Sadly, the retreat passed in a flash. Only a day and a half after we’d arrived, it was almost time to leave again. After a morning program and class outdoors with Bhakti Caitanya Swami, Kartik prabhu began the closing ceremony, calling up each of the main organisers so that everyone present could vocally show their appreciation. As each person shyly made their way to the front, we all clapped and cheered. It was wonderful to hear Kartik prabhu give a description of what they had specifically been responsible for, as many had worked behind the scenes for the duration of the retreat. Some of the hardest workers, the kitchen team, continued to slave over their stoves right until the last moment, sacrificing the whole experience so that we could all enjoy tasty meals three times a day.

After all had been thanked, including our own incredibly hard working Rasa Acharya, everyone noticed that one person had been missed out – Kartik prabhu! As the founder and driving force behind the Krishna Balarama Youth Group, Kartik had also been the visionary for the retreat, as well as the organiser and executor of much of the practical effort required to make it happen. True to his humble nature, he didn’t want to be thanked, but he wasn’t counting on the combined efforts of Gaura and Ananta, who held him in what could only be described as an affectionate combined arm and head lock, whilst Prahladini dasi, another main organiser offered a heartfelt speech that had everyone giving a standing ovation.

The closing ceremony was followed by meditative kirtan, and one last meal eaten all together before loading the buses to leave. Sadly, before our South African trip was over, we were already saying goodbyes, as crews from Durban, Ladysmith, Newcastle and Cape Town departed for their respective destinations. We soon boarded our bus too, and began the long drive back to Jo’burg, reflecting on friendships gained and sweet moments shared.

Jahnavi Harrison plays Carnatic violin and sings in As Kindred Spirits. When not going to university, she travels the world painting and performing and tracking it all in her blog: The Little Conch.

Having trouble downloading? Read our Help Section.

• 01 Ananta Govinda – Hare Krishna (1941)
• 02 Gaura Vani – Hare Krishna (1649)