First Day in Almaty

I had been told that where I was staying wasqs near mountains but was unable to see them in the dark when I arrived. I was greeted with a wonderful sight of them the next morning. 

I would have liked a lie in after the long day of traveling but as Svetlana is one of the organizers we had to be up early to go to the hotel.  So after a lovely breakfast that included goats cheese Svetlana had made we drove through Almaty to the Alatau hotel.  

I soon heard that Phyllis had organized an outing for some of us to go to the mountains and visit a special lake there. It was a wonderful day out that included a delicious picnic of local bread made by another of the organizers, 2 types of dried apricots, pistachios and assam tea.

The colour of the lake is amazing and the atmosphere there with the mountains all around with snow covered peaks was beautiful. 

  

We then went to a Chinese restaurant! The food was more like the food I've had in China than the Chinese food we have in the UK, but with a few local elements such as the iced mint tea and local fish.

On the way back we went to a market because Phyllis wanted to get some provisions. I love markets so enjoyed looking at all the local vegetables and bought some round hard cheeses that I thought would be a good snack!

Eventually Svetlana and I returned to her home and I fell gratefully into bed! I had little trouble falling asleep even if it was only 6.30pm UK time (Kazakhstan is 4 hours ahead).

The journey begins

My flights to Almaty went smoothly. The only slight challenge was that just as I was leaving home I received an email from the person who was to meet me at the airport Almaty which was in Russian. I had no time to use Google to translate it! I had no time to do anything about it at Birmingham airport, but managed to get online in Amsterdam between flights. The message reassured me that someone would be there to meet me when I arrived even though it would be 1.30am.

On the first flight from Birmingham to Amsterdam I had a lovely surprise: the flight crew knew it was my birthday and gave me a bag they had decorated with a birthday message containing two packets of almonds and a small bottle of bubbly!  I received another gift on the second flight: a note book made in Nepal covered in stars.

There was indeed someone to meet me - a lovely Reiki master called Svetlana and her husband, who took me into their hearts and to a very welcome and comfy bed!

So the first part of my adventure was full of pleasant surprises and ease.

Preparations

Well the bags are packed, I've checked in online and almost ready to go.

I'm deeply touched by the support and generosity I've received from people to help me achieve my goal of attending the OGM Retreat.  Without you I simply would not be going on this adventure!  I know the next days will have their challenges - it's a long way to travel - but I also know they will be full of miracles and further gifts.

I've met some of the Russian and Kazhak masters who are organizing the retreat at other events, such as the OGM Retreat in 2013 in Madrid, but I'm looking forward to meeting many more of them at the retreat - I have heard there will be 130 of us!

For those who don't know: OGM stands for Office of Grand Master, the title given to Phyllis Furumoto (Lineage Bearer) and Paul Mitchell (Head of Discipline) of Usui Shiki Ryoho Reiki. 

I've been asked by Phyllis and Paul to act as a 'docent' for group - together with several other people.  This means helping to run the sessions and supporting Phyllis and Paul in their work.  On this occasion Paul is not going to be with us in person, but will be joining us via web link.  As he is in the USA this means that our meeting times will be unusual so that we can be together at times that he will be awake.  This will mean very early starts in the morning - especially for those of us from Western Europe as there will be a 4 hour time difference!

So I'm looking forward to beginning my journey tomorrow, to meeting Reiki students from other countries and to seeing Almaty which I've heard about often from Phyllis.