The long awaited call for rejuvenation was answered when the trip down to Mel Cid was made (Rahmat Feast). This trip down can be said to have quench the thirst of spiritual energy and lead a complete renewal in both spirit and mind which have been gradually stained throughout these years. They seem to recount what have been left back then — the unlimited joyfulness and infinite ecstasy for one Goal and one Purpose.
That fateful morning woken up by the ringing alarm. A feeling of reluctant and laziness manifested itself, there was a slight desire to call the planned trip off. Eventually, the will to Mel Cid prevailed. Tagging along with 2 S’s from hse 8, we went to Morwell train station and catch the 0930 V-line to Mel Cid. Since this is me first trip down by train, thanks to them for guiding me, me manage to make it to Flinders train station (Mel Cid).
Upon arrival, the search for Queensberry hostel, QH began. The grid like spatial arrangement of Mel Cid makes life easy. Base on the hint given:
‘close to corner of Queensberry & Swanston’
It was thought that the place me was looking for was Queensberry Hotel. Maybe me have read the message wrongly or some sort of a typo. At that moment, a thought of how nice it would to spend a night in a hotel rather than a hostel ^.^ After snapping out from the brief moment of stray thoughts, me matched the building address and me hopes were crushed. It turn out that it was a hostel indeed — Queensberry Hostel 146, in the corner of an alley.
Arrived at the destination, unfortunately no one was in and unable to contact me Melbourne contact Beow and his son. It was freaking cold outside so I decided to roam around nearby, continually trying to contact them to no avail it seems. For a moment me regret not giving a call a day before to confirm my arrival. For an hour half me roam the neighbourhood trying to find a building where me can reside temporarily. Me ended up in one of RMIT’s art building. Safe from the chill for the time being.
During the time of trying my luck with the phone, me ponder on the available options that was left. Since there will be no way back to Gippy not till tomorrow, therefore spending a night in Mel Cid is a must. The problem is where? (a) a night in Crowns (b) some budget hotel (c) the place of someone me have long not contacted. Option A seems ridiculous as there was no sense of security spending a night in. Option B however was scrapped due to me miserliness. Option C would be the better choice as all me need is to put on a thick skin (hehe). So be it, that is settle. If we can’t contact Beow or his son by 1550 option C will be. Unaware, those ‘please leave your message after the beep’ was charging me phone credit and was running out soon. Once again, me was force to abandon the comfort of RMIT’s sheltering back into the city searching for a reload.
Well, not all is lost in a note of self comfort. At least get to meet up with someone me have not contacted although there were some reluctants. Unexpectingly, one of me calls make it through. This time was not any ‘please leave your message after the beep’ but actually Beow himself. After some short chit chat, me current objective was to reach Queensberry Hostel again about 1700. During the period me ended up in some ice cream shop which many have recommended. 2 flavours me requested — mango and err… Durian which me dunnoe what to choose at that time. This combination SUX!!! The durian flavour totally out-flavours the mango, what a waste of $4.
After meeting up with Beow he gave me a brief introduction on this and that of the Bahai community in Melbourne. He also reckoned me attend the Southbanks community’s feast whose community is mainly youths and young adults (20-30). He further invited me to extend me stay for another night to go have a look at a tutor gathering held tomorrow. Then me was introduced to ET who is a malaysian youth from PJ staying in QH. She will be my guide to Southbanks. Me also met up with another youth Nadim who is Aunt Parvaneh’s nephew.
Later that evening, we took a tram to Southbanks’ feast. That day’s hosts were three persian girls. Well me was told not to be surprised that most of the community members in Melbourne were mostly persians. Most of them move out since the revolution. After a lovely devotion, some introduction was done. Most of the newly met Bahai friends’ name (mostly persians of course) which me immediately confuse, forget or mix up. We have quite a few visitors too attending that night’s Feast. Some friends from Sydney, me from Gippy, Wollongong and the states too. We also have a newly wedded couple, Omid and Katherine who had recently return from Haifa after years of service, now decided to reside in Mel Cid. 4 lawyers too within the bunch of youth and young adults.
During the feast, the couple, Omid and Katherine recounted stories of the Holy land and the House. It was a once in a lifetime experience for them. Although their time there in the Holy land was unforgettable, however they were unable to teach there. The wonderful experience, ecstasy and spirit to spread their blessings were limited there. They said they really appreciate the gift of being able to teach which they took for granted. Humility was another virtue been raise by them which really inspire me. It was the humility showed forth by the House member that make them feel how insignificant themselves are, yet being thanked and invited to have an audience with the House for their services in the Holy land (they felt bad for taking the time off of the House member as they have more important things to attend to). The humility displayed by two parties somehow strike me deeply…
That night feast was a special one for me. It was me first feast since the last 5 months. The void and emptiness which seems to have accumulated for years was finally filled up with gracious outpouring of merciful rain. They gave hope to me and somehow rejuvenate me hungry and thirsting soul. One thing Katherine said that truly comforted me starving thirst and helplessness: ‘don’t worry, think of it as being a pioneer in that region’. These words together with the quotation (…a bahai be he/she active or passive in an area will somehow have some sort of an effect on that area…) me saw the following day really re-lit the flame of spirit within me. There is also another thing special about the feast held in Mel Cid, ET pointed out. They do not have curry chicken for refreshments, but only lots of cake instead. Yummy, home-baked cake from scratch.
After the feast, me, ET and anoher m’sian bahai kid (someoe actually older than me but looking younger, unbelievable) left. We seperated with me hasting off to Crowns to meet Lippy and Ken master. Both of them will be heading of to Gold Coast for holidays. Well, ,meeting up with them was just to kill some time. As it will be boring in the hostel room with nothing for me to do except sleep and dream. We have coffee (which cost another $4, ouch to the pocket) and me left at about 2 am (SHIT!!!! no more tram services, have to brave the chill).
The next day, together with beow and his son (jie), we went to one of the children/JY weekly classes for some so and so community. Mel Cid Bahai community is slowly growing, like one back home where me left behind. Their children/JY classes reminded me of old times, seeing cheeky brats running around (a tribute to the chilli gal who amused me). Some of the JY were practicing for the JY empowerment show in the next coming weeks. Apparently this empowerment show is Mel Cid Junior youth first ever concert. The kids also plan to make muffins for the concert as part of their service effort to the community. Nothing brings as much cheer as seeing the heart of the child do their magic — purity, naive, innocent.
Later we went for lunch before heading of to the tutor gathering. Me also learn that beow was responsible for empowering the youths and JY back home. He was the person who trained Neda, Roshan and gang who subsequently became our facilitators/animators. He first set up some program for the JY as he felt there is a need for Bahai children to continue their spiritual learning after completion of children classes. The first generation of JY eventually took over the role and train the next generation (US). This is a repeating cycle as the second generation is now animators for the current third generation JY (probably fourth by now). Now, he is here in Mel Cid training youths and JY hoping one day that the same success can repeat itself. Kudos to our 祖师爷!
The tutor gathering…
<to be continued>
Em Efil dna Em Thguoht 