The Green Pastures (N.C. PA USA) MudGathering just ended, and I wanted to say to everyone planning the Germany one-- hey everyone, have a GREAT TIME.

What I learned from just having done this is that the more advance prep you do just in case, the more you get to relax and not worry at ALL as things unfold. None of my prep was wasted, even though I felt quite over-prepared.... like smart packing, I actually used everything I had gotten or rearranged or planned for, and needed every contingency plan I'd made, in some small way, that allowed it all to unfold effortlessly and with no RUNNING things once arrivals began.

I also learned that putting all the info in the thread like I did, and like you seem to be doing, was GREAT. Everyone knew everything they needed to know to help keep everything flowing really well and seamlessly. Best cooperation between people who didn't even know one another that I have ever seen. I think we could have sailed a tallship if we'd wanted to.

We also found it very important to have a space where people could drop out of the things going on as they needed to. People who needed to rest, or just chill out, wandered off unhindered and unpursued, and this kept all the energy very positive throughout. A few seemed to make a bit of a retreat out of the weekend. Some people found themselves talking about deep things that had been preoccupying them, and there were many good listeners in our bunch.

Anyway I wish you the best with your MudGather! Maybe someday all the people who've ever hosted one can get together and talk about how intense it is to be at one you have organized! Wow!!!!

~Susan