. Well...There's a lot to say...

Brazil has many stories...
Legends... beautiful ones...
What about translating some of them???
Would you like to read one???

Carolynn: Adri (and Patti thank you)
A brief hello and exression of delight for the opportunity of sharing these wonderful writings and feelings - yes the sea has a special meaning for me, for our family, for our research and more importantly, as an opportunity to bring our boundaries closer together as students, teachers (kapunas) and parents. I look forward to having my random scattered thoughts and feelings harnessed by this excellent discussion group!

Marilyn: Hi and aloha,
Carolynn and Adri,
Your sharings about the sea brought back memories. One day, while on a field trip with a group of our students, I happened to be standing and talking to a person, a kupuna--Hawaiian word for teacher. Both of us were ankle deep, standing in waters off of our windward shores, watching the students who were engaged in finding seaweed in the shallow waters. As we talked, our conversation turned to the ocean activity that the students were engaged in.

Regretfully, as this happened several years ago, I do not remember the exact words but the message that this person shared created much meaning for me. She was somewhat disappointed that the younger generation did not appreciate and respect the ocean or realize its importance. She continued by saying that the waters we were standing in were not ours and would not remain in one place. The ocean water is never static. It is always changing. The waters of the ocean, more importantly, has touched every shore, every land and are continously flowing, joining and mixing, each wave bringing some new experiences encountered in a far off land.

I was speechless after this profound sharing, but in reflection, it provided a new insight and developed my appreciation for the ocean that totally surrounds us. Although I am not a swimmer, I do enjoy sitting on the beach. The next time I am able to do that, it will be more meaningful knowing that the water washing ashore may have come from the places of the many people that Patti has brought together in this discussion.

aloha for now.

Patti: Marilyn and all,

Beautiful thoughts! I just *knew* that the sea would have special meaning for those of you who live in Hawaii. My home is only 30 minutes from the Atlantic Ocean and my children cannot imagine living in a place where they couldn't take a quick ride to the beach.

As a child I remember being frightened by the waves and running back to the beach where I was more comfortable. I lived inland and it took 2.5 hours to get to the Ocean so we didn't go there often. My children, who have grown up with the ocean, are not afraid at all. They know just when to approach the waves, jump in and ride with them.......

Our new technologies are frightening waves to some and at the same time an exciting ride to others. We can let the waves knock us down and retreat to the safe shores, or we can help each other enjoy the adventures of letting these waves take us to new experiences.

....and while we are walking the shores.... Hannah and David can tell us about the wadi and their beautiful Negev Desert.

Adri: Dear Marilyn...

I found poetry inside your words... Beautiful words...

I would like to comment some of your ideas, inside them I find important thoughts...

You said that... "She was somewhat disappointed that the younger generation did not appreciate and respect the ocean or realize its importance."

Despite the topic, the younger generations are able of appreciating many things, mostly if we, as teachers can show them the importance who "lives" inside them. The world changes quickly, it's easy to see it... But, as Paulo Freire (an important brazilian educator) said once, we must build a Present, full of Past and Future. I see that the possibility of re-understanding things is available... we can reach it... but our ways and creativity will have to be special and new... important fellings... special and new! We know that younger generations think and act differently as we do/did... But there's no surprise here... the world isn't the same anymore... But, the key is the ability of discovering what is meaningful and true inside our cultures, inside our Universe...

You said also that... "She continued by saying that the waters we were standing in were not ours and would not remain in one place. The ocean water is never static. It is always changing. The waters of the ocean, more importantly, has touched every shore, every land and are continously flowing, joining and mixing, each wave bringing some new experiences encountered in a far off land. I was speechless after this profound sharing, but in reflection, it provided a new insight and developed my appreciation for the ocean that totally surrounds us."

It is true, my dear... The air, the earth, the sea... our thoughts, our feelings... Energy??? Yes... Once someone told me that computers were strange machines, who intended to keep man's place... But... Hey, people, can you feel how deep we can go here??? We use bits, bytes, softwares and signs... but they are under our decisions. We can share and be together here. The Net, the sea, a route, many ways, many conquerors... unknown lands, the pleasure of discovering... Waves and its sounds... they reach distant places, singing an important melody... We must join our thoughts and act into better days, because the waves must come and go... come and go... come and go...

Friends! I feel that it's important to be here...

Um beijo.